On this day in 1969, CBS gave the world the enduring classic Hee Haw! We covered the show on the podcast, but let's take some more time to consider the program today on its 51st anniversary.
The show was purged from the network but lasted forever in syndication and is still fondly remembered, showing up in places like RFD-TV and, of course in the gift shops of Cracker Barrells everywhere. We give it a special SAAA-LUTE!
Showing posts with label Hee Haw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hee Haw. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2020
Monday, November 12, 2018
YouTube Spotlight: Roy Clark meets The Odd Couple
In this week's YouTube spotlight, we highlight one of the best clips from our Hee Haw playlist: Roy Clark pickin' (but without a guitar pick) like a madman on the fifth season of The Odd Couple:
Even on Hee Haw, you should get an idea of Clark's skills, but if you have any doubt, just check out this clip. Roy's fingers even upstage his sideburns.
I must admit, though, I kind of do want to hear Mountain Dewwwwww again, as Oscar requests.
The Odd Couple was riddled with music replacements when it came out on DVD, but this scene (and in fact, the whole episode, I believe) is uncut, so grab that set if you want to see more.
Even on Hee Haw, you should get an idea of Clark's skills, but if you have any doubt, just check out this clip. Roy's fingers even upstage his sideburns.
I must admit, though, I kind of do want to hear Mountain Dewwwwww again, as Oscar requests.
The Odd Couple was riddled with music replacements when it came out on DVD, but this scene (and in fact, the whole episode, I believe) is uncut, so grab that set if you want to see more.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Our Hee Haw YouTube playlist is now live!
If you haven't had enough of Kornfield Kounty, click below for this episode's official playlist, filled with music, comedy, and more! Enjoy: Foster Brooks pickin' and (hic) grinnin'! Johnny Cash for the United Way! Minnie Pearl teams up with Liberace! All that and plenty of ads, promos, and tunes!
And remember you can always head to our official YouTube page for episode-specific playlists for all of our shows!
And remember you can always head to our official YouTube page for episode-specific playlists for all of our shows!
Show Notes: Episode 5-4: Hee Haw
*We cover episodes from the seventh season of Hee Haw for the podcast: Episode 7 (October 25, 1975) and Episode 14 (December 13, 1975).
*Hee Haw airs on RFD-TV several times a week, but it looks as though they licensed a limited number of episodes. If you are looking for a particular one or are interested in the really old shows, let's just say it isn't hard to find some online.
*The infamous "rural purge" may be a bit exaggerated, but CBS did cancel some well-rated programs, reportedly at the urging of Fred Silverman, to shift the network demographics. However, The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres were aging series that had fallen in the ratings. Also, Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, and Red Skelton were canceled, too, because of older audiences, not rural ones. This could be a subject for an entire show!
Hee Haw was definitely a hit, though, before it was a casualty. Interestingly, right on the heels of this so-called purge was a show as rural as it comes: The Waltons, which stayed on CBS for years.
*TV Turkeys is out of print but available from resellers!
*Besides Hee Haw, there was Buck Owens' Ranch Show in syndication from 1966-1972.
*For another look at Roy Clark's career, check out this great piece by Matt Dembicki and Matt Rawson: https://www.redistrictedcomics.com/royclark
*Minnie Pearl was a fixture at the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years. Born Sarah Colley, she had been performing about 30 years when Hee Haw debuted.
*Hee Haw Honeys was an ill-fated 1978 spinoff centered around Lulu Roman's character's truck stop and the various "honeys" who worked there, along with musical guests/
*The crack research team believes the act Mike remembers from the Opry is Four Guys (not Five Guys), seen here (photo courtesy of http://www.thefourguys.com/history.htm):
*George Lindsey got plenty of mileage from the Goober character but apparently no legal flak despite essentially playing the same character he did in The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD. We are unable to find evidence of a legal battle in which Lindsey claimed he was playing himself and therefore had rights to the "character."
*If you want to read more about the horrible death of David "Stringbean" Akeman, click here. Brace yourself first. We don't blame you if you got all you needed to know from the podcast.
*The Newsradio show Mike and special guest (and Friend of the Show) Dann discuss is Season 3, Episode 15, Rose Bowl, available on DVD.
*Special thanks to Dann, and check out his work with Surfana here: https://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/artist/82372/user82372
*Hee Haw airs on RFD-TV several times a week, but it looks as though they licensed a limited number of episodes. If you are looking for a particular one or are interested in the really old shows, let's just say it isn't hard to find some online.
*The infamous "rural purge" may be a bit exaggerated, but CBS did cancel some well-rated programs, reportedly at the urging of Fred Silverman, to shift the network demographics. However, The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres were aging series that had fallen in the ratings. Also, Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, and Red Skelton were canceled, too, because of older audiences, not rural ones. This could be a subject for an entire show!
Hee Haw was definitely a hit, though, before it was a casualty. Interestingly, right on the heels of this so-called purge was a show as rural as it comes: The Waltons, which stayed on CBS for years.
*TV Turkeys is out of print but available from resellers!
*Besides Hee Haw, there was Buck Owens' Ranch Show in syndication from 1966-1972.
*For another look at Roy Clark's career, check out this great piece by Matt Dembicki and Matt Rawson: https://www.redistrictedcomics.com/royclark
*Minnie Pearl was a fixture at the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years. Born Sarah Colley, she had been performing about 30 years when Hee Haw debuted.
*Hee Haw Honeys was an ill-fated 1978 spinoff centered around Lulu Roman's character's truck stop and the various "honeys" who worked there, along with musical guests/
*The crack research team believes the act Mike remembers from the Opry is Four Guys (not Five Guys), seen here (photo courtesy of http://www.thefourguys.com/history.htm):
*George Lindsey got plenty of mileage from the Goober character but apparently no legal flak despite essentially playing the same character he did in The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD. We are unable to find evidence of a legal battle in which Lindsey claimed he was playing himself and therefore had rights to the "character."
*If you want to read more about the horrible death of David "Stringbean" Akeman, click here. Brace yourself first. We don't blame you if you got all you needed to know from the podcast.
*The Newsradio show Mike and special guest (and Friend of the Show) Dann discuss is Season 3, Episode 15, Rose Bowl, available on DVD.
*Special thanks to Dann, and check out his work with Surfana here: https://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/artist/82372/user82372
Thursday, November 8, 2018
5-4: Hee Haw
Our listeners voted again, and we listened. Pick and grin with us as we discuss two episodes of country variety classic "Hee Haw," featuring Freddy Fender, Melba Montgomery, Johnny Cash, and La Costa. Crank up the laugh track, let the banjo licks fly, and don't let the fence hit you on the way out. Plus, we hear an extra-special "Hee Haw" story from one our listeners.
Check out this episode!
Check out this episode!
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Monday, August 13, 2018
Great Moments in 70s and 80s TV History: Joe Frazier on "Hee Haw"
I didn't think anything could top Johnny Bench covering Jim Croce in the cornfield, but if there's one thing I know after years of watching television it's the folly of underestimating Hee Haw. In 1979, Roy Clark, Buck Owens, and the whole gang welcomed former heavyweight boxing world champ Smokin' Joe Frazier to enjoy the scenery, tell jokes, and of course play some music.
I mean, how could you have Joe Frazier and not do a number or two with him, right?
They do a few songs, but the highlight is Six Days on the Road. One thing I notice about this episode is that Joe seems to be having the time of his life. It may look incongruous to have the champ appear on this syndicated cornpone variety show, but Frazier himself is totally game and right at home.
Frazier didn't want to be "just" a pugilist; he actually recorded and toured with a band called Joe Frazier and the Knockouts and even made an appearance on the Jerry Lewis Telethon:
I think I prefer the performance on Hee Haw, which is a legitimately good number...though, I must admit, not really for Frazier as much as for his partners:
I mean, how could you have Joe Frazier and not do a number or two with him, right?
They do a few songs, but the highlight is Six Days on the Road. One thing I notice about this episode is that Joe seems to be having the time of his life. It may look incongruous to have the champ appear on this syndicated cornpone variety show, but Frazier himself is totally game and right at home.
Frazier didn't want to be "just" a pugilist; he actually recorded and toured with a band called Joe Frazier and the Knockouts and even made an appearance on the Jerry Lewis Telethon:
I think I prefer the performance on Hee Haw, which is a legitimately good number...though, I must admit, not really for Frazier as much as for his partners:
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