
One by one they would take the stage, either as a solo act or performing together with other cast members. You could tell that the singers, dancers and performers were really like one big family, welcoming your family in for a Saturday night gathering. However, there was something genuinely nice and warm and soothing as I tuned in to “The Lawrence Welk Show.”

It was probably something your grandparents bought by the case. Perhaps you remember Geritol – the cure-all for those senior citizens suffering from “iron-poor tired blood?” The first thing that caught my eye while Welk was directing his orchestra was the big sponsor sign for Geritol, displayed prominently on the back wall behind the band. Initially, I thought it would be like looking at a horrific car crash that you first want to avert your eyes but the curiosity continues to brings you back. And while I almost hate to admit it, I recently tuned in. They still show reruns of “The Lawrence Welk Show” on a local PBS station, yup – still on Saturday nights.

” and conclude each song with “Thank you- thank-you- thank you,” in his familiar German accent.
Lawrence welk cast members joe feenie tv#
We would laugh at his sidekick Crazy Guggenheim, in their classic Joe the Bartender routine, marvel at the precision of the June Taylor Dancers, and wonder what Jackie had in his cup of coffee when he’d bellow after first sip, “How sweet it is!” while mocking the outlandish outfit of bandleader Sammy Spear.Īfter that hour was up, no matter how much we protested that we wanted to watch “My Three Sons” or “Get Smart” or “Secret Agent” – with the rockin’ theme song by Johnny Rivers – the TV would always be set to welcome Lawrence Welk and his TV family.įrom the first pop of the champagne bottle and the release from the bubble machine, the smiling bandleader would begin each number with “An-a-one, an-a-two, an-a. Since Saturday was a non-school night, we were able to stay up a little longer than our usual 8:30 bedtime.Īt 8 o’clock, the TV would be tuned to Jackie Gleason, “The Great One.” When I was growing up in the 1960s, the oldest in a family of five kids, Saturday nights meant hot dogs and beans for supper, the weekly dunk in the bathtub, and – wrapped in my bathrobe with a choice spot on the floor – gathering around our lone black and white console TV set.

It made me chuckle at first sight, and then pause to pine a bit for the good old Saturday nights of my youth. I was Forced to Watch Lawrence Welk as a Kid.” The Facebook posting read, “Don’t Tell Me About Your Childhood Problems.
