Show #141 March 10,1960

Ernie's Guest: Odetta

Script Notes: One of  folk music's most stunningly original performers is Ernie's guest for this March 10, 1960 show. In one of only two network television appearances in five years, Odetta graces this Ford Show with some of the most awesome music and powerful performances ever captured on kinescope. At a time when folk was on the cusp of completely changing the American cultural landscape, every other prime-time variety show out there was playing it decidedly safe and definitely conservative; booking The Kingston Trio, The Dillards or The Smothers Brothers. "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley" was about about as controversial as the Big Three wanted to be. Odetta, however, was anything but conservative. A major voice among the rising ranks of folk artists in Boston, Connecticut  and The Village, she had become, by 1960, one of the principal influences and architects of the new wave of social protest. ...On the Ernie Ford Show!?! 

...One of the best, most incredible Ford Shows ever produced, and a Ford Show Classic from curtain to curtain.

Musical Numbers: Little Coco Palm: Ernie and the group / Square Checkers (Skip To My Lou): The Top Twenty / Another Man Done Gone / Muleskinner Blues / Pastures Of Plenty: Odetta / Nine Pound Hammer: Ernie (w/Odetta on guitar) / The Great Historical Bum: Ernie and Odetta / Church In The Wildwood: Ernie and The Top Twenty / What A Friend We Have In Jesus: Ernie, Odetta, The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Odetta, The Top Twenty

Show # 142   March 17, 1960

Ernie's Guest: Robert Horton

Script Notes: Bob Horton meets Ernie's cousin, Ferd, on Ferd's first airplane flight...and more or less wings it from there in this hilarious airing from March of 1960.

Musical Numbers: Clancy Lowered The Boom: Ernie and the gang / Shenandoah: Robert and The Top Twenty / The Old Rugged Cross: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Robert Horton, The Top Twenty

Show # 143   March 24, 1960

Ernie's Guest: Singer Tommy Sands

Script Notes: Just two weeks after his much-publicized marriage to  Nancy Sinatra, singer Tommy Sands gives Ernie a crash course in improvisational acting.

Musical Numbers: John Henry: Ernie / That's Love: Tommy / Medley: In The Good Old Summertime/I'll Be Back A'Sunday/Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/Fat Gal: Tommy, Ernie, The Top Twenty / Movin' On: Tommy / This World Is Not My Home: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Tommy Sands, The Top Twenty

Show # 144   March 31, 1960  (Pre-Empted)

Show # 145   April 7, 1960

Ernie's Guest: Shari Lewis

Script Notes: Making their first appearance on The Ford Show, Shari Lewis grudgingly lets Lambchop negotiate Ernie's deal for his next big production.

Musical Numbers: Jambalaya: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Baciare, Baciare: The Top Twenty / Waitin' For The Robert E. Lee: Ernie, Shari, Lambchop / Nine Hundred Pages Of Sixty-Six Books: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Shari Lewis, The Top Twenty

Show # 146   April 14, 1960

Ernie's Guest: Pianist Roger Williams

Script Notes: Williams' second Ford Show appearance for this 1960 Easter show.

Musical Numbers: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Medley: Easter Parade/Steppin' Out With My Baby/Top Hat, White Tie & Tails/In My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown/You Oughta Be In Pictures/Orchids In The Moonlight/I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams: The Top Twenty / Liza: Roger / The Resurrection: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Roger Williams, The Top Twenty

Show # 147   April 21, 1960

Ernie's Guest: Singer Joanie O'Brien

Script Notes: A regular on the dinner club and radio circuit for years, Joanie was a regular with Ernie's '55-'56 daily Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (also on NBC). One of the best pop voices in the business, and a classy guest for this April, '60 broadcast.

Musical Numbers: El Rancho Grande: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Medley: My Favorite Things/Do-Re-Mi/Climb Every Mountain: The Top Twenty / I've Got A Right To Sing The Blues: Joanie / But Yours: Ernie and Joanie / Wayfaring Pilgrim: Ernie (with Bobby Gibbons, guitar)

Cast: Ernie Ford, Joanie O'Brien, The Top Twenty

Show # 148   April 28, 1960

No Guest ~ Remote from Drury College in Springfield, Mo.

Script Notes: One of only five Ford Shows shot remote on location.

Musical Numbers: Gee But It's Good To Be Here: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Spring, Spring, Spring: The Top Twenty / Sixteen Tons: Ernie / Take My Hand, Precious Lord: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, The Top Twenty

Show # 149  May 5, 1960 ▪ H.M.S. PINAFORE (Repeat)

Script Notes: The first of only three Ford Show reruns.

Show # 150   May 12, 1960

Ernie's Guests: Johnny Cash and country comics Homer & Jethro

Script Notes: Remember the June Carter Ford Show appearance from February of 1959? Well, here's her future man, Johnny, in tow with two of country music's reigning wierdos, Homer & Jethro. One of the funniest Ford Shows on record, with some of Cash's most incredible performances on video.

Musical Numbers: Cotton Candy And A Toy Balloon: Ernie and the gang / You Belong To Me: The Top Twenty / The Battle Of Kookamonga: Homer & Jethro / Reuben, Reuben: The Top Twenty / Big River/Don't Take Your Guns To Town: Johnny / Pickin' Time: Ernie, Johnny, Homer & Jethro / May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Johnny Cash, Homer & Jethro

 

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