The Jim Nabors Hour
The Jim Nabors Hour is an American variety television series hosted by Jim Nabors that aired on the CBS television network from 1969 to 1971. Fresh from his success with Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., which put his backwoods "Gomer Pyle" character from The Andy Griffith Show in a military context, the show not only built on that success, including Ronnie Schell and Frank Sutton, two of Nabors' old co-stars, but also displayed his baritone singing voice, which had been used on the Pyle show on occasion and had gotten Nabors several gold records in the late 1960s. The show was consistently in the top thirty and performed strongly in its time slot, but fell victim to the infamous CBS "rural purge" and was axed by the network.
Insights
Plot Summary
A weekly variety show hosted by Jim Nabors, featuring a mix of comedy sketches, musical performances, and celebrity guests. Nabors would often reprise his popular character Gomer Pyle, along with his alter ego, the opera singer Laverne. The show aimed to provide lighthearted entertainment for a family audience.
Critical Reception
The show was a moderate success during its initial run, appealing to audiences who enjoyed Nabors' folksy charm and musical talent. While not critically lauded for groundbreaking comedy, it was seen as a comfortable and familiar staple of network television, consistent with the era's programming trends.
What Reviewers Say
- Appreciated for Jim Nabors' singing and comedic persona.
- Featured a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.
- Relied heavily on Nabors' established Gomer Pyle character.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this historical variety show is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Jim Nabors originally gained fame for his role as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show before starring in his own spin-off sitcom and then this variety hour.
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