The Judy Garland Show
The Judy Garland Show is an American musical variety television series that aired on CBS on Sunday nights during the 1963-1964 television season. Despite a sometimes stormy relationship with Judy Garland, CBS had found success with several television specials featuring the star. Garland, who for years had been reluctant to commit to a weekly series, saw the show as her best chance to pull herself out of severe financial difficulties. Production difficulties beset the series almost from the beginning. The series had three different producers in the course of its 26 episodes and went through a number of other key personnel changes. With the change in producers also came changes to the show's format, which started as comedy/variety but switched to an almost purely concert format. While Garland herself was popular with critics, the initial variety format and her co-star, Jerry Van Dyke, were not. The show competed with Bonanza, then the fourth most popular program on television, and consistently performed poorly in the ratings. Although fans rallied in an attempt to save the show, CBS cancelled it after a single season. TV Guide included the series in their 2013 list of 60 shows that were "Cancelled Too Soon".
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Plot Summary
The Judy Garland Show was a weekly hour-long American musical variety television series that aired on CBS. Hosted by the legendary Judy Garland, the show featured a mix of musical performances by Garland, her guests, and comedic sketches. Each episode aimed to showcase Garland's immense talent and versatility, offering a blend of classic show tunes, contemporary hits, and intimate performances.
Critical Reception
Despite its star power, 'The Judy Garland Show' struggled to find a consistent audience and critical footing in a competitive television landscape. While Garland's talent was undeniable, the show's format and often inconsistent guest bookings led to mixed reviews, and it ultimately lasted only one season.
What Reviewers Say
- Judy Garland's undeniable talent shone through, even if the show itself was inconsistent.
- The variety format struggled to connect with audiences compared to more focused programming.
- Guest stars often overshadowed Garland, or the pairings felt mismatched.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but commentary often centers on the legendary status of Judy Garland, with some viewers appreciating the musical numbers while others found the show's format to be dated or less engaging than other contemporary programs.
Fun Fact
Frank Gorshin, who played The Riddler in the 1960s Batman TV series, made a memorable guest appearance on 'The Judy Garland Show' singing 'I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For'.
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