The Bing Crosby Show
The Bing Crosby Show is a 28-episode situation comedy television program starring crooner, film star, iconic phenomenon, and businessman Bing Crosby and actress Beverly Garland as a middle-aged couple, Bing and Ellie Collins, rearing two teenaged daughters during the early 1960s. In the format, Crosby portrayed a former entertainer turned architectural designer with a penchant for singing, and each episode usually contained at least one song. Produced by Crosby's own company, affiliated with Desilu Studios and subsequently CBS Paramount Television, the series aired on ABC from September 14, 1964, to April 19, 1965. Rebroadcasts continued until June 14. The roles of the daughters Janice and Joyce Collins were played by Carol Faylen and Diane Sherry, respectively. Top Warner Bros. character actor Frank McHugh appeared as Willie Walters, the Collins's live-in handyman. Christopher Riordan and Pamela Austin appeared twice on the program, Riordan as an unnamed "Neighbor" and Austin as Clarissa Roberts. Guest stars included Herbert Anderson, Frankie Avalon, Jack Benny, Jimmy Boyd, Macdonald Carey, Vikki Carr, Dennis Day, Roger Ewing, Glenda Farrell, Joan Fontaine, Kathy Garver, George Gobel, Kathryn Grant, Pat Harrington, Jr., Phil Harris, Charles Lane, Nobu McCarthy, Gary Morton, Ken Murray, Lloyd Nolan, Ruth Roman, and James Shigeta.
Insights
Plot Summary
This short-lived sitcom starred Bing Crosby as Bing Russell, a widowed architect who had recently remarried. Bing juggled his demanding career with raising his two teenage children and navigating his new marriage. The show featured musical numbers performed by Crosby and guest stars, blending humor with song.
Critical Reception
The Bing Crosby Show was met with lukewarm reviews and struggled in the ratings, ultimately lasting only one season. While Crosby's musical talents were appreciated, the sitcom's plots were often seen as predictable and lacking a strong comedic edge. It failed to capture the audience's attention amidst a competitive television landscape.
What Reviewers Say
- Bing Crosby's star power and musical performances were a highlight.
- The show's humor and storylines were generally considered uninspired.
- It struggled to find its footing as a family sitcom.
Google audience: Audience reception for The Bing Crosby Show is difficult to ascertain due to its limited run and lack of widespread availability on modern platforms. However, historical context suggests it was not a standout hit, with viewers likely appreciating Crosby's presence but not necessarily the show's overall execution.
Fun Fact
Despite its short run, 'The Bing Crosby Show' was one of the first network shows to be filmed in color, though it was broadcast in black and white at the time due to many households not yet owning color televisions.
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