Fernwood 2 Night
Fernwood 2 Night was a comedic television program that ran from July 1977 – September 1977. It was created by Norman Lear and produced by Alan Thicke as a spin-off/summer replacement from Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. It was a parody talk show, hosted by Barth Gimble and sidekick/announcer Jerry Hubbard, complete with a stage band, Happy Kyne and His Mirthmakers. Barth was the twin brother of Garth Gimble from Mary Hartman. Like Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night was set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. The show satirized real talk shows as well as the sort of fare one might expect from locally-produced, small-town, midwestern American television programming. Well-known actors usually appeared playing characters or a contrivance had to be written for the celebrity to appear as themselves. After one season of Fernwood, the producers revamped the show the following year as America 2-Night. In this second version, Barth and Jerry's show moved to California and was broadcast nationally on the fictional UBS network, whose slogan was "We put U before the BS". This change allowed the show to now have well-known actors on the show as themselves.
Insights
Plot Summary
Fernwood 2 Night is a satirical parody of late-night talk shows, set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. The show features host Barth Gimble, his dim-witted announcer Jerry Hubbard, and a rotating cast of bizarre guests and recurring characters. Each episode attempts to replicate the structure of a typical talk show, complete with interviews and musical performances, but with a distinctly surreal and often awkward comedic twist. The humor derives from the characters' ineptitude, the absurd situations, and the underlying commentary on media and celebrity culture.
Critical Reception
Fernwood 2 Night, though short-lived, is remembered as a cult classic for its groundbreaking satirical humor and its influence on subsequent mockumentary and sketch comedy shows. While it may have been too avant-garde for some mainstream audiences of its time, critics and fans who appreciated its unique brand of cringe comedy and witty absurdity often lauded its originality and sharp social commentary.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its bold and ahead-of-its-time satirical humor.
- Celebrated as a cult classic with a unique, awkward comedic style.
- Seen as a precursor to modern mockumentary and late-night parody.
Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to gauge due to its niche status and original broadcast period, but it is generally appreciated by fans of absurdist and satirical comedy for its groundbreaking approach.
Fun Fact
The show was a spin-off of Norman Lear's satirical sitcom 'America 2-Night,' which was itself a spin-off of the even more obscure 'Fernwood Tonight.'
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