Shields and Yarnell

Shields and Yarnell was a short-lived American sketch comedy television series that aired on ABC in 1978. The show featured the mime duo Robert Shields and Lorene Yarnell, known for their unique street performances. Alongside their silent routines, the show incorporated musical numbers and celebrity guests, attempting to translate their visual artistry into a broadcast format.

The series received a lukewarm reception, struggling to find a consistent audience or critical acclaim. While Shields and Yarnell's mime performances were often praised for their originality and skill, critics noted the difficulty in adapting their style to a weekly television format. The show's humor and pacing were frequently cited as weaknesses.

• The show's reliance on mime proved challenging for a mainstream television audience.
• While the performers were talented, the sketches often lacked comedic punch.
• Attempts to broaden the show with music and guests didn't fully compensate for the core concept's limitations.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'Shields and Yarnell' is not widely documented on Google platforms, but historical critical reception suggests it was a niche program that did not resonate broadly with television viewers of the era.

Robert Shields and Lorene Yarnell famously performed their mime act on the streets of San Francisco before gaining national television exposure.