Latest news with #TheLawrenceWelkShow
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘The Lawrence Welk Show' Turns 70: A Bubbly TV Flashback
Unspecified: Lawrence Welk appearing on 'The Lawrence Welk Show'. (Photo by Disney General ... More Entertainment Content via Getty Images) 'Wunnerful, wunnerful!.' 'Ah one, and ah two'…let's get started on this TV flashback. Naturally, this tribute is about the legendary Lawrence Welk, the "Champagne Music" maestro, known for his family-friendly show and his signature "A one, and ah two" introduction to musical numbers. Beyond long-running The Lawrence Welk Show, which debuted on ABC on this day in 1955, Welk was a bandleader, an accordion player, and a shrewd businessman synonymous with squeaky-clean (and older-skewing) entertainment. Lawrence Welk (1903-1992), US musician and band leader, smiling while posing with an accordian, ... More circa 1955. (Photo by) Let's go back to July 2, 1955 for the premiere of The Lawrence Welk Show. I Love Lucy finished the season as the top-rated television series in primetime (with a staggering average 49.3 household rating, according to Nielsen). The Jackie Gleason Show at No. 2 led the then overpopulated category of variety. And classic crime drama Dragnet ranked third overall. William Frawley, Vivian Vance, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz out golfing in the television series 'I ... More Love Lucy', 1951. (Photo) UNITED STATES - MAY 15: May 15, 1955, California, Los Angeles, The Jackie Gleason Show, Jackie ... More Gleason and Art Carney(L-R: Art Carney, Jackie Gleason). (Photo by Michael) CIRCA 1955: Star of the TV series "Dragnet" Jack Webb performs in a scene in circa 1955. (Photo by ... More Michael) At a time when the summer was a breeding ground for leftover programming, ABC aggressively brought Lawrence Welk into primetime. Initially billed as the Dodge Dancing Party in 1955 and 1956, The Lawrence Welk Show became a staple for ABC for 16 years, particularly as a Saturday night option. The variety series featured the band, singers, and dancers, all showcasing a range of musical styles from big band to polka. Many episodes included a theme, like songs of the 40s or music from famous groups, with the cast performing related numbers. Segments highlighted individual performers. And then there was the Lennon sisters, who were dubbed "America's Sweethearts of Song." They were…all together now…"Wunnerful, wunnerful!" Unspecified - 1962: (L-R) The Lennon Sisters performing on 'The Lawrence Welk Show'. (Photo by ... More Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) While still a popular option on ABC, The Lawrence Welk Show was a victim of the 'rural purge' in primetime in 1971, which resulted in the demise of series like The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Hee Haw and Welk's variety series in favor of more modern type storytelling a la The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Norman Lear's All in the Family. Group puiblicity portrait of the cast of the CBS situation comedy 'Mary Tyler Moore' shows (left to ... More right) Gavin McLeod, as Murray Slaughter, Mary Tyler Moore, as Mary Richards, Ed Asner, as Lou Grant, and Ted Knight (1923 - 1986), as Ted Baxter, California, 1971. (Photo by CBS) UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970: Photo of All In The Family Photo by MichaelLife After Cancellation In response to the show's demise, Welk started his own production company and continued producing it for first-run syndication. Fun factoid: The success of Lawrence Welk and Hee Haw in syndication, and the network decisions that led to their premature cancellations, were the inspiration for a novelty song called 'The Lawrence Welk-Hee Haw Counter-Revolution Polka.' After 11 additional seasons (and 30 seasons in total), Lawrence Welk retired and production of the weekly television program ended in 1982. With bubbles floating around accompanied by a sound effect of a bottle of champagne opening at the beginning of most episodes, The Lawrence Show was not the 'coolest' or 'trendiest' television series. But its wholesome, family-friendly entertainment left an indelible impact. And today we remember this 'wunnerful, wunnerful' variety series. Lawrence Welk surrounded by female cast members on 'The Lawrence Welk Show'. (Photo by Disney ... More General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
03-06-2025
North Dakota's historic sites will finally have toilets that flush
BISMARCK, N.D. -- Lawrence Welk didn't have a flush toilet where he grew up, but visitors to his childhood home in rural North Dakota now do. The bandleader's childhood family home marks the latest step in the State Historical Society of North Dakota's nearly completed goal of installing flush toilets at its dozen most popular, staffed sites. The most recent success, with the final three planned to be completed soon, came before the unveiling of a statue of Welk at a site that draws fans who recall 'The Lawrence Welk Show,' which ran on TV for decades starting in the 1950s. The North Dakota group's goal of replacing pit toilets with flush units may seem like a humble aspiration to some, but it's an important milestone, said Chris Dorfschmidt, a historic sites manager. 'A lot of our sites are kind of in the middle of nowhere. As I like to put it, history didn't happen where it's convenient,' he said. 'Because of that, if you've driven all the way out there, and that's the best we can do to kind of accommodate you, it's not the most pleasant experience.' North Dakota has 60 state historic sites — everything from museums and an underground nuclear launch facility to plaques mounted on boulders in fields. 'All of our sites, they really do help share a story of us as a state,' Dorfschmidt said. Two other facilities are slated to be finished by June 30: at Whitestone Hill, the site of a deadly 1863 attack by U.S. troops against Native Americans; and Fort Buford, a military fort near the Missouri-Yellowstone river confluence. The Historical Society also is eyeing the Chateau de Mores for flush toilets. The wealthy Marquis de Mores built the 26-room home in 1883 near Medora, a present-day tourist town in the state's scenic Badlands where a young President Theodore Roosevelt once roamed. Less-visited sites that aren't staffed likely won't receive a restroom upgrade, which costs about $150,000 each. At the Welk Homestead, about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) southeast of Bismarck, workers matched the color scheme of the restroom to the house and farm buildings, including interior colors. 'We made it to fit into the site and harmonize with the site and just be a pleasant part of the experience,' Historic Sites Manager Rob Hanna said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
North Dakota's historic sites will finally have toilets that flush
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Lawrence Welk didn't have a flush toilet where he grew up, but visitors to his childhood home in rural North Dakota now do. The bandleader's childhood family home marks the latest step in the State Historical Society of North Dakota's nearly completed goal of installing flush toilets at its dozen most popular, staffed sites. The most recent success, with the final three planned to be completed soon, came before the unveiling of a statue of Welk at a site that draws fans who recall 'The Lawrence Welk Show,' which ran on TV for decades starting in the 1950s. The North Dakota group's goal of replacing pit toilets with flush units may seem like a humble aspiration to some, but it's an important milestone, said Chris Dorfschmidt, a historic sites manager. 'A lot of our sites are kind of in the middle of nowhere. As I like to put it, history didn't happen where it's convenient,' he said. 'Because of that, if you've driven all the way out there, and that's the best we can do to kind of accommodate you, it's not the most pleasant experience.' North Dakota has 60 state historic sites — everything from museums and an underground nuclear launch facility to plaques mounted on boulders in fields. 'All of our sites, they really do help share a story of us as a state,' Dorfschmidt said. Two other facilities are slated to be finished by June 30: at Whitestone Hill, the site of a deadly 1863 attack by U.S. troops against Native Americans; and Fort Buford, a military fort near the Missouri-Yellowstone river confluence. The Historical Society also is eyeing the Chateau de Mores for flush toilets. The wealthy Marquis de Mores built the 26-room home in 1883 near Medora, a present-day tourist town in the state's scenic Badlands where a young President Theodore Roosevelt once roamed. Less-visited sites that aren't staffed likely won't receive a restroom upgrade, which costs about $150,000 each. At the Welk Homestead, about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) southeast of Bismarck, workers matched the color scheme of the restroom to the house and farm buildings, including interior colors. 'We made it to fit into the site and harmonize with the site and just be a pleasant part of the experience,' Historic Sites Manager Rob Hanna said.
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
North Dakota's historic sites will finally have toilets that flush
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Lawrence Welk didn't have a flush toilet where he grew up, but visitors to his childhood home in rural North Dakota now do. The bandleader's childhood family home marks the latest step in the State Historical Society of North Dakota's nearly completed goal of installing flush toilets at its dozen most popular, staffed sites. The most recent success, with the final three planned to be completed soon, came before the unveiling of a statue of Welk at a site that draws fans who recall 'The Lawrence Welk Show,' which ran on TV for decades starting in the 1950s. The North Dakota group's goal of replacing pit toilets with flush units may seem like a humble aspiration to some, but it's an important milestone, said Chris Dorfschmidt, a historic sites manager. 'A lot of our sites are kind of in the middle of nowhere. As I like to put it, history didn't happen where it's convenient,' he said. 'Because of that, if you've driven all the way out there, and that's the best we can do to kind of accommodate you, it's not the most pleasant experience.' North Dakota has 60 state historic sites — everything from museums and an underground nuclear launch facility to plaques mounted on boulders in fields. 'All of our sites, they really do help share a story of us as a state,' Dorfschmidt said. Two other facilities are slated to be finished by June 30: at Whitestone Hill, the site of a deadly 1863 attack by U.S. troops against Native Americans; and Fort Buford, a military fort near the Missouri-Yellowstone river confluence. The Historical Society also is eyeing the Chateau de Mores for flush toilets. The wealthy Marquis de Mores built the 26-room home in 1883 near Medora, a present-day tourist town in the state's scenic Badlands where a young President Theodore Roosevelt once roamed. Less-visited sites that aren't staffed likely won't receive a restroom upgrade, which costs about $150,000 each. At the Welk Homestead, about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) southeast of Bismarck, workers matched the color scheme of the restroom to the house and farm buildings, including interior colors. 'We made it to fit into the site and harmonize with the site and just be a pleasant part of the experience,' Historic Sites Manager Rob Hanna said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
North Dakota's historic sites will finally have toilets that flush
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Lawrence Welk didn't have a flush toilet where he grew up, but visitors to his childhood home in rural North Dakota now do. The bandleader's childhood family home marks the latest step in the State Historical Society of North Dakota's nearly completed goal of installing flush toilets at its dozen most popular, staffed sites. The most recent success, with the final three planned to be completed soon, came before the unveiling of a statue of Welk at a site that draws fans who recall 'The Lawrence Welk Show,' which ran on TV for decades starting in the 1950s. The North Dakota group's goal of replacing pit toilets with flush units may seem like a humble aspiration to some, but it's an important milestone, said Chris Dorfschmidt, a historic sites manager. 'A lot of our sites are kind of in the middle of nowhere. As I like to put it, history didn't happen where it's convenient,' he said. 'Because of that, if you've driven all the way out there, and that's the best we can do to kind of accommodate you, it's not the most pleasant experience.' North Dakota has 60 state historic sites — everything from museums and an underground nuclear launch facility to plaques mounted on boulders in fields. 'All of our sites, they really do help share a story of us as a state,' Dorfschmidt said. Two other facilities are slated to be finished by June 30: at Whitestone Hill, the site of a deadly 1863 attack by U.S. troops against Native Americans; and Fort Buford, a military fort near the Missouri-Yellowstone river confluence. The Historical Society also is eyeing the Chateau de Mores for flush toilets. The wealthy Marquis de Mores built the 26-room home in 1883 near Medora, a present-day tourist town in the state's scenic Badlands where a young President Theodore Roosevelt once roamed. Less-visited sites that aren't staffed likely won't receive a restroom upgrade, which costs about $150,000 each. At the Welk Homestead, about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) southeast of Bismarck, workers matched the color scheme of the restroom to the house and farm buildings, including interior colors. 'We made it to fit into the site and harmonize with the site and just be a pleasant part of the experience,' Historic Sites Manager Rob Hanna said.
