| The Midnight Special | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Midnight_Special_TV_Show_Logo.jpg){kind=logo} | |
| Genre | Music variety show |
| Created by | Burt Sugarman |
| Presented by | Various guest hosts (1972–1975, 1976–1981) Helen Reddy (1975–1976) |
| Narrated by | Wolfman Jack |
| Opening theme | "Midnight Special" performed by Johnny Rivers |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 350[1] |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Burt Sugarman |
| Producers |
|
| Production location | NBC Studios in Burbank, CA |
| Running time | 90 min |
| Production company | Burt Sugarman Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | August 19, 1972 – March 27, 1981 |
| Related | |
| Tomorrow | |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series originally broadcast on NBC from 1972 to 1981, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a TV special on August 19, 1972, and then began its run as a regular series from February 3, 1973, to March 27, 1981.[2] The 90-minute program aired on Saturday mornings at 1 a.m. ET/PT after the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.[3]
Like its syndicated late-night cousin Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, the show typically featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through March 1976 when singer Helen Reddy served as the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer and frequent guest host. The program's theme song, a traditional folk song called "Midnight Special", was performed by Johnny Rivers.
The Midnight Special was noted for featuring musical acts performing live, which was unusual since most television appearances during the era showed performers lip-synching to prerecorded music.[citation needed] The series also occasionally aired vintage footage of older acts, such as Bill Haley & His Comets. The program also featured occasional performances of comedians such as Steve Martin,[4] Richard Pryor, Andy Kaufman, and George Carlin.
- ^ Robertson, Ed (1997). "The Midnight Special". Ed Robertson.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2001.
- ^ "Helen Reddy Hosts A.M. Show". The Macon News. February 1, 1973. pp. 5C.
- ^ Martin, Bob (February 9, 1973). "'Midnight Special' Bows at 1 a.m." Independent. Long Beach, California. p. 22.
- ^ "Ep 5 - The Midnight Special | March 2, 1973". The Midnight Special – via YouTube.