Club Oasis
| Club Oasis | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, variety |
| Written by |
Fred Fox Hugh Wedlock Howard Snyder |
| Starring |
Spike Jones Hy Gardner Helen Grayco Joyce Jameson Billy Barty Bob LeMond (announcer) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Bud Cole |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Picture format | Black-and-white |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | September 28, 1957 – September 6, 1958 |
Club Oasis is a 24-episode half-hour comedy-variety show, set in a chic simulated nightclub, which appeared on NBC in the 1957–1958 television season. The series alternated with The Polly Bergen Show in the 9 p.m. EST time slot on Saturday evenings. Though several entertainers appeared as hosts on Club Oasis, the program became most closely associated toward the end of its short run with the bandleader Spike Jones, who became its permanent host, and his City Slickers.[1][2]
After their performances, the Club Oasis guests were interviewed by Hy Gardner. In the series premiere, Van Johnson acted as host, and the singers included Jo Stafford and the four Ames Brothers. In the second episode, Kay Starr sang "Wheel of Fortune", "When You're Smiling", "That's What the Good Book Says", and "Three Letters".[3]
On December 21, 1957, the program featured Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians performing "Holiday", "Auld Lang Syne", "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", and "Easter Parade", as well as some traditional carols.[3]
Other Club Oasis regulars were comedian Joyce Jameson and midget comedian Billy Barty. Among the many well-known guest stars, some of whom made multiple appearances, were Andy Griffith,[4] Joe Besser of The Three Stooges,[5] Edie Adams, Jeannie Carson, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Fisher, Stan Freburg, Phil Harris, Peter Lawford, Gisele MacKenzie, Mickey Rooney, Dean Martin, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Martha Raye, Jimmie Rodgers, and Frank Sinatra.[2]
The closing episode on September 6, 1958, features Spike Jones, the City Slickers, and Jones's wife, Helen Grayco. Songs performed were "The Black and Blue Danube", "Fiddle Faddle", "Hour of Parting", "One for My Baby", and "Volare".[6] Other supporting cast members were Doodles Weaver, George Rock, Phil Gray, Jad Paul, and Gil Bernal.[7]
Club Oasis aired opposite The Gale Storm Show, a situation comedy on CBS and Lawrence Welk's Dodge Dancing Party on ABC. Club Oasis followed The Perry Como Show and preceded The Gisele MacKenzie Show on the NBC Saturday schedule. During the summer of 1958, Club Oasis moved ninety minutes later to 10:30 p.m. EST on Saturdays, where it alternated with another series, Opening Night. For the last eight episodes, it was known as Club Oasis with Spike Jones.[6]
References
- ↑ "Club Oasis on NBC". tvguide.com. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- 1 2 Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. New York City: Random House, 2003, ISBN 0-345-45542-8. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- 1 2 "Club Oasis". Classic TV Archives. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Griffith, Andy, 1926". encyclopedia.com. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ↑ "The Three Stooges: On-line Filmography". threestooges.net. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- 1 2 "Club Oasis on TV.com". tv.com. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ↑ Alex McNeil, Total Television, p. 168