While the other networks had tried imported series, (the Double Deckers and Barrier Reef), educational series (Talking with a Giant, Curiosity Shop, Hot Dog, and Go), and offbeat series (the Krofft shows and Lancelot Link). CBS’s live action offerings were pretty sparse and were limited to the anthology series Children’s Film Festival, a one season revival of You Are There in 1971, and reruns of the Monkees. (For those looking to for full Saturday morning schedules, TV Party has the line ups from 1966 through 1978, plus a few from the 1980s.)
In 1974, CBS decided to make a major jump into the world of live action programming on Saturday mornings. The network programmed a 90 minute block of live action programming mid morning, leading off with Shazam!, the first live action entry from Filmation Studios.
The next hour was devoted to two variety series, The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine and The Hudson Brothers’ Razzle Dazzle Show, both of which were spinoffs from prime time programs.
The Harlem Globetrotters had been the stars of an animated series bearing their name, which ran for two seasons starting in 1970. In 1972, they were given their own prime time variety special, The Harlem Globetrotters’ Popcorn Machine, which acted as a pilot for their 1974 Saturday morning series.
At the time of the series, the Globetrotters were so popular, they actually had two teams touring the world making personal appearances. The line up for the Popcorn Machine consisted of members of both teams.
Joining the Globetrotters as regulars were comedian Avery Schreiber as Mr. Evil and child actor Rodney Allen Rippy, best known for starring in a series of Jack in the Box commercials.
The Hudson Brothers, Mark, Bill, and Brett, were a recording act in the early 1970s that were “discovered” by former Laugh In writer/then current The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour producer Chris Bearde at a party. He thought they would be great on television and in the summer of 1974, the brothers got their own prime time summer variety series, the Hudson Brother Show.
Right after the show went off the air, the Razzle Dazzle Show premiered on Saturday mornings. Filmed in Toronto, the show had a different supporting cast than the prime time series, with only one holdover, Rod Hull and his Emu. The new supporting cast primarily came from the Sonny and Cher Hour and included the unmasked Unknown Comic, Murray Langston, and Hilarious House of Frightenstein star Billy Van.
Both shows were filled with songs and blackout comedy bits similar to their prime time counterparts, with the Globetrotters’ show placing a little more emphasis on educating the audience.
Neither show did well enough in the ratings to produce a second season of episodes, so both series were moved to CBS’s Sunday morning schedule, where other one season shows would go.
While these shows were not a successful as CBS hoped, Shazam!, the other live action entry was a hit and CBS expanded their live action programming for the following seasons. They even tried the variety format again in 1977 with Wacko, which was also produced and created by Chris Bearde. Unfortunately, it suffered the same fate as the Hudson Brothers’ and Globetrotters’ shows.
Although both clips are in black and white, the shows were shot on video in color at the time. These clips come from black and white kinescopes.
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