The Andy Williams Show
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The Andy Williams Show was a television variety show which ran from 1957 to 1971 (alternating during the summer of 1970 with Andy Williams Presents Ray Stevens), and a short-lived run in syndication, beginning in the fall of 1976. It was hosted by singer Andy Williams, with a number of regular performers, including, from time to time:
- Dick Van Dyke
- The New Christy Minstrels
- The Osmond Brothers
- Jonathan Winters
- Professor Irwin Corey
- Ray Stevens
- The Lennon Sisters
- Charlie Callas
- Janos Prohaska ("The Cookie Bear")
From its inception until 1959, the show ran on CBS. It went on hiatus until it was picked up by NBC in 1962, and then ran uninterrupted until 1971.
When the show first started, it was tailored to Andy Williams's pop music stylings, with "adult contemporary" style musicians. But in 1969 it was restaged, bringing in rock and roll acts and psychedelic staging. The audience sat on risers which moved around the stage, following Williams about as he moved.
Starting in 1971, Williams opted instead to produce seasonal specials (especially at Christmas) in lieu of a weekly series.
One recurring comedy sketch on the show involved Williams' encounters with "The Cookie Bear," a tall, comical animal whose escapades (& begging for a cookie) would frustrate Williams to the point of his shouting at him, with increasing high pitch, that he didn't want to see him again, "Not Now--Not Ever--NEVER!!" This send-off, which became a popularly-used phrase at that time, was funny due to its contrast with the suave performing demeanor Williams was known for.
Five years after his second weekly run at NBC had ended, Andy tried his hand at a half-hour weekly variety show, this time in syndication. But it lasted only one season (1976-1977).
