The Dean Martin Show

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The Dean Martin Show was a TV variety-comedy series that ran from 1965 to 1974, for 245 episodes. It was broadcast by NBC and hosted by legendary crooner Dean Martin. The theme song to the series was his hit "Everybody Loves Somebody."

Martin was initially reluctant to do the show, partially because he did not want to turn down movie and nightclub performances. He demanded a high salary and that he need only show up for the actual taping of the show; to his surprise, the network agreed. The show was heavy on physical comedy, rather than just quips, and if Martin flubbed a line or forgot a lyric, he refused to do a retake, and the mistake — and his recovery from it — would remain in the show. Martin believed that an important key to his popularity was that he did not put on airs.

The show was considered suitable and entertaining for all ages. Although Martin's act was that of a drunken playboy, the ever-present old-fashioned glass in his hand had apple juice in it.

A regular segment had him singing while Ken Lane played the grand piano; Martin often tried to make Lane laugh hard enough to break his concentration. Bandleader Les Brown was also a regular, as were The Golddiggers (including Jayne Kennedy. Some of the Golddiggers were the Ding-A-Ling Sisters. In later seasons, other regular performers were added, such as Key Medford, Lou Jacobi, Tom Bosley, Marian Mercer, Dom DeLuise, Nipsey Russell, Charles Nelson Reilly and Rodney Dangerfield.

Frequent guests on the show included Foster Brooks and Norm Crosby. Dan Rowan and Dick Martin. and fellow rat-packer Joey Bishop.

A continual gag on the show would have a knock from the closet door on the set, Martin opening the door to reveal an unannounced celebrity guest. Often, even Martin did not know who the guest would be to make it more of a surprise.

When the show was cancelled in 1974, a series of Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts were produced in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel (a tradition started on the variety series' last season).