Sha Na Na (TV series)

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Sha Na Na was the name of a syndicated variety series that ran from 1977 to 1981. The show was hosted by the popular Rock & Roll/Comedy group of the same name and was among the most watched programs in syndication during its run. The show was produced by Pierre Cossette and originally distributed by LBS Communications. Sony Pictures Television currently owns the rights to the series, but hasn't made the show available on DVD yet. Donny York, Jocko Marcellino, and Screamin' Scott Simon of the TV group continue to tour as Sha Na Na.

The show featured the group performing hits from the 1950s and 1960s along with comedy skits along the shows nostalgic theme but with a modern day twist, with performances from that era's well-known acts as well as popular acts of the 1970s.

Among the supporting members featured in the series were: Avery Schreiber, Kenneth Mars and Phillp Roth (All of them in the first season); Pamela Myers and actress Jane Dulo (she played the crabby Lady in the Window, who watched over the street scenes from the window of her apartment with undisguised disdain) (Both throughout the show's run), June Gable and Soupy Sales (Seasons 2 to 4); Michael Sklar (Season 2); and Karen Hartman (Season 4).

Interestingly, most of the stations that aired the show were primarilary ABC affiliates (like WISN-TV/Milwaukee), who would schedule it on Tuesday nights before the network's powerhouse primetime lineup, which kicked off with Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, two shows set in the late 1950s/early 1960s period that was also part of the act's routine.

[edit] Quotes

During the shows' opening after the cast and guests are mentioned Myers kicks off the show by saying "And now, here they are, all greased up and ready to sing their brains out, Sha Na Na!" while Jon "Bowzer" Bauman would close out each show by saying "Good night, and grease for peace!" with Sha Na Na singing "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" as their closing theme song.