JERRY LEWIS TIMEX SHOW, THE {HELEN TRAUBEL; LIONEL HAMPTON} (TV)
Summary
This comedy/musical variety special, broadcast live from California, is hosted by comedian Jerry Lewis. Lewis opens the program by explaining the dizzying logic of starting at 5:30 PST, and then attempts to sing "Witchcraft," though the cameraman's giggles prove distracting. Next, Lewis chats with the choreographer and performs a dance routine that he claims took eleven months to learn, though he somewhat fails in master the baton work. Determined to prove to the audience that he can indeed dance "pretty," he resumes a more impressive tap number, admitting afterwards that it was pre-taped.
Lewis introduces singer Helen Traubel, who performs "Hello, Young Lovers" from "The King & I," and when she shocks him with her "longhair" jive talk, he repeatedly makes her laugh during her rendition of "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)" with his beatnik commentary. Next, Lewis performs a solo sketch in which a lowly janitor tidies up an empty music room and soon begins to "conduct" an orchestra and play symphonies of his own. Lewis then welcomes Baltimore Colts athlete Johnny Unitas and presents him with the Player of the Year award for 1959. Following this, Lewis is joined by his oldest son, 13-year-old Gary, who informs his father that he is "retiring" from show business following his performances. Ten-year-old Ronnie Lewis then joins his father and brother and sings "Poison Ivy."
Finally, Lewis introduces "The Old Drum Band" and plays a couple of numbers, during which the players are forced to mimic his own silly style. Lewis then introduces jazz drummer Lionel Hampton, who plays an impressive solo. Includes commercials for Timex. Closing credits missing.
Cataloging and preservation of this program was made possible by Mel Brooks.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: January 16, 1960 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:06
- COLOR/B&W: B&W Copy of Color Telecast
- CATALOG ID: 115223
- GENRE: Comedy/Variety
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1960
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Timex watches
CREDITS
- Jerry Lewis … Host, Performer
- Helen Traubel … Guest, Performer
- Lionel Hampton … Guest, Performer
- Gary Lewis … Guest, Performer
- Ronnie Lewis … Guest, Performer
- Johnny Unitas … Guest
- Joey Faye … Guest
- John Cameron Swayze … Talent, for Timex