“The
Danny Kaye Show”
*All
shows aired on CBS-TV Wednesday nights at
10pm, unless otherwise noted.
Descriptions are taken from Los Angeles edition TV Guide Magazine.
Guests are generally listed first, and then skits or songs, plus other
song highlights if given.
Show-specific info other than the official
TV Guide information is given in "Additional Information"
section. The "Author's Notes" section is biographical information on guests,
especially as it relates to Danny’s career. Click on underlined links
for more information from outside websites on the specific subject.
9/25/63
– Jackie Cooper, singer-comedienne Lovelady Powell, rhythm singers Joe and
Eddie, and 2 Little League teams are on hand for this premiere entry.
The kids join Danny in a musical parody of Broadway musicals.
Danny, solo, does “Consider Yourself” from the studio audience, and
closes the show with a chat about his globetrotting experiences.
“Cherry Pie” – Powell, Kaye
Additional information: The Broadway parody involved baseball, with take-offs on “My Fair Lady” (“Why Can’t a Woman Be More Like a Fan?”), “West Side Story” (a knife fight over a bad umpire call) and “The Music Man.”
Author’s note: Lovelady Powell, a tall, sophisticated 33-year-old nightclub entertainer, was hired to be Danny’s regular female foil. Evidently she froze up during a routine; even though the show was taped in advance of airing and the goof edited out, she was not retained past this first show. The underlying reason seemed to be that the producers were looking for someone more in the vein of Sid Caesar’s broadly comic TV partner, Imogene Coca. However, Lovelady resurfaced on David Frost’s hip “That Was The Week That Was” series in 1964, recorded with comedian Shelley Berman, and appeared in several movies and the gothic TV serial "Dark Shadows."
Jackie
Cooper is a comic actor who starred in the series “Hennessy” and “The
People’s Choice,” as well as playing Perry White in 1978’s “Superman.”
He started his career as a child star, including his heartrending role in
"The Champ" with Wallace Beery.
10/2/63 – Jose Ferrer, Jazzman Red Norvo and his Quintet. Danny and Jose are two spacemen proving they can get along in a capsule; what would have happened if Hamlet had been written for TV; a British intelligence officer (JF) questioning German general (DK) and look-alike myopic Tommy (DK). Johnny Mann Singers, Tony Charmoli dancers, Paul Weston and his orchestra
“Brotherhood
of Man” – Kaye “Three
Blind Mice” – Kaye, Norvo, Mann
Author’s note:
Jose Ferrer was an
Oscar-winning actor (“Cyrano DeBergerac,” “The Caine Mutiny” among
others). Also once married to
singer Rosemary Clooney, Danny co-star in “White Christmas.” Red
Norvo was a celebrated jazz genius who worked with all the greats.
Danny and Jose Ferrer lost in space.
10/9/63
– Carol Lawrence, Don
Knotts, Joe and Eddie
Folk Harmony
group. A
solitude-seeking toothache sufferer; a couple operating a roadside diner;
cultural exchange program.
Author’s note: Don Knotts was, of course, starring as Barney Fife on “The Andy Griffith Show” at this time. Carol Lawrence was a Broadway star from “West Side Story” and also known for being Mrs. Robert Goulet. Joe and Eddie, a gospel-oriented singing duo, were frequent guests on many TV variety shows of the period.
10/16/63
– Mary Tyler Moore, Eddie Foy Jr.
Danny and Mary as forgetful husband with tearful wife as in the United
States, France and Japan; parody of gypsy operettas of the thirties; Danny sings
while Mary and Eddie do vaudeville routines.
“Supposin’”
Author’s note:
Mary Tyler Moore
was also starring on CBS at that time in “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
Eddie Foy was a
member of the show-business family made famous in the Bob Hope film “The Seven
Little Foys.”
10/23/63
– Gene Kelly, Michelle Lee, Clinger Sisters.
Kelly shows Kaye that dance can be performed to any musical accompaniment
– even the recitation of a recipe; Kelly and Kaye then present musical
highlights from Kelly’s 21 years on stage and in movies.
Author’s note: Ah…Gene Kelly, only about the greatest dancer who ever lived! And Michelle Lee was a Broadway actress who made her mark as the female lead in “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and of course was a star of TV’s popular nighttime soap “Knot’s Landing” in the 1980s. The Clinger Sisters were a group of young girls who became semi-regulars on the show and also recorded an album with Danny. Peggy Clinger would go on to write a flurry of pop tunes for artists including Cher, and Debra Clinger is an actress.
10/30/63
– Juliet Prowse, Howard Morris, Leevee Singers, Clinger Sisters.
Danny, Juliet and Howard show how a cowboy scene would be filmed in the
United States, Scotland and Russia; mystery-suspense sketch with Kaye tracking
down power-mad maniac trying to destroy the world.
Earl Brown singers.
Author’s note: Howard Morris was appearing on “The Andy Griffith Show” as Ernest T. Bass at this time, and had been a Sid Caesar alumnus. Juliet Prowse was a long-legged, multitalented dancer/singer who was often linked with Sinatra’s Rat Pack, and who danced for Krushchev when he visited Hollywood.
11/6/63
– Art Carney, Joanie
Sommers, and 136 singers and dancers of New Zealand’s
Te Arohanui Maori ensemble.
Danny and Art reminisce about radio’s heyday when actors changed parts
by changing voices; two men sharing a hotel room have opposite ideas about what
conventions are for; swashbuckling swordsman (DK) battles brother, Louis XVII
(AC), for the French crown.
Author’s Note: Art Carney – just Ralph Kramden’s best buddy Ed Norton on "The Honeymooners"! Joanie Sommers was a sexy, husky-voiced popular vocalist who essentially retired from show biz to raise a family but is making a much-anticipated comeback. She might be most remembered as the original singer/spokeswoman for the "Pepsi Generation" campaign during the 1960s, but also has done extensive voice work in animation.
11/13/63
– Eileen
Farrell (opera), Louis Jourdan, Carl Ballantine.
Danny and Louis show how jealousy affects American, Italian and Turkish
lovers; Carl does a comic magic act; the whole cast tackles opera, by scoring a
football game for the Tony Charmoli dancers.
Author’s Note: In addition to her operatic fame, the much-loved Ms. Farrell also ventured into popular music during her prolific recording career, which ended with her death in April 2002. Louis Jourdan was famous for his continental charm in such movies as “Gigi,” while comic Carl Ballantine was a comedy magician who is probably best known for costarring with Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway in TV’s “McHale’s Navy.”
11/20/63
– Gwen Verdon, Clinger Sisters.
A couple celebrate their wedding anniversary at a drive-in restaurant;
and in a mythical kingdom, the King’s son has forgotten how to laugh.
Author’s note: Gwen Verdon was the acclaimed singer/dancer actress who originated the roles of Sweet Charity and Lola in “Damn Yankees” on Broadway, in addition being Mrs. Bob Fosse. She appeared as a dancer in Danny’s 1950 movie “On The Riviera,” and was allegedly Danny’s amour at one time. Unfortunately for fans of musical theatre and great dancing, Ms. Verdon died in October of 2000.
11/27/63
– Mahalia Jackson, Nancy Walker, Clinger Sisters.
An Elizabethan love scene compared to its modern counterpart; a voice
coach (DK) discovers his maid can sing.
Author’s note: Mahalia Jackson was a beloved gospel singer; Nancy Walker -- though probably best known to most people for her role in the Bounty paper towel commercials and her role as the housekeeper in the Rock Hudson TV series “McMillan and Wife” -- had been a musical comedy (heavy on the comedy) star in MGM movie musicals such as “Girl Crazy.”
12/4/63
– Glynis Johns, Jo Stafford,
The Big Three folk singers, Clinger Sisters.
At an office party, a shy young man tries to work up enough nerve to ask
a secretary for a date; Talent Playhouse – parody of Scotland Yard spy
mysteries.
Author’s note: Glynis Johns was Danny’s co-star in the 1956 movie “The Court Jester” and had a short-lived eponymous CBS-TV series at the beginning of this 1963 season. One of her most memorable performances was her Tony-winning role in Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" in which she introduced "Send in the Clowns." The Big Three folk group was one of Mama Cass' early musical outings. Jo Stafford was a very popular female singer with a long and prolific career, and the wife of Danny's musical director Paul Weston.
12/11/63
– Julie Newmar, Howard Morris, The Raffinos, a singing family from Mexico.
Danny is a mixed-up waiter and Morris is the equally confused owner-chef
of an Italian restaurant; Talent Playhouse – Danny, Howard and Julie parody
Robin Hood; and then join the singers in a musical newscast.
Author’s note: Julie Newmar rose to fame as a beautiful, leggy dancer – later to play Catwoman on “Batman.”
12/18/63
– Dick Van Dyke.
A Best Man (DVD) tries to dissuade the groom (DK) from walking out on his
bride; a courtroom sketch has Kaye and Dick as opposing lawyers in a murder
trial.
Author’s note:
Dick Van Dyke’s
successful eponymous sitcom
was also on CBS at this time (it began in 1961).
12/25/63
– Mary Tyler Moore, Nat King Cole,
Clinger Sisters.
Kaye and Mary play fun-loving socialites and parody “The Student
Prince.”
“Come Once in a Lifetime” – Danny
Author’s note: Nat King Cole was the very popular ballad singer, father of pop singer Natalie Cole.
1/1/64
– Jack
Weston, Nita Talbot, Esquivel and his
Combo, Clinger Sisters.
Barber (JW) and manicurist (NT) have a lovers’ quarrel; Mme
Schmeckenvasser (DK) conducts the Dingle-Dangle TV School for kiddies.
Author’s note:
Jack Weston was a popular comedy
and dramatic actor in movies and TV (“The
Incredible Mr. Limpet” for one), Nita Talbot an eccentric and sophisticated
light comedienne, seen in TV shows such as “Hogan’s Heroes.”
Esquivel is considered one of the kings of the currently very trendy
“cocktail lounge music” scene.
Danny's show tended to have a wide variety of musical guests, with particular
attention paid to international artists not normally seen in the United States
mainstream entertainment media.
1/8/64
– Terry-Thomas, Marilynn Lovell, Ballet dancer Laurie Ichino, Maori dancers.
Danny is a new waiter at a ship captain’s (TT) table; Danny and Terry
plan their escape from a POW camp.
Author’s note: Gap-toothed Terry-Thomas was a brilliant English comic actor. Laurie Ichino was a talented young Asian ballet dancer who also appeared on Dean Martin's TV show later in the early '70s. Marilynn Lovell is married to Hollywood composer-arranger Peter Matz and is active teaching the art of cabaret to aspiring singers.
TV Guide with Danny and Laurie Ichino, Feb. 1964.
1/15/64 – Jackie Cooper, singer Dorothy Collins, Marilynn Lovell, Clinger Sisters. The whole company does a take-off on Dorothy’s old show “Your Hit Parade;” in the “Talent Playhouse,” Noel Talent (DK) recalls how a famous director (JC) gave him his big break.
1/22/64
– Art Carney, spiritual folksingers Joe and Eddie.
Know-it-all repairman (AC) interrupts Danny’s preparations for his
wife’s surprise birthday party.
Rod Serling cameos to introduce “Safety Zone” in which Art and Danny
parachute into the land of Yama, where no one ever grows old.
In the finals, Danny and Art present a 2-man variety show.
“I Like the Likes of You”
Author's Note: Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone" was in its final season on CBS at this time.
1/29/64
– Diahann Carroll. A maternity nurse (DC) tries to calm an excited new father
(DK). In
“I’ll Cry Tamale,” Mexican hero Patata (DK) saves his sister from the
hated El Finko (Harvey Korman).
Author's note: Sultry black singer/actress Diahann Carroll might be best known to TV viewers for her title role in the "Julia" situation comedy which ran on NBC a few years later.
2/5/64
– Imogene
Coca, Joe & Eddie, Laurie Ichino.
Imogene and Danny play “The Competitors,” a game for fun that
doesn’t turn out that way; everyone takes part in an operetta “Die
Fledermountie.”
Author’s note: Danny and Imogene first appeared together back in the late ‘30s at the Jewish mountain resort Tamiment, then on Broadway in “The Straw Hat Revue,” and in several two-reel comedy shorts. She is best known as Sid Caesar’s female partner on "Your Shows of Shows", and for her TV series “Grindl,” as well as her appearance in the movie "National Lampoon's Vacation." Ms. Coca's talented life came to an end on June 2, 2001 at the age of 92.
2/12/64 – Peter Falk, clarinetist Pete Fountain and
his combo, Michelle Lee. Sketch:
Danny is a hospital patient with a loudmouth roommate (PFalk).
Talent Playhouse – British secret service agent (DK) is sent to Arabia
to investigate possible subversion by a sheik (PFalk).
Author’s note:
Of course Peter Falk
would go on to TV history as Lt. Columbo in the
long-running series during the 1970s, but he was also a popular TV series star a
decade before and respected actor always. Pete Fountain was a scion of
the New Orleans jazz scene.
2/18/64 – John
Mills, Hayley Mills,
folksingers Joe & Eddie. Sketches:
Father (DK) faces that fact that his daughter (HM) is no longer a baby; a
foppish 1st Mate (DK) leads a mutiny on the HMS Cruelty; a French
custom’s official (DK) is stymied by tourists (JM & HM).
Author’ note:
John Mills was a respected British
actor, a spritely nonegenerian
today, and his daughter Hayley was a
mainstay of Disney movies of the 1960’s with her roles in “Pollyanna,”
“That Darn Cat” and of course “The Parent Trap.”
2/26/64 – Buddy Ebsen, singer Marilynn Lovell, Howard Morris. Sketches: Danny doesn’t invite his best friend Howie to a dinner party, but Howie shows up anyway; a city feller wants to record the folk songs of Jed Clunk (BE) and his boys (DK & HM).
“Hey, Look Me Over” -- Danny “Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block” – Danny, Buddy
Author’s note: Buddy Ebsen was a CBS star in the “Beverly Hillbillies” at this time, and of course had an extensive musical comedy background, including roles in such movies as Shirley Temple’s “Curly Top” and his almost-starring-role as The Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz.” He had a second successful TV series run with “Barnaby Jones” in the 1980s. He was widely considered one of the top hoofers in the business, and had a new career as a painter of Beverly Hillbillies-related art. Mr. Ebsen died in July of 2003.
3/4/64 – Art Carney, 136 Te Arohanui Maori dancers of New Zealand, making a postponed appearance. Sketches: A flashy window-washer (AC) asks his girl’s father (DK) for her hand; in “Lawrence of Alcatraz,” an undercover officer (DK) tries to find out the escape plans of convict leader Big Mike (AC).
3/11/64 – Diahann Carroll. Sketches: Danny serves as interpreter at a dinner meeting of the French-American Friendship Society, translating emotions as well as words – between mouthfuls; a father (DK) faces a crisis when he takes his son for his first haircut.
“Old MacDonald, Down by the Riverside” – Danny “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” “I’m Late” -- Diahann & Danny
3/18/64
– Nancy Walker, Jerry Stiller and
Anne Meara.
Sketches:
A cockney couple (NW & DK) has trouble paying for their telly; in
“Sheiks in Toyland,” an Arab (DK) falls in love with a Frenchwoman (NW);
Stiller and Meara do their nightclub routine about a couple recovering from the
effects of a party.
Author’s note:
Stiller and Meara were second only to Nichols and May as a sophisticated
male/female comedy duo of the time, though they were unique in that they were
married in real life, and had the interesting Jewish/Irish combination that was
the basis of some of their routines. Jerry
Stiller is best known today for his recurring role as George’s father on
“Seinfeld” and his current work on
"King of Queens." He and Anne are the parents of younger comedy sensation Ben
Stiller. Anne has done a lot of
dramatic acting and also is a popular television guest star and playwright.
3/25/64
– Tony Bennett, Howard Morris.
Sketches:
Postman Morris delivers a letter to an elderly Italian tailor (DK) from
his son in America; British counterspy James Blonde again matches wits with the
diabolical Dr. Yes (HM).
Author's note: Popular singer Tony Bennett has enjoyed a recent resurgence of popularity, and is as cool as ever, so sayeth MTV. Plus, like a lot of celebrities, he's also an artist.
4/1/64
– Dorothy Collins, Howard Morris, Laurie Ichino.
Howie persuades wallflower Danny to attend a lonely-hearts dance; a
bullfight impresario (HM) hires a busboy (DK) as a matador; a burlesque of
Dorothy’s old hit show “Your Hit Parade.”
“Gigi” – Danny
4/8/64
– Bea “Petticoat Junction”
Benaderet,
Jim Nabors, and Andy Griffith makes
a cameo. Sketches:
A busybody mother (BB) moves right in on her newlywed son and hapless
bride. Danny,
Bea and Jim parody Southern plantation life in “The Long Hot Supper.”
Author’s note: This guest cast shows why CBS used to have a reputation as the “rural network.” Jim Nabors was the star of “Gomer Pyle USMC,” which of course was an offshoot of “The Andy Griffith Show.” “Petticoat Junction” was a spin-off from “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Miss Benaderet had been a comic performer long before her “Junction” days, including many appearances on Jack Benny’s shows.
4/15/64 – Mary Tyler Moore and the Youngfolk Singers. Sketches: Danny and Mary are a married couple who disagree on matters of pronunciation.
4/22/64
– Vincent Price and Shari
Lewis.
Sketches:
A snooty maitre d’ (VP) gives a customer (DK) a hard time; in a
gallery, a connoisseur (VP) explains abstract art to an uncomprehending patron;
Danny joins Shari and Lambchop in a sketch.
Author’s note:
This rare variety appearance of the charming and witty
Vincent Price
played off his real-life avocation as an art critic and collector.
4/29/64
– Pat Carroll, Ferrante & Teicher.
Sketches:
Danny and Pat show typical German, Italian and French reactions when a
wife smashes up the family car; a male nurse (DK) ministers to a wealthy old
hypochondriac (PC).
Author’s note: Brash Pat Carroll was a costar of “The Danny Thomas Show” for many years, as well as being a longtime musical/comedy actress, including a memorable appearance as one of the wicked stepsisters in the Lesley Ann Warren version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Cinderella” TV special in 1964. She is now a respected dramatic stage actress, winning raves for her one-woman show about Gertrude Stein. Ferrante & Teicher are the world-famous dual-piano team, whose recordings over a fifty-year career have sold in excess of 80 million copies.
5/6/64
– Repeat of 12/18/63.
Christmas Show.
Andy Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore.
Reluctant bridegroom; during a murder trial, TV cameras in the courtroom
bring out the ham in the flamboyant prosecutor (DVD) and America’s oldest and
sloppiest defense attorney (DK).
Author’s note: When the shows were repeated, “TV GUIDE” frequently had more information in their listings than the first time around, reflecting changes in guests and more specific sketch info. If the listing is identical, it won't be repeated, but different write-ups are included.
5/13/64 – Repeat of 10/2/63.
5/20/64 – Repeat of 9/25/63. Jackie Cooper, singer-comedienne Lovelady Powell, Joe & Eddie. Sketches: Baseball season is saluted via parodies, Tony Charmoli baseball ballet; Danny plays a timid air traveler making his first flight; during the wind-up, Kaye reminisces about Russian children and sings one of their songs.
5/27/64 – Repeat of 1/22/64. Art Carney plays a know-it-all electrician who disrupts preparations for a party; Art parachutes into a land ruled by a 400-year-old man in “Safety Zone;” Art is a pianist and Danny the symphony conductor.
6/10/64 – Repeat of 2/5/64
6/17/64 – Repeat of 2/26/64. Danny in his role as Harry Wittner – how to keep best friend Howie away from a dinner party because the guest of honor can’t stand him; Buddy tells that Jed Campett’s identical twin Jed Clunk is going to make a record with his boys Jud (DK) and Spud (HM).
“I Caught a Big Bear” “Marching Along Together” – Danny, Buddy, Howard
6/24/64 – Repeat of 10/16/63.
7/1/64 – Repeat of 11/20/63. Danny welcomes Broadway’s Gwen Verdon. Danny poses the question “What is a Woman?” and he suggests answers – a niece, a nana, a lamb, a lioness – Gwen weaves the words into action; two couples, one on a wedding anniversary and the other recently married, celebrate in a big way – at a drive-in restaurant; in “Comedy Tonight,” the prince of a mythical kingdom has forgotten how to laugh, so the king commands a group of strolling players to remedy the situation – or die trying.
“Alouette” – Danny “Two of a Kind” – Danny and Gwen
“I Get So Lonely” – Danny, Clinger Sisters, Singers
END OF
’63 – ’64 SEASON
’64 –
’65 SEASON
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