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The Frank Sinatra Show (1950 TV series)

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The Frank Sinatra Show (also known as Bulova Watch Time[1]) is an American television musical variety series hosted by Frank Sinatra from October 7, 1950, to April 1, 1952.[2] The series aired on CBS on Saturdays the first season and on Tuesdays for the second year.[3] As with many variety shows of the time, the show was broadcast live and was recorded via kinescope. Some episodes were 30 minutes long while others lasted for 60 minutes. At least one episode aired in a 45-minute time-slot.[4]

The Frank Sinatra Show
Sinatra on the set in 1950.
Also known asBulova Watch Time
GenreVariety
Directed byJack Donohue
Presented byFrank Sinatra
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
Production
Executive producerMarlo Lewis
ProducerJack Donohue
Production locationsNew York City, New York
Running time25 minutes/48-50 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseOctober 7, 1950 (1950-10-07) –
November 13, 1952 (1952-11-13)

Overview

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The show was hosted by Frank Sinatra, with Ben Blue, Erin O'Brien, Sidney Fields, Joey Walsh, Pat Gaye, Roberta Lee, The Whipoorwills, and The Blue Family as regulars. Axel Stordahl led the orchestra, and Ken Roberts was the announcer.[5]

The series was initially sponsored by Bulova Watches, which ended the relationship after 13 weeks.[6] Sinatra would perform songs and sketches with his guests. The series is reportedly in the public domain.[citation needed]

In its first season, the show's competition included Your Show of Shows ("then a red-hot sensation"), and in the second season it included Texaco Star Theater ("the number-one show in television"),[3] making the series "arguably doomed to failure".[6] In his book The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (2004), David Weinstein claims that the surprise popularity of the DuMont Television Network series Life Is Worth Living in 1952 was the final blow that led to the cancellation of The Frank Sinatra Show. He notes that controversy surrounding Sinatra's affair with Ava Gardner, along with several unpopular singles, had caused ratings to slip.[7] Other sponsors came and went, but low ratings led to Sinatra's contract being terminated early.[6]

Life Is Worth Living, which averaged about 10 million viewers at a time when there were four major television networks in the United States, eroded the ratings of the show even further, to the point that The Frank Sinatra Show finally left the air.[8]

Guest stars

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Production

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Marlo Lewis was the executive producer of The Frank Sinatra Show, which originated from WCBS. The show's last broadcast was on April 1, 1952. It was replaced by Out There.[9]

After the show's first episode, John Peyser was brought in to be the director, remaining in that position for 32 weeks. He pointed out that Sinatra's schedule affected the quality of the show, as the star arrived from Los Angeles each Friday morning and returned home immediately after the Saturday broadcast. Lack of access to Sinatra during the week hampered planning of sketches and songs.[10]

Critical response

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A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety said that "CBS video entrepreneurs did practically everything to checkmate the star", citing "bad pacing, bad scripting, bad tempo, poor camera work and overall jerky presentation".[11] Despite those problems, the review said that Sinatra had "bigtime TV potential", noting his "considerable charm, ease, and the ability to sell a song".[11] The review questioned use of Sinatra as a straightman for Blue and the song selected to close the episode. Highlights that it singled out were the opening song and a skit that Sinatra did with guest J. Carroll Naish.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Seymour, Alan (June 17, 2023). "Ahead of the Pack: For the icons of A-lister cool, sartorial savoir faire extended to their wristwear". The Daily Telegraph. p. 9. ProQuest 2826551864. Bulova, which at the time was still based in the US, was the watch brand of choice for Ol' Blue Eyes himself, although he also sported pieces by Gruen, Audemars Piguet, Cartier and Lucien Piccard. Bulova even sponsored The Frank Sinatra Show (also known as Bulova Watch Time), a US musical variety series hosted by the singer from 1950 to 1952. The brand continues its association with the late Sinatra to this day with a watch named and designed in his honour, which features his signature fedora hat at the 12 o'clock position.
  2. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 300. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  3. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 498. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "The Frank Sinatra Show - May 5, 1951". 1951.
  5. ^ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 363. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c McNally, Karen (April 20, 2015). When Frankie Went to Hollywood: Frank Sinatra and American Male Identity. University of Illinois Press. pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-0-252-09820-8. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Weinstein, David (2004). The Forgotten Network: Dumont and the Birth of American Television. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press. ISBN 1-59213-245-6.
  8. ^ Weinstein, David (2004). The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. p. 156. ISBN 1-59213-245-6.
  9. ^ "This Week - Network Debuts, Highlights, Changes". Ross Reports. March 30, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (October 6, 2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Frank Sinatra Show". Variety. October 11, 1950. p. 31. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
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