The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
The Porter Wagoner Show #293 featuring special guest Bobby Lewis (that's Bobby Lewis the country singer, not the Bobby Lewis of "Tossin' and Turnin'" fame, or the jazz trumpeter of the same name).
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Promo for The Porter Wagoner Show #293 featuring special guest Bobby Lewis. Porter addresses a man whose face is obscured, asking him to step aside so that he can announce the week's guest. As Porter says "Sonofagun, you look familiar," the man turns to face the camera and it's Gilbert "Speck" Rhodes, unmasked! Well, not wearing a checkered suit and bowler, anyway. Fade out over art card with colorful illustration of Porter.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Opening of Porter Wagoner show #293. Standard pre-recorded opening begins with CU of Porter s shiny red boots walking down hallway, which cuts to rear view of Wagoner s garish green Nudie suit festooned with rhinestone wagon wheels and cacti. Montage of smiling Porter happily walking through WSM-TV studio as stage hands and technicians prep show. Don Howser s voice over reads: "Direct from Nashville Tennessee, here s The Porter Wagoner Show!" Quick shots of regulars as Howser announces them: "Starring Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Speck Rhodes, Don Howser, The Wagonmasters, and today s special guest star." Momentary pause in VO (presumably left for Howser to read the guest star s name on air), then prerecorded segment ends with Howser s "...and now, here s Porter." Cut to live portion as Porter, wearing dazzling, rhinestone-studded green Nudie suit, plays guitar and sings "Dear John (I Sent Your Saddle Home)" backed by Wagonmasters Buck Trent, Don Warden, Mack Magaha, George McCormick, Jack Little and Speck Rhodes, all but Speck in matching red Nudie suits. Colorful shot of audience applauding. Shots of Wagonmasters Jack, Mack, and Buck during call-and-response choruses.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Porter welcomes audience then introduces his guest Bobby Lewis. Looking like a character played by Martin Short, Lewis wears a shiny lime green suit and plays a personalized lute, and sings his Grammy-nominated number "From Heaven To Heartache" backed by The Wagonmasters. Outstanding audience shot at end of song.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Twanging like a countrified Link Wray, banjo man Buck Trent flexes his muscles on the instrumental "Waitin' In Line," backed by The Wagonmasters.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
It's time once again for the beautiful little lady Dolly Parton, who's "ready for the rockin' chair" according to Porter. Reclining in same, Dolly sings "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy" backed by The Wagonmasters.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Porter talks about how proud he is when one of The Wagonmasters has a success of his own, then introduces George McCormick who sings his hit "Walk On Fool (Make The Circle Again)" backed by the rest of The Wagonmasters.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Porter introduces gap-toothed rube comedian Speck Rhodes, who enters wearing his usual checkered suit and bowler hat. Speck tells a corny, vaguely risqu ' joke before singing the novelty song "The Life Of A Sailor Man," backed by The Wagonmasters.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Don Howser the week's serious song, then Porter recites the maudlin narrative "Trouble In The Amen Corner" backed by The Wagonmasters. Porter once again displays his masterful way with the spoken work, even on this old war horse he's perfumed a thousand times before.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 293
Porter reintroduces Bobby Lewis, who plays guitar and sings "Hello, Mary Lou" backed by The Wagonmasters. Though you'd think this song would be utterly unfashionable in 1970, by the end the whole audience is clapping along. Then Porter wraps up the show, waving goodbye as The Wagonmasters play the instrumental show outro, Don Howser signs off, the credits roll, and Mack fiddles and dances us off the air.