The Midnight Special (1972–1981)

"The Midnight Special" was a Friday night Pop Rock variety show on NBC TV that ran in the same weekly time slot of 12:30 AM to 2AM EST for 9 years (1972-1981). It was taped in front of a ... See full summary »

Stars:

Donna Summer, Wolfman Jack, Tina Turner

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Donna Summer	...	Herself (9 episodes, 1976-1981)
Wolfman Jack	...	Himself - Announcer (8 episodes, 1972-1979)
Tina Turner	...	Herself (8 episodes, 1973-1979)
Randy Jones	...	Himself (7 episodes, 1978-1980)
Todd Rundgren	...	Himself (6 episodes, 1973-1979)
Ike Turner	...	Himself (6 episodes, 1973-1975)
KC & The Sunshine Band	...	Themselves (6 episodes, 1977-1979)
Herb Fame	...	Himself (6 episodes, 1979-1980)
Lou Rawls	...	Himself - Host (5 episodes, 1973-1977)
Linda Ronstadt	...	Herself (4 episodes, 1972-1975)
David Bowie	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1973-1981)
Gladys Knight	...	Herself (4 episodes, 1973-1980)
Billy Preston	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1973-1980)
The Spinners	...	Themselves (4 episodes, 1973-1980)
Eddie Levert	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1973-1978)
Walter Williams Sr.	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1973-1978)
Helen Reddy	...	Herself - Host (4 episodes, 1973-1976)
Olivia Newton-John	...	Herself (4 episodes, 1974-1980)
Leo Sayer	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1974-1980)
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1974-1976)
Dolly Parton	...	Herself (4 episodes, 1975-1979)
George Benson	...	Himself (4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Billy Davis Jr.	...	Himself - Host (4 episodes, 1977)
Marilyn McCoo	...	Herself - Host (4 episodes, 1977)
Linda Clifford	...	Herself (4 episodes, 1978-1979)
Peaches	...	Herself (4 episodes, 1979)

Storyline

"The Midnight Special" was a Friday night Pop Rock variety show on NBC TV that ran in the same weekly time slot of 12:30 AM to 2AM EST for 9 years (1972-1981). It was taped in front of a live studio audience at NBC Burbank Ca. Concert footage was included at times. During the shows'run there were, some reruns on Satrurday nights and 3 hr compilation specials. Wolfman Jack appeared each week as announcer and main host, with a different guest host each week. Pop Rock and comedy performers appeared on the show. In changing times, the show's time slot was later filled by "Friday Night Videos(1983), with the sudden popularity of the music video.

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Plot Keywords:

musical number | song | singing | singer | stand up comedy | 

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Genres:

Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 August 1972 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Burt Sugarman Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The theme of the Pilot, first aired during the summer of 1972, was to encourage the youth that had reached 18 years to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election. The voting age had just been lowered to 18. The two biggest issues, at that time, were Watergate and the war in Vietnam.

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Connections

Featured in Super Night of Rock 'n' Roll (1984)

User Reviews

Review of Andy Kaufman Episode

The only episode I've seen of this is the Andy Kaufman episode which aired January 23, 1981, and which is out on DVD (Sony Music). This review thus reflects that episode and not the series as a whole.

There are two aspects to this special: a stage show with the usual Andy Kaufman antics (including the use of Tony Clifton) and behind the scenes material.

It's hard to know how seriously to take the behind the scenes material, as Kaufman is pretty poker-faced when he's playing a prank, and as it refers to Kaufman's wrestling career which (in terms of his feud with Jerry Lawyer) has been confirmed to be an elaborate hoax. Of course that makes the material more edgy because you don't know to what extent you're getting into the mind of one of the most fascinating entertainers ever and to what extent he's pulling your leg.

The stage material is pretty typical for Kaufman, which still means it's a lot of fun and offbeat.

The episode is a worthwhile addition to the collection of any fan of the performer.