John Schneider: Back Home (1980 TV Special) User Reviews

John Schneider At His Best

[phinkle · 10/10 · 15 August 2006]

John Schneider:Back Home is the best musical/variety special that I have ever seen on TV. This special was on TV in 1980 and John was only 20 years old. Even at that young age, he appeared to be a polished veteran. His stories were entertaining and his singing was the best. John's duet with Ray Charles (Georgia On My Mind) could never be topped! They sang so well together. He also did a fantastic job singing with Barbara Mandrell. Along with all of this entertainment, John also showed some beautiful scenery of Georgia. I liked this special so well in 1980 that I had been trying to obtain a copy of it since then. I was fortunate enough to be given a copy recently. (Thanks, Shirley) I watched it the day it was given to me. I have not changed my opinion - this is the best musical/variety special that I have ever seen on TV. John's smile throughout the hour proved to me that he had as much fun filming this as I had watching it. This is definitely John Schneider at his best!

Surprising

[Paul-308 · 30 August 2003]

I was surprised to see a John Schneider special a mere one year after the debut of his series,Dukes of Hazzard,but the growing popularity of the show and "Bo" himself must have been the primary reason.It started off with John driving the General Lee down a dirt road and dropping it off at the studio garage because he would be gone for a while,"going back home".He then took his rental car to a fairgrounds in his home state.Somehow along the way he bumped into Ray Charles (who sang Georgia) and Barbara Mandrell and sang songs with them,giving his usual Bo Duke enthusiasm the whole time.When the hour was over,he drove back to the studio to pick up the General again where he drove back down that same dirt road again.I dont believe many people saw this special,which was kind of a shame as it was decent family fare.The only thing that seemed to be missing was Luke Duke Tom Wopat to tag along.However,I dont find his singing as near good as Johns so I guess it could have been worse.