That Was the Week That Was 

An Americanized version of the famous hit British TV show, retaining David Frost from the British cast.

Stars:

David Frost, Phyllis Newman, Nancy Ames

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
David Frost	...	Himself 5 episodes, 1964
Phyllis Newman	...	Herself 4 episodes, 1964
Nancy Ames	...	Herself / ... 4 episodes, 1964
Pat Englund	...	Herself 3 episodes, 1964
Buck Henry	...	Himself 2 episodes, 1964
Bob Dishy	...	Himself 2 episodes, 1964
Elliott Reid	...	Himself - Host 2 episodes, 1964
Paul Sand	...	Himself 2 episodes, 1964

Storyline

Topical political satire program that poked fun at the events of the week. A series of musical numbers, skits, and irreverent humor. It prided itself on being controversial.

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Plot Keywords:

satire | british comedy | topical humor | tv news | stand up comedian | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1964 (USA)

Filming Locations:

NBC Studios - 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Leland Hayward Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Comedy Connections: Keeping Up Appearances (2004)

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Soundtracks

Weeks Review
Performed by Millicent Martin

User Reviews

Disappointing

This weekly half-hour was the spiritual predecessor of Weekend Update. The English version had the reputation of being daringly topical and incisive. The American version was, in the well chosen word from the review by cmndrnineveh, smug. Maybe it was simply impossible, in the year after JFK's death, to make fun of the dominant ideology of the time, carried forward by JFK's then-overwhelmingly popular successor and associated with the martyred president. Of course, the sting of satire is most needed when smug assumptions rule political and social discourse. This program, however, often seemed intent on comforting the comfortable. Could a prime time network program slip daggers into the New Frontier and the Great Society in 1964? Not bloody likely.

One saving grace: The great Tom Lehrer wrote some songs for the show which were as keen and merciless as an Hattori Hanzo sword. They were collected in an album called "That Was the Year That Was," which is, I think, still available. Although topically tied to 1964/1965, the songs still cut. If you enjoy satire and you don't know Mr. Lehrer, do yourself a favor.

Oh, I also had a thing for Nancy Ames.