Mickie Finn's (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Mickie Finn's was a summer replacement variety
series for the failed NBC
sitcom Mona McCluskey
, which had starred Juliette Prowse and Denny Miller
on Thursday nights. The variety program was based on the San Diego nightclub of the same name
.
were the bartenders and bouncers who provided comic relief.
The set on which this series was taped was a replica of the San Diego nightclub, re-created in NBC's studios at a cost of $50,000. A scenic designer had made countless sketches and photos of the original club to ensure a faithful duplication; details included such things as the long, narrow tables with red-checkered tablecloths, the moose heads on the wall, and signs like Keep Cool with Coolidge. The show's Nielsen ratings were better than for its sitcom predecessor, but would have been even better had its timeslot not been the same as ABC's primetime soap-opera hit Peyton Place
.
Sixteen episodes were produced by the Finn-A-Y Company (Fred Finn's television production company, created specifically for this show) in conjunction with NBC, and broadcast 9:30-10 PM (EDT) Thursday's on the NBC television network. Episodes were pre-empted on June 30th, July 7th, July 28th, and August 25th, 1966.
Mickie Finn's was not renewed for the 1966-1967 Fall television season; on September 8, 1966, a sitcom series, The Hero, debuted in Mickie Finn's timeslot on NBC.
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
series for the failed NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom Mona McCluskey
Mona McCluskey
Mona McCluskey is an American sitcom that aired on NBC as part of its 1965-1966 schedule. The series stars Juliet Prowse in the title role, and aired from September 16, 1965 to April 14, 1966.-Synopsis:...
, which had starred Juliette Prowse and Denny Miller
Denny Miller
Denny Scott Miller is an American actor, perhaps best known for his guest-starring roles on Gilligan's Island and as Tarzan in the late 1950s....
on Thursday nights. The variety program was based on the San Diego nightclub of the same name
Mickie Finn's
Mickie Finn's was the creation of piano player Fred E. Finn, who developed the concept in several different forms: a 1960s nightclub in San Diego, a television show on NBC in 1966, a series of compilation record albums issued from 1966 on, and a stageshow continuing on into the 21st century.-...
.
Backstory
Fred Finn had been performing an outdoors show at a yacht club in San Diego in 1965 when he was approached by a television producer, who asked if Fred would like to do a TV show - this same producer later came by the nightclub with NBC executives to see the entire act - they were all so impressed that they decided to give Mickie Finn's a chance as a TV series.Production
This half-hour musical variety series was co-hosted by Fred Finn (his real name) and his wife, Mickie Finn (a stage name). The music played by the house band (Tony "Spider" Marillo on drums, Stormy Gormley on tuba & cello, "Dimples" Bobby Jensen on left-handed trumpet, Owen Leinhard on trombone, and "Cugar" Nelson on trombone) ranged from current hits to ragtime to Dixieland jazz. In addition to the guest stars, the regular cast included Fred as the proprietor who played piano, Mickie who played banjo, and the Dapper Dans, a barbershop quartet who also did comedy bits. Harold "Hoot" Connors and Mickey MannersMickey Manners
Mickey Manners is an American actor, singer, dancer, and stand-up comedian.- Acting Career :He was a regular panelist on the game show Pantomime Quiz. He also appeared on Murphy Brown, Here's Lucy, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Hogan's Heroes, Lost in Space, Get Smart, and Perry Mason...
were the bartenders and bouncers who provided comic relief.
The set on which this series was taped was a replica of the San Diego nightclub, re-created in NBC's studios at a cost of $50,000. A scenic designer had made countless sketches and photos of the original club to ensure a faithful duplication; details included such things as the long, narrow tables with red-checkered tablecloths, the moose heads on the wall, and signs like Keep Cool with Coolidge. The show's Nielsen ratings were better than for its sitcom predecessor, but would have been even better had its timeslot not been the same as ABC's primetime soap-opera hit Peyton Place
Peyton Place
Peyton Place may refer to:* Peyton Place , a 1956 novel by Grace Metalious* Peyton Place , a 1957 film, adapted from the novel* Return to Peyton Place, a 1959 follow-up novel also by Grace Metalious...
.
Sixteen episodes were produced by the Finn-A-Y Company (Fred Finn's television production company, created specifically for this show) in conjunction with NBC, and broadcast 9:30-10 PM (EDT) Thursday's on the NBC television network. Episodes were pre-empted on June 30th, July 7th, July 28th, and August 25th, 1966.
Mickie Finn's was not renewed for the 1966-1967 Fall television season; on September 8, 1966, a sitcom series, The Hero, debuted in Mickie Finn's timeslot on NBC.
Chronology
- January 25, 1966: Filming started at NBC Studios in Burbank, California.
- April 21, 1966: First broadcast, singer Buddy GrecoBuddy Greco-Biography:He was born Armando Greco in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Greco began playing piano at the age of four. His first professional work was playing with Benny Goodman's band. Most of Greco's work has been in the jazz and pop genres...
guest stars. - April 28, 1966: Singer Joanie SommersJoanie SommersJoanie Sommers , is an American singer and actress with a long career of jazz, standards and popular material and extensive show-business credits...
. - May 5, 1966: Singer Frankie RandallFrankie Randall-External links:...
and jazz bagpiper John Haywood. - May 12, 1966: Singer Barbara McNairBarbara McNairBarbara McNair was an African American singer and actress.Born Barbara Jean McNair in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McNair studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago...
. - May 19, 1966: Singer Roberta Sherwood and her son Don Lanning.
- May 26, 1966: Singer Keely SmithKeely SmithKeely Smith is an American jazz and popular music singer who enjoyed popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. She collaborated with, among others, Louis Prima and Frank Sinatra.-Career:...
. - June 2, 1966: Song-and-dance man John Bubbles.
- June 9, 1966: Singer Vic DamoneVic DamoneVic Damone is an American singer and entertainer.- Early life :Damone was born Vito Rocco Farinola in Brooklyn, New York to French-Italian immigrants based in Bari, Italy—Rocco and Mamie Farinola. His father was an electrician; and his mother taught piano. His cousin was the actress and singer...
, banjoist Don Van Paulta. - June 16, 1966: ?
- June 23, 1966: Eddie Foy Jr. and Reta ShawReta ShawReta Shaw was an American character actress known for playing authoritative women, housekeepers, and domineering wives, especially on television...
; first appearance of the Dapper Dans. - July 14, 1966: Frank FontaineFrank FontaineFrank Fontaine was an American comedian and singer.Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is best known for his appearances on television shows of the 1950s and 1960s, including The Jackie Gleason Show, The Jack Benny Show, and The Tonight Show.One of his earliest appearances was on the radio show,...
. - July 21, 1966: Singer Bobby DarinBobby DarinBobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
. - August 4, 1966: British singer Shani WallisShani WallisShani Wallis is an English actress and singer.Wallis was born in Tottenham, London. Making her first stage appearance at the age of four, she later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on a scholarship...
. - August 11, 1966: Vic Damone.
- August 18, 1966: Singer Vikki CarrVikki CarrVikki Carr is an American singer and humanitarian from El Paso, Texas. She has performed in a variety of music genres, including jazz, pop and country, but has enjoyed her greatest success singing in Spanish.-Career:After taking the stage name 'Vikki Carr', she signed with Liberty Records in 1962...
, and jazz clarinet player Charlie Romero. - September 1, 1966: Shani Wallis and folk rocker Johnny RiversJohnny RiversJohnny Rivers is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. His styles include folk songs, blues, and revivals of old-time rock 'n' roll songs and some original material...
(last show of the series, postponed from June 30).
External Links
- Mickie Finn's webpage on the Internet Movie Database website