The New Bill Cosby Show
Encyclopedia
The New Bill Cosby Show was a variety television series aired in the United States
by CBS
as part of its 1972-73 lineup
.
The New Bill Cosby Show was an attempt to exploit the widespread popularity of Bill Cosby
, who had previously starred in an eponym
ous sitcom and the drama (with comedic undertones) I Spy and who had been responsible for several of the best-selling comedy albums of the 1960s. Cosby's supporting cast was biracial, highlighted by Foster Brooks
of "funny-drunk" routine fame and also included performer Lola Falana
, who additionally served as the show's announcer, and other persons previously best known as comedy writer
s, including Ronny Graham
and Pat McCormick
. Quincy Jones
' orchestra provided the music. Ongoing sketches included "The Wife of the Week" and the adventures of "The Dude", a man who was so impossibly cool that nothing whatever could faze him or cause him in any way to lose his composure or coolness. The show was met with low ratings, due to competition from ABC's Monday Night Football
, and was cancelled after one season.
The opening theme was "Chump Change" by Quincy Jones. It later went on to become the main theme for the CBS game show Now You See It
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
as part of its 1972-73 lineup
1972-73 United States network television schedule
This was the television schedule on all three United States television networks for the fall season beginning in September 1972. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with a few exceptions, such as Monday Night Football....
.
The New Bill Cosby Show was an attempt to exploit the widespread popularity of Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
, who had previously starred in an eponym
Eponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
ous sitcom and the drama (with comedic undertones) I Spy and who had been responsible for several of the best-selling comedy albums of the 1960s. Cosby's supporting cast was biracial, highlighted by Foster Brooks
Foster Brooks
Foster Brooks was an American actor and comedian most famous for his portrayal of a lovable drunken man in nightclub performances and television programs.-Biography:...
of "funny-drunk" routine fame and also included performer Lola Falana
Lola Falana
Lola Falana is an American singer, dancer, and actress of Cuban and African American descent. Falana's father left Cuba to become a welder in the United States, where he met his wife...
, who additionally served as the show's announcer, and other persons previously best known as comedy writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
s, including Ronny Graham
Ronny Graham
Ronny Graham was an American actor and theatre director, composer, lyricist, and writer.Graham was born Ronald Montcrief Stringer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the second of five children born to vaudeville performers Florence and Thomas Graham Stringer . Graham...
and Pat McCormick
Pat McCormick (comic)
Pat McCormick was an American actor and comedy writer known for playing Big Enos Burdette in Smokey and the Bandit and its two sequels. He wrote for a number of performers such as Red Skelton, Phyllis Diller and Johnny Carson as well as for shows including Get Smart...
. Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
' orchestra provided the music. Ongoing sketches included "The Wife of the Week" and the adventures of "The Dude", a man who was so impossibly cool that nothing whatever could faze him or cause him in any way to lose his composure or coolness. The show was met with low ratings, due to competition from ABC's Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, and was cancelled after one season.
The opening theme was "Chump Change" by Quincy Jones. It later went on to become the main theme for the CBS game show Now You See It
Now You See It
Now You See It is an American television game show created by Frank Wayne for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. Two Now You See It series were produced, and both aired on CBS. The first series ran from April 1, 1974 until June 13, 1975, and was hosted by Jack Narz...
.