The John Davidson Show
| The John Davidson Show | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Talk show Variety show |
| Directed by | Ron de Moraes |
| Presented by | John Davidson |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Frank Brill |
| Producer | Vince Calandra |
| Production locations | Los Angeles, California |
| Running time | 60–90 minutes |
| Production company | Group W Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndicated |
| Release | June 30, 1980 – August 27, 1982 |
The John Davidson Show Is an American syndicated daytime talk show and variety show hosted by John Davidson. Produced by Group W Productions, the program premiered on June 30, 1980, as Group W's successor to The Mike Douglas Show.[1] It ran for two seasons before Group W discontinued production in 1982.[2]
History
Group W developed The John Davidson Show as its new syndicated daytime talk-variety program after deciding to end its long association with Mike Douglas. Davidson signed a five-year contract reportedly worth $7.5 million to host the program.[3] Group W promoted Davidson as the successor to Douglas as the company's principal syndicated daytime talk-show host.[1]
More than 70 stations had cleared the program before its premiere, with both 60- and 90-minute versions offered to stations.[1] The series premiered on June 30, 1980, with actress Linda Gray serving as Davidson's first weekly co-host. Guests on the premiere included Tom Wopat, Michael Keaton, The Temptations, Olympic hockey player Jim Craig, radio personality Gary Burbank and fitness instructor Judi Sheppard Missett.[4]
Like The Mike Douglas Show, the program used a weekly guest co-host format. Early co-hosts included Gray, Bonnie Franklin, Robert Hays, Pat Harrington Jr., Karen Grassle and Lynn Redgrave.[4] The program combined celebrity interviews, musical performances, comedy and discussions of topical subjects. Guests during its run included Ringo Starr, Roger Moore, Charlton Heston, Brooke Shields, Kool & the Gang, Billy Preston, Valerie Harper, James Coco and Isabel Sanford.[4][5]
Frank Brill served as executive producer, Vince Calandra as producer and Ron de Moraes as director.[5]
Cancellation
In early 1982, Group W announced that it would discontinue The John Davidson Show after two seasons. Edwin T. Vane, president and chief executive officer of Group W Productions, attributed the decision primarily to a "dramatic change in marketing conditions".[2] The number of desirable time periods available for syndicated entertainment programs had declined as television stations expanded locally produced news and information programming, while production costs were increasing.[2]
The cancellation was announced shortly before the television industry's annual NATPE convention, leaving stations carrying Davidson's program seeking replacement programming for the following season.[6] Production ended in 1982, with delayed broadcasts scheduled to continue through August 27.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 "John Davidson. He's going to turn on the daytime audience" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 4, 1980. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "'Davidson Show' to be dropped" (PDF). TV/Radio Age. March 8, 1982. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Ross, Alex (January 3, 2026). "In the '80s, John Davidson Made Millions as a TV Game Show Host. Struggles in His Personal Life Kept Him from Being 'Totally Happy'". People. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "The John Davidson Show Season 1 Episodes". TV Guide. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- 1 2 "John Davidson Show, The {Valerie Harper, James Coco, Isabel Sanford}". Paley Center for Media. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Shapiro, Walter (June 5, 1982). "Have I Got a Show for You". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2026.