Shirley Bassey (TV series)

Shirley Bassey was a British variety show that premiered on BBC in 1976. The show was hosted by Welsh singer Shirley Bassey and produced by Stewart Morris. The first six-episode season was nominated for the Golden Rose of Montreux in 1977. This was followed by a second season of six episodes in 1979. The musical guests included The Three Degrees, Charles Aznavour, Neil Diamond and Dusty Springfield.[1]

Season 1

Season one was broadcast on Saturdays on BBC1. The series (excluding the 7th highlights episode) was repeated on BBC2 on non-consecutive Thursdays from 23 June – 4 August 1977.

Total
# 		Series
# 		Title Director Original airdate
11"Episode 1"Stewart Morris30 October 1976 (1976-10-30) at 8:15 pm
Making for BBC Television the first series in her outstanding career. Guest stars: Charles Aznavour, The Three Degrees and 'Emma' (Bassey's Old English Sheep Dog). With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[2]
22"Episode 2"Stewart Morris6 November 1976 (1976-11-06) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars Rolf Harris, Janis Ian, The Brythoniad Male Voice Choir and 'Emma'. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[3]
33"Episode 3"Stewart Morris13 November 1976 (1976-11-13) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars Johnny Nash, Gilbert O'Sullivan and 'Emma'. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[4]
44"Episode 4"Stewart Morris20 November 1976 (1976-11-20) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars Morris Albert, The Stan Getz Quartet and 'Emma'. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[5]
55"Episode 5"Stewart Morris27 November 1976 (1976-11-27) at 8:35 pm
Guest stars Mel Torme, Clive Westlake and 'Emma'. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[6]
66"Episode 6"Stewart Morris4 December 1976 (1976-12-04) at 8:35 pm
Guest stars Bobby Goldsboro, Rod McKuen and 'Emma'. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[7] This programme was selected as the BBC's entry for the Festival of the Golden Rose of Montreux 1977 and was repeated on BBC2 7 April 1977 at 8:25 pm.
77"Highlights compilation"Stewart Morris23 December 1977 (1977-12-23) at 9:15 pm
Shirley Bassey introduces highlights from her 1976 television series. Guest stars Charles Aznavour, Rolf Harris, Johnny Nash and 'Emma'.[8]

Season 2

Season two was broadcast on alternate Saturdays on BBC1. This Series repeated on Mondays on BBC2 from 15 September – 20 October 1980 at 8:15 pm.

Total
# 		Series
# 		Title Director Original airdate
81"Episode 1"Stewart Morris30 September 1979 (1979-09-30) at 8:20 pm
The first programme of a new series of six television spectaculars, with her guest stars: Dana, The Three Degrees and Sal Davis. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[9]
92"Episode 2"Stewart Morris13 October 1979 (1979-10-13) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars: Freddy Cole, Paul Daniels and Tony Monopoly. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[10]
103"Episode 3"Stewart Morris27 October 1979 (1979-10-27) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars: Lulu, The Drifters and Demis Roussos. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[11]
114"Episode 4"Stewart Morris10 November 1979 (1979-11-10) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars: Les Dawson, The Nolan Sisters and Third World. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[12]
125"Episode 5"Stewart Morris24 November 1979 (1979-11-24) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars: The King's Singers, Michel Legrand and Dusty Springfield. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[13]
136"Episode 6"Stewart Morris8 December 1979 (1979-12-08) at 8:15 pm
Guest stars: Lennie Bennett & Jerry Stevens, Pete Conrad and The Swingle Singers. With The Shirley Bassey Dancers choreographed by Nigel Lythgoe and Arthur Greenslade and his orchestra.[14]

References

  1. ^ Ashfield, Steve. "The Shirley Bassey Show". Television Heaven. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2764. 28 October 1976. p. 21. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  3. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2765. 4 November 1976. p. 18. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  4. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2766. 11 November 1976. p. 22. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  5. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2767. 18 November 1976. p. 20. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  6. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2768. 25 November 1976. p. 21. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  7. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2769. 2 December 1976. p. 22. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  8. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2823. 15 December 1977. p. 62. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  9. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2916. 27 September 1979. p. 32. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  10. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2918. 11 October 1979. p. 30. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  11. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2920. 25 October 1979. p. 32. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  12. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2922. 8 November 1979. p. 32. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  13. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2924. 22 November 1979. p. 30. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  14. ^ "Shirley Bassey". Radio Times. No. 2926. 6 December 1979. p. 34. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.

Shirley TV series at IMDb