SETTING THE SCENE
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fernwood 2 Night
1977–1977SERIES
Fernwood 2 Night was a comedic television program that ran from July 1977 – September 1977. It was created by Norman Lear and produced by Alan Thicke as a spin-off/summer replacement from Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. It was a parody talk show, hosted by Barth Gimble and sidekick/announcer Jerry Hubbard, complete with a stage band, Happy Kyne and His Mirthmakers. Barth was the twin brother of Garth Gimble from Mary Hartman. Like Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night was set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. The show satirized real talk shows as well as the sort of fare one might expect from locally-produced, small-town, midwestern American television programming. Well-known actors usually appeared playing characters or a contrivance had to be written for the celebrity to appear as themselves. After one season of Fernwood, the producers revamped the show the following year as America 2-Night. In this second version, Barth and Jerry's show moved to California and was broadcast nationally on the fictional UBS network, whose slogan was "We put U before the BS". This change allowed the show to now have well-known actors on the show as themselves.
ComedyTalk
THE STORY UNFOLDS
Episodes 65
EPISODE 01Talk to a Jew
Barth talks about his unusual day-to-day contract. Howard Palmer, a man in an iron lung, plays the piano. ""Talk to a Jew"" -- Morton Rose answers audience questions. (""When is Barbra Streisand's next movie coming out?"")
Jul 4, 1977
EPISODE 02Leisure Suits Cause Cancer
Barth thanks the viewers for their support that got him renewed for another episode. Rocket to Stardom: Baby Irene sings ""I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded"". Barth talks to her about gun control. Happy talks about his nostrils. From Fernwood Commmunity College: Doctor Richard Osgood has proof that leisure suits cause cancer. (You see, they dress up the mice in tiny leisure suits... No, really!) Bury the Hatchet: Iris and Joseph Case want their son, a Catholic priest, to come back to them. Howard Palmer plays, while Baby Irene dances.
Jul 5, 1977
EPISODE 03The Wonderblender
Barth introduces his dad. The body language of April McTear -- contortionist. Lou Moffatt plugs Blendermatic, the Wonderblender. The owner of the Butterfly Deli, Susan Cloud (""...the body _requires_ burgers""). Barth's father Garth Sr. and his idiot dog perform,
Jul 6, 1977
EPISODE 04Corporal Punishment I
Hula hoopist Darius Washington. South Vietnamese gardener Mein Ko Thein (?) plugs his book: ""Yankee Doodle Gook"". The Other Side of the News:High School Principal Marshall O. Petty discusses corporal punishment by demonstrating it on Debbie Dunbar. Lastly, Garth Sr. and his dumb dog.
Jul 7, 1977
EPISODE 05Corporal Punishment II
Barth talks with Debbie Dunbar's mother. Since ""last weeks"" on-air spanking, Debbie has gotten several lucrative modeling jobs. Russ Tuttle, the Fernwood coroner talks about cut rate funeral alternatives; Mrs. Dunbar appears with both of her daughters, shamelessly plugging the phone number for her ""talent agency"". Jerry rambles on about families. Barth sings ""Feelings"" while Debbie does cheerleader stuff. Once again, Garth and Louie.
Jul 8, 1977
EPISODE 06Fernwood Fascinating Females
Vernon Taylor (AKA ""Uncle Sam, Jr"") reads one of his poems, Candy Lee Hargrove talks about the Fernwood Fascinating Females League.
Jul 11, 1977
EPISODE 07Hearing Ear Dogs for the Deaf
Pet control center director Connie Bushman on Hearing Ear Dogs for the Deaf. Also: dancer Lisa Martin; Garth Gimble, Sr. and his dog.
Jul 12, 1977
EPISODE 08Congressman Chambers
No episode description available yet.
Jul 13, 1977
EPISODE 09No-frills Hospitals
Ambassador-at-large Harold Mislap talks about his efforts to bring tourism to Fernwood, Dr. Richard Osgood presents his no-frills hospital plan.
Jul 14, 1977
EPISODE 10Ethnic Myths
Daredevil Virgil Simms; Emanuel Kasinski on his latest findings on ethnic myths and prejudice.
Jul 15, 1977
EPISODE 11Lillian Dunbar
Grandmother Lillian Dunbar and presidential namesake James Earl Carter.
Jul 18, 1977
EPISODE 12Uncle Sam, Jr (I)
Candy discusses gynacology and the need for female gynacologists. Bart plays the guitar while Happy and Vernon accompany him.
Jul 19, 1977
EPISODE 13Tony Rolletti and Susan Cloud
No episode description available yet.
Jul 20, 1977
EPISODE 14Breeding Athletes
Barth challenges Jimmy Carter to come on the show and compete with him to prove just who is a star. Lou Moffet offers tips on home music ripoffs and the presents the American Guitar Studios home study course offered by Gimblco Enterprises. Happy & band member Tommy Maranucci sit and chat.
Jul 21, 1977
EPISODE 15Animal Sexuality
Professional football consultant Emanual Kasinski on the breeding of large men.
Jul 22, 1977
EPISODE 16Garth Gimble Memorial Tennis Classic
This episode is tentatively scheduled for air on TV LAND July 20th at midnight. Original production number: 127 Barth promotes the planned Garth Gimbel Memorial Tennis Classic. W.D. ""Bud"" Prize (Kenneth Mars) returns, and bows to public demands that he reveal the secret of his chinadonture treatment. In a rebuttal to Dr. Van Moot (aka Dr. Osgood), Phil Maltby (Morgan Upton) of Phil's Fashion Funwear and Medical Research Lab explains that leisure suits, far from causing cancer, actually can help cure disease. ""Bud"" Prize is so stimulated by this revelation that he falls asleep.
Jul 25, 1977
EPISODE 17Dating Service for Dogs
Connie Bushman talks about her dating service for dogs. Radio personality Terry Guy plugs his disc jockey correspondence course.
Jul 26, 1977
EPISODE 18Lou Moffatt on Land Deals
Lou Moffatt on land deals; Bassist Eddie Thomerson. Sylvia Miller also appears and discusses how a martian violated her with a beam of blue light.
Jul 27, 1977
EPISODE 19Uncle Sam Jr. II
Vernon Taylor, better known as Uncle Sam, Jr. is back and as passionate as ever.
Jul 28, 1977
EPISODE 20Comedy Sales Techniques
Insurance salesman Elliott J. Tubbs demonstrates his comedy sales techniques. Happy Kyne on shut-ins.
Jul 29, 1977
EPISODE 21Tom Waits
Tom Waits. ""Bud"" Prize on using CB radio to bring in tourists.
Aug 1, 1977
EPISODE 22Dumbness measuring machine
A dumbness measuring machine is demonstrated. Actually, more like a dumbness alarm. Say a dumb thing, and the alarm goes off. Like every time that Jerry opens his mouth.
Aug 2, 1977
EPISODE 23no info
Happy Kyne shares the latest gizmo developed by the Olfactory Center of Toledo; the nose aid.
Aug 3, 1977
EPISODE 24Singers and salesmen
Mario Dorsett on his success as a singer; Tony Rolletti; Mrs. Walter Donker, whose husband sells cars.
Aug 4, 1977
EPISODE 25Criminal Justice
Gilbert Ulysses Nelson discusses the treatment of criminals.
Aug 5, 1977
EPISODE 26Still a Dream
Local opera singer Donny Lee Savage; Dr. Hugh Slocum on his latest scientific discovery; Amateur photographer Marianne Cox.
Aug 8, 1977
EPISODE 27Fernwood Blood Drive
Singing duo Doug and Diana Mitchell; Fernwood blood drive chairman Larry Guy.
Aug 9, 1977
EPISODE 28Ratings Week
Singer Laurie Gallagher performs, accompanied by her mother on drums. Also: Bud Prize and Sylvia Miller.
Aug 10, 1977
EPISODE 29Barbershop Trio
Doctor Alexander Beach discusses his findings on marijuana. How the Humdinger Barbershop Quartet became a trio.
Aug 11, 1977
EPISODE 30Two Ladies Against Pornography
Nettie and Barbara Forman on the elderly.
Aug 12, 1977
EPISODE 31Church of the Devine Lemonade
The founder of the Church of the Devine Lemonade, Billy Jenkins. George and Sally Krepps discuss the La Fromage method of childbirth.
Aug 15, 1977
EPISODE 32Roger Bellman
Marin Worth reads one of his poems. Also: Susan Cloud and chauffeur Earl Simmons.
Aug 16, 1977
EPISODE 33The Fitness Twins
Fernwood mayor Merle Jeeter honors champion Girl scout cookie seller Wendy Price. Also: contortionist Mike Timmins and Mary Lou Bridgewater.
Aug 17, 1977
EPISODE 34You Are You
Alberta Cornwall on how colored clothing affects moods; poet Vernon Taylor.
Aug 18, 1977
EPISODE 35The Barber
Hair stylist Sal Magglione and Presidential namesake James Earl Carter.
Aug 19, 1977
EPISODE 36X-Rated Shopping Mall
Sportscaster Jane Tiffany and W. D. ""Bud"" Prize.
Aug 22, 1977
EPISODE 37Tony Rolletti's autobiography
Tony Rolletti plugs his autobiography. The Mirth-Makers perform ""Rock Around the Clock"".
Aug 23, 1977
EPISODE 38Getting the most from your warranty
Virgil Simms tells how to get the most out of your new-car waranty. Basically, you make sure that it goes into the shop just before that waranty expires.
Aug 24, 1977
EPISODE 39Nudists
Linda Barry, owner of the Fernwood Nudist Colony. Toy maker George Ellsworth.
Aug 25, 1977
EPISODE 40Wrestling
Jane Tiffany; Sylvia Miller; Wrestler Rock Mondo and his assisstant.
Aug 26, 1977
EPISODE 41Tony and Chance Rolletti
No episode description available yet.
Aug 27, 1977
EPISODE 42Solving Water Shortages
Representative Chambers on solving water shortages with icebergs. Lucy and Ed Campbell show how they display affection.
Aug 28, 1977
EPISODE 43Sex Therapy
Vern Taylor; Sex therapy clinic founder Matthew Johnson; Happy sings about tooth decay.
Aug 29, 1977
EPISODE 44Real Estate Tips
Comic Buddy Brown; Author Dottie Ann Lee; Eddie Thomerson's real estate tips.
Aug 30, 1977
EPISODE 45Skateboard Angel
Larry Guy takes questions from the audience; The Mirth-Makers play ""Skateboard Angel"".
Sep 2, 1977
EPISODE 46Mobile Home Daredevil
Las Vegas entertainer Debbie Dunbar; Mobile home daredevil Virgil Simms.
Sep 5, 1977
EPISODE 47Rev. Chung Hee
No episode description available yet.
Sep 6, 1977
EPISODE 48Pot Sniffing
Impressionist Reggie Morrison; Principal Marshall Petty; Susan Cloud.
Sep 7, 1977
EPISODE 49Pet Mating Service
Connie Bushman on her computer pet mating service; Sherry McCormick performs "" I Like Dreamin'""; The Birchfield, Ohio mayor tells how he spent 90 days in jail.
Sep 8, 1977
EPISODE 50Harrison Edwards' Moon
Historian Harrison Edwards. Also: Tony Rolletti and Jane Tiffany.
Sep 9, 1977
EPISODE 51Behind Hollywood
Author Duane Goff plugs his book, ""Behind Hollywood"". The Mirth-makers perform ""Fifteen and Free"".
Sep 12, 1977
EPISODE 52Etiquette Guidelines
Barth starts the show with a slide show of his travels around Hollywood. Guests for this episode are etiquette authority Meg Endicott and her new book, Etiquette Guidelines for the Future and U.S. Defense Department representative, Col. Morris Chandler, announcing the newly formed War Deprogramming Center, a facility that helps war veterans ease back into the civilian life by first returning them to the war.
Sep 13, 1977
EPISODE 53Aunt Edity
The show starts off on a somber note when Barth announces that the recently hired sportscaster, Jane Tiffany, was injured and is now in a coma, her prognosis uncertain. They proceed to hold an impromptu tribute to her which was quickly thrown together without hardly any thought or preparation and it shows. The first guest claimed to be Barth's Aunt Edith but is in fact Barth's former "patron" from Miami. This much older woman has tracked him down for the promised "services to be rendered" once she "put mirrors on every ceiling." The next guest claimed to be an accomplished dancer who defected from the Soviet Union but it becomes obvious that Serge Nabokov was kicked out because, as his mother put it, "you stink.
Sep 14, 1977
EPISODE 54no info
Barth says a prayer on the show before introducing former daredevil now auto mechanics instructor Virgil Simms. He talks about being an auto-mechanics instructor at the Fernwood Community College. Also appearing is Elliot J Tubbs, the newly appointed National Liquor Lobby representative furthering the alcohol industry's cause. Barth ends the show with a song about truckers and fruit.
Sep 15, 1977
EPISODE 55no info
The show begins with Barth and Jerry reacting to some comments made by Tom Snyder. With the band's strike over, things return to normal. Tonight's guests include Edward Bailey, a hamburger bun juggler from the Bun-N-Run, Dr. Harlen Washburn, who describes his vision of integrated education and returning guest Baby Irene performing Animal Crackers.
Sep 16, 1977
EPISODE 56Theological Correspondence Course
Father George Reese plugs his theological correspondence course, and accordianist Frankie ""Kid"" Carbone.
Sep 19, 1977
EPISODE 57Singles Mingles Club
No episode description available yet.
Sep 20, 1977
EPISODE 58Lattimore Diet Program
Six-year-old trombonist Kevin McCormick. Mrs. Lillian Lattimore describes her diet program.
Sep 21, 1977
EPISODE 59Battery Powered Car
Virgil Simms introduces his battery powered car. Emanual Kasinski on Gay Liberation.
Sep 22, 1977
EPISODE 60Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer discusses his work in TV news.
Sep 23, 1977
EPISODE 61Amusement and Healing Parks
Bob and Joanne Herlick recite Shakespeare. Nelson Phipps of the Amusement and Healing Parks.
Sep 26, 1977
EPISODE 62Indian Princess
On the show tonight: Indian princess Shosen Rising Star and psychologist Stanley Turnbull.
Sep 27, 1977
EPISODE 63Fan Club President
Barth Gimble fan club president Mercedes Blyweiss presents an award to Barth.
Sep 28, 1977
EPISODE 64The Ransom
Happy Kyne talks about where songwriters get their inspiration. Happy and the Mirth-Makers sing ""Ice Cream Baby"". Barth interviews three heavily-disguised criminals. Barth explains to Jerry how cartoons work. Bud Prize talks about the ransom note. Somebody has his chow-chow! Barth gets a singing telegram -- actually a summons from Miami.
Sep 29, 1977
EPISODE 65Save "Fernwood 2Night" Telethon
Barth and Jerry stage a telethon to save the show. Final episode of the series. Continues the next summer as ""America 2Night"".
Sep 30, 1977
