I Saw That!

One woman's opinions about popular entertainment.

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Amateur boxing coach, Christian (but not so heavenly-minded that I'm no earthly good) singer, writer, self-defense advocate, childfree. feminist www.smartwomenboxingtraining.org

Saturday, February 25, 2006

"Solid Gold" (1980-1988)

This syndicated show was a hodgepodge, a mix of elements of other shows such as "Hullabaloo", "Where The Action Is", "Soul Train", and "American Bandstand". It serves as a good time capsule of the music scene of the 1980's.

Most of the performers lip-synched their popular hits in front of an enthusiastic audience. Later in the show's run, the title was changed to "Solid Gold In Concert" to reflect the inclusion of more live performances. Just like on "American Bandstand", there was a countdown of the week's top hits. Unlike "Bandstand" that kept the same host up to the last couple of years they were on the air, "Solid Gold" has changing hosts, some of whom left and returned to host later in the show's run.

The hosts were famous in their own right. Classy Dionne Warwick, who had numerous hits such as "Walk On By", and "Alfie"; Marilyn McCoo, who was a member of The Fifth Dimension ("Up, Up, and Away"); Andy Gibb, the younger brother of the guys who made up The Bee Gees; Rex Smith, who had some minor hits back then; and DJ Rick Dees who had a novelty song ("Disco Duck"). Other regulars included Nina Blackwood, who was one of the original VJ's on MTV, and comedian Wayland Flowers and his outspoken puppet, Madame.

A troupe of dancers on TV shows is not uncommon (the June Taylor Dancers on "The Jackie Gleason Show"; the Fly Girls on "In Living Color"), and "Solid Gold" boasted the Solid Gold Dancers, a group of lithe hoofers.

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