The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981. The ninety-minute program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show typically featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through March 1976 when singer Helen Reddy served as the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer and frequent guest host. The series also occasionally aired vintage footage of older acts. As the program neared the end of its run in the early 1980s, it began to frequently use lip-synched performances rather than live. The program also featured occasional comedic performances such as Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman.
The first episode of The Midnight Special aired on August 19, 1972.
The last episode of The Midnight Special aired on May 16, 1980.
There are 36 episodes of The Midnight Special.
There are 8 seasons of The Midnight Special.
Yes.
The Midnight Special is set to return for future episodes.
Best Episodes of The Midnight Special
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Worst Episodes of The Midnight Special
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The Midnight Special Episode Guide
Bill Cosby
S1 Ep12
12th Apr 1973
Bill Cosby (guest host, appearing with a band) - "Ursulena (With Your Washing Machina)," "I've Got to Be Strong" (sung by member of his group) & "I Lost My Baby At the Dance Last Night" --David Brenner (stand-up comedian) - jokes about airplanes; the moon shot; dating in New York City and King Kong --Ray Charles - "Early in the Morning" --Fanny - "All Mine" & "Last Night I Had a Dream" --Waylon Jennings - "Lovin' Her Was Easier," "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" & "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line" --Billy Preston - "Will It Go Round in Circles" & "Outa-Space" --Steely Dan - "Reelin' in the Years" --Taj Mahal - talks about "Sounder," plays "Cheraw" on banjo & sings "Texas Woman Blues"
Host: Paul Williams
S1 Ep23
29th Jun 1973
Paul Williams (guest host) - ""Someday Man,"" ""That's What Friends Are For"" & ""Look What I Found"" --Paul Williams, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Collidge - ""Me and Bobby McGee"" --Kris Kristofferson - ""Loving Her Was Easier"" & ""Out of Mind, Sout of Sight"" --Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge - ""I Never Had it So Good"" --Rita Coolidge - ""I'll Be Your Baby"" & ""My Crew"" --Brewer and Shipley - ""Black Sky"" & ""Yankee Lady"" --Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen - ""Smoke, Smoke, Smoke (That Cigarette)"" & ""Jailhouse Rock"" --Electric Light Orchestra - ""Roll Over Beethoven"" & ""Kuiama"" --King Harvest - ""Dancing in the Moonlight"" & ""A Little Bit Like Magic""
