The Harvey Korman Show

The Harvey Korman Show is an American sitcom television series starring Harvey Korman, Christine Lahti, Barry Van Dyke and Milton Selzer that aired for five episodes on ABC from January 31 to August 3, 1978.

The Harvey Korman Show
Created byHal Dresner
Written byMike Kagan
Harry Cauley
Carol Gary
Hal Dresner
Jim Parker
Burt Prelutsky
Garry Shandling
Directed byHarvey Korman
Howard Morris
Bill Persky
Alan Myerson
Jeff Bleckner
StarringHarvey Korman
Christine Lahti
Barry Van Dyke
Milton Selzer
Theme music composerPeter Matz
Opening theme"Living Life Today" by Harvey Korman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerHal Dresner
ProducerDon Van Atta
Production locationsNBC Studios
Burbank, California
Running time30 minutes
Production companyChrisma Productions
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseJanuary 31 (1978-01-31) –
August 3, 1978 (1978-08-03)

Synopsis

Harvey A. Kavanaugh is an egotistical, self-centered, out-of-work actor who operates an acting class from his home (Harvey A. Kavanaugh Academy of Dramatic Arts) that he shares with his level-headed daughter Maggie, who works at the Friendly Community Bank.[1]

Cast

Production

The Harvey Korman Show was created as a star vehicle for Harvey Korman when he was offered a contract by ABC to headline his own television series. Following his successful run as a supporting player on CBS's The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1977, Korman by this time had grown restless of the variety-show routine and was keen to pursue lead-character roles.

The pilot episode was originally broadcast on May 19, 1977 and varied slightly from the 1978 series: Korman portrays Francis A. Kavanaugh, a flamboyant, old-school actor and dramatic coach of an acting class he operates from the home he shares with his 19-year-old daughter Maggie (played by Susan Lawrence in the pilot). In the actual series, Korman's character name was changed to Harvey A. Kavanaugh and the role of Maggie was recast with Christine Lahti in one of her early acting roles. The supporting cast includes Barry Van Dyke as Stuart Stafford, Maggie's boyfriend and co-worker (whom Harvey dislikes), and Milton Selzer as Jake Winkleman, Harvey's hard-working agent.

The Harvey Korman Show was broadcast Tuesday nights on ABC at 9:30 p.m. throughout its brief run. It was videotaped before a live audience at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. The theme song "Living Life Today", written by Ken Welch & Mitzi Welch, was performed by Korman in a Broadway-esque manner. Garry Shandling was one of the scriptwriters and story editor for the series.

Episodes
Nº Title Directed by Written by Airdate
0"Pilot"Alan MyersonHal DresnerMay 19, 1977 (1977-05-19)
An egocentric actor asks his agent to find him an acting role so he can raise $1,000 to buy a used car for his daughter Maggie.
1"The One Where Harvey Gets a Job as an Escort"Alan MyersonHarry Cauley, Mike KaganJanuary 31, 1978 (1978-01-31)
Harvey answers an advertisement for a leading man but ends up landing a job with an escort service.
2"The One Where Stuart Moves In"UnknownCarol GaryApril 4, 1978 (1978-04-04)
Harvey returns home early from an out-of-town acting job and is surprised to discover that Stuart and Maggie are living together in his house.
3"The One Where Harvey Won't Change"Alan MyersonGarry Shandling, Hal DresnerApril 11, 1978 (1978-04-11)
When Harvey refuses to learn how to drive a car, Maggie, Stuart, and his acting students conspire to teach him, but he ends up in court.
4"The One Where There's a Hold-Up"Jeff BlecknerJim ParkerApril 18, 1978 (1978-04-18)
Harvey becomes a hero when he helps foil a bank robbery attempt – by co-signing a bank loan for the bumbling hold-up man.
5"The One Where Harvey Goes on a Kids Show"UnknownBurt PrelutskyAugust 3, 1978 (1978-08-03)
Harvey's bragging about his success as an actor leads him into a cameo appearance on a TV show for kids – as a carrot.

Reception

The Harvey Korman Show drew low ratings and was cancelled after only five episodes aired. Korman himself expressed disappointment with the series and blamed its failure on the writing which he said "wasn't up to snuff" and also added that he was not happy with the casting either.[2]

References
  1. Leszczak, Bob. Single Season Sitcoms 1948-1979: A Complete Guide, retrieved August 16, 2015.
  2. The Milwaukee Journal: Harvey Korman still awaits topliner break, retrieved October 3, 2015.
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