CarolC,

Yes I remember watching the show live in the 1970's as a kid. Grandpa and Grandma watched it religiously, and used to call various members of the family to inform them that THE show was "ON".

I hated the show as a kid, the Grandparents would force me to watch it, while I was there.

My Mom and Dad, (in their younger days of parenting) used to force me to watch Billy Graham in a similar manner. (This of course they would say, was for my own GOOD :-)

Billy's ministry in the 70's was much more loud and preachy than it is Today (i.e Franklin Graham). The Lawrence Welk Show, however, never did change much in it style or excitement, no matter how many years went by, which ironically was probably the secret to the show's success.

Also I think the Billy Graham Ministries and Lawrence Welk Show worked together to promote a "moral" direction in T.V. programming (if I am not mistaken).

Lawrence mentioned the Billy Graham crusade many times in his programming at the time, and also used gospel music regulary in the performances.

It was a much more quiet/clean time then for the entertainment world, and there was more respect for what was and wasn't supposed to be done on television.

The Lawrence Show came on opposite of He Haw back then. All the T.V. shows of the time were in bright colors. Floor model Counsel TV's tuned to full hue were the ultimate standard.

I am from North Dakota. So,I remember the Lawrence Welk Show on a cold winter's night at Grandma's house: 30 below zero, an old gas parlor stove, a large two knob, tube style, glow in the dark, counsel T.V. set, an old creeky wood floor; and, Grandma's enthusiam for the show (my punishment).

I even remember Grandpa calling up Great Grandma WEEKLY to remind her that the show was "ON".

He would simply say, "It's On" She would reply, OK and hang up the phone to go watch.

It was truly amazing, the bahavior of these seniors of that era, and the hypnotic spell Lawrence apparently cast on them all in on sitting.

Directly or Indirectly the effect was always the same. (Makes me wonder if Lawrence himself might actually have been incarnated as the real devil, in disguise, secretly fooling and controlling the masses, with family values and good taste-:)

Dewey