September 13, 2014

SATURDAY MORNING PREVIEW SPECIALS



            As Saturday mornings began to grow in importance, the networks began taking steps to ensure people would be tuning in. Beginning at the end of the 1960s, the networks began producing Saturday morning preview specials to introduce viewers to the programs beginning in the fall. Airing usually in primetime during the week leading up to the Saturday when the new schedule took effect, the specials were essentially mock TV shows in of themselves. Typically taking on the form of a sitcom or variety show to keep viewers interested, the specials featured the networks’ stars or other celebrities interacting with each other or the viewers while working in plugs for the upcoming shows.

Of course, as Saturday began to drop off in importance, so too did the need for the specials. Thanks to the magic of YouTube, we get to bring you some of these specials (both partially and in their entirety) to either bring back some memories of your past or introduce you to something new.



CBS 1983, starring Scott Baio and the Kroft Puppets, featuring Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane from The Dukes of Hazzard.

NBC 1989, Who Shrunk Saturday Morning? starring ALF, the cast of Saved by the Bell, John Candy and Marsha Warfield.

ABC 1973, Sneak Peek hosted by Avery Schreiber and Jack Burns.

NBC 1985, Back to Next Saturday starring Keisha Knight Pulliam and Lisa Whelchel with the casts of Punky Brewster and Kidd Video.

ABC 1984, Preview Park starring "Weird Al" Yankovic (partial).

NBC 1987, ALF Loves a Mystery, starring ALF and Benji Gregory from ALF.


ABC 1983, The ABC Saturday Preview Special hosted by Dick Clark.


ABC 1989, Perfectly Strange Saturday Morning Preview, starring the cast of Perfect Strangers (partial).

ABC 1982, Pac Preview Party hosted by Dick Clark (partial).






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