Paul Shafer and the CBS Orchestra

[KyDXIn]

OK, was there ever an ABC Orchestra?

I don't think so as such. Since ABC was spun off from the NBC Blue network in the 40's. By that time recorded music was the norm, so a staff large orchestra wasn't really needed. Of course, ABC had their variety programs with various musicians and leaders but I don't think the term ABC Orchestra was ever used

In the 60s, Joey Bishop had "Johnny Mann and his Merry Men" who were the musical act. This clip features Mann, his band, and Regis!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdyDRjpPftU

 

[LKellerIII]

OK, was there ever an ABC Orchestra?

OK - let's get real here. The old radio networks may have had real orchestras for some of their live programming, but TV shows have not, unless you're talking about the old Leonard Bernstein specials or some such.

Here is the definition of "orchestra":
A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments.

A keyboard, 2 guys with guitars, a bass and a drummer do not make an "orchestra." IIRC, Doc Severinsen's group on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show was bigger (had more musiciaians than show bands these days) , but even that didn't gualify as an orhcestra, and I believe it was called a "band."

I've always assumed that the name "The CBS Orchestra" on Letterman was said more or less tongue-in-cheek.

 

[anotherguyTN]

OK, was there ever an ABC Orchestra?

OK - let's get real here. The old radio networks may have had real orchestras for some of their live programming, but TV shows have not, unless you're talking about the old Leonard Bernstein specials or some such.

Here is the definition of "orchestra":
A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments.

A keyboard, 2 guys with guitars, a bass and a drummer do not make an "orchestra." IIRC, Doc Severinsen's group on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show was bigger (had more musiciaians than show bands these days) , but even that didn't gualify as an orhcestra, and I believe it was called a "band."

I've always assumed that the name "The CBS Orchestra" on Letterman was said more or less tongue-in-cheek.

I guess that's technically correct, but a lot of the big bands of the 40's called themselves "The _____ Orchestra" that wouldn't have qualified under that definition. Then there was also rock group ELO, or the Electric Light Orchestra, from the 70's and 80's. so there are a lot of groups that have used orchestra in their name even though they wouldn't have qualified under that strict definition, and I don't see where it's any worse for Letterman and Shaffer to use it than anyone else. But I do agree that there was probably some humor intended since they couldn't use their old name.

 

[LKellerIII]

OK, was there ever an ABC Orchestra?

OK - let's get real here. The old radio networks may have had real orchestras for some of their live programming, but TV shows have not, unless you're talking about the old Leonard Bernstein specials or some such.

Here is the definition of "orchestra":
A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments.

A keyboard, 2 guys with guitars, a bass and a drummer do not make an "orchestra." IIRC, Doc Severinsen's group on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show was bigger (had more musiciaians than show bands these days) , but even that didn't gualify as an orhcestra, and I believe it was called a "band."

I've always assumed that the name "The CBS Orchestra" on Letterman was said more or less tongue-in-cheek.

I guess that's technically correct, but a lot of the big bands of the 40's called themselves "The _____ Orchestra" that wouldn't have qualified under that definition. Then there was also rock group ELO, or the Electric Light Orchestra, from the 70's and 80's. so there are a lot of groups that have used orchestra in their name even though they wouldn't have qualified under that strict definition, and I don't see where it's any worse for Letterman and Shaffer to use it than anyone else. But I do agree that there was probably some humor intended since they couldn't use their old name.

I wasn't saying there was anything wrong with Letterman using "orchestra" - as I said, I think it's meant tongue-in-cheek. As for big bands - they were pretty close to being orchestras because they were...uh...BIG. And they had woodwinds and brass, generaly everything that qualfiies except string instruments.

As for "Electir Light Orchestra" - that's the name of a rock group, so some literay license is to be expected. The Rolling Stones aren't literally rocks that rolled around (though they used to get stoned a lot, I guess), Chicago wasn't literally the City of Chicago, Alice is never literally "in chains"...you get the point.

 

[1069_KIFR]

I believe it was a shot across the bow. NBC took the name (World's Most Dangerous Band). Letterman people recognized that NBC was not using the 'NBC Orchestra' on Jay Leno's Tonight Show. Capitalized on the moment and created 'The CBS Orchestra'.

I still thought they should have went further and called the show, Late Show STARRING David Letterman.