Paul Shaffer

[1069_KIFR]

I beleive Paul Shaffer is currently the longest running band leader of a late night talk show.

He is Dave's original, while Jay is on his third, Conan has his second one, Craig doesn't have a band, Jimmy Fallon is still the young kid on the late night block and Jimmy Kimmel hasn't been on long enough ( in my opinion ) to have had the need to replace a band leader.

Just an observation.

 

[DToTheJ]

I think he might have broken Severinsen's record!

 

[Mediafrog+]

I've always hoped that someone would unearth Shaffer's 1977 CBS series "A Year At The Top" and give it a run somewhere. Few people remember that show, but I recall enjoying it. Never seen it rerun anywhere.

 

[1069_KIFR]

I vaguely remember that. was it about a couple of song writers?

I do remember him being 'Don Kirshner' on SNL, back in the day.

 

[therealjm12]

Paul was, also, in the Bill Murray's lounge lizard sketches on SNL. He was the piano player.

 

[LowPayDJ]

I remember A Year At The Top. If I recall, it lasted less then a year. I'd love to see it again though.

 

[stdjsb25]

I vaguely remember that. was it about a couple of song writers?

I do remember him being 'Don Kirshner' on SNL, back in the day.

Oh yes, Shaffer was a huge part of SNL during its first five years....aside from that brief 77 period for "A Year at the Top", even rising as far as SNL featured player status during the fifth year (79-80).

 

[Mediafrog+]

I remember A Year At The Top. If I recall, it lasted less then a year. I'd love to see it again though.

Summer series in 1977, six episodes. Norman Lear was the Executive Producer, Don Kirshner listed as Music Supervisor.

Story involved two young rock musicians looking for their big break. They meet a promoter who offers them a chance at stardom, but there is a catch: That promoter is the son of the Devil, who tries to get the musicians to sign away their souls in exchange for success.

Numerous production problems before the series hit the air, including recasting the entire show, which resulted in the series airing as summer filler instead of a mid-season replacement.

Still, a quirky and nicely done show, with some musical numbers included. Actually one of my wife's all-time favorites, despite its short run. Somewhat in the same genre as the recent "Reaper" on The CW.

The episodes are certainly sitting in a vault somewhere. Would love to see TV Land run some of these short lived shows, instead of the endless and excessive reruns of Bonanza and Andy Griffith. I think they actually did that with "Square Pegs", a one season wonder with the then unknown Sarah Jessica Parker as one of the stars.

 

[Corky Marlowe]

Story involved two young rock musicians looking for their big break. They meet a promoter who offers them a chance at stardom, but there is a catch: That promoter is the son of the Devil, who tries to get the musicians to sign away their souls in exchange for success.

And Shaffer's partner was played by Greg Evigan of "BJ And The Bear" and "My Two Dads"). Shaffer was awesome as Don Kirshchner..."Thanks to Jerry Aldini of PolySutra Records". As far as him breaking Doc's record, I think Doc replaced Milton DeLugg on "Tonight" around 1967, so that would give him 25 years, compared to over 28 for Shaffer. And he even had time to write the male dance revue anthem "It's Raining Men".

 

[DToTheJ]

... "Square Pegs", a one season wonder with the then unknown Sarah Jessica Parker as one of the stars.

Would it be wrong to suggest that reruns of "Square Pegs" air on RFD-TV? :

 

[The King Bee]

Corky...Milton DeLugg's band had long left "Tonight" by '67...I believe he was there back in the Steve Allen days. Lyle "Skitch" Henderson started out as Johnny Carson's bandleader, succeeded by Skitch's first trumpet Carl "Doc" Severinsen about 1969.