Operation: Entertainment (1968-69)
Episode Guide
compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Rina Fox
references:
TV Guide /
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
------------------------ OPERATION: ENTERTAINMENT
------------------------
ABC
Produced by Chuck Barris, Bill Carruthers
US Music Variety series 1968-69 31 episodes x 60 min
The program originates at military establishments with performances by
entertainers, comedians, singers, dancers and stars.
with regulars The Terry Gibbs Band Operation Entertainment Girls
(consisting of Sivi Alberg, Darien Daniels, Marina Gahne and Eileen O'Neill.)
Announcer: Johnny Jacobs
########### Operation: Entertainment #########
############# season 1 Early 1968 ############
##############################################
ABC Fridays 8:30-9:30pm Eastern (5Jan68-26Apr68)
Mid-Season Replacement for the Western series "Hondo"
[01] Operation: Entertainment: Filmed at Camp Pendleton.
05Jan1968 ABC Fri [Premiere]
Hosted by Rich Little
with guests
singer Vikki Carr
comedienne Donna Jean Young The Lennon Sisters
Checkmates Ltd. Michaelle and The Mademoiselles.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
[02] Operation: Entertainment: Filmed at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio
Texas.
12Jan1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by George Carlin
with guests
singer Fran Jeffries
comedian Bill Dana (as commanding General Jose Jimenez)
the singing King Cousins
Country star Roy Clark
Gospel singer Bessie Griffin
and The Pearls.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Fran Jeffries sings "Goin' Out of My Head" and "The Look of Love".
King Cousins perform "Sign of the Times".
[03] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Hood Texas.
19Jan1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Dick Cavett
with guests
musician Louis Armstrong
singer Joannie Sommers
comedian Richard Pryor
magician Harry Blackstone Jr.
and The Korean Kittens.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
[04] Operation: Entertainment: From the deck of the USS Constellation in San
Diego Harbor.
26Jan1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Dean Jones
with guests
singer-actress Barbara McNair
comedy team Allen & Rossi The Everly Brothers
comedienne Minnie Pearl Gladys Knight and the Pips.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
[05] Operation: Entertainment: From the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force training
base in San Diego.
02Feb1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Dick Shawn
with guests
singer Kaye Stevens
comic Charlie Manna
comedienne Donna Jean Young The McGuire Sisters
and The Los Angeles Rams' Fearsome Foursome.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Kaye Stevens sings "Keep Smiling at Trouble" and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".
The McGuire do a medley with "Love Walked In".
The Fearsome Foursome do "Who's Got the Ball Y'all?"
[--] Operation: Entertainment
09Feb1968 ABC Fri
pre-empted by Winter Olympic Hockey games
[06] Operation: Entertainment: From George Air Force Base, Victorville
California.
16Feb1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Tim Conway
with guests
comedian-actor Paul Lynde
musician Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66
singer-actress Florence Henderson
singer Gloria Loring
and Martha and The Vandellas.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Paul Lynde does his comic African vacation routine from "New Faces of 1962".
Florence sings "Travel On" and "Who Can I Turn To?"
Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 perform "Day Tripper"
Gloria sings "Hard-Lovin' Loser"
Martha and the Vandellas do medley with "Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run", "Dancing
in the Street" and "Honey Child".
[07] Operation: Entertainment: From Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio
Texas.
23Feb1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jimmy Dean
with guests
comic actor Shelley Berman The Righteous Brothers
singer Dusty Springfield Laura Lee
and The Clinger Sisters.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Shelley Berman tells how to "talk Texas".
Jimmy introduces a Medal of Honor winner Major Joseph Wratten Jr.
[08] Operation: Entertainment: From George Air Force Base, Victorville
California.
01Mar1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Tim Conway
with guests
singer Lainie Kazan
rocker Jackie Wilson
impressionist David Frye The Mills Brothers
and The Clinger Sisters.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
The Mills Brothers do a medley with "Opus One", "Paper Doll", "Lazy River" and
"Cab Driver".
Lainie sings "Flower Child" and "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime".
Jackie performs "Up Tight" and "Funky Broadway".
The Clinger Sisters do "California My Way".
[09] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Hood, Texas.
08Mar1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Roger Miller
with guests
singer Nancy Ames
comic Louis Nye
singer-impressionist Marilyn Michaels
and The Seven Souls.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
[--] Operation: Entertainment
15Mar1968 ABC Fri
pre-empted?
[10] Operation: Entertainment: From the aircraft carrier USS
Constellation.
22Mar1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Dean Jones
with guests
comedian Norm Crosby
singer Dionne Warwick
comedy duo Homer and Jethro The Lennon Sisters Anthony and the Imperials
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
[11] Operation: Entertainment: From Port Hueneme, California, homebase of the
Seabees.
29Mar1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Ed Ames
with guests
singer-actress Michele Lee The Kim Sisters
comic duo Davis and Reese
comedian Pete Barbutti
and Checkmates Ltd.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Davis and Reese are seen in a punch-drunk fighter routine with three Seabees vie
as screen lovers.
Pete Barbutti gives a hipster's view of service life.
Ed Ames sings "There's a Kind of Hush" and "I Wanna Be Free".
Michele Lee does "L. David Sloan" and "Everybody Loves My Baby".
The Kim Sisters perform "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Charlie Brown".
Checkmates Ltd do a medley with "What'd I Say?", "Can I Get a Witness?", "Bread
'n' Butter",
"Little Bitty Pretty One", "Rockin' Robin", "Mr. Lee" and "Everybody Loves a
Lover".
[12] Operation: Entertainment: From the Pacific Fleet's amphibious force
training base on Coronado Island, California.
05Apr1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Flip Wilson
with guests
songstress Aretha Franklin
singer Joanie Sommers The Baja Marimba Band with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Joanie sings "Lazy Day" and "How Can I Be Sure".
Aretha sings "Chain of Fools", "I Never Loved a Man" and "Respect".
[13] Operation: Entertainment: From the Seabees base at Port Hueneme.
12Apr1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Don Rickles
with guests
singer Ray Charles and the Rayettes
comedienne Fannie Flagg
songstress Susan Barrett Gus Augspurg and his Girlfriends
and The Four King Cousins.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
[14] Operation: Entertainment: From Norton Air Force Base outside San
Bernardino, California.
19Apr1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jim Lange
with guests
singer Patti Page
comedienne Moms Mabley
songstress Mary Taylor
comedian-actor Pat Buttram The Dillers
and performers Hines, Hines and Dad.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Patti sings "Cross Over the Bridge".
Moms does "Everything's Gonna Be All Right".
Mary performs "Flowers on the Wall".
Hines, Hines and Dad do "Manana".
[15] Operation: Entertainment: From Norton Air Force Base in San Bernadino,
California. [Last show of the series].
26Apr1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jimmy Dean
with guests
singer Julie London
comic Pat Paulsen Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
The Kane Triplets
and the unicycle act of Don Volante.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Julie London sings "Show Me the Way to Go Home" and "Daddy".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Operation: Entertainment" on hiatus from May 3, 1968 to September 20, 1968
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
########### Operation: Entertainment #########
############## season 2 1968-69 ##############
##############################################
ABC Fridays 7:30-8:30pm Eastern (27Sep68-31Jan69)
2.01 [16] Operation: Entertainment: From Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita
Falls, Texas
27Sep1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Phil Harris
with guests Martha Raye
Nancy Ames
Slappy White
The Blossoms
Flatt and Scruggs
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.02 [17] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia.
04Oct1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Tim Conway
with guests
singer-actress Florence Henderson
singer-dancer Barrie Chase
comedian Rodney Dangerfield
comic Ernie Anderson The Cowsills
and tumblers Los Cabrera from Mexico.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.03 [18] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
11Oct1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jimmy Dean
with guests
singer Abbe Lane
comedian Corbett Monica The Kim Sisters
comedy team Colvin and Wilder
musical group Five Stair Steps and Cubie.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Abbe sings "Dancing in the Streets" and "So What's New?"
The Kim Sisters perform "Georgy Girl", "Carambra", "La Bamba" and "Peanut
Vendor".
[--] Operation: Entertainment
18Oct1968 ABC Fri
pre-empted
2.04 [19] Operation: Entertainment: From Memphis Naval Air Station in Tennessee.
25Oct1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Dean Jones
with guests
singer Patti Page Kenny Rogers and the First Edition
British singer Lulu
comedians Larry Storch
and Ron Carey.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.05 [20] Operation: Entertainment: From Elgin Air Force Base in Fort Walton
Beach, Florida.
01Nov1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Bob Crane
with guests
singer Teddy Neeley
songstress Fran Jeffries The Lennon Sisters
comic Pat Paulsen The Delores Hall Singers
and The Stebbings Boxers, a dog act that plays football.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
The Lennon Sisters sing "What the World Needs Now".
Fran Jeffries does "Let Me Love You".
2.06 [21] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Sill, Lawton Oklahoma.
08Nov1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jimmy Dean
with guests
singers Shani Wallace
and Janie Gee
comedian Richard Pryor
Country singer Roy Clark
and comedy team Patchett and Tarses
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.07 [22] Operation: Entertainment: From Elgin Air Force Base in Florida.
15Nov1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Flip Wilson
with guests
singer-actress Della Reese The Lennon Sisters
comedy team of Allen and Rossi
and The Geezinslaw Brothers.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
The Lennon Sisters sing "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine".
Della Reese performs "Don't Know You".
The Geezinslaw Brothers do "Boney and Claude".
2.08 [23] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia.
22Nov1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Tim Conway
with guests
singer Glen Campbell
actress-singer Stefanie Powers
comedian John Byner Honey Ltd.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Glen performs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Elusive Butterfly".
Stefanie sings "Lady Godiva" and "Mellow Yellow".
Honey Ltd does "Come Down", "Come See About Me" and "Respect".
2.09 [24] Operation: Entertainment: From Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida.
29Nov1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Ed Ames
with guests
singer Dana Valery John Daniel and Company comedienne Joan Rivers
comedian Louis Nye
and The Three Degrees.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.10 [25] Operation: Entertainment: From the Marine Corps base in Parris Island
S.C.
06Dec1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Tim Conway
with guests
comedian Jack Carter
singer Kaye Stevens
Western singer Rusty Draper
soul singer Mitch Ryder
comic Ernie Anderson
and duo Anita and Diane
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Kaye sings "That's Life".
Anita & Diane sing "Fever".
Rusty performs "Night Life".
Mitch does "Sock It to Me".
2.11 [26] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
13Dec1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jimmy Dean
with guests
Country singer Bobbie Gentry
singer-actress Michele Lee
comedian Myron Cohen
and Checkmates Ltd.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Jimmy sings "Oh Lonesome Me"
Michele Lee sings "Spooky".
Bobbie Gentry performs "Mississippi Delta" and "Ode to Billy Joe".
Checkmates Ltd. perform "Dance to the Music". Feedback from Don Willhite,Jr <bagman689@comcast.net>
(Sept 2012)
Dear Sirs,
Is there anyway possible to obtain copies of Operation: Entertainment: From Fort
Leonard Wood, Missouri (13-Dec-1968)
The reason I ask is because in the first one featuring Bobbie Gentry, if you
watch her performance of “Ode To Billie Joe”
there should be a spot where she runs her fingers though a young G.I’s hair,
what there is of it,lol. That young GI is
my father and it would mean so much if I could surprise him with it in time for
his 65th birthday in October. He has
told me this story many times and it would be great to have video evidence to
back it up.
Thanks, Don R. Willhite,Jr <bagman689@comcast.net>
2.12 [27] Operation: Entertainment: From Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
20Dec1968 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jimmy Dean
with guests Buck Owens and the Buckeroos
comedian Richard Pryor
actor-comedian Richard Dawson
singer Dana Valery
and The Fifth Dimension.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
Highlights:
Buck Owens and the Buckeroos perform "Together Again" and "I've Got a Tiger By
the Tail" with Jimmy.
The Fifth Dimension sing "Up, Up and Away".
Dana sings "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You".
*Note: Richard Pryor was once stationed at this base.
[--] Operation: Entertainment
27Dec1968 ABC Fri
pre-empted
2.13 [28] Operation: Entertainment: From Memphis Naval Air Station in Tennessee.
03Jan1969 ABC Fri
Hosted by Jim Lange
with guests
singer Joanie Sommers
comedian Ronnie Schell The Cowsills
girl singing group The Apollas
and comedy team Jackie Curtiss
and Bill Tracy.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.14 [29] Operation: Entertainment: From Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida.
10Jan1969 ABC Fri
Hosted by Ed Ames
with guests
singer Dusty Springfield
the singing Kane Triplets
comedian Prof. Irwin Corey
the comedy team of Colvin and Wilder.
and the Naval Air Training Command Choir.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.15 [30] Operation: Entertainment: From the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit
17Jan1969 ABC Fri
Hosted by Tim Conway
with guests
comedy duo Phil Ford and Mimi Hines Alice Jones The Canestrelli Family
and Honey Ltd.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls
2.16 [31] Operation: Entertainment: From the Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita
Falls, Texas.
24Jan1969 ABC Fri
Hosted by Dale Robertson
with guests
Country star Johnny Cash
June Carter and the Tennessee Three
singer Jane Morgan
impressionist David Frye
comedy team of Mitzi McCall and Charlie Brill
and rock group Spice Racq.
with regulars
Terry Gibbs Band
Operation Entertainment Girls [*Last Show of the series]
########## Operation: Entertainment ##########
################### the end ##################
##############################################