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Season 4 (NBC) (1959-60)
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

 ####### The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show ########
############## season 4 1959-60 ##############
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NBC Thursdays 9:30-10:00pm Eastern

4.x [--] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show:
September 1959 NBC Thur (imdb)
Show opened with Top Twenty chorus accompanying Tennessee Ernie Ford in the song
"I'm Dancing with an Angel", culminating in a dancing duet with Ernie Ford and Terry Gekler.

4.01 [114] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
01Oct1959
guests
William Bendix  ("Overland Trail")
Highlights:
Stay A Little Longer: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: Scots Wha Ha Wi' Wallace Bled/My Heart's In The Highlands/The Campbell's Are Coming/Blue Bells Of Scotland/
Flow Gently, Sweet Afton/Scotland The Brave/Loch Lomond: Top Twenty /
High Hopes: Ernie and William / My Task: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.02 [115] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
08Oct1959
guests
Maureen O'Hara
Highlights:
Ain't We Got Fun/School Days: Ernie and The Top Twenty / All Through The Day: Maureen / Come To The Fair: The Top Twenty /
Same Old Shillelagh: Ernie and Maureen / Eli, Eli: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.03 [116] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
15Oct1959
guests
Ronald Reagan
Highlights:
Just Another Polka: Ernie /
Medley: Indian Summer/Autumn In New York/Tis Autumn/Autumn Serenade/Autumn Leaves/Indian Summer (reprise): The Top Twenty /
The Old Rugged Cross: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.04 [117] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
22Oct1959
guests
Cliff Arquette
Highlights:
Seven Little Girls (Sittin' In The Back Seat): Ernie and The Top Twenty Girls /
Medley: Blow The Man Down/The Keeper Of The Eddystone Light/The Maid Of Amsterdam/Home, Boys Home: The Top Twenty Men /
You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You: Ernie / It's A Man: Ernie and Cliff (as Mama Weaver)/
Battle Hymn Of The Republic: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.05 [118] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
29Oct1959
guests
Gordon Scott
Highlights:
Caribbean: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: Isn't It Romantic/It's Dark On Observatory Hill/Down The Old ox Road/Flirtation Walk/Sweetheart Of Sigma Chi: The Top Twenty /
Rock A Bye Your Baby: Ernie / Just A Closer Walk With Thee: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.06 [119] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
05Nov1959
guests
Darren McGavin ("Riverboat")
Highlights:
Ernie signs on as a crew member under "Riverboat" captain Darren McGavin in this 1959 episode.
Primrose Lane: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Sunny Side Of Heaven: Ernie /
Medley: Here Comes The Showboat/Camptown Races/Hand Me Down My Walkin' Cane/Can't You Hear Me Callin', Caroline/
Freckles/Shine On Harvest Moon/Here Comes The Showboat (reprise)/Showboat Reprise: The Top Twenty /
If I Can Help Somebody: Ernie

4.07 [120] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
12Nov1959
guests
Minnie Pearl
Highlights:
Take Me Along: Ernie and The Top Twenty / The Nickelodeon Song: The Top Twenty /
Hog Tied Over You: Ernie and Minnie / In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin': Ernie and The Top Twenty
Note:
Cousin Minnie's second visit to her lifelong friend, Ernie's place.

4.08 [121] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
19Nov1959
guests
Gisele MacKenzie
Highlights:
There'll Be No New Tunes On This Old Piano: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Love Is The Only Thing: Ernie /
I Wanna Be A Friend Of Yours: Ernie and Gisele / The Three Bells: Gisele and The Top Twenty

4.09 [122] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
26Nov1959
guests
Howard McNear
Highlights:
Jingle Bells/Merry Christmas Polka: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: Sleigh Ride/Snow, Snow/The Loveliest Night Of The Year: The Top Twenty /
Bless This House: Ernie, Howard, The Top Twenty

4.10 [123] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
03Dec1959 NBC Thur
guests
Allen Case (co-star of NBC's "The Deputy")
Highlights:
Big D/Hi, Neighbor: Ernie and the gang / That Old Feeling: Allen /
Medley: Buffalo Gal/Pony Boy/When Pay Day Rolls Around/Pecos Bill: The Top Twenty

4.11 [124] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
10Dec1959
guests
Liberace
Margarethe Bertelson (1959 Rose Queen)
Highlights:
The Winter Song: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Tschaikovsky Concerto: Liberace /
Do Re Mi: Ernie, Liberace, Rose Queen and Court / Sleep, My Little Lord Jesus: Ernie

4.12 [125] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
17Dec1959
guests
Kate Smith
Highlights:
I'm Movin' On: Ernie / White Christmas:Kate / Tater Pie: Kate, Ernie and The Top Twenty /
O Hearken Ye: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.13 [126] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Christmas Show
24Dec1959
guests
Jay North ("Dennis the Menace" star)
Highlights:
Ernie and The Top Twenty join in for "Caroling, Caroling" and "The Happiest Christmas Tree"
Ernie and The Top Twenty do a medley with "O Come All Ye Faithful", "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen",
"Carol Of The Bells", "The First Noel", "Joy To The World" and "Carol Of The Drums".
Ernie sings "Some Children See Him".

4.14 [127] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
31Dec1959
guests
Charles Laughton
Highlights:
On Behalf Of The Visiting Firemen: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: You've Gotta Be A Football Hero/The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You/Down The Field (The Syracuse Fight Song)/
Bengal Swing (LSU)/Alma Mater (Miss.)/Yoh, Washington/On Wisconsin: The Top Twenty /
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: Ernie

4.15 [128] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
07Jan1960
guests
Jack Bailey (Queen For A Day host)
Cameo appearance: Dean Martin
Highlights:
Hey Joe: Ernie and the gang / St. Louis Blues: The Top Twenty / Talk To Me: Jack Bailey / Return To Me: Ernie /
Wabash Blues: Ernie / An Evening Prayer: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.16 [129] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (Special Presentation) H.M.S. PINAFORE
14Jan1960
Adapted by Howard Leeds and Norman Paul
Directed by Selwyn Touber
Costumes Ret Turner
Art Direction Ed Stephenson
Musical Direction Harry Geller
Cast:
Sir Joseph Porter: Ernie Ford
Captain Corcoran: Dick Wessler
Ralph Rackstraw: Chet Fisher
Josephine: Donna Cooke
Little Buttercup: Susan Lovell
Dick Deadeye: Ken Harp
Bill Bobstay: Howard Chitjean
Bob Beckett: Don Kent
Hebe: Joanne Burgin
Sir Joseph's Sister: Katherine Steele
Chorus: The Top Twenty
Highlights:
We Sail The Ocean Blue: Men's Chorus / I'm Called Little Buttercup: Buttercup / I Am The Captain Of The Pinafore: Capt. Corcoran /
British Tar: Male Chorus / Sorry Her Lot: Josephine / I Am The Monarch Of The Sea/When I Was A Lad: Sir Joseph /
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore: Sir Joseph, Capt. Corcoran, Josephine / Carefully On Tiptoe Stealing: All

4.17 [130] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
21Jan1960
guests
Cliff Arquette
Highlights:
Would You Like To Swing On A Star: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Medley: Click Go The Shears/Waltzing Matilda: The Top Twenty /
Too Old To Cut The Mustard: Ernie and Cliff / Hold To God's Unchanging Hand: Ernie

4.18 [131] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
28Jan1960
guests
Jimmie Rodgers (Singer)
Highlights:
Down By The Station: Ernie and the gang / Tender Love And Care: Ernie / Honeycomb: Jimmie / She's My Baby: Ernie and Jimmie /
Take My Hand, Precious Lord: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.19 [132] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
04Feb1960
guests
Andy Devine
Highlights:
Love Potion # 9: Ernie / Shadrack: The Top Twenty / Scarlet Ribbons: Ernie

4.20 [133] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
11Feb1960
guests
Lily Pons
Highlights:
When You Wore A Tulip: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Blue Danube Waltz: The Harry Geller Orchestra and The Top Twenty /
Ah Vous Dirais-Je Mamam: Lily / Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair: Ernie / Le Fleuret Du Bois Jolie: Lily /
Froggie Went A Courtin': Ernie and Lily / Il Etait Un Bergere: Lily / Au Claire du la Lune: Ernie and Lily /
Onward For God And My Country: Ernie

4.21 [134] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
18Feb1960
guests
Peter Palmer (star of Broadway's smash hit, Li'l Abner)
Highlights:
Walkin' On Air: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Granada: The Top Twenty / Peg O' My Heart: Peter / Others: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.22 [135] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
25Feb1960
guests
Minnie Pearl
Highlights:
Mama Don't Allow No Music Playin' 'Round Here: Ernie and The Top Twenty / You Can't Get A Man With A Gun: Minnie /
He'll Understand And Say, Well Done: Ernie

4.23 [136] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
03Mar1960
guests
Dale Robertson  (Tales Of Wells Fargo)
Highlights:
It's A Most Unusual Day: Ernie and the gang /
Medley: If You Knew Susie/K-K-K-Katy/Joanne/Irene Goodnight/Dorothy's Cha Cha/
Karen Waits For Me/Donna/A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody: The Top Twenty Guys /
El Paso: Dale

4.24 [137] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
10Mar1960
guests
Odetta
Highlights:
Tennessee and the Top Twenty sing "Little Coco Palm" and "Church In The Wildwood".
The Top Twenty perform "Square Checkers (Skip To My Lou)".
Odetta sings "Another Man Done Gone", "Muleskinner Blues" and "Pastures Of Plenty".
Tennessee with Odetta on guitar perform "Nine Pound Hammer".
Ernie and Odetta duet on "The Great Historical Bum".
Ernie, Odetta, The Top Twenty join in for "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".

4.25 [138] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
17Mar1960
guests
Robert Horton  (Wagon Train)
Highlights:
Clancy Lowered The Boom: Ernie and the gang / Shenandoah: Robert and The Top Twenty /
The Old Rugged Cross: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.26 [139] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
24Mar1960
guests
Tommy Sands
Highlights:
John Henry: Ernie / That's Love: Tommy /
Medley: In The Good Old Summertime/I'll Be Back A'Sunday/Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/Fat Gal: Tommy, Ernie, The Top Twenty /
Movin' On: Tommy / This World Is Not My Home: Ernie

[--] 31Mar1960 preempted

4.27 [140] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
07Apr1960
guests
Shari Lewis
Highlights:
Jambalaya: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Baciare, Baciare: The Top Twenty / Waitin' For The Robert E. Lee: Ernie, Shari, Lambchop /
Nine Hundred Pages Of Sixty-Six Books: Ernie

4.28 [141] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
14Apr1960
guests
Roger Williams (Pianist)
Highlights:
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: Easter Parade/Steppin' Out With My Baby/Top Hat, White Tie & Tails/In My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown/You Oughta Be In Pictures/
Orchids In The Moonlight/I've Got A Pocketful Of Dreams: The Top Twenty / Liza: Roger / The Resurrection: Ernie

4.29 [142] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
21Apr1960
guests
Joanie O'Brien (Singer)
Highlights:
El Rancho Grande: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: My Favorite Things/Do-Re-Mi/Climb Every Mountain: The Top Twenty / I've Got A Right To Sing The Blues: Joanie /
But Yours: Ernie and Joanie / Wayfaring Pilgrim: Ernie (with Bobby Gibbons, guitar)

4.30 [143] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Remote from Drury College in Springfield
28Apr1960
guests
none
Highlights:
Gee But It's Good To Be Here: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Spring, Spring, Spring: The Top Twenty / Sixteen Tons: Ernie /
Take My Hand, Precious Lord: Ernie and The Top Twenty

[--] 05May1960 repeat of H.M.S. Pinafore program  (from 14Jan1960)

4.31 [144] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
12May1960 NBC Thur
guests
Johnny Cash
Homer & Jethro
Highlights:
Cotton Candy And A Toy Balloon: Ernie and the gang / You Belong To Me: The Top Twenty / The Battle Of Kookamonga: Homer & Jethro /
Reuben, Reuben: The Top Twenty / Big River/Don't Take Your Guns To Town: Johnny / Pickin' Time: Ernie, Johnny, Homer & Jethro /
May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.32 [145] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
19May1960
guests
Frankie Vaughn (English Singer)
Highlights:
It's A Beautiful Day For A Ball Game: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Won't You Marry Me?: The Top Twenty /
Give Me The Moonlight, Give Me The Girl: Frankie / Safety In Numbers: The Top Twenty / Underneath The Arches: Ernie and Frankie /
I Wonder As I Wander: Ernie

4.33 [146] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
26May1960
guests
George Gobel
Highlights:
Blackberry Boogie: Ernie / I Saw Esau: The Top Twenty Girls / It May Be Silly, But It Ain't Fun: Ernie and George /
Who At My Door Is Standing: Ernie

[--] 02Jun1960 preempted

4.34 [147] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
09Jun1960
guests
John Forsythe
Highlights:
Bill Bailey: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: Hawaiian War Chant/Keep Your Eyes On The Hands/Hawaiian Wedding Song/Aloha Oe: The Top Twenty /
Mister Sears And Roebuck: Ernie and John / This Train: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.35 [148] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
16Jun1960
guests
Cliff Arquette
Minnie Pearl
Highlights:
Take Your Girlie To The Movies / Count Your Blessings: Ernie and The Top Twenty

4.36 [149] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
23Jun1960 NBC Thur
guests
Dwayne Hickman
Highlights:
Take Me Along: Ernie and the group / Kids: Ernie and Dwayne / God Of Our Fathers: Ernie

4.37 [150] Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
30Jun1960 NBC Thur
Guests :
Jason Evers
Highlights:
In The Good Old Summertime: Ernie and The Top Twenty /
Medley: We're Gonna Have Us A Party/High Time/Beer Barrel Polka/High Time (reprise):
The Top Twenty / Dark Town Strutter's Ball: Ernie and the girls / Bye Bye Blues: Cliffie with The Harry Geller Orchestra /
He'll Have To Go: Ernie / The Old Songs: Ernie / God Be With You: All
Ernie introduces actor Jason Evers of the Summer Replacement Western series "Wrangler"

 ####### The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show ########
############### end of season 4 ##############
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