The Harvey Korman Show (1978)

January 31, 1978: 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙑𝙀𝙔 𝙆𝙊𝙍𝙈𝘼𝙉 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒 debuted on ABC-TV.

This was actually the second iteration of this sitcom vehicle for Harvey Korman post-Carol Burnett Show fame. A pilot with a slightly different storyline had aired the previous May; where Korman played Francis Kavanaugh, a self-centered actor running acting classes from home. The pilot also featured Susan Lawrence as daughter Maggie. ABC head Fred Silverman figured that iteration wouldn't work and ordered the concept to be retooled and Korman's character 'softened.'

The revised version presented Korman as Harvey A. Kavanaugh, still a self-centered, out-of-work actor operating an acting class out of his home, but less of a loser - and more likely to be the instigator of jokes rather than the butt of them. The show now starred Christine Lahti as level-headed daughter Maggie, Barry Van Dyke as Maggie's boyfriend, Stuart, and Milton Selzer as Harvey's agent, Jake. The series was created by Hal Dresner, who also served as executive producer.

ABC had lured Korman away from The Carol Burnett Show with a contract guaranteeing him a weekly series, much like what had happened with McLean Stevenson when he left MASH. Korman had grown tired of the variety show format and wanted to pursue lead-character roles. The show's theme song, "Living Life Today," was written by Ken Welch & Mitzi Welch and performed by Korman. Garry Shandling was one of the scriptwriters and story editor, very early in his career.

Five episodes were ordered as a test run for the show, which was not successful; possibly in part due to the erratic scheduling, with it disappearing until April after this January episode. Korman himself expressed disappointment with the series, stating that the writing "wasn't up to snuff" and that he was unhappy with the casting. Counting the pilot, 6 episodes were videotaped in front of a studio audience at NBC Studios in Burbank. A couple of full episodes can be found on YouTube.