The Show Goes On was a variety show that aired in the United States on CBS from January 19, 1950,[1] to January 16, 1952. Robert Q. Lewis was the host. After the debut episode, the program was broadcast on alternate Thursdays at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.[2]
The show featured celebrities who appraised new talent as they competed for actual nightclub and theater bookings.[3] Performers who appeared on the program included singer Gloria Lane.[4] A buyer had three choices for the act that he or she auditioned: hiring it, rejecting it, or taking a 24-hour option on it.[5]
The opening theme, titled "The Show Goes On Opening", was composed by Raymond A. Bloch.[6]
Lester Gottlieb was the producer, and Alex Leftwich was the director. Lou Meltzer was the writer, and Bloch led the orchestra. The program originated from WCBS-TV, and the sound was recorded for broadcast on radio. The radio version was broadcast on Fridays at 8 p.m. E.T. from January 20, 1950, until July 4, 1950.[7]
A review in the trade publication Billboard complimented Lewis's ad libbing and said that he "did a good job in holding the show together."[8] It noted that the interviews with performers were "at least as interesting as the performances" and suggested that a full hour might be too much time for this type of program, which might instead be trimmed into "a tighter, faster 30-minute stanza."