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Series · 1977 · Comedy

Fernwood 2 Night

★6.4 1977 1 Season Norman Lear TV-MA

Fernwood 2 Night was a comedic television program that ran from July 1977 – September 1977. It was created by Norman Lear and produced by Alan Thicke as a spin-off/summer replacement from Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. It was a parody talk show, hosted by Barth Gimble and sidekick/announcer Jerry Hubbard, complete with a stage band, Happy Kyne and His Mirthmakers. Barth was the twin brother of Garth Gimble from Mary Hartman. Like Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night was set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. The show satirized real talk shows as well as the sort of fare one might expect from locally-produced, small-town, midwestern American television programming. Well-known actors usually appeared playing characters or a contrivance had to be written for the celebrity to appear as themselves. After one season of Fernwood, the producers revamped the show the following year as America 2-Night. In this second version, Barth and Jerry's show moved to California and was broadcast nationally on the fictional UBS network, whose slogan was "We put U before the BS". This change allowed the show to now have well-known actors on the show as themselves.

Seasons & episodes

1 season · 65 episodes

Talk to a Jew

Episode 01

Talk to a Jew

Jul 4, 1977 · 30 min

Barth talks about his unusual day-to-day contract. Howard Palmer, a man in an iron lung, plays the piano. ""Talk to a Jew"" -- Morton Rose answers audience questions. (""When is Barbra Streisand's next movie coming out?"")

Leisure Suits Cause Cancer

Episode 02

Leisure Suits Cause Cancer

Jul 5, 1977 · 30 min

Barth thanks the viewers for their support that got him renewed for another episode. Rocket to Stardom: Baby Irene sings ""I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded"". Barth talks to her about gun control. Happy talks about his nostrils. From Fernwood Commmunity College: Doctor Richard Osgood has proof that leisure suits cause cancer. (You see, they dress up the mice in tiny leisure suits... No, really!) Bury the Hatchet: Iris and Joseph Case want their son, a Catholic priest, to come back to them. Howard Palmer plays, while Baby Irene dances.

The Wonderblender

Episode 03

The Wonderblender

Jul 6, 1977 · 30 min

Barth introduces his dad. The body language of April McTear -- contortionist. Lou Moffatt plugs Blendermatic, the Wonderblender. The owner of the Butterfly Deli, Susan Cloud (""...the body _requires_ burgers""). Barth's father Garth Sr. and his idiot dog perform,

Corporal Punishment I

Episode 04

Corporal Punishment I

Jul 7, 1977 · 30 min

Hula hoopist Darius Washington. South Vietnamese gardener Mein Ko Thein (?) plugs his book: ""Yankee Doodle Gook"". The Other Side of the News:High School Principal Marshall O. Petty discusses corporal punishment by demonstrating it on Debbie Dunbar. Lastly, Garth Sr. and his dumb dog.

Corporal Punishment II

Episode 05

Corporal Punishment II

Jul 8, 1977 · 30 min

Barth talks with Debbie Dunbar's mother. Since ""last weeks"" on-air spanking, Debbie has gotten several lucrative modeling jobs. Russ Tuttle, the Fernwood coroner talks about cut rate funeral alternatives; Mrs. Dunbar appears with both of her daughters, shamelessly plugging the phone number for her ""talent agency"". Jerry rambles on about families. Barth sings ""Feelings"" while Debbie does cheerleader stuff. Once again, Garth and Louie.

Fernwood Fascinating Females

Episode 06

Fernwood Fascinating Females

Jul 11, 1977 · 30 min

Vernon Taylor (AKA ""Uncle Sam, Jr"") reads one of his poems, Candy Lee Hargrove talks about the Fernwood Fascinating Females League.

Hearing Ear Dogs for the Deaf

Episode 07

Hearing Ear Dogs for the Deaf

Jul 12, 1977 · 30 min

Pet control center director Connie Bushman on Hearing Ear Dogs for the Deaf. Also: dancer Lisa Martin; Garth Gimble, Sr. and his dog.

Congressman Chambers

Episode 08

Congressman Chambers

Jul 13, 1977 · 30 min

No description available.

No-frills Hospitals

Episode 09

No-frills Hospitals

Jul 14, 1977 · 30 min

Ambassador-at-large Harold Mislap talks about his efforts to bring tourism to Fernwood, Dr. Richard Osgood presents his no-frills hospital plan.

Ethnic Myths

Episode 10

Ethnic Myths

Jul 15, 1977 · 30 min

Daredevil Virgil Simms; Emanuel Kasinski on his latest findings on ethnic myths and prejudice.

Lillian Dunbar

Episode 11

Lillian Dunbar

Jul 18, 1977 · 30 min

Grandmother Lillian Dunbar and presidential namesake James Earl Carter.

Uncle Sam, Jr (I)

Episode 12

Uncle Sam, Jr (I)

Jul 19, 1977 · 30 min

Candy discusses gynacology and the need for female gynacologists. Bart plays the guitar while Happy and Vernon accompany him.

Tony Rolletti and Susan Cloud

Episode 13

Tony Rolletti and Susan Cloud

Jul 20, 1977 · 30 min

No description available.

Breeding Athletes

Episode 14

Breeding Athletes

Jul 21, 1977 · 30 min

Barth challenges Jimmy Carter to come on the show and compete with him to prove just who is a star. Lou Moffet offers tips on home music ripoffs and the presents the American Guitar Studios home study course offered by Gimblco Enterprises. Happy & band member Tommy Maranucci sit and chat.

Animal Sexuality

Episode 15

Animal Sexuality

Jul 22, 1977 · 30 min

Professional football consultant Emanual Kasinski on the breeding of large men.

Garth Gimble Memorial Tennis Classic

Episode 16

Garth Gimble Memorial Tennis Classic

Jul 25, 1977 · 30 min

This episode is tentatively scheduled for air on TV LAND July 20th at midnight. Original production number: 127 Barth promotes the planned Garth Gimbel Memorial Tennis Classic. W.D. ""Bud"" Prize (Kenneth Mars) returns, and bows to public demands that he reveal the secret of his chinadonture treatment. In a rebuttal to Dr. Van Moot (aka Dr. Osgood), Phil Maltby (Morgan Upton) of Phil's Fashion Funwear and Medical Research Lab explains that leisure suits, far from causing cancer, actually can help cure disease. ""Bud"" Prize is so stimulated by this revelation that he falls asleep.

Dating Service for Dogs

Episode 17

Dating Service for Dogs

Jul 26, 1977 · 30 min

Connie Bushman talks about her dating service for dogs. Radio personality Terry Guy plugs his disc jockey correspondence course.

Lou Moffatt on Land Deals

Episode 18

Lou Moffatt on Land Deals

Jul 27, 1977 · 30 min

Lou Moffatt on land deals; Bassist Eddie Thomerson. Sylvia Miller also appears and discusses how a martian violated her with a beam of blue light.

Uncle Sam Jr. II

Episode 19

Uncle Sam Jr. II

Jul 28, 1977 · 30 min

Vernon Taylor, better known as Uncle Sam, Jr. is back and as passionate as ever.

Comedy Sales Techniques

Episode 20

Comedy Sales Techniques

Jul 29, 1977 · 30 min

Insurance salesman Elliott J. Tubbs demonstrates his comedy sales techniques. Happy Kyne on shut-ins.

Tom Waits

Episode 21

Tom Waits

Aug 1, 1977 · 30 min

Tom Waits. ""Bud"" Prize on using CB radio to bring in tourists.

Dumbness measuring machine

Episode 22

Dumbness measuring machine

Aug 2, 1977 · 30 min

A dumbness measuring machine is demonstrated. Actually, more like a dumbness alarm. Say a dumb thing, and the alarm goes off. Like every time that Jerry opens his mouth.

no info

Episode 23

no info

Aug 3, 1977 · 30 min

Happy Kyne shares the latest gizmo developed by the Olfactory Center of Toledo; the nose aid.

Singers and salesmen

Episode 24

Singers and salesmen

Aug 4, 1977 · 30 min

Mario Dorsett on his success as a singer; Tony Rolletti; Mrs. Walter Donker, whose husband sells cars.

Criminal Justice

Episode 25

Criminal Justice

Aug 5, 1977 · 30 min

Gilbert Ulysses Nelson discusses the treatment of criminals.

Still a Dream

Episode 26

Still a Dream

Aug 8, 1977 · 30 min

Local opera singer Donny Lee Savage; Dr. Hugh Slocum on his latest scientific discovery; Amateur photographer Marianne Cox.

Fernwood Blood Drive

Episode 27

Fernwood Blood Drive

Aug 9, 1977 · 30 min

Singing duo Doug and Diana Mitchell; Fernwood blood drive chairman Larry Guy.

Ratings Week

Episode 28

Ratings Week

Aug 10, 1977 · 30 min

Singer Laurie Gallagher performs, accompanied by her mother on drums. Also: Bud Prize and Sylvia Miller.

Barbershop Trio

Episode 29

Barbershop Trio

Aug 11, 1977 · 30 min

Doctor Alexander Beach discusses his findings on marijuana. How the Humdinger Barbershop Quartet became a trio.

Two Ladies Against Pornography

Episode 30

Two Ladies Against Pornography

Aug 12, 1977 · 30 min

Nettie and Barbara Forman on the elderly.

Church of the Devine Lemonade

Episode 31

Church of the Devine Lemonade

Aug 15, 1977 · 30 min

The founder of the Church of the Devine Lemonade, Billy Jenkins. George and Sally Krepps discuss the La Fromage method of childbirth.

Roger Bellman

Episode 32

Roger Bellman

Aug 16, 1977 · 30 min

Marin Worth reads one of his poems. Also: Susan Cloud and chauffeur Earl Simmons.

The Fitness Twins

Episode 33

The Fitness Twins

Aug 17, 1977 · 30 min

Fernwood mayor Merle Jeeter honors champion Girl scout cookie seller Wendy Price. Also: contortionist Mike Timmins and Mary Lou Bridgewater.

You Are You

Episode 34

You Are You

Aug 18, 1977 · 30 min

Alberta Cornwall on how colored clothing affects moods; poet Vernon Taylor.

The Barber

Episode 35

The Barber

Aug 19, 1977 · 30 min

Hair stylist Sal Magglione and Presidential namesake James Earl Carter.

X-Rated Shopping Mall

Episode 36

X-Rated Shopping Mall

Aug 22, 1977 · 30 min

Sportscaster Jane Tiffany and W. D. ""Bud"" Prize.

Tony Rolletti's autobiography

Episode 37

Tony Rolletti's autobiography

Aug 23, 1977 · 30 min

Tony Rolletti plugs his autobiography. The Mirth-Makers perform ""Rock Around the Clock"".

Getting the most from your warranty

Episode 38

Getting the most from your warranty

Aug 24, 1977 · 30 min

Virgil Simms tells how to get the most out of your new-car waranty. Basically, you make sure that it goes into the shop just before that waranty expires.

Nudists

Episode 39

Nudists

Aug 25, 1977 · 30 min

Linda Barry, owner of the Fernwood Nudist Colony. Toy maker George Ellsworth.

Wrestling

Episode 40

Wrestling

Aug 26, 1977 · 30 min

Jane Tiffany; Sylvia Miller; Wrestler Rock Mondo and his assisstant.

Tony and Chance Rolletti

Episode 41

Tony and Chance Rolletti

Aug 27, 1977 · 30 min

No description available.

Solving Water Shortages

Episode 42

Solving Water Shortages

Aug 28, 1977 · 30 min

Representative Chambers on solving water shortages with icebergs. Lucy and Ed Campbell show how they display affection.

Sex Therapy

Episode 43

Sex Therapy

Aug 29, 1977 · 30 min

Vern Taylor; Sex therapy clinic founder Matthew Johnson; Happy sings about tooth decay.

Real Estate Tips

Episode 44

Real Estate Tips

Aug 30, 1977 · 30 min

Comic Buddy Brown; Author Dottie Ann Lee; Eddie Thomerson's real estate tips.

Skateboard Angel

Episode 45

Skateboard Angel

Sep 2, 1977 · 30 min

Larry Guy takes questions from the audience; The Mirth-Makers play ""Skateboard Angel"".

Mobile Home Daredevil

Episode 46

Mobile Home Daredevil

Sep 5, 1977 · 30 min

Las Vegas entertainer Debbie Dunbar; Mobile home daredevil Virgil Simms.

Rev. Chung Hee

Episode 47

Rev. Chung Hee

Sep 6, 1977 · 30 min

No description available.

Pot Sniffing

Episode 48

Pot Sniffing

Sep 7, 1977 · 30 min

Impressionist Reggie Morrison; Principal Marshall Petty; Susan Cloud.

Pet Mating Service

Episode 49

Pet Mating Service

Sep 8, 1977 · 30 min

Connie Bushman on her computer pet mating service; Sherry McCormick performs "" I Like Dreamin'""; The Birchfield, Ohio mayor tells how he spent 90 days in jail.

Harrison Edwards' Moon

Episode 50

Harrison Edwards' Moon

Sep 9, 1977 · 30 min

Historian Harrison Edwards. Also: Tony Rolletti and Jane Tiffany.

Behind Hollywood

Episode 51

Behind Hollywood

Sep 12, 1977 · 30 min

Author Duane Goff plugs his book, ""Behind Hollywood"". The Mirth-makers perform ""Fifteen and Free"".

Etiquette Guidelines

Episode 52

Etiquette Guidelines

Sep 13, 1977 · 30 min

Barth starts the show with a slide show of his travels around Hollywood. Guests for this episode are etiquette authority Meg Endicott and her new book, Etiquette Guidelines for the Future and U.S. Defense Department representative, Col. Morris Chandler, announcing the newly formed War Deprogramming Center, a facility that helps war veterans ease back into the civilian life by first returning them to the war.

Aunt Edity

Episode 53

Aunt Edity

Sep 14, 1977 · 30 min

The show starts off on a somber note when Barth announces that the recently hired sportscaster, Jane Tiffany, was injured and is now in a coma, her prognosis uncertain. They proceed to hold an impromptu tribute to her which was quickly thrown together without hardly any thought or preparation and it shows. The first guest claimed to be Barth's Aunt Edith but is in fact Barth's former "patron" from Miami. This much older woman has tracked him down for the promised "services to be rendered" once she "put mirrors on every ceiling." The next guest claimed to be an accomplished dancer who defected from the Soviet Union but it becomes obvious that Serge Nabokov was kicked out because, as his mother put it, "you stink.

no info

Episode 54

no info

Sep 15, 1977 · 30 min

Barth says a prayer on the show before introducing former daredevil now auto mechanics instructor Virgil Simms. He talks about being an auto-mechanics instructor at the Fernwood Community College. Also appearing is Elliot J Tubbs, the newly appointed National Liquor Lobby representative furthering the alcohol industry's cause. Barth ends the show with a song about truckers and fruit.

no info

Episode 55

no info

Sep 16, 1977 · 30 min

The show begins with Barth and Jerry reacting to some comments made by Tom Snyder. With the band's strike over, things return to normal. Tonight's guests include Edward Bailey, a hamburger bun juggler from the Bun-N-Run, Dr. Harlen Washburn, who describes his vision of integrated education and returning guest Baby Irene performing Animal Crackers.

Theological Correspondence Course

Episode 56

Theological Correspondence Course

Sep 19, 1977 · 30 min

Father George Reese plugs his theological correspondence course, and accordianist Frankie ""Kid"" Carbone.

Singles Mingles Club

Episode 57

Singles Mingles Club

Sep 20, 1977 · 30 min

No description available.

Lattimore Diet Program

Episode 58

Lattimore Diet Program

Sep 21, 1977 · 30 min

Six-year-old trombonist Kevin McCormick. Mrs. Lillian Lattimore describes her diet program.

Battery Powered Car

Episode 59

Battery Powered Car

Sep 22, 1977 · 30 min

Virgil Simms introduces his battery powered car. Emanual Kasinski on Gay Liberation.

Harry Shearer

Episode 60

Harry Shearer

Sep 23, 1977 · 30 min

Harry Shearer discusses his work in TV news.

Amusement and Healing Parks

Episode 61

Amusement and Healing Parks

Sep 26, 1977 · 30 min

Bob and Joanne Herlick recite Shakespeare. Nelson Phipps of the Amusement and Healing Parks.

Indian Princess

Episode 62

Indian Princess

Sep 27, 1977 · 30 min

On the show tonight: Indian princess Shosen Rising Star and psychologist Stanley Turnbull.

Fan Club President

Episode 63

Fan Club President

Sep 28, 1977 · 30 min

Barth Gimble fan club president Mercedes Blyweiss presents an award to Barth.

The Ransom

Episode 64

The Ransom

Sep 29, 1977 · 30 min

Happy Kyne talks about where songwriters get their inspiration. Happy and the Mirth-Makers sing ""Ice Cream Baby"". Barth interviews three heavily-disguised criminals. Barth explains to Jerry how cartoons work. Bud Prize talks about the ransom note. Somebody has his chow-chow! Barth gets a singing telegram -- actually a summons from Miami.

Save "Fernwood 2Night" Telethon

Episode 65

Save "Fernwood 2Night" Telethon

Sep 30, 1977 · 30 min

Barth and Jerry stage a telethon to save the show. Final episode of the series. Continues the next summer as ""America 2Night"".

About the series

Fernwood 2 Night poster
Audience score
★ 6.4 /10

based on 8 votes

Synopsis

Fernwood 2 Night was a comedic television program that ran from July 1977 – September 1977. It was created by Norman Lear and produced by Alan Thicke as a spin-off/summer replacement from Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. It was a parody talk show, hosted by Barth Gimble and sidekick/announcer Jerry Hubbard, complete with a stage band, Happy Kyne and His Mirthmakers. Barth was the twin brother of Garth Gimble from Mary Hartman. Like Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night was set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. The show satirized real talk shows as well as the sort of fare one might expect from locally-produced, small-town, midwestern American television programming. Well-known actors usually appeared playing characters or a contrivance had to be written for the celebrity to appear as themselves. After one season of Fernwood, the producers revamped the show the following year as America 2-Night. In this second version, Barth and Jerry's show moved to California and was broadcast nationally on the fictional UBS network, whose slogan was "We put U before the BS". This change allowed the show to now have well-known actors on the show as themselves.

ComedyTalk

Cast

4 principal cast

Fred Willard

Fred Willard

Jerry Hubbard

Frank De Vol

Frank De Vol

Happy Kyne

Martin Mull

Martin Mull

Barth Gimble

Tommy Tedesco

Tommy Marinucci

Where to watch Fernwood 2 Night

Fernwood 2 Night is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The comedy from Norman Lear has 1 season and 65 total episodes, rated 6.4/10 by 8 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does Fernwood 2 Night have?

Fernwood 2 Night has 1 season with 65 episodes in total.

Is Fernwood 2 Night still on the air?

Fernwood 2 Night has ended and is no longer in production.

When did Fernwood 2 Night first air?

Fernwood 2 Night first aired on July 4, 1977.

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