RAINBOW'S END: The Judy Garland Show

by Coyne Steven Sanders ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 16, 1990

Judy tapes for the ages, a history of each televised installment of The Judy Garland Show's 26 tapings, plus info on her smash specials. Sanders has been a TV editor of the Hollywood Reporter and a columnist for Emmy magazine. The Judy Garland Show (1963-64) represents Garland's last concentrated, sustained endeavor, although she was to have many isolated triumphs before her accidental overdose in 1969. Sanders's story details the double-dealing of CBS kingpin James ""The Smiling Cobra"" Aubrey and his henchman, the here detestable Hunt Stromberg, Jr., who during a latter-day taping in the series sent Garland an orchid and a vicious telegram saying ""YOU'RE THROUGH."" And Aubrey's feelings were clear when he asked the show's new director, ""What are you going to do with that fucking cunt?"" By Sanders's account, Aubrey from the start had it in for the hour-long show and placed it opposite Sunday night's Bonanza, then the number-one hit on TV. Garland's show was a hit with the critics and performed better against Bonanza than any other CBS show ever. But CBS had a sweep of nine out of the ten top shows and Aubrey wanted Bonanza crushed. He demanded and got about nine different major format changes during the show's run, each cheapening the show with variety acts and folksy humor. When the show was cancelled, it had run out of money but had four more shows to tape, so Garland went on solo in her concert format for the last four hours and brought the show to its zenith, then went out in glory and left TV to the cowboys. President Kennedy's favorite show--and you'll see why.

Pub Date: Nov. 16, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1990

Categories: NONFICTION