PERRY COMO’S KRAFT MUSIC HALL

“The biggest thing that come of [Bye Bye Birdie] was that ‘The Perry Como Show,’ which was then the number-one variety program, was looking for a gimmick to use me. They decided to have me react to Perry the way I reacted to Ed Sullivan in Bye Bye Birdie” ~ Paul Lynde, 1980

Jane Morgan

#1 ... April 26, 1961

Guests: Alan King, Paul Lynde, Jane Morgan, Solange & Charles

Andy Williams

#2 … May 3, 1961

Host: Andy Williams

Guests: Jackie Mason, Patti Page, Nancy Walker

Andy Williams takes over for Perry (whose mother died recently)... There's a golf opening - "Straight Down the Middle" - then Nancy does a special song called "Gold Widow's Lament." Andy sings; Patti sings and dances; Paul Lynde makes another appearance. The finale is built around a popular party game. One singer must start a song on the word last sung by the previous singer … Paul spends the hour looking for Perry.

Paul Anka

#3 … May 10, 1961

Guests: Paul Anka, Jack E. Leonard, Marion Marlowe

The Bickersons

#4 … May 17, 1961

Guests: Don Ameche, Frances Langford, West Point Glee Club

Paul Lynde announces he's Perry's new neighbor.

Chicago Roadtrip

#5 … May 24, 1961

Guests: Johnny Gennaro, George Gobel, Martha Raye

Broadcast from McCormick Place Auditorium in Chicago. Paul Lynde misses two performances of Bye Bye Birdie to be there

Audrey Meadows

#6 … May 31, 1961

Guests: Cliff Arquette, Brenda Lee, Audrey Meadows

Audrey plays Paul Lynde’s wife, Brenda his daughter. Son picks Perry’s pockets looking for souvenirs.

Season Finale

#7 … June 7, 1961, Last show of season typically devoted to regular cast…