ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration - 1978 

Dude, Barry Manilow is always friggin awesome 👏

I saw the original special, and it was SWEEEEET. Those of you who want this on DVD....RAISE YOUR HAND. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Barry killed it !!!!

I was 8 when this aired and always remembered when Penny hit the button and the fireworks started. I don't remember anything of the actual show but just that part. This is the first time i've seen it since then and I feel 8 years old all over again lol.

Being a 70s - 80s kid these shows were great all the famous folks together at the same time. I always imagined how fancy their lives were.... 😍😍😍😍

This is definitely a stroll down memory lane...Barry you never cease to amaze me with your talents~! Such a wonderful job of introducing all those fabulous long lost shows which I so enjoyed. I loved you then but I love you even more, even now...Linda LaRose

I distinctly remember watching this as a completely enraptured eleven year-old. ABC was my favorite network then and I loved the way Barry fit all those shows in. Since then, I had always recalled the stars coming out as he sang, but now I know I must have somehow congealed the opening with the finale in my mind. THANK YOU for posting this!

R I P penny Marshall 1943-December 17 2018

Hilarious for Penny and Cindy to do something Laverne and Shirley would have done! Absolutely hilarious!

Penny and Cindy had the #1 show on television at the time.

I loved finding this. It was an amazing evening. I walk in the the beginning just behind Olivia Newton John and my brother Lee Kramer. I am the one who looks about 14 years old, though I was 22. I was very lucky to meet John Wayne, he asked to swap bow ties with me. Thank you for posting this.

I was with Production Services at the time and worked the show. ABC had neglected to alert the LAFD about the fireworks from the roof of the old stage 54. Neighbors called in. The Fire Department arrived Irate at the Main Gate wanting to know what the hell was going on. The stage was made of plexiglass. At the end, the host called everyone on stage. (not rehearsed). The plexi didn't hold in at least one spot and a foot or two went through it. Also, for those of you who remember the incomparable Milton Carney....he was dressed in his white tux with tails...and sneakers. Before the start of the event, he lined up the entire wait staff (like a drill sergeant) and gave them the rules of the night.

Hard to believe it has been nearly 40 years, since this broadcast. Seems like yesterday.

At the end of this special they say "Let's hope the NEXT 25 years are just as great!" Unfortunately ABC died about 20 years after this aired.

I’m 51.. I grew up in the ‘80s with most of these shows. What a time, what a decade.

I saw this TV show back in the day and all these stars were so awesomely amazing and so young watching it again seems like nothing has changed when I was younger Whao it’s been that long this is 2019

I used to have such a crush on Cindy Williams.

1978 was the best year ever for me 🏆

I'd love to see the whole thing! Terrific beginning :)

R I P John Wayne 1907-1979 Jack Soo 1917-1979

I love the opening of this special celebration with my favorite song, It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow.

The 1970s were still part of the golden era of television. TV programming died by the 2000s

ABC in tv 30 Anniversary in 1983 The list Chuck Connors ( the Rifleman ) Jaclyn Smith ( The Charlie's Angles ) Farrah Fawcett ( the Charlie's Angels ) Joan Collins ( Dynasty ) John Forsyth ( Dynasty ) Linda Evans ( dynasty ) Kate Jackson ( the Charlie's angles ) Henry Winkler ( Happy Days ) James Garner ( Maverick ) Cheryl Ladd ( the Charlie's Angles ) Danny Thomas ( the Danny Thomas Show ) Penny Marshall ( Laverne and Shirley ) Cindy Williams ( Laverne and Shirley ) Donna Reed ( the Donna Reed show) Peggy Lipton ( the Mod Squad ) Michael Cole ( the Mod squad ) Remember to Jack Soo from Barney Miller and John Wayne Dick Clark ( the host of American Bandstand )

RIP Cindy Marshall and Penny Marshall!

FABULOUS! I remember this really well!

I miss 1978 television I miss the 1970s

THIS was television history right here. I wonder what ratings did this special get? and I hope ABCs 70th Anniversary special(if they do one) is as good as this one. Look at all those stars of ABC, boy I tell you by the late 70s,early 80s ABC was king.

These were the days

@Juliaflo I'm deeply saddened to hear that Dennis Cole is no longer with us. I had no idea until just now. Of course, he met Jaclyn Smith in 1976 on Charlie's Angels, and they were married in 1978 for 2 and a half years. He had a difficult life especially with the loss of his son in the 90's. RIP Dennis.

There was one performer..who was seen..but he never performed on stage..or was even mentioned in the opening credits:Ray Bolger(Who played "Hunk Andrews"/"The Scarecrow"in "The Wizard Of Oz") and he was the star of"The Ray Bolger Show".

What a cast!! =)

I remember watching this show when I was in middle school. Then a little later on, NBC and CBS followed suit

ABC officially recognizes February 9, 1953 as the "birth date" of their TV network- because on that day, the FCC approved their merger with United Paramount Theaters, Inc. They never acknowledge ABC was originally the "Blue Network" of NBC's radio operations, and how it was separated from them by government decree [for being a monopoly] in 1943, and became the American Broadcasting Company in June 1945. Their TV operations were somewhat limited through 1948, when their New York flagship station, WJZ-TV [WABC-TV after May 1953], officially began operations on August 10, 1948.

ABC's in-house announcer (first heard at 6:59) was Ernie Anderson, who for several years portrayed Cleveland's' favorite TV beatnik horror-host Ghoulardi.

Mom had the 8 track to opening song..well the actual song...not this ABC version lol. Where did the time go? Reminded mom and dad of the song today....great memories!!

I wonder does anyone know if this is available on dvd ? I would love to see the whole thing!

They clearly went overboard by inviting their Saturday morning characters. I mean, imagine Vincent Price trying to mingle with H.R. Pufnstuf.

ABC "officially" dates the beginning of their TV network on February 9, 1953, when United Paramount Theaters (under Leonard Goldenson), acquired majority ownership of the network from Edward J. Noble.

Ahhh, the good ol days of ABC, Barry Manilow performing and voiceovers/announcing by Ernie Anderson doing the sponsors for "ABC's Silver Celebration".

In loving memory of John Forsythe.

Put the whole special up please.

that's James Garner in that Polaroid commercial!

R I P Robert Conrad (1935-2020 )

And the narrator is Charlie from Charlie's Angels. Cool!

Real stars back then.

(3:14) And now ladies and gentlemen, Barry Manilow! In person.

Next year will be their 70th!

ABC special : we remember John Wayne and his dead Aired August 1979 The ABC stars Appearance They are Penny Marshall ( Laverne and Shirley ) Ed Asner Robert Blake ( beretta) Farrah Fawcett ( Charlie's Angels ) Peggy Lipton ( the mod squad ) Jaclyn smith ( Charlie's Angels ) Marlo and Danny Thomas Henry winkler ( happy days ) Kate Jackson ( Charlie's Angels ) Florence Henderson Fred Macmurray Hal linden Robert Reed Cindy Williams Barry manilow John Denver Rick Nelson Adam west Non appearance in Michael Cole Clarence William ||| Harriet Nelson David Nelson Burt ward

Fuck me. Wasnt this shit you came out of the summer we came out to see. Mork, Boy in the Bubble, after school specials. Hong Kong Fooey. Roadrunner etc. Miss those days. John Denver Christmas specials.

All of the stars are listed alphabetically except Clayton Moore, who for some reason is listed before Jim McKay.

I like those parts of the song where you know they probably added lyrics at the last second just to keep the song's timing from flying off the rails. " From Scooby Dum to Scooby Doo", "From me to Lawrence Welk", "From The Rifleman to ole' Cheyenne to Bret Maverick mosleying along". Lol

This special omitted "The Outer Limits" during the retrospective on A.B.C.'s science fiction series, and Cheryl Ladd made an error on "The Fugitive"'s final episode (it was August 29, 1967, NOT March 29!).

Why does Joe McCarthy appear at 6:12? Because ABC (and DuMont) aired the Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954. An easy choice, since the network didn't have a daytime schedule anyway. And because of those hearings, many people learned where the ABC station was on the dial...

@Juliaflo I totally agree.

Who died Penny Marshall 1943-2018 John Wayne 1907-1979 Jack Soo 1917-1979 ( he roles in Barney Miller ) Dick Clark 1929-2012 Chuck Connors 1921-1991 Fred Macmurray

Just think, they very narrowly missed having Robin Williams involved in this, because 'Mork & Mindy' didn't start until fall of 1978. Can you imagine him on this show doing his stand-up? That would have been awesome...

...Noble originally bought what had been NBC radio's "Blue Network" in October 1943, changing its name to "American Broadcasting Company" in June 1945, beginning sporadic network TV broadcasts through April 1948 (mostly through DuMont stations)- then WJZ {now WABC} officially signed on as their flagship TV station in August 1948, officially inaugurating a regular network program schedule.

Mannelo was amazing.

In memoriam-Dennis Cole. Pop quiz-Name the angel he was once married to. Merry Christmas.

KInescopes of some of ABC's live broadcasts before February 1953 DO exist, but current executives, in maintaining the illusion of the year ABC "officially" went on the air, ignore that fact...or have no idea there WAS an "ABC" network before February '53.

Where is this whole show? Gotta have it!

ABC : "Let's hope the next 25 years are just as great!" 20 years later : *ABC died* RIP ABC 1953-1998

Let's get to the 60th first--next year.

I agree ;)

Never to see the like again? Don't be so sure. NBC had an all-star anniversary special for their seventy-fifth in 2001.

This year marks abcs 70th.

Ernie Anderson on the mic, his voice was as synonomous with ABC as Don Pardo (or later) Danny Dark was with NBC or (later) Joe Cipriani was with FOX.

4:29 the guy look like Alan Alda

Now the Fonz and Richie are uncool!! Scott Baio is the coolest a real patriot!!

Cindy Williams look like 1978 version of Zooey Deschanel

ABC in tv 70 Anniversary in 2023

They don't even mention "One Step Beyond" or "The Outer Limits".

Who is that wonderful announcer? He was great!

Because videocasettes and subsequent camcorders trampled Polaroid's PolaVision. Furthemore, PolaVision's cartridges had NO sound.

Netflix doesn’t do this.

3:42 Ken Berry

Cyndi Williams = 1978 version of Zooey Deschanel

8track tapes days

Why do they call 1953 the date of their beginning? They were on well before that. I guess they use 1953 because it's when they split by court order from United Paramount Theaters.

4:29 Fred Macmurray

I saw John Ritter too

Just watch the ABC clips here on RU-vid of the ABC news coverage of the initial moments of the JFK assassination and compare it to NBC or CBS. Big difference.

Who still alive In 2019 Jaclyn Smith Julie Andrews Peggy Lipton Barbara Eden Cheryl Ladd Kate Jackson Cindy Williams Billy Dee Williams Barry manilow

Why does ABC choose to designate 1953 as its debut year when they had plenty of full lineups before that?

Where is Sally field

Where Farrah Fawcett

This was probably John Wayne’s last appearance.

Without in 1978: Online I pad RU-vid Snapchat Selena Gomez Rosalia

I love Barry, but unless he's behind a piano, he's a bit awkward.

Barry's real miracle was he got married a few years ago.........

I think ABC will be older than 100 in 20053... lol. I'm just playin' with ya, I know what ya mean.

How about ABC game show host Richard Dawson Monty Hall Bob eubanks Jim Lange Allen lunden.back in 1978. Soaps Stars Susan Lucci. Stars from general hospital.

Barry playing to a dead house. Poor guy.

John Wayne dead in 1979

After year abc sliver anniversary came out is John Wayne died

Typical American extravagance......nothing wrong with getting everyone together to celebrate, but why lavish the already very well paid actors & actresses with expenses & after-show party? What about the viewers, who'd supported the network in those 25 years? It was just the same with Live Aid '85. Most of the American artists had to be coaxed to participate, with the promise of no-expense-spared parties afterwards, unlike their British counterparts, for Band Aid, who truly took part, for no personal gain. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing Barry Manilow's performance(!)

Good God, that was lame.