Connect with us


TV

Blansky’s Beauties (ABC 1977, Nancy Walker, Caren Kaye)

Published

on


Garry Marshall may not be a familiar name to every television viewer, but it’s highly likely that most viewers have seen one of his creations at least once. He had massive success in the late 70’s with many of the sitcoms he developed, including Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and Mork and Mindy. The short-lived Blansky’s Beauties was one of his lesser-known creations.

Nancy Walker, who most viewers remember as Rhoda Morgenstern’s mother, starred as Nancy Blansky, manager and mother hen to a group of showgirls. The troupe consisted of Sunshine, Bambi, Arkansas, Hillary, Lovely, Jackie, Bridget, Misty, Cochise and Sylvia. Joey DeLuca was Nancy’s nephew and the choreographer to the girls, and little brother Anthony was always trying to make time with the beauties, despite the fact that he was only 12.

Arnold ran the coffee shop at the Oasis, the casino where the girls performed, and Horace ‘Stubs’ Wilmington managed the place. The show had several casting connections to other Garry Marshall shows: Eddie Mekka (Joey) played Carmine on Laverne and Shirley, Scott Baio (Anthony) played Chachi on Happy Days, and Pat Morita played the identically-named Arnold on Happy Days (both characters were restaurateurs, as well!).

Walker starred in this show immediately after her previous vehicle, The Nancy Walker Show, was cancelled in December of 1976. Blansky’s Beauties was canceled in June of 1977, thus gave her the unusual distinction of two canceled shows within one season. Even more strange is the fact that same thing happened with her co-star Morita: he had starred in Mr. T and Tina, a sitcom that was cancelled in late 1976 after one month on the air. Apparently, beauty isn’t everything.

Advertisement

production details
USA / ABC – Paramount – Garry Marshall / 13×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 12 February 1977 – 27 June 1977

Creators: Garry Marshall, Bob Bruner, Arthur Silver / Theme Vocal: I Want It All by Cyndi Grecco.

cast
Nancy Walker as Nancy Blansky
Caren Kaye as Bambi Benton
Lynda Goodfriend as Ethel Akalino
Rhonda Bates as Arkansas Baits
Gerri Reddick as Jackie Outlaw
Antoinette Yuskis as Sylvia Silver
Taffee O’Connell as Hilary Prentiss
Elaine Bolton as Bridget Muldoon
Bond Gideon as Lovely Carson
Eddie Mekka as Joey DeLuca
Scott Baio as Anthony DeLuca
Pat Morita as Arnold Takahashi
George Pentecost as Stubs Wilmington
Johnny Desmond as Emilio; the hotel maitre d’

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News3 hours ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News3 hours ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News3 hours ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News3 hours ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News3 hours ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News3 hours ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News3 hours ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News3 hours ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

James Martin's Saturday Morning James Martin's Saturday Morning
News1 hour ago

Michaela Strachan, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, 30 March 2024, ITV1

ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning is the perfect relaxed culinary companion to your weekend, airing every Saturday morning from the...

Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow
News1 hour ago

Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff 3, Antiques Roadshow, 31 March 2024, BBC One

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visits Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff, for an episode full of exciting discoveries and fascinating...

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World
News1 hour ago

Grand Finale, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World, 29 March 2024, BBC Three

BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World sees queens from the Drag Race franchise across the globe compete...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News1 hour ago

Natasha Raskin Sharp, Bargain Hunt, 29 March 2024, BBC One

BBC One’s Bargain Hunt sees two teams compete against each other to make the most profit from buying and selling...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News1 hour ago

Chernobyl: The Full Story, 29 March 2024, Channel 5,

Powerful documentary, Chernobyl: The Full Story, narrated by Ben Fogle, airs on Friday 29 March 2024 at 10.00pm on Channel...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News1 hour ago

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rovaniemi, 29 March 2024, Channel 4,

Join Joe Lycett and a suited-up Desiree Burch for a new episode of Travel Man as they pack their bags...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News1 hour ago

The Sewer Map of Britain, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, Friday

Prepare for an enlightening journey into the underworld on Friday 29 March 2024 at 8.00pm on Channel 5 with The...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News1 hour ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Popular