The writing staff has to be given credit for being able to come up with material for so long, seeing as how the show ran for over twenty years. From show to show, the writers in these years varied slightly including performers Archie Campbell and Tapp. On the early shows legendary cowboy sidekick Pat Buttrum gets some credit as well.
The musical performances stand above everything else. In every show, Buck and Roy do a couple of tunes. Roy has some fine numbers such as “Yesterday When I Was Young” and “Do You Believe This Town,” the latter looking at the hypocrisy of small-town life, which is very interesting and perhaps at odds with the show’s target audience. The Hager Twins did fine covers of solid country hits including Dave Dudley’s “Six Days On The Road.” Grandpa Jones shows how hard he can rock with some of his numbers, done with such speed and enthusiasm that you would think he was a rock ‘n’ roll star, not to mention his dancing and playing of the cowbells.
Some country legends show up to make appearances early in their careers, such as Hank Williams, Jr. and Tanya Tucker. Even future outlaws Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings turn up to say hey and contribute very solid tunes; although Merle and Hank do look a might uncomfortable during their second songs. Yet with acts like these and surprises like Ray Charles, who apparently insisted on getting in on the comedy routines, it’s no wonder that week after week folks would tune in to see who would turn up.
Disk five is a very interesting and entertaining, providing an hour and twenty minutes worth of interviews with surviving cast members. Roy Clark, George Yanok, Lulu Roman, George “Goober” Lindsey, and The Hager Twins are the most insightful as to the shows beginnings and the good times had on set.
A Salute to Hee Haw is a fine set for any one with a major interest in the show and is a great look at what was probably the last of the true “family variety shows,” where everyone would gather around to see who would appear that week and laugh the week’s worries away. I myself can remember sitting around during my youth with my folks on a Saturday catching “Hee Haw” while we’d have a light dinner and a corny, hillbilly-inspired laugh.
Written by Fantasma el Rey
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