Circus of the Stars

1977-1994

Color Videotape



A precursor to the celebrity-based reality shows of today, Circus Of the Stars was a unique and highly-entertaining program throughout its impressively long broadcast history. From 1977 to 1994, actors, musicians, comedians and famous personalities of all kinds were brought into the big top to undertake extensive training and perform amazing feats of dexterity and daring on these annual specials.

The role of the Ringmaster/Host was filled variously by John Forsythe, Merv Griffin, Downtown Julie Brown, Alan Thicke, Bea Arthur, Martin Mull, Whoopi Goldberg, Leslie Nielsen, Barbara Mandrell, Paul Rodriguez, George Hamilton and Bernadette Peters (the latter pair, incidentally, representing the opposite extremes in sun tanning).

All the glitter, glamour, thrills and spills of the fabulous traveling 3-ring extravaganzas of old are on full display in each of these high-production prime-time spectaculars!

Acts cover the entire range of variety entertainment: magic and illusion, trapeze work, tightrope walking, trick horseback riding, juggling, gymnastic tumbling, flaming motorcycle stunts and circus-themed musical performances like Joey Lawrence singing "I Can't Help Myself" amidst female dancers in tigress costumes.


So, if you've ever longed to see William Shatner put on an exciting demonstration of sword-wielding karate skills, David Soul do some tiger taming, Loni Anderson stroll barefoot down a sidewalk of broken glass, Deidre Hall lead a 10,00 pound elephant through its artful paces or Weird Al Yankovic pull off a truly spectacular sway pole act 55 feet above the Universal Studios pavement - well, this is the show for you!


Performers include: Lucille Ball, Burt Lancaster, Bob Newhart, Jerry Lewis, Joan Rivers, Betty White, Lloyd Bridges, Ed Asner, Joan Rivers, Barbara Eden, Karen Black, Peter Fonda, O.J. Simpson, Lisa Rinna, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billy Barty, Joey Heatherton, Lynda Carter, Britt Ekland, Abe Vigoda, Lee Meriwether, Jean Stapleton, Wayne Rogers, William Shatner, Carol Channing, Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, Hulk Hogan, Valerie Perrine, Claudia Cardinale, Mary Ann Mobley, Rue McClanahan, Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds, Cesar Romero, David Janssen, Sally Kellerman, Brooke Shields, Judy Landers and Vanilla Ice.

Circus of the Stars Television Library includes footage of: