The Val Doonican Show

- Season 5

(1974)

Val Doonican starts his new series of variety programmes with a song and a smile and a host of guests lined up - all portrayed by Paul Melba, the impressionist from Who Do You Do? appearing every week. Val gives the Doonican touch to songs such as This is the Time for Living and Annie's Song, and later a medley backed by Fabric and Kenny Woodman and his orchestra.

The Christmas Eve show of Val's new series again features resident impressionist Paul Melba showing us how Columbo, Sgt Bilko and Edward G Robinson will spend Christmas. Val's special guest is veteran songwriter Jimmy Kennedy who accompanies Val on the piano with a medley of his greatest hots, backed once more by Kenny Woodman and his orchestra.

Let velvet-voiced Val get you in the mood for midnight this New Year's Eve with a collection of mirth and melody. Paul Melba looks at how he thinks some of the stars would interpret Auld Lang Syne - including James mason, Boris Karloff, Henry Fonda and Perry Como. Val's taking time out to sing Time, along with You Are the Sunshine of My Life.

Val starts off the new year with more good music and good humour. There's al;so some new music with a composition called Streamline from two of the orchestra's guitarists, Brian Daley and Martin Kershaw. Val's well on the road to the west when he sings By the Time I Get to Phoenix and there's a nostalgic round-up with Paul Melba, backed by Kenny Woodman and his orchestra and the group Fabric.

Impersonations are catching - even with impersonator Paul Melba on the show, Val's keen to show off his Bing Crosby. Paul takes the parts of Perry Como, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Ray Charles and not to be outdone, Nick Curtis of the group Fabric also has a go.

Master melody maker Val returns this week to open with New World in the Morning. He is joined by Paul Melba, as Kojak, who later delivers impressions from a nightclub set in Las Vegas. Fabric back Val for 100 Years Old Together and just before he settles into his rocking chair to wind up the evening, Val introduces some paintings by showbiz celebrities.

Val introduces another relaxing tuneful time with his opening number, I Get a Kick Out of You. There's comedy from Paul Melba who's given Val the impressionist bug as he tries out his James Cagney. Fabric join Val for Bonaparte's Retreat and Val rounds off the series with Stop and Smell the Roses before being joined by a surprise guest (Paul Melba?) for a medley of popular "silly" songs.