The Patrice Munsel Show is an American television variety show that was broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1957, until June 13, 1958.[1]
Soprano Patrice Munsel, known for her performances with the Metropolitan Opera, starred in this live program. Other regulars were The Martins Quartet and the Charles Sanford Orchestra.[2] Episodes also featured guest stars. Munsel sang popular songs, show tunes, and excerpts from operas and did comedy sketches with guests.[3] She said: "We wanted a show with a basic theme each week, a show with a thread that the audience could follow. It's a matter of giving a viewer not what we think he should get at a specific moment, but what he naturally would want at that moment."[4]
Guests on the show included Robert Merrill, Buddy Hackett,[5] Vic Damone,[6] Martha Raye,[7] Kay Thompson,[8] Eddie Albert, Tony Bennett, John Raitt, and Andy Williams.[9] Nanette Fabray replaced Munsel on the November 8, 1957, episode.[10]
Robert Shuler (Munsel's husband) was the executive producer for M-S Productions, which was founded by Munsel and Shuler.[11] Clark Jones was the producer and director. Writers included Larry Gelbart.[2] Hugh Martin arranged vocal numbers and was the show's musical director.[12]
Broadcast live,[13] the show initially was seen on Fridays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time;[3] on January 3, 1958,[14] it was moved to 9:30 to 10 p.m. E.T., still on Fridays.[3] It originated from WABC-TV in New York City.[15]
The theme was "Breezy and Easy", composed by Martin.[1] Buick and Frigidaire were the sponsors.[16]
The Patrice Munsel Show replaced Crossroads.[15] The program's competition initially included Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre and The Life of Riley. After the time shift, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars and The Thin Man competed with it.[2]
A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety called it "probably the best" of all of "the avalanche of varieties this season."[17] The review complimented Munsel's singing, dancing, banter, and wardrobe. It also praised the work of the show's off-camera personnel and concluded by saying that the show was "a Munsel menu to brighten any home."[17]