TV Flash On air
Red carpet heat. Streaming secrets. The shows that made history. Tonight’s desk · Wed, Oct 14, 2026
Hot

The Midnight Special

Season 3

48 listed hours · 1972–1981 · NBC

← All seasons · Show package

From the desk

How this season is filed

Filed by Rex Fontaine · Golden Age Dispatch

Wolfman Jack howls after Carson, and NBC hands the late slot to actual rock and pop acts before MTV ate the model. Guest-host roulette, live-ish performances, post-prime anything-goes. The network stage where 1970s music television still had sweat, speakers, and no countdown clock.

TV Flash files Season 3 of The Midnight Special (1972–1981) on NBC as a mid listed season (3; 3 of 9) — 48 listed hours, 1974-09-27–1975-09-12 from “Host: Randy Newman” (S03E01) to “Helen Reddy / The Bee Gees / Janis Ian” (S03E48). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.

Desk essentials in this season

  1. S03E34 Host: Chubby Checker

    Host: Chubby Checker is twist-era royalty in a 1970s late slot. Guest-host as the episode title: the series still a concert, not a countdown, MTV still a rumor.

  1. S03E01

    Host: Randy Newman

    Host: Randy Newman — Season 3, Episode 1 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-09-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  2. S03E02

    Host: Al Green

    Host: Al Green — Season 3, Episode 2 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-10-04. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  3. S03E03

    Host: Jose Feliciano

    Host: Jose Feliciano — Season 3, Episode 3 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-10-11. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  4. S03E04

    Host: Paul Anka

    Host: Paul Anka — Season 3, Episode 4 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-10-18. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  5. S03E05

    Host: David Steinberg (All-Comedy show)

    Host: David Steinberg (All-Comedy show) — Season 3, Episode 5 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-10-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  6. S03E06

    Host: Fats Domino

    Host: Fats Domino — Season 3, Episode 6 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-11-01. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  7. S03E07

    Host: Redd Foxx

    Host: Redd Foxx — Season 3, Episode 7 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-11-08. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  8. S03E08

    Host: Barry White

    Host: Barry White — Season 3, Episode 8 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-11-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  9. S03E09

    Host: George Carlin

    Host: George Carlin — Season 3, Episode 9 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-11-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  10. S03E10

    Host: Bobby Vinton

    Host: Bobby Vinton — Season 3, Episode 10 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-11-29. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  11. S03E11

    Host: Tom Jones

    Host: Tom Jones — Season 3, Episode 11 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-12-06. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  12. S03E12

    Million Sellers (Part 1) - Host: Wolfman Jack

    Million Sellers (Part 1) - Host: Wolfman Jack — Season 3, Episode 12 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-12-13. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  13. S03E13

    Million Sellers (Part 2) - Host: Wolfman Jack

    Million Sellers (Part 2) - Host: Wolfman Jack — Season 3, Episode 13 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-12-20. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  14. S03E14

    Host: Charley Pride

    Host: Charley Pride — Season 3, Episode 14 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1974-12-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  15. S03E15

    Hosts: The Guess Who

    Hosts: The Guess Who — Season 3, Episode 15 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-01-03. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  16. S03E16

    Hosts: The Righteous Brothers

    Hosts: The Righteous Brothers — Season 3, Episode 16 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-01-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  17. S03E17

    Hosts: Electric Light Orchestra

    Hosts: Electric Light Orchestra — Season 3, Episode 17 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-01-17. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  18. S03E18

    Hosts: The Marshall Tucker Band

    Hosts: The Marshall Tucker Band — Season 3, Episode 18 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-01-24. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  19. S03E19

    Host: Helen Reddy (2nd Anniversary Show)

    Host: Helen Reddy (2nd Anniversary Show) — Season 3, Episode 19 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-01-31. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  20. S03E20

    Host: Dave Mason

    Host: Dave Mason — Season 3, Episode 20 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-02-07. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  21. S03E21

    Host: Neil Sedaka

    Host: Neil Sedaka — Season 3, Episode 21 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-02-14. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  22. S03E22

    Host: Steppenwolf

    Host: Steppenwolf — Season 3, Episode 22 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-02-21. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  23. S03E23

    Hosts: B.T. Express

    Hosts: B.T. Express — Season 3, Episode 23 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-02-28. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  24. S03E24

    Host: Olivia Newton-John

    Host: Olivia Newton-John — Season 3, Episode 24 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-03-07. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  25. S03E25

    Host: Clive Davis

    Host: Clive Davis — Season 3, Episode 25 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-03-14. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  26. S03E26

    Hosts: Black Oak Arkansas

    Hosts: Black Oak Arkansas — Season 3, Episode 26 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-03-21. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  27. S03E27

    International Acts hosted by Wolfman Jack

    International Acts hosted by Wolfman Jack — Season 3, Episode 27 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-03-28. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  28. S03E28

    Hosts: The Ohio Players

    Hosts: The Ohio Players — Season 3, Episode 28 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-04-04. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  29. S03E29

    Co-hosts: Wet Willie and Charlie Daniels

    Co-hosts: Wet Willie and Charlie Daniels — Season 3, Episode 29 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-04-11. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  30. S03E30

    Hosts: Earth, Wind & Fire

    Hosts: Earth, Wind & Fire — Season 3, Episode 30 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-04-18. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  31. S03E31

    Hosts: Rod Stewart & The Faces

    Hosts: Rod Stewart & The Faces — Season 3, Episode 31 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-04-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  32. S03E32

    Host: Billy Preston

    Host: Billy Preston — Season 3, Episode 32 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-05-02. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  33. S03E33

    Host: Wolfman Jack

    Host: Wolfman Jack — Season 3, Episode 33 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-05-09. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  34. S03E34

    Host: Chubby Checker

    Host: Chubby Checker — Season 3, Episode 34 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-05-16. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  35. S03E35

    Host: Don Cornelius

    Host: Don Cornelius — Season 3, Episode 35 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-05-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  36. S03E36

    Host: Joan Baez

    Host: Joan Baez — Season 3, Episode 36 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-05-30. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  37. S03E37

    Hosts: Seals & Crofts

    Hosts: Seals & Crofts — Season 3, Episode 37 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-06-13. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  38. S03E38

    Host: Herb Alpert

    Host: Herb Alpert — Season 3, Episode 38 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-06-20. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  39. S03E39

    Host: Flip Wilson

    Host: Flip Wilson — Season 3, Episode 39 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-06-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  40. S03E40

    Host: Frankie Valli

    Host: Frankie Valli — Season 3, Episode 40 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-07-04. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  41. S03E41

    Host: Flip Wilson

    Host: Flip Wilson — Season 3, Episode 41 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-07-11. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  42. S03E42

    Helen Reddy / Mac Davis / Minnie Riperton

    Helen Reddy / Mac Davis / Minnie Riperton — Season 3, Episode 42 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-07-18. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  43. S03E43

    Helen Reddy / Jessi Colter / Janis Ian

    Helen Reddy / Jessi Colter / Janis Ian — Season 3, Episode 43 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-07-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  44. S03E44

    Helen Reddy / Glen Campbell / Uriah Heep

    Helen Reddy / Glen Campbell / Uriah Heep — Season 3, Episode 44 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-08-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  45. S03E45

    Helen Reddy / Roger Daltrey

    Helen Reddy / Roger Daltrey — Season 3, Episode 45 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-08-22. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  46. S03E46

    Helen Reddy / Johnny Rivers

    Helen Reddy / Johnny Rivers — Season 3, Episode 46 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-08-29. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  47. S03E47

    Helen Reddy / Frankie Valli

    Helen Reddy / Frankie Valli — Season 3, Episode 47 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-09-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  48. S03E48

    Helen Reddy / The Bee Gees / Janis Ian

    Helen Reddy / The Bee Gees / Janis Ian — Season 3, Episode 48 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-09-12. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

More from the 1970s.