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The Midnight Special

Season 4

43 listed hours · 1972–1981 · NBC

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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 4 of The Midnight Special (1972–1981) on NBC as a mid listed season (4; 4 of 9) — 43 listed hours, 1975-09-19–1976-09-10 from “Helen Reddy / Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / Phoebe Snow” (S04E01) to “Host: Aretha Franklin” (S04E43). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.

  1. S04E01

    Helen Reddy / Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / Phoebe Snow

    Helen Reddy / Nitty Gritty Dirt Band / Phoebe Snow — Season 4, Episode 1 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-09-19. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  2. S04E02

    Helen Reddy / Isaac Hayes / Barry Manilow

    Helen Reddy / Isaac Hayes / Barry Manilow — Season 4, Episode 2 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-09-26. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  3. S04E03

    Helen Reddy / Roger Miller / Keith Carradine

    Helen Reddy / Roger Miller / Keith Carradine — Season 4, Episode 3 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-10-03. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  4. S04E04

    Helen Reddy / Bee Gees / Ike & Tina Turner

    Helen Reddy / Bee Gees / Ike & Tina Turner — Season 4, Episode 4 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-10-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  5. S04E05

    Host: Glen Campbell / Mac Davis

    Host: Glen Campbell / Mac Davis — Season 4, Episode 5 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-10-24. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  6. S04E06

    Helen Reddy / J. Geils Band / Hudson Brothers

    Helen Reddy / J. Geils Band / Hudson Brothers — Season 4, Episode 6 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-10-31. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  7. S04E07

    Helen Reddy / Merle Haggard / Roger Daltrey

    Helen Reddy / Merle Haggard / Roger Daltrey — Season 4, Episode 7 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-11-07. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  8. S04E08

    Helen Reddy / Neil Sedaka / Freddie Prinze

    Helen Reddy / Neil Sedaka / Freddie Prinze — Season 4, Episode 8 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-11-14. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  9. S04E09

    Helen Reddy / David Essex / Brenda Lee / Jimmie Walker

    Helen Reddy / David Essex / Brenda Lee / Jimmie Walker — Season 4, Episode 9 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-11-21. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  10. S04E10

    Helen Reddy / Frankie Valli / KISS / Barry Manilow

    Helen Reddy / Frankie Valli / KISS / Barry Manilow — Season 4, Episode 10 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-11-28. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  11. S04E11

    Helen Reddy / Natalie Cole / Bee Gees / Olivia Newton-John

    Helen Reddy / Natalie Cole / Bee Gees / Olivia Newton-John — Season 4, Episode 11 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-12-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  12. S04E12

    Helen Reddy / Anne Murray / Rufus feat. Chaka Khan

    Helen Reddy / Anne Murray / Rufus feat. Chaka Khan — Season 4, Episode 12 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-12-12. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  13. S04E13

    Helen Reddy / Petula Clark / Peter Frampton

    Helen Reddy / Petula Clark / Peter Frampton — Season 4, Episode 13 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-12-19. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  14. S04E14

    Host: Helen Reddy / Dolly Parton / Charlie Rich

    Host: Helen Reddy / Dolly Parton / Charlie Rich — Season 4, Episode 14 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1975-12-26. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  15. S04E15

    Helen Reddy / Joan Baez / ELO

    Helen Reddy / Joan Baez / ELO — Season 4, Episode 15 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-01-09. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  16. S04E16

    Helen Reddy / Staple Singers / Poco

    Helen Reddy / Staple Singers / Poco — Season 4, Episode 16 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-01-16. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  17. S04E17

    Helen Reddy / Natalie Cole / Petula Clark

    Helen Reddy / Natalie Cole / Petula Clark — Season 4, Episode 17 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-01-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  18. S04E18

    Helen Reddy / 5th Dimension / Tom T. Hall

    Helen Reddy / 5th Dimension / Tom T. Hall — Season 4, Episode 18 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-01-30. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  19. S04E19

    Host: Wolfman Jack (3rd Anniversary Show, Part 1)

    Host: Wolfman Jack (3rd Anniversary Show, Part 1) — Season 4, Episode 19 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-02-13. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  20. S04E20

    Host: Wolfman Jack (3rd Anniversary Show, Part 2)

    Host: Wolfman Jack (3rd Anniversary Show, Part 2) — Season 4, Episode 20 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-02-20. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  21. S04E21

    Host: David Brenner / Fleetwood Mac

    Host: David Brenner / Fleetwood Mac — Season 4, Episode 21 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-02-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  22. S04E22

    Helen Reddy / Miracles / Tanya Tucker / ELO

    Helen Reddy / Miracles / Tanya Tucker / ELO — Season 4, Episode 22 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-03-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  23. S04E23

    Helen Reddy / Peter Frampton / Rufus feat. Chaka Khan

    Helen Reddy / Peter Frampton / Rufus feat. Chaka Khan — Season 4, Episode 23 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-03-19. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  24. S04E24

    Helen Reddy / Gordon Lightfoot / Little Richard

    Helen Reddy / Gordon Lightfoot / Little Richard — Season 4, Episode 24 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-03-26. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  25. S04E25

    Host: Natalie Cole

    Host: Natalie Cole — Season 4, Episode 25 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-04-02. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  26. S04E26

    Helen Reddy / Fleetwood Mac

    Helen Reddy / Fleetwood Mac — Season 4, Episode 26 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-04-09. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  27. S04E27

    Host: Janis Ian

    Host: Janis Ian — Season 4, Episode 27 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-04-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  28. S04E28

    Host: Ray Charles

    Host: Ray Charles — Season 4, Episode 28 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-04-30. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  29. S04E29

    Host: Paul Anka

    Host: Paul Anka — Season 4, Episode 29 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-05-21. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  30. S04E30

    Host: Neil Sedaka

    Host: Neil Sedaka — Season 4, Episode 30 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-06-04. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  31. S04E31

    Host: Helen Reddy

    Host: Helen Reddy — Season 4, Episode 31 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-06-11. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  32. S04E32

    Host: Seals & Crofts

    Host: Seals & Crofts — Season 4, Episode 32 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-06-18. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  33. S04E33

    Host: Natalie Cole

    Host: Natalie Cole — Season 4, Episode 33 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-06-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  34. S04E34

    Host: Glen Campbell

    Host: Glen Campbell — Season 4, Episode 34 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-07-02. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  35. S04E35

    Host: Rita Coolidge

    Host: Rita Coolidge — Season 4, Episode 35 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-07-09. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  36. S04E36

    Host: Helen Reddy

    Host: Helen Reddy — Season 4, Episode 36 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-07-16. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  37. S04E37

    Hosts: The Spinners

    Hosts: The Spinners — Season 4, Episode 37 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-07-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  38. S04E38

    Host: David Brenner

    Host: David Brenner — Season 4, Episode 38 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-07-30. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  39. S04E39

    Host: James Brown

    Host: James Brown — Season 4, Episode 39 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-08-06. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  40. S04E40

    Host: Paul Williams

    Host: Paul Williams — Season 4, Episode 40 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-08-13. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  41. S04E41

    Host: Helen Reddy

    Host: Helen Reddy — Season 4, Episode 41 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-08-20. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  42. S04E42

    Host: Jimmie Walker

    Host: Jimmie Walker — Season 4, Episode 42 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-08-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  43. S04E43

    Host: Aretha Franklin

    Host: Aretha Franklin — Season 4, Episode 43 of The Midnight Special. Aired 1976-09-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

More from the 1970s.