Reading this as that couple comes dancing in right before 2mins. I was just discussing outloud that there's no viewership for this sort of programming or something, don't want to make this comment too long. I was born 1987, but I've got older sisters who were 6 for this.
@@MLaker221 I’d be curious what the ratings were. In this era ch. 26 was mostly ethnic programming. My mom’s mom would put on the Greek hour. I cant recall which other groups had which time slots.
Many cities had their own local polka shows, very much like this one. Because Chicago is the home of Second City, I'd say that this show (and the show done at CHCH, in Hamilton, Ontario, which is Eugene Levy's home town) directly inspired Eugene Eugene Levy and John Candy to create Yosh & Stan Schmenge on "SCTV".
I didn't realize how much I missed the jingle until I heard it again with old commercials on TH-cam. I'd watch TV a lot as a kid and remember so many slogans and jingles, from the Empire Carpet guy to Harlem Furniture to John M. Smith's Homemakers to Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet and Al Piemonte Ford to Lincoln Technical Institute. So many ads!
Looks like the Korosas bought the airtime from the station, produced the show themselves in the station's facilities, then sold the commercial slots themselves. As long as they could find businesses willing to advertise on the show, they didn't have to worry about ratings. This is the same method that Steve Smith used to sell "The Red Green Show" in its early years, when no station was willing to carry it. When the show became popular, he syndicated it to other broadcast markets. Because he holds all the rights, he retains creative control, and all the profits.
In 79 as an 8 year old, I would have walked away from this, but at 50, I can’t get enough of it.
I'm still walking away...
Reading this as that couple comes dancing in right before 2mins. I was just discussing outloud that there's no viewership for this sort of programming or something, don't want to make this comment too long. I was born 1987, but I've got older sisters who were 6 for this.
That's what happens.
@@MLaker221 I’d be curious what the ratings were. In this era ch. 26 was mostly ethnic programming. My mom’s mom would put on the Greek hour. I cant recall which other groups had which time slots.
@@MR_MRM_ good move, but how far did you get?
I’m a black chicagoan and I remember , back in the day, watching polka party ! I couldn’t find anyone to dance with.
There was a similar show in Pennsylvania, in the 70s.
Old timer Chicago polocks I’m sure loved this.
There has got to be at least one episode of the original Chicago Soul Train out there somewhere
What a gem! The clothes, dancing, music. What a blast from the past. Thanks!
From the glory days of Weigle Media and WCIU channel 26 when they featured a variety of weekend ethnic programs.
Saturday at my grandmother's was on after Bob Luce wrestling
Many cities had their own local polka shows, very much like this one. Because Chicago is the home of Second City, I'd say that this show (and the show done at CHCH, in Hamilton, Ontario, which is Eugene Levy's home town) directly inspired Eugene Eugene Levy and John Candy to create Yosh & Stan Schmenge on "SCTV".
Ah the Schmenge Christmas special with the exchanging of the socks...
Gotta love the Harlem Furniture commercials
I didn't realize how much I missed the jingle until I heard it again with old commercials on TH-cam. I'd watch TV a lot as a kid and remember so many slogans and jingles, from the Empire Carpet guy to Harlem Furniture to John M. Smith's Homemakers to Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet and Al Piemonte Ford to Lincoln Technical Institute. So many ads!
Hard to believe that "Soul Train" once was there in that cramped studio
Really?
@@markthrasher6770 yep
Yes! I love it!
This is a Yosh and Stan Schmenge moment if I ever saw one.
YES!!
🍀
Has the look of public access cable.
Looks like the Korosas bought the airtime from the station, produced the show themselves in the station's facilities, then sold the commercial slots themselves. As long as they could find businesses willing to advertise on the show, they didn't have to worry about ratings.
This is the same method that Steve Smith used to sell "The Red Green Show" in its early years, when no station was willing to carry it. When the show became popular, he syndicated it to other broadcast markets. Because he holds all the rights, he retains creative control, and all the profits.
5:13 Silver Shamrock vibes...
Watch the screen, kids…