Pop! Goes the Country is a weekly half-hour syndicated variety country music television series that originally aired from September 7, 1974 through 1982 for a total of 234 episodes. Originally hosted by Ralph Emery, the series was recorded at the Grand Ole Opry House and featured comedy sketches, performances by and interviews with country music singers, both established celebrities and up and coming singers and musicians. In 1980, Tom T. Hall replaced Emery as the host. In the final year of the series, comedian Jim Varney became a member of the cast, and the show moved from the Opry House to Opryland USA's Gaslight Theater. It is also considered as a spin-off of The Porter Wagoner Show. The Statler Brothers sang the show's original theme song.

The series' title referenced the influence pop music was having on country music at the time on artists such as Barbara Mandrell, Lynn Anderson, Dolly Parton, and Anne Murray, all of whom appeared as guests on the program, although performers with more traditional styles such as Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and Mel Tillis were also featured during the show's run.

Pop! Goes the Country

As of December 2014, the show is being rebroadcast on the cable network RFD-TV.

Pop! Goes the Country

References

External links

Episode list at thetvdb.com

1974 American television series debuts

1982 American television series endings

1970s American musical comedy television series

1980s American musical comedy television series

1970s American sketch comedy television series

1980s American sketch comedy television series

1970s American variety television series

1980s American variety television series

American television spin-offs

First-run syndicated television programs in the United States

American country music

Grand Ole Opry

Culture of Nashville, Tennessee

Country music television series

Pop! Goes the Country