Pop! Goes the Country

Pop! Goes the Country was a weekly half-hour syndicated variety country music television series that originally aired from September 7, 1974 through January 1, 1982 for a total of 234 episodes. Originally hosted by Ralph Emery, the series was recorded at the Grand Ole Opry 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, and the show was moved from the Opry house to the Gaslight Theater of the Opryland theme park. In the final year of the series, comedian Jim Varney hosted the show. It is also considered as a spin-off of The Porter Wagoner Show. The series' title referenced the influence pop music was having on country music in the works of era's country music performers 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 and Mel Tillis were also featured during the show's run. The pop influence on country music was not without controversy. Although the Statler Brothers made many guest appearances, and even sang the show's theme song, in a possible reference to the high-rated show the group also released the song "Nobody Wants To be Country" that contains the opening line: