Judy Garland - “Old Man River“

June 24, 1963:  The first episode of “The Judy Garland Show“ was taped at CBS Television City, Hollywood, from 8:10 to 9:20 p.m.  The audience included many stars: Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Natalie Wood, Hedda Hopper, Louella Parsons, Agnes Morehead, Clint Eastwood, Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner and Van Heflin. Judy’s guest for her first show was her old chum Mickey Rooney. Judy sang “Keep Your Sunny Side Up“; “When The Sun Comes Out“; “Exactly Like You“; “I Believe In You“ (with Jerry Van Dyke who was her permanent sidekick on the show); “You’re So Right For Me“ (with Mickey); and for her “Born In A Trunk“ segment that would close each show, Judy sang “Too Late Now“; “Who Cares?“; and “Ol’ Man River.“  The show closed with Judy singing “I Will Come Back.“ Judy also sang “Two Ladies In The Shade Of The Banana Tree“ during the dress rehearsal on June 23, 1963, but by the taping the following night it was dropped. The “Exactly Like You“ song and sketch and the song “I Believe In You“ would be cut before the broadcast date, and a new segment with Mickey was taped November 29, 1963.  A new opening song, “I Feel A Song Coming On“ was taped on October 11, 1963. The deleted segments survived and have been released on DVD. Although the show was the first one taped, it was not the first to air.  It was originally broadcast on December 8, 1963. For more, check out The Judy Room at