It's Showtime at the Apollo
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Showtime at the Apollo (formerly It's Showtime at the Apollo) is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast in September 12, 1987[1][2], and is produced by the Apollo Theater. The show features live performances from both professional and up-and-coming artists, and also features the Amateur Night competition made popular at the famous Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, where the show is recorded.
Although tapings happen on Wednesdays, the show usually airs on weekends.
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[edit] Hosts
Various famous R&B, soul, and hip hop performers have appeared on the show, which has had a number of hosts, including Whoopi Goldberg, Rick Aviles, Sinbad, Mark Curry, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique, Christopher "Kid" Reid, and Anthony Anderson. Kiki Sheppard served as co-host from 1987 until 2002.
From 1989 to 1991, Sinbad served as the permanent host. After Sinbad left, the show reverted to a series of special guest hosts. In 1993, Steve Harvey began a seven year stint as the permanent host. At the start of the 1998-99 season[3], Harvey and Kiki Sheppard hosted a series of "Best of..." episodes until late October because production was delayed due to a labor dispute. After Harvey left in 2000, he was replaced by Rudy Rush. Rush was joined by new comedic dancer C.P. Lacey, who replaced Howard "Sandman" Simms, who had died.
[edit] Change of production
After a dispute with the Apollo Theater Foundation in 2002, the original producers[4][5] left to start a rival show called Showtime in Harlem[6][7][8] later known simply as Showtime[9]. Showtime in Harlem was produced at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It's Showtime at the Apollo is currently produced by de Passe Entertainment and was hosted once again by Sinbad, who briefly returned to the show in 2006 while Mo'nique was on maternity leave. Whoopi Goldberg became the new host for the 2006-2007 season. At times, comedian Talent, and actor Anthony Anderson have hosted during the 2006-2007 season.
[edit] Reruns
Weekly reruns of select episodes from the show's first fifteen seasons (unrelated to the latest version) are syndicated to TV stations across the country, while about a few dozen episodes from Seasons 1 through 10 currently air Monday through Friday on TV One.
[edit] Partial list of notable guest performers
- Teena Marie
- Trina
- Melba Moore
- Breakfast Club
- Adam Sandler
- LL Cool J
- Tiffany Evans
- Beastie Boys
- Regina Belle
- Stephanie Mills
- Natalie Cole
- Run-D.M.C.
- Freddie Jackson
- Exposé
- Whodini
- Al Jarreau
- David Sanborn
- David Alan Grier
- Troop
- Martin Lawrence
- Vanessa L. Williams
- LeVert
- The Boys
- Keith Sweat
- Tracie Spencer
- Pebbles
- Trey Songz
- John Henton
- New Kids on the Block
- Al B. Sure!
- Guy
- Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
- Kool Moe Dee
- After 7
- Vesta Williams
- MC Hammer
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
- Chris Rock
- Mariah Carey
- Jeffrey Osborne
- Monie Love
- A Tribe Called Quest
- Chubb Rock
- Surface
- Kim Coles
- Gerald Levert
- Eddie Levert
- Eartha Kitt
- BeBe Winans
- CeCe Winans
- Donna Summer
- Another Bad Creation
- Boyz II Men
- Malcolm-Jamal Warner
- Kris Kross
- Jimmie Walker
- Raven-Symone
- Gia Farrell
- Naughty by Nature
- Chuckii Booker
- TLC
- R. Kelly
- Keith Washington
- El DeBarge
- Paula Abdul
- Mary J. Blige
- The Fugees (group member Lauryn Hill was an Amateur Night contestant in 1988)
- D'Angelo
- Faith Evans
- Hootie & the Blowfish
- Nas
- Kirk Franklin
- Dru Hill
- Aaliyah
- Maxwell
- Foxy Brown
- India.Arie
- Nappy Roots
- T.I.
- Gabriel Iglesias
- Tyrese Gibson
- 3LW
- Marques Houston
- Kurtis Blow
- Styles P
- Sean Paul
- Floetry
- Billy Paul
- Omarion
- Pretty Ricky
- Lloyd
- Jim Jones
- B2K
- SWV
- Shanice
- Kelly Rowland
- LeToya Luckett
- Cam'ron
- Mary Wilson
- Soulja Boy
- The DEY
- Ashanti
[edit] References
- ^ Premiered: September 12, 1987
- ^ It’s Showtime at the Apollo began its successful 15-year run in 1987, but the show’s beginnings reach all the way back to 1913.
- ^ Season 12
- ^ Percy Sutton .... executive producer (unknown episodes, 1987-2002)
- ^ Bob Banner Associates
- ^ "Showtime in Harlem" (2002)
- ^ When "Showtime at the Apollo" was revamped in 2002, Rudy Rush and Kiki Shepard were ousted and given their own show, "Showtime in Harlem."
- ^ Official site of Showtime in Harlem
- ^ SHOWTIME Starring: Rudy Rush and Kiki Shepard
[edit] External links
- It's Showtime at the Apollo at the Internet Movie Database
- It's Showtime at the Apollo at TV.com
- Official Apollo Theater website
- Jump The Shark » Forums » Shark Discussions » TV Shows: A - Z » I » It's Showtime at the Apollo
- It's Showtime At The Apollo Seasons I - XV
