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Evening Shade
"YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND LAUGHTER... IN A PLACE CALLED EVENING SHADE!"
Overview
Evening Shade is an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from 1990 to 1994. The series stars Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns to rural Evening Shade, Arkansas to coach a high school football team with a long losing streak. Reynolds personally requested to use the Steelers as his former team because he is a fan. The general theme of the show is the appeal of small town life. Episodes ended with a closing narration by Ossie Davis summing up the events of the episode, always closing with "... in a place called Evening Shade." The show's final episode saw the guest appearances of Willie Nelson and Buzz Aldrin as escaped convicts on the run from authorities, the final scene being a spectacular shoot-out reminiscent of the final scene of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The opening segment included clips from around Arkansas, including the famous McClard's Bar-be-que, which is situated on Albert Pike Blvd. and South Patterson St. in Hot Springs National Park.
Status
Ended
Created By
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Network
CBS
Seasons & Episodes
Season 2
Episodes
Three Naked Men (Part 1)
War breaks out between the women and the men on a segregated camping expedition after Wood scares the girls with his bear costume and gets whacked with a shovel—and culminates with the women abandoning the men during their ritual skinny-dipping. (Part 1 of 2)
Three Naked Men (Part 2)
The women begin to feel guilty about having abandoned the men naked in the woods. (Part 2 of 2)
I'm With Stupid
Molly caves in under pressure from her boyfriend and agrees to take part in a beauty contest.
Tying the Knot
Wood accompanies Will to the hospital when the boy needs a tonsillectomy—and decides that while he's there he might as well have a vasectomy.
Miss Emily's Wild Ride
Whilst Evan is babysitting baby Emily, he accidentally loses her.
The Road Trip
Wood, Ava, Taylor, his girlfriend Amy, Harlon, Marlene, Hermon and Fida take a road trip in an RV.
Winning Isn't Everything
Wood faces a dilemma when his football team finally wins a game but he later finds out that his star player is ineligible to play.
Where's My Watch?
At Marlene's insistence, Harlon retires.
I Do, I Don't
Taylor and Aimee decide to marry.
The Thanksgiving Show
Wood's black-sheep, ex-con cousin Alvin comes for Thanksgiving.
Busted
Ava threatens to shut down Fonana's strip show.
Rear Window
Wood gets stuck in the bathroom window.
The Getaway
Wood and Ava go away for a romantic break.
Herman In Charge
Wood and Ava leave Herman alone with the kids.
The Au Pair Affair
Ava feels displaced by the Newstons' talented au pair girl.
Goin' To the Chapel (Part 1)
Wood must express the family's concern over Evan's wedding. (Part 1 of 3)
Goin' To the Chapel (Part 2)
Fontana calls off the wedding. (Part 2 of 3)
Goin' to the Chapel (Part 3)
Fontana decides to proceed with the wedding; Merleen meets her daughter. (Part 3 of 3)
Play Herman For Me
Herman discovers he has a secret admirer.
Callous Hearts of Rage
Not everyone thinks imitation is the greatest form of flattery, when Taylor writes a play about the people of Evening Shade.
Taylor Buys A Car
Herman sells Taylor his old car.
Hasta la vista, Baby
Herman takes humiliating work after losing his teaching job due to budget cuts.
Cousin Readith
Wood learns his bully cousin plans to visit.
No Pain, No Gain
Wood throws his back out the night before he's set to bowl against an old rival.
The Perfect Birthday Party, Sort Of
The Newton's try to throw the perfect birthday party for Will.
Top Cast
Burt Reynolds
Wood Newton
Marilu Henner
Ava Evans Newton
Hal Holbrook
Evan Evans
Charles Durning
Harlan Elldridge
Ann Wedgeworth
Merleen Elldridge
Michael Jeter
Herman Stiles
Jay R. Ferguson
Taylor Newton
Ossie Davis
Ponder Blue
Candace Hutson
Molly Newton
Elizabeth Ashley
Freida Evans
Jacob Parker
Will Newton
