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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 3
Episodes
First Heroes
Taylor returns, transformed by his three months in Amsterdam; Wood's late father's store is slated to be demolished.
The Diary of Molly Newton
Wood is having trouble dealing with Molly's growing womanhood— even before he discovers her erotic diary. And he totally overreacts to her first ""date"" (slides at the church followed by ice cream). Meanwhile, Harlan's visiting inlaws are putting a damper on his sex life.
You Scratch My Back, I'll Arrest You
Ava sends Wood to investigate when Harlan rents property to a massage parlor.
What A Night
Dumped by his girlfriend, Taylor quits the football team.
Father-Child Campout
Wood cajoles Will into a father/son camping trip.
The Hole Story
Events get out of hand when a hole in a bedroom wall resembles Abraham Lincoln.
Harlan Deals A Meal
Harlan fibs about his weight loss to Richard Simmons, then persuades Herman to impersonate him.
The Resurrection of Wood Newton
Ava is voted ""Arkansas Prosecuting Attorney of the Year.""
The NFL on CBS
Wood forgets his anniversary when he gets a chance to be on ""The NFL Today.""
The Really Odd Couple
Herman moves in with Freida when his building goes condominium.
Carl the Mule
A frustrated Wood resigns as team coach, and is replaced by Herman.
I'll Be Home For Christmas
...but Wood and Herman may not be, as they are stranded when their car breaks down on the way home from being Will an elusive gift available only out of town.
Freida and the Preacher
Freida falls for a man at the ice cream parlour, only to discover that he is the new preacher.
Private School
The Oakwood Academy, an exclusive private school Molly wants to attend, scrutinizes Wood and Ava, who discover they must pass an exam before Molly can be admitted. Meanwhile, Nab goes on a date with Amanda.
Ava Takes a Shower (1)
Ava hosts Fontana's baby shower, and wants Herman, who has joined Reba McEntire's security team, to get her to entertain.
Ava Takes a Shower (2)
Rebuffed by Reba McEntire, Ava still persists in planning the baby shower all by herself.
They Can't Take That Away From Me (1)
Ava invites sixties civil rights leader Aurelia Danforth to a Martin Luther King commemoration, then discovers that the guest has a past involving Ponder. (First of two parts)
They Can't Take That Away from Me (2)
No description available.
She What?!
Taylor's girlfriend elopes with the school hunk.
Another Baby Shower
Fontana goes into labour, but Evan can't be reached.
Cousins Behind Bars
Troublesome Cousin (Billy Bob Thornton) comes to town and manages to get himself and Wood thrown into jail, and for some reason Burt Reynolds ties his shirt in a front knot and pretends to be his lover. You can't make this up!
Mommy Goes AWOL
Fontana despairs of her mothering abilities when only Evan can quiet baby Scout.
Teaching Is A Good Thing
Herman is ashamed to tell his mentor that he has lost his teaching job.
Saint Bobby
Wood thinks a college footbal coach is interested in Taylor.
The Graduation
Herman books John Denver for Taylor's graduation but gets Bob Denver instead.
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
