Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine, The

1 9 7 4 – 1 9 7 6 (USA)

Following the cancellation of the animated series featuring the famous basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team featured in an hour-long CBS nighttime special aired as a pilot under the series title on 13 December 1972, with several guest stars.

As a variety series, it became a revue featuring the Globetrotters singing, dancing and performing comedy sketches.

Meadowlark Lemon was the ostensible host, and Curly Neal (the bald one) was the main comic relief.

In keeping with the title, the show’s recurring graphic used basketballs appearing to “pop” in a machine before and after commercials. The second season was all repeats.

The Harlem Globetrotters
Meadowlark Lemon
Fred “Curly” Neal
Hubert “Geese” Ausbie
Nate Branch
Charles “Tex” Harrison
Marques Haynes
Theodis “Wolfman” Lee
Bobby Joe “BJ” Mason
John Smith
Rodney Allen Rippy
Himself
Mr Evil
Avery Schreiber