The Val Doonican Show - Season 5 (1974)

Val starts off the new year with more good music and good humour. There's al;so some new music with a composition called Streamline from two of the orchestra's guitarists, Brian Daley and Martin Kershaw. Val's well on the road to the west when he sings By the Time I Get to Phoenix and there's a nostalgic round-up with Paul Melba, backed by Kenny Woodman and his orchestra and the group Fabric.

Impersonations are catching - even with impersonator Paul Melba on the show, Val's keen to show off his Bing Crosby. Paul takes the parts of Perry Como, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Ray Charles and not to be outdone, Nick Curtis of the group Fabric also has a go.

Master melody maker Val returns this week to open with New World in the Morning. He is joined by Paul Melba, as Kojak, who later delivers impressions from a nightclub set in Las Vegas. Fabric back Val for 100 Years Old Together and just before he settles into his rocking chair to wind up the evening, Val introduces some paintings by showbiz celebrities.

Val introduces another relaxing tuneful time with his opening number, I Get a Kick Out of You. There's comedy from Paul Melba who's given Val the impressionist bug as he tries out his James Cagney. Fabric join Val for Bonaparte's Retreat and Val rounds off the series with Stop and Smell the Roses before being joined by a surprise guest (Paul Melba?) for a medley of popular "silly" songs.