Evening Shade

5.6
199030m

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.

Production

Logo for Mozark Productions
Logo for MTM Enterprises

Seasons

24 Episodes • Premiered 1990

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 1: A Day in the Life of Wood Newton

1. A Day in the Life of Wood Newton

7.0

On his birthday/wedding anniversary, an innocent Wood is photographed with a stripper; and Prosecuting Attorney candidate Ava discovers she's pregnant despite Wood's vasectomy.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 2: There Once Was A Boy Named Wood

2. There Once Was A Boy Named Wood

7.0

Frieda babysits, and fills in for Evan on poker night when he has a date with Miss Beausoleil.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 3: Whatever Happened to Clutch Newton?

3. Whatever Happened to Clutch Newton?

On seeing an old game film, Wood discovers his most celebrated high school touchdown catch was actually out of bounds.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 4: Sadie Hawkins Dance

4. Sadie Hawkins Dance

During Sadie Hawkins week, the football team begins a seven-day series of pranks on Coach Newton.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 5: Fast Women

5. Fast Women

Ava asks Wood to talk with both their son, Taylor, and her father about their choice in dates.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 6: The Moustache Show

6. The Moustache Show

Ava's high-school flame visits; Will shaves off half of Wood's moustache.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 7: All for Charity

7. All for Charity

Hoping to win Wood's favour, Herman, at a fundraiser, bids for and wins a weekend with Wood and his family.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 8: Something to Hold Onto

8. Something to Hold Onto

Wood and the rest of town tutor the football players in algebra so they won't fail their classes and be barred from a big game.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 9: Mr. Mom

9. Mr. Mom

With Ava's prosecutorial work taking her away from her household duties, a miserable Wood has to take up the slack.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 10: Hooray for Wood

10. Hooray for Wood

Wood gets a bit part when a movie company and its temperamental star arrive to shoot a Civil War mini-series.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 11: The Wood Who Stole Christmas

11. The Wood Who Stole Christmas

Tired of his kids' materialism, Wood gives their presents to a needy family.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 12: Wood and Ava and Gil and Madeline

12. Wood and Ava and Gil and Madeline

Wood and Ava are asked to dinner by a married couple—who turn out to be swingers into spouse-swapping.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 13: Wood's Thirtieth Reunion

13. Wood's Thirtieth Reunion

At his 30-year high school reunion, Wood hooks up with two old pals and one old flame.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 14: Vote Early and Vote Often

14. Vote Early and Vote Often

Wood and Ava recall how friends rallied to help her get elected Prosceuting Attorney over her opponent Jim Guy Puckett.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 15: Chip Off the Old Brick

15. Chip Off the Old Brick

Herman's big, blustery father comes to visit, but talks football with Wood and chases after Frieda more than he sees his son.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 16: The Trials of Wood Newton

16. The Trials of Wood Newton

Wood must testify against Evan, who's being defended by his daughter Ava.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 17: Into the Woods

17. Into the Woods

On Wood's annual deer-hunting trip, a local legend deer drops dead in front of his cabin—outside official hunting grounds.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 18: Nothing to Fear But Harvey Lujack

18. Nothing to Fear But Harvey Lujack

A convict who'd threatened prosecutor Ava when she had him put away escapes and heads toward town.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 19: Gambler Anonymous

19. Gambler Anonymous

Wood tries to keep secret the presence of his guest: old acquaintance country-music singer Kenny Rogers.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 20: Sex Education

20. Sex Education

An in-over-his-head Herman substitute teaches a class in sex education, and calls in ""expert"" Wood.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 21: I am Wood, Hear Me Roar

21. I am Wood, Hear Me Roar

Two female students attempt to join the football team.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 22: Herman and Margaret Sitting in a Tree

22. Herman and Margaret Sitting in a Tree

Herman's relationship with Margaret hits a snag when she refuses to be seen with Herman on a formal ""date"".

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 23: Far from the Madden Crowd

23. Far from the Madden Crowd

Ava goes into labor the night of the Booster Club Sports banquest, to which Wood has invited his football archrival Terry Bradshaw.

Still image for Evening Shade season 1 episode 24: The Baby Show

24. The Baby Show

Ava rides in the back of Ponder's catering truck on a chaotic ride to the hospital.

Cast

Photo of Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds

Wood Newton

Photo of Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner

Ava Evans Newton

Photo of Hal Holbrook

Hal Holbrook

Evan Evans

Photo of Charles Durning

Charles Durning

Harlan Elldridge

Photo of Ann Wedgeworth

Ann Wedgeworth

Merleen Elldridge

Photo of Michael Jeter

Michael Jeter

Herman Stiles

Photo of Jay R. Ferguson

Jay R. Ferguson

Taylor Newton

Photo of Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis

Ponder Blue

Photo of Candace Hutson

Candace Hutson

Molly Newton

Photo of Elizabeth Ashley

Elizabeth Ashley

Freida Evans

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