Evening Shade

30min

Comedy

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 Companies

Mozark Productions

Burt Reynolds Productions

MTM Enterprises

Episodes

Cast

A Day in the Life of Wood Newton

1. A Day in the Life of Wood Newton

30min

21st Sep 1990

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.

There Once Was A Boy Named Wood

2. There Once Was A Boy Named Wood

30min

28th Sep 1990

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

Whatever Happened to Clutch Newton?

3. Whatever Happened to Clutch Newton?

30min

5th Oct 1990

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

Sadie Hawkins Dance

4. Sadie Hawkins Dance

30min

16th Oct 1990

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

Fast Women

5. Fast Women

30min

29th Oct 1990

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

The Moustache Show

6. The Moustache Show

30min

2nd Oct 1990

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

All for Charity

7. All for Charity

30min

9th Nov 1990

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

Something to Hold Onto

8. Something to Hold Onto

30min

19th Nov 1990

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.

Mr. Mom

9. Mr. Mom

30min

26th Nov 1990

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

Hooray for Wood

10. Hooray for Wood

30min

10th Dec 1990

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

The Wood Who Stole Christmas

11. The Wood Who Stole Christmas

30min

17th Dec 1990

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

Wood and Ava and Gil and Madeline

12. Wood and Ava and Gil and Madeline

30min

7th Jan 1991

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

Wood's Thirtieth Reunion

13. Wood's Thirtieth Reunion

30min

21st Jan 1991

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

Vote Early and Vote Often

14. Vote Early and Vote Often

30min

28th Jan 1991

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

Chip Off the Old Brick

15. Chip Off the Old Brick

30min

4th Feb 1991

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

The Trials of Wood Newton

16. The Trials of Wood Newton

30min

11th Feb 1991

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

Into the Woods

17. Into the Woods

30min

18th Feb 1991

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

Nothing to Fear But Harvey Lujack

18. Nothing to Fear But Harvey Lujack

30min

21st Feb 1991

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

Gambler Anonymous

19. Gambler Anonymous

30min

4th Mar 1991

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

Sex Education

20. Sex Education

30min

24th Mar 1991

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

I am Wood, Hear Me Roar

21. I am Wood, Hear Me Roar

30min

1st Apr 1991

Two female students attempt to join the football team.

Herman and Margaret Sitting in a Tree

22. Herman and Margaret Sitting in a Tree

30min

8th Apr 1991

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

Far from the Madden Crowd

23. Far from the Madden Crowd

30min

29th Apr 1991

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

The Baby Show

24. The Baby Show

30min

6th May 1991

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

First air date

21st Sep 1990

Last air date

23rd May 1994

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks