It's Showtime at the Apollo

It's Showtime at the Apollo (now simply Showtime at the Apollo) is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast in 1987, and produced by Apollo. It features live performances from both professional and up-and-coming artists, and also features the Amateur Night competition made popular at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, where the show is recorded.

Related Topics:
Syndicated - Music - Television show - 1987 - Apollo Theater - Harlem, New York

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Although tapings happen on Wednesdays, the show usually airs on weekends, often immediately following Saturday Night Live when aired on NBC affiliates. Various famous R&B, soul, and hip hop performers have appeared on the show, which has had a number of hosts, including Rick Aviles, Sinbad, Mark Curry, Steve Harvey, Mo'nique, and Christopher Reid. Kiki Sheppard served as co-host from 1987 until 2002.

Related Topics:
Saturday Night Live - NBC - R&B - Soul - Hip hop - Rick Aviles - Sinbad - Mark Curry - Steve Harvey - Mo'nique - Christopher Reid - Kiki Sheppard - 2002

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From 1989-1991, Sinbad served as the permanent host. After Sinbad left, the show reverted back to a series of special guest hosts. In 1994, Steve Harvey began a seven year stint as the permanent host. At the start of the 1998-1999 season, Harvey and Kiki Sheppard hosted a series of "Best of..." episodes until late October because production was delayed due to a labor dispute. After Harvey left in 2000, he was replaced by Rudy Rush. Rush was joined by new comedic dancer C. P. Lacey, who replaced Howard "Sandman" Simms.

Related Topics:
1989 - 1991 - 1994 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - Rudy Rush - C. P. Lacey - Howard "Sandman" Simms

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After a dispute with the Apollo Theater Fundation in 2002, the original producers (as well as talent) left to start a rival show called Showtime in Harlem. Showtime in Harlem was produced at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It's Showtime at the Apollo is currently produced by de Passe Entertainment.

Related Topics:
Brooklyn Academy of Music - De Passe Entertainment

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Weekly reruns of select episodes from the show's first 15 seasons (unrelated to the latest version) are syndicated to TV stations across the country, while about a few dozen episodes from seasons one through ten currently air Monday through Friday on TV One.

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