Evening Shade

S01E18: Nothing to Fear But Harvey Lujack

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

Overview

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.

Episodes

S01E01 A Day in the Life of Wood Newton

September 21, 1990 7.0 30 min
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.

S01E02 There Once Was A Boy Named Wood

September 28, 1990 7.0 30 min
Frieda babysits, and fills in for Evan on poker night when he has a date with Miss Beausoleil.

S01E03 Whatever Happened to Clutch Newton?

October 5, 1990 30 min
On seeing an old game film, Wood discovers his most celebrated high school touchdown catch was actually out of bounds.

S01E04 Sadie Hawkins Dance

October 16, 1990 30 min
During Sadie Hawkins week, the football team begins a seven-day series of pranks on Coach Newton.

S01E05 Fast Women

October 29, 1990 30 min
Ava asks Wood to talk with both their son, Taylor, and her father about their choice in dates.

S01E06 The Moustache Show

October 2, 1990 30 min
Ava's high-school flame visits; Will shaves off half of Wood's moustache.

S01E07 All for Charity

November 9, 1990 30 min
Hoping to win Wood's favour, Herman, at a fundraiser, bids for and wins a weekend with Wood and his family.

S01E08 Something to Hold Onto

November 19, 1990 30 min
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.

S01E09 Mr. Mom

November 26, 1990 30 min
With Ava's prosecutorial work taking her away from her household duties, a miserable Wood has to take up the slack.

S01E10 Hooray for Wood

December 10, 1990 30 min
Wood gets a bit part when a movie company and its temperamental star arrive to shoot a Civil War mini-series.

S01E11 The Wood Who Stole Christmas

December 17, 1990 30 min
Tired of his kids' materialism, Wood gives their presents to a needy family.

S01E12 Wood and Ava and Gil and Madeline

January 7, 1991 30 min
Wood and Ava are asked to dinner by a married couple—who turn out to be swingers into spouse-swapping.

S01E13 Wood's Thirtieth Reunion

January 21, 1991 30 min
At his 30-year high school reunion, Wood hooks up with two old pals and one old flame.

S01E14 Vote Early and Vote Often

January 28, 1991 30 min
Wood and Ava recall how friends rallied to help her get elected Prosceuting Attorney over her opponent Jim Guy Puckett.

S01E15 Chip Off the Old Brick

February 4, 1991 30 min
Herman's big, blustery father comes to visit, but talks football with Wood and chases after Frieda more than he sees his son.

S01E16 The Trials of Wood Newton

February 11, 1991 30 min
Wood must testify against Evan, who's being defended by his daughter Ava.

S01E17 Into the Woods

February 18, 1991 30 min
On Wood's annual deer-hunting trip, a local legend deer drops dead in front of his cabin—outside official hunting grounds.

S01E18 Nothing to Fear But Harvey Lujack

February 21, 1991 30 min
A convict who'd threatened prosecutor Ava when she had him put away escapes and heads toward town.

S01E19 Gambler Anonymous

March 4, 1991 30 min
Wood tries to keep secret the presence of his guest: old acquaintance country-music singer Kenny Rogers.

S01E20 Sex Education

March 24, 1991 30 min
An in-over-his-head Herman substitute teaches a class in sex education, and calls in ""expert"" Wood.

S01E21 I am Wood, Hear Me Roar

April 1, 1991 30 min
Two female students attempt to join the football team.

S01E22 Herman and Margaret Sitting in a Tree

April 8, 1991 30 min
Herman's relationship with Margaret hits a snag when she refuses to be seen with Herman on a formal ""date"".

S01E23 Far from the Madden Crowd

April 29, 1991 30 min
Ava goes into labor the night of the Booster Club Sports banquest, to which Wood has invited his football archrival Terry Bradshaw.

S01E24 The Baby Show

May 6, 1991 30 min
Ava rides in the back of Ponder's catering truck on a chaotic ride to the hospital.

Cast

Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds
Wood Newton
Marilu Henner
Marilu Henner
Ava Evans Newton
Hal Holbrook
Hal Holbrook
Evan Evans
Charles Durning
Charles Durning
Harlan Elldridge
Ann Wedgeworth
Ann Wedgeworth
Merleen Elldridge
Michael Jeter
Michael Jeter
Herman Stiles
Jay R. Ferguson
Jay R. Ferguson
Taylor Newton
Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis
Ponder Blue
Candace Hutson
Candace Hutson
Molly Newton
Elizabeth Ashley
Elizabeth Ashley
Freida Evans
Jacob Parker
Will Newton

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