Jim Varney

Jim Varney

Born: June 15, 1949
Died: February 10, 2000
in Lexington, Kentucky, USA
James Albert "Jim" Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949 – February 10, 2000) was an American actor, voice artist, and comedian, best known for his role as Ernest P. Worrell, who was used in numerous television commercial campaigns and movies in the following years, giving Varney fame nationally in the United States.

Movies for Jim Varney...

The Original Viral Star
Title: The Original Viral Star
Character: Himself / Ernest P. Worrel (archive footage)
Released: April 9, 2020
Type: Movie
Jim Varney - most commonly known for portraying Ernest P. Worrell in a series of films, commercials and shorts, was the world's first viral star. His versatile characters and talent for mimicry made each of his performances memorable. This documentary short explores his amazing climb to success, going from a down on his luck stand-up comedian to a national sensation and pop-culture icon.
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Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond
Title: Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 10, 2015
Type: Movie
Retrospective looking at the revolutionary computer-animated feature film Toy Story.
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Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood
Title: Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: June 7, 2005
Type: Movie
A 14-part documentary that explores the life and career of Billy Bob Thornton, chronicling his journey that led him to work on Sling Blade. The piece features plenty of interview snippets with cast, crew, friends, and family; clips from other Thornton films; the origins of the Karl Childers character; how Sling Blade shaped his career; and more.
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Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 3
Title: Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 3
Character: Self
Released: January 3, 2005
Type: Movie
Music City News was founded in 1963, by country music singer Faron Young. In 1967, the publication began to confer annual awards; in 1978, it began televising them, with the inclusion of artist performances. These awards were not decided by a secretive committee or by an "association," but by fan nominations. Each installment of the Country Legends Live series highlights performances from particular annual awards shows. Country Legends Live, Vol. 3 offers a "best of" the 1984, 1985 and 1986 Music City News Awards Shows. Featured artists in this installment include The Statler Brothers, Larry Gatlin, Sylvia, the Oak Ridge Boys, Loretta Lynn, Janie Fricke, Lee Greenwood, The Judds, Marie Osmond & Dan Seals, Conway Twitty, Ricky Skaggs, Jim Varney and Reba McEntire.
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Daddy and Them
Title: Daddy and Them
Character: Hazel Montgomery
Released: October 26, 2001
Type: Movie
Ruby and her husband Claude are a working-class couple who live in suburban Arkansas. As crazy as they are for each other, their relationship is far from harmonious. (The lack of money doesn't help matters, either.) In fact, their whole family is fraught with unresolved conflicts. Then Claude's uncle is arrested on a felony charge, and everyone rallies round. Ruby's mother Jewel and flirtatious sister Rose (Claude's ex-girlfriend) even fly in from Tennessee; but, far from being a source of support, Jewel seems only to want to break up Ruby and Claude.
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Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Title: Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Character: Jebidiah Allardyce 'Cookie' Farnsworth (voice)
Released: June 2, 2001
Type: Movie
The world's most highly qualified crew of archaeologists and explorers is led by historian Milo Thatch as they board the incredible 1,000-foot submarine Ulysses and head deep into the mysteries of the sea. The underwater expedition takes an unexpected turn when the team's mission must switch from exploring Atlantis to protecting it.
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Toy Story 2
Title: Toy Story 2
Character: Slinky Dog (voice)
Released: October 30, 1999
Type: Movie
Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggen, owner of Al's Toy Barn kidnaps Woody. Andy's toys mount a daring rescue mission, Buzz Lightyear meets his match and Woody has to decide where he and his heart truly belong.
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Treehouse Hostage
Title: Treehouse Hostage
Character: Carl Banks
Released: September 24, 1999
Type: Movie
Timmy Taylor and his two friends, Stevie and Buddy capture escaped convict Carl Banks (Jim Varney) and hold him hostage in their treehouse over the weekend so that Timmy can use Carl as his current event project at school on Monday. The boys then find that Carl is mixed up in a counterfeiting ring that could spell trouble for them too.
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Existo
Title: Existo
Character: Marcel Horowitz
Released: June 19, 1999
Type: Movie
In this dystopian-musical-comedy, corporations and self-appointed guardians of "decency" and "morality" have society in a fascist choke-hold. It's up to a rag-tag group of actors, artists, and musicians to save the world the only way they know how - through the power of - wait for it - Performance Art! Led by the legendary Existo (Bruce Arntson (musical composer, "Ernest" film franchise), his faithful sidekick Maxine (Jackie Welch, (Ernest Goes to Jail), provocateur Marcel (Jim Varney, (Ernest, Toy Story), and Vigo (Cooper Thornton (Parks & Recreation) this troupe of subversive insurgents have the Religio-Capitalist Complex in their cross-hairs. But the powers-that-be know Existo's weak spot - his ravenous libido - and seek to exploit it to derail the Revolution with a secret weapon - a curly-haired corporate-pop singer named Penelope (Jenny Littleton).
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3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
Title: 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
Character: Lothar Zogg
Released: March 26, 1998
Type: Movie
Three young boys, Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum together with their neighbor girl, computer whiz Amanda are visiting Mega Mountain amusement park when it is invaded by an army of ninjas led by evil Medusa, who wants to take over the park and hold the owners for ransom. Kids and retired TV star Dave Dragon, who made his farewell appearance at the park at the time the ninjas appeared, have to break Medusa's vicious plans.
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Ernest in the Army
Title: Ernest in the Army
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: February 24, 1998
Type: Movie
Ernest P. Worrell is now in the military as a soldier. Once he begins, him and his team investigates a dictator who was responsible for the wars in the nearly village. Suddenly, Ernest finds a lost boy and has to keep him safe until his father recovers.
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Annabelle's Wish
Title: Annabelle's Wish
Character: Mr. Gus Holder (voice)
Released: October 21, 1997
Type: Movie
Annabelle - a calf who has a special wish for Christmas - wants to be a reindeer and help Santa Claus drive his sleigh as he delivers his presents! Annabelle's friends tell her not to get her hopes up, but to everyone's surprise, Santa does indeed meet up with Annabelle, and the calf gets to help Santa make the holiday special for one young boy.
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100 Proof
Title: 100 Proof
Character: Rae's Father
Released: September 26, 1997
Type: Movie
About the Lexington killing spree by LaFonda Fay Foster and Tina Hickey Powell, 100 Proof is a disturbingly authentic drama that portrays what kind of environment and events might lead up to such horrifying, seemingly random violence. Barely able to support their drug and alcohol habits, two women in a small, impoverished southern town turn to hustling and prostitution to get by. When the more forceful of the pair runs into her alcoholic and sexually abusive father.
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Snowboard Academy
Title: Snowboard Academy
Character: Rudy James
Released: July 16, 1997
Type: Movie
A wacky free-for-all comedy about the riotous rivalry between snobby skiers and knuckle-dragging snowboarders.
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Ernest Goes to Africa
Title: Ernest Goes to Africa
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: June 27, 1997
Type: Movie
The title says it all. There's a mix up involving stolen diamonds which Ernest has (naturally) made into a yo-yo and given to his would be girlfriend, Rene. But Rene wants a man of action, and doesn't think that Ernest fits the bill. After the bad guys come looking for the stolen diamonds and kidnap Rene, all of her fantasies come true as Ernest has to go to Africa to rescue her.
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Blood, Friends and Money
Title: Blood, Friends and Money
Character: The Old Mariner
Released: January 1, 1997
Type: Movie
Friends reunite in a cabin in the woods. What could go wrong?
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The Story Behind 'Toy Story'
Title: The Story Behind 'Toy Story'
Character: Self
Released: December 18, 1996
Type: Movie
The documentary short of Toy Story of why and how the feature length blockbuster sleeper movie became a success and helps to boost Pixar's popularity of making one of the few animation movie production companies in the world today, especially in North America.
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Toy Story
Title: Toy Story
Character: Slinky Dog (voice)
Released: October 30, 1995
Type: Movie
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
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The Expert
Title: The Expert
Character: Snake
Released: August 15, 1995
Type: Movie
It was a brutal murder that sent deranged psychopath Martin Kagan to prison. It was a naive deputy warden that granted him a stay of execution. Now, the police department's tactical defence instructor, John Lomax, wants revenge for his beloved sister's death.
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Slam Dunk Ernest
Title: Slam Dunk Ernest
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: June 20, 1995
Type: Movie
Ernest P. Worrell becomes a basketball star after an angel bearing an uncanny resemblance to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gives him a pair of magic sneakers.
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Ernest Goes to School
Title: Ernest Goes to School
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: December 14, 1994
Type: Movie
Jim Varney's recurring dim-bulb character Ernest P. Worrell returns in this film as a school janitor seeking to obtain a high school diploma.
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XXX's & OOO's
Title: XXX's & OOO's
Character: Self
Released: June 21, 1994
Type: Movie
Four ex-wives become friends bonding through their shared experiences as ex-wives of country music singers.
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Title: Duckman
Released: March 5, 1994
Type: TV
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man is an American animated sitcom that aired from 1994–1997, created by Everett Peck and developed by Peck. The sitcom is based on characters created by Peck in his Dark Horse comic. Klasky Csupo animated the series and produced it along with Reno & Osborn Productions for Paramount Network Television.
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Your World As I See It
Title: Your World As I See It
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1994
Type: Movie
A comedy short anthology featuring forty stories about Ernest P. Worrell's family with the way our world is, and how billionaire Astor Clement sees it.
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Your World as I See It
Title: Your World as I See It
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1994
Type: Movie
As seen through the eyes of Ernest's over-educated alter-ego, Astor Clement will attempt to unlock the sociological mysteries of our times. Astor will describe a unique event or ritual that lies at the very heart of the common man's existence. Then Ernest, with the help of his family members, also played by Jim Varney, will bring that ritual to life with non-stop, slap-stick comedy action.
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Ernest Rides Again
Title: Ernest Rides Again
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: November 12, 1993
Type: Movie
Buffoonish Ernest and his dimwitted pal Abner unearth a huge cannon reputed to contain the crown jewels of England.
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The Beverly Hillbillies
Title: The Beverly Hillbillies
Character: Jed Clampett
Released: October 15, 1993
Type: Movie
Jed Clampett and kin move from Arkansas to Beverly Hills when he becomes a billionaire, after an oil strike. The country folk are very naive with regard to life in the big city, so when Jed starts a search for a new wife there are inevitably plenty of takers and con artists ready to make a fast buck
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Wilder Napalm
Title: Wilder Napalm
Character: Rex
Released: August 20, 1993
Type: Movie
Wilder and Wallace are brothers and pyrokinetics. Ever since childhood they've been able to start fires with their minds but following a tragedy in which they accidentally killed a man, the brothers have grown up very differently. Wilder has become a regular 9-5 workaday joe but Wallace performs his feats with a traveling circus. When the circus comes to Wilder's home town Wallace starts coming on strong to Wilder's wife, Vida who, ironically, is a slight pyromaniac.
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Ernest's Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Title: Ernest's Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1992
Type: Movie
A reel of more Ernest commercials
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Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 2
Title: Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 2
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1992
Type: Movie
Hey Vern! Your ol' buddy Ernest is back in a new video that features Commercials, Bloopers, Behind-the-Scenes looks, and special surprises! Ernest sells things like ice cream, soft drinks, dairy products, even beer! He also has public service announcements on drunk driving and more. It also shows how Ernest commercials are made, and with the bloopers, how they're attempted to be made. It also features many of Ernest's long lived routines: the window slamming on his hands, falling off a ladder, trying to fix the TV and getting electrocuted, him propping the window with an Acme window stop, removing it and the window falls on him again, Ernest starting to fall off the ladder but tosses an anchor onto the roof, Vern cuts the rope and Ernest goes sailing to the ground.
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Ernest Scared Stupid
Title: Ernest Scared Stupid
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: October 11, 1991
Type: Movie
Well-intentioned, eternally bumbling Ernest P. Worrell accidentally releases an evil demon from its sacred tomb. As the demon flexes its power and goes on a ruinous rampage, good-guy Ernest tries to step in to save the town from mass destruction. Trouble is, a 200-year-old curse has scared Ernest stupid, and that means hilarity all around! So, kick back and let the laugh-ridden adventures begin.
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Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Special
Title: Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Special
Character: Ernest
Released: July 1, 1990
Type: Movie
Celebration of Disneyland's 35th Anniversary
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Ernest Goes to Jail
Title: Ernest Goes to Jail
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: April 6, 1990
Type: Movie
Bumbling bank janitor Ernest P. Worrell is assigned to jury duty, and soon finds himself in trouble when he is covertly switched with a look-a-like crime boss. Ernest must escape from jail to expose the mix-up.
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Title: The Simpsons
Released: December 17, 1989
Type: TV
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
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Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain
Title: Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: July 7, 1989
Type: Movie
An exciting mock documentary produced for the opening of the Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland. Ernest Goes To Splash Mountain chronicles the adventures of Ernest P. Worrell who trains as America's first "Splashtranaut" destined to become the very first person to conquer the mountain. Ralph Story, veteran news anchor and his team are determined to cover the momentous event by every angle possible.
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Fast Food
Title: Fast Food
Character: Wrangler Bob
Released: April 28, 1989
Type: Movie
Auggie and his pals are living it up as perpetual college students. When the dean decides teh only way to stop their schemes and antics is to graduate them, they have to go out and find real work. Auggie hears that Samantha is planning on selling her father's garage to fast food king Wrangler Bob, and comes up with one final scheme; a risky bank loan to turn the garage into stiff competition for Bob. When it looks like Bob will win after all, they develop a very special sauce that keeps the crowds coming because it has the effect of being an aphrodisiac. Bob doesn't like to lose, so he sends his "spy" Dixie Love to infiltrate the restaurant and find out their secret. The ensuing FDA investigation culminates into a hilarious case of disorder in the court!
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Ernest Saves Christmas
Title: Ernest Saves Christmas
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: November 11, 1988
Type: Movie
When Santa Claus decides to retire and pass on his magic bag of Christmas surprises to a new Saint Nick, he enlists the aid of a hilarious assortment of characters. A perky teen runaway and hapless taxi driver Ernest P. Worrell must convince a skeptical kiddie-show host to take over the post of Father Christmas.
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Title: Roseanne
Character: Prince Carlos
Released: October 18, 1988
Type: TV
A working-class family struggles to get by on a limited income in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois.
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Title: Hey Vern, It's Ernest!
Character: Ernest
Released: September 17, 1988
Type: TV
Hey Vern, It's Ernest! is a short lived American children's television program. It aired on Saturday mornings on CBS for one season in 1988. Each episode involved short sketches based around a certain theme or scenario, featuring the popular fictional character Ernest P. Worrell, his unseen friend Vern, and various others. The series was a production of Ernest creator John Cherry's production company, The Emshell Producers' Group, in association with CBS, and was distributed by DIC Entertainment. The series was later rerun on The Family Channel in the early 1990s.
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Hey Vern, It's Ernest!
Title: Hey Vern, It's Ernest!
Character: Ernest
Released: September 17, 1988
Type: Movie
Hey Vern, Ernest is on Saturday morning! These adventures follow Ernest, and several other colorful characters having all sorts of wacky fun
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Ernest Goes to Camp
Title: Ernest Goes to Camp
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: May 22, 1987
Type: Movie
Ernest, a lovable loser who works as a summer camp handyman and dreams of becoming a guidance counselor, must find a way to inspire a group of juvenile delinquents while stopping a shady strip mining company from closing the camp as well.
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Hey Vern, Win $10,000...Or Just Count On Having Fun!
Title: Hey Vern, Win $10,000...Or Just Count On Having Fun!
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1987
Type: Movie
A compilation of Ernest commercials, the VHS included a sweepstakes in which viewers who correctly counted the total mentions of the words "Vern" and "Knowhutimean?" in the video and submitted their answer before April 1, 1988 would be entered into a random drawing to win a $10,000 prize.
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Hey Vern, Win $10,000!
Title: Hey Vern, Win $10,000!
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1987
Type: Movie
Ernest introduces a contest for a viewer to win 10 thousands dollars, if they can properly name the right number of times he says, 'vern' and, 'knowutimean' throughout the whole video.
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Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam
Title: Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam
Character: Dr. Otto VonSchnick / Rudd Hardtact / Laughin' Jack / Guy Dandy / Auntie Nelda / Ernest P. Worrell
Released: April 9, 1986
Type: Movie
Evil baddie Dr. Otto Von-Schnick-ick-ick tries to take over the planet by first destroying all of our financial systems, collapsing the world's economy and sending populations across the globe into mass panic! Only one goody-goody can stop him.. or can he? The oblivious Lance Sterling is on the case! With the aid of his underappreciated assistant Doris, will Lance manage to save the day and defeat Doctor Otto before the mad scientist's megalomaniacal plan is fulfilled? Or will the villain succeed in distracting them to their doom with his many convincing costumes, courtesy of his own convenient Changing Coffin? Tune in to find out!
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The Ernest Film Festival
Title: The Ernest Film Festival
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
A variety of commericals hosted by Ernest.
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The Ernest Film Festival
Title: The Ernest Film Festival
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
Before he went to camp, before he went to jail, before he saved Christmas, before he was scared stupid, before he went to Africa and before he was in the army, Ernest P. Worrell hosted a variety of commercials, and a lot of them are here on this video. He even makes public service announcements. It also features many of his bloopers.
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Ernest's Greatest Hits Vol. 1
Title: Ernest's Greatest Hits Vol. 1
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
Before he went to camp, before he went to jail, before he saved Christmas, before he was scared stupid, before he went to Africa and before he was in the army, Ernest P. Worrell hosted a variety of commercials and public service announcements featured here
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Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 1
Title: Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 1
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
Before he went to camp, before he went to jail, before he saved Christmas, before he was scared stupid, before he went to Africa and before he was in the army, Ernest P. Worrell hosted a variety of commercials and public service announcements featured here.
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Title: The Rousters
Character: Evan Earp
Released: October 1, 1983
Type: TV
The Rousters is a 1983 NBC television series about a group of modern-day bounty hunters who are descendants of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. Despite advertising claims that this series would "sink The Love Boat" in the ratings, it ran for only one season of 13 episodes.
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Hey Vern, It's My Family Album
Title: Hey Vern, It's My Family Album
Character: Ernest P. Worrell
Released: January 1, 1983
Type: Movie
Ernest finds his old family album in the attic and discusses his family members from the album to his neighbor, Vern.
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Spittin' Image
Title: Spittin' Image
Released: January 25, 1982
Type: Movie
A twin falls off a wagon and meets a mountain man who teaches her to spit tobacco for a living.
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Title: America 2-Night
Character: Virgil Simms
Released: April 10, 1978
Type: TV
America 2-Night is the continuation of the talk-show parody series Fernwood 2 Night. It ran from April to July 1978. As in Fernwood, Barth Gimble was the host and Jerry Hubbard was his co-host. Happy Kyne and the Mirth-Makers was the band.
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Title: Fernwood 2 Night
Character: Virgil Simms
Released: July 4, 1977
Type: TV
Fernwood 2 Night was a comedic television program that ran from July 1977 – September 1977. It was created by Norman Lear and produced by Alan Thicke as a spin-off/summer replacement from Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. It was a parody talk show, hosted by Barth Gimble and sidekick/announcer Jerry Hubbard, complete with a stage band, Happy Kyne and His Mirthmakers. Barth was the twin brother of Garth Gimble from Mary Hartman. Like Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2 Night was set in the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio. The show satirized real talk shows as well as the sort of fare one might expect from locally-produced, small-town, midwestern American television programming. Well-known actors usually appeared playing characters or a contrivance had to be written for the celebrity to appear as themselves. After one season of Fernwood, the producers revamped the show the following year as America 2-Night. In this second version, Barth and Jerry's show moved to California and was broadcast nationally on the fictional UBS network, whose slogan was "We put U before the BS". This change allowed the show to now have well-known actors on the show as themselves.
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Title: Alice
Released: August 31, 1976
Type: TV
Alice is an American sitcom television series that ran from August 31, 1976 to March 19, 1985 on CBS. The series is based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The show stars Linda Lavin in the title role, a widow who moves with her young son to start her life over again, and finds a job working at a roadside diner on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona. Most of the episodes revolve around events at Mel's Diner.
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The Importance of Being Ernest
Title: The Importance of Being Ernest
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Through nine feature films, an Emmy-award-winning TV show, and thousands of television commercials, Ernest P. Worrell became a beloved comedy icon. Originally created as an advertising character, Ernest transcended these humble beginnings to become an unexpected hit—given life through the creativity of an indispensable team of artists, as well as through the unparalleled talent of actor Jim Varney. Today, two decades after Varney’s death, both Ernest and Jim seem to endure largely as pop culture footnotes; or worse, as easy punchlines. But there’s more to Ernest than that, and this documentary film will guide viewers through the entire Ernest epoch to examine the shelf life of a phenomenon. Using archival footage, cast and crew interviews, and never-before-seen material, we will seek to answer the questions: “Who was Ernest, who was Jim Varney, how did they relate, and why do they both mean so much to people?”