This is Tom Jones

Produced between the years 1969 to 1971 on ITV1, This is Tom Jones was a distinctive show that combined elements of variety and music performances, captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The show was centered on the inspiring Welsh singer, Tom Jones, who was leveraged not just for his exceptional singing prowess, but his whole-hearted charisma, larger-than-life personality, and captivating stage presence. Just as Tom Jones emerged on the international music scene, This is Tom Jones allowed audiences in the UK and abroad to witness his unique style, sparkling wit, and rhythm-and-blues infused pop music.

This is Tom Jones was designed to showcase the singer's dual proficiency in soulful performance and engaging conversation. The show was created in the form of a traditional variety series with a twist—it ingeniously blended music, comedy, and engaging interviews. Each episode typically lasted for an hour, filled to the brim with entertainment. Jones would kick off the show with a powerful song, setting a distinctive tone of high energy and enthusiasm that would resoundingly resonate throughout the entire episode.

The show attracted an array of renowned guests from the world of music, cinema, and comedy, making every episode a unique medley of engaging conversation and memorable performances. Some of the guests who graced the stage included esteemed personalities such as Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Liza Minnelli, Stevie Wonder, and The Who, to mention just a few. The show's ability to draw such high-caliber guests made it a star-studded spectacle, an element that undoubtedly stamped its worth in the annals of television history.

Tom Jones' interactions with the guests were spontaneous, unscripted, and intimate, illuminating an unheralded side of the celebrities that the public rarely got a chance to see. He seemed to charm the guests, engage them in light-hearted banter, and often join them for musical duets that became some of the memorable highlights of the show.

The show's comedy aspect was an integration of sketches that employed vibrant and talented comedians. Often the skits played on Jones's appeal to the fairer sex or humorous situations involving the musical guests. The variety show aspect ensured there was a surprise in every corner, giving audiences a reason to stay welded to the show for the entire hour.

However, the sterling highlight of the show remained Tom Jones' steeply impressive musical performances. Jones would belt out both his hit tracks and covers of popular songs, showcasing his vocal brilliance and ability to switch tunes and rhythms effortlessly. His performances often became the climax of the show, leaving audiences in breathless anticipation week after week. From soul-stirring ballads to infectious dance numbers, Jones' captivating performances encapsulated why he was—and still is—one of the exciting performers of his generation.

This is Tom Jones was not merely a show; it was a theatrical spectacle that mixed the pomp of a concert, the lure of backstage access, and the comfort of a primetime broadcast. For audiences in the UK, it offered a dash of Hollywood stardom every week, while for American audiences, it was a thrilling import that extended their limited exposure to British pop culture of the late '60s and early '70s.

Through its three years run on ITV1, This is Tom Jones gained a colossal viewership and translated into Tom Jones' expanding popularity. The TV show and its host were nominated for numerous awards, with Jones himself winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1969.

In a nutshell, This is Tom Jones stands as a symbol of a pivotal moment in television entertainment history, one where the boundaries of variety, music, and talk show formats were inventively blurred, treating viewers to an eclectic mix of entertainment from the comfort of their living room. This pioneering show set a benchmark for variety shows that followed and underscored Tom Jones' status as a global entertainment icon. The memories and magic of This is Tom Jones still manage to charm and enchant audiences who were lucky enough to experience it first hand, and continue to inspire those who discover it anew.