The Midnight Special: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Midnight Special Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Hosts: The Spinners
Sep 17, 1976
The Spinners (hosts) - ""I've Got to Make It on My Own,"" ""The Rubberband Man,"" ""Could It Be I'm Falling in Love"" and ""I Don't Want to Lose You""/""One of a Kind Love Affair""
Lesley Gore
Sep 24, 1976
Lesley Gore (host) - "It's My Party,Judy's Turn to Cry,I'd Like to Be,You Don't Own Me,"" and a medley of hits The Drifters - ""Up on the Roof"" & ""Save the Last Dance for Me"" --
Host: George Carlin
Oct 1, 1976
George Carlin (host) - does a few comedy monologues --Glen Campbell - ""When Will I Be Loved,"" ""Rhinestone Cowboy"" & ""Gentle on My Mind"" --Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots - "
Host: James Brown
Oct 8, 1976
James Brown (host) - ""The Payback,"" ""Cold Sweat,"" ""Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"" & ""Please Please Please"" --Black Oak Arkansas - ""When The Band Was Shakin' All Over,"" ""Fis
Co-hosts: Jackie DeShannon & Johnny Rivers
Oct 15, 1976
Guests: --Jackie DeShannon (co-host) - ""Put a Little Love in Your Heart,"" ""When You Walk in the Room,"" ""Needles and Pins,"" ""What the World Needs Now"" & ""The Weight"" --Joh
Host: Helen Reddy
Oct 22, 1976
Helen Reddy (host) - ""Gladiola,"" ""Long Time Looking"" & ""I Am Woman"" --Helen Reddy - medley: ""Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress),"" ""Angie Baby"" and ""Delta Dawn"" --Franklin
Hosts: KC & the Sunshine Band
Oct 29, 1976
KC & the Sunshine Band - ""(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty,"" ""That's the Way (I Like It),"" ""Get Down Tonight"" & ""Baby I Love You (Yes I Do)"" --ABBA - ""Fernando,"" ""Ma
Host: Frankie Valli
Nov 5, 1976
Frankie Valli (host) - ""Boomerang,"" ""Easily,"" ""Swearin' to God"" & ""Can't Get You Off of My Mind"" --Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - ""December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)""
Host: Lou Rawls
Nov 12, 1976
Lou Rawls (host) - ""Groovy People,"" Love Is a Hurtin' Thing,"" ""You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine"" & ""From Now On"" --Lou Rawls and Dorothy Moore - ""Mighty High"" --Do
Host: Helen Reddy
Nov 19, 1976
Helen Reddy (host) - ""Bluebird,"" ""Gladiola"" & ""I Am Woman"" --Elvin Bishop - ""Keep it Cool,"" ""Give It Up,"" ""Spend Some Time"" & 'Rock My Soul"" --David Dundas - ""Jeans O
Million Sellers of 1976, Part 1
Dec 3, 1976
Million Sellers of 1976, hosted by Wolfman Jack --The Bay City Rollers - ""Saturday Night"" --Elvin Bishop - ""Fooled Around and Fell in Love"" --The Captain and Tennille - ""Lonel
Host: Tom Jones
Dec 17, 1976
Tom Jones (host) - ""Feel the Need"" --Glen Campbell - medley of Beach Boys songs --Tom Jones and Sly & the Family Stone - ""Everyday People"" --Tom Jones and Lynn Anderson - ""Don
Million Sellers of 1976, Part 2
Jan 7, 1977
Million Sellers of 1976, Part 2 hosted by Wolfman Jack --The Commodores - ""Sweet Love"" --England Dan & John Ford Coley - ""I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"" --The Four Seasons
Host: Judy Collins
Jan 21, 1977
Judy Collins (host) - ""Send in the Clowns,"" ""Bread and Roses,"" ""Everything Must Change,"" ""Political Science"" & ""Special Delivery"" (another source listed the song ""Someda
Host: Helen Reddy (4th Anniversary Show)
Jan 28, 1977
Fourth Anniversary Show (with clips from past shows) --Helen Reddy (host) --The Bee Gees - ""Nights on Broadway"" (from 5-Dec-75) & ""Jive Talkin'"" --George Carlin (comedian) - mo
Host: Glen Campbell
Feb 4, 1977
Glen Campbell (host) - ""Southern Nights,"" ""Sunflower,"" ""For Crying' Out Loud,"" ""This Is (Sarah's Song),"" ""God Only Knows"" & ""Early Morning Song"" --ABBA - ""Fernando"" &
Hosts: The Electric Light Orchestra
Feb 18, 1977 · 90 min
Electric Light Orchestra (hosts) - "Livin' Thing," "Do Ya," "Telephone Line" & "Livin' Thing" --Electric Light Orchestra (on tape) - "Rock Aria" music video --Mary MacGregor - "Tor
Host: Loretta Lynn
Feb 25, 1977
Loretta Lynn (host) - ""Coal Miner's Daughter,"" ""Somebody Somewhere"" & ""Your Woman Your Friend"" --Loretta Lynn and Mickey Gilley - ""Release Me,"" ""Honky Tonk"" & ""Crazy Arm
Hosts: KC & the Sunshine Band
Mar 4, 1977
KC & the Sunshine Band - ""(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty,"" ""Get Down Tonight,"" ""That's the Way (I Like It)"" and ""Baby I Love You"" --ABBA - ""Dancing Queen"" --Jose Fe
Hosts: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.
Mar 18, 1977 · 90 min
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (hosts) - ""You Don't Have to Be A Star,"" ""Your Love,"" ""I Hope We Get to Love in Time"" & ""Gone at Last"" --Themla Houston - ""Don't Leave Me T
Host: Aretha Franklin
Mar 25, 1977
Aretha Franklin (host) - ""Respect,"" ""Hooked on Your Love,"" ""Sweet Passions,"" ""When I Think About You"" & ""Meadows of Springtime"" --The Babys - ""If You've Got the Time"" -
Host: George Carlin
Apr 1, 1977
George Carlin (host) - comedy monologue about talking on phone & being put on hold --Stephen Bishop - ""Save It for a Rainy Day"" & ""On and On"" --Natalie Cole - ""I've Got Love o
Host: Gabe Kaplan
Apr 8, 1977
Gabe Kaplan (host) - does two comedy monologues. The first is about commercials for nose sprays; skin creams and a new deodorant for the ear. Second monologue is about the telephon
Host: George Benson
Apr 22, 1977 · 67 min
Van Morrison sings "Moondance" (jam session with George Benson and other guests) --George Benson sings "Everything Must Change" and "Gonna Love You More" --Van Morrison - "Joyous S
British Rock hosted by Wolfman Jack
Apr 29, 1977 · 90 min
ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) - ""Do Ya,"" ""Rock Aria"" & ""Telephone Line"" --Salute to Elton John (narrated by Wolfman Jack) - includes clips of Elton John performing ""Bennie
Host: Helen Reddy
May 6, 1977
-Helen Reddy (host) - ""You're My World,"" ""The Happy Girls,"" ""Midnight Skies"" & ""Aquarius Mirable"" --The Babys - If You've Got the Time,"" ""Looking for Love"" & ""Wild Man"
Host: Wolfman Jack
May 13, 1977
Wolfman Jack (host) --ABBA - ""Dancing Queen"" & ""Fernando"" (music videos) --Stephen Bishop - ""Save It for a Rainy Day"" & ""On and On"" --Brick - ""Dazz"" --Glen Campbell - ""S
Host: Lou Rawls
May 20, 1977
Lou Rawls (host) - ""Some Folks Never Learn,"" ""See You When I Git There,"" ""Spring Again"" & ""Some Day You'll Be Old"" --Lou Rawls and Donna Summer - ""Swing Low Sweet Chariot"
Host: Neil Sedaka
May 27, 1977
Neil Sedaka (host) - ""Oh Carole,"" ""Tin Pan Alley,"" ""Amarillo,"" ""Hollywood Lady,"" ""Sleazy Love"" & ""Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"" --The Captain and Tennille - ""(You Make Me
Hosts: Bread
Jun 3, 1977 · 90 min
Bread (hosts) - "Lay Your Money Down" "The Chosen One" "She's the Only One" & "Lost Without Your Love" --England Dan and John Ford Coley - "It's Sad to Belong" & "Soldier in the Ra
Co-hosts: Emmylou Harris & Little Feat
Jun 10, 1977
Emmylou Harris & Little Feat (co-hosts) --Emmylou Harris - ""Queen of the Silver Dollar"" (with Little Feat?) --Emmylou Harris - ""My Songbird"" --Little Feat - ""Dixie Chicken,""
Host: Neil Sedaka
Jun 17, 1977
Neil Sedaka (host) - ""Amarillo,"" ""Laughter in the Rain,"" ""A Song,"" ""Bad Blood"" & ""One Night Stand"" --George Benson and Van Morrison - ""Misty"" --Fleetwood Mac (on film)
Host: Gregg Allman
Jun 24, 1977
Gregg Allman (host) - ""Let This Be a Lesson to Ya,"" ""Sweet Feelin',"" ""Midnight Rider,"" ""Don't Keep Me Wondering"" & ""Midnight Rider"" (closing credits) --Elvin Bishop and G
Hosts: KC & the Sunshine Band
Jul 29, 1977
KC & the Sunshine Band (hosts) - ""I'm Your Boogie Man,"" ""Keep It Comin' Love,"" ""That's the Way (I Like It)"" & ""(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty"" --Bay City Rollers -
Hosts: The Spinners
Aug 5, 1977
The Spinners (hosts) - ""Could It Be I'm Fallin' in Love,"" ""Rubberband Man,"" ""The Way We Were,"" ""Games People Play,"" ""You're Throwing a Good Love Away"" & ""Mighty Love"" -
Hosts: The Bay City Rollers
Aug 12, 1977
The Bay City Rollers (hosts) - ""You Made Me Believe in Magic,"" ""Yesterday's Hero,"" ""It's a Game"" & ""Love Fever"" --Billy Braver (comedy segment) --Roger Daltrey - ""One of t