 The program, broadcast live, was hosted by namesake actress and singer Dinah Shore, who had come to prominence in her home state as a radio singer and the first Jewish cheerleader at Vanderbilt University before being "discovered" and subsequently appearing on national radio and feature films.She made a relatively easy transition to TV, as noted by the length of this program's run.The series had an annual summer replacement show as was the case with many live musical and variety programs of the era.