Maine’s Own Late Night Talk Show Returns to Sanford

The Nite Show with Danny Cashman Will Tape 25th Anniversary Episode at SPAC

Maine’s only late night TV talk show, The Nite Show with Danny Cashman, will bring its house band, host, co-host, guests, and massive television production to the Sanford Performing Arts Center for one night only, on Friday, April 15. 

“Last time we were in Sanford, the people in town and the fine folks at the Sanford Performing Arts Center treated us like gold, which surprised us, because we usually treat ourselves like garbage,” remarked Nite Show host Dan Cashman. “We look forward to returning to town, seeing a great audience on hand, entertaining everyone, and then partying like rock stars at the Bowl-A-Rama.”

The Nite Show last visited Sanford in April of 2019 with guests including Patrick Dempsey, two University of Maine hockey players celebrating the 20th anniversary of its last championship season, and more. The show’s team pledged to return a year later, although COVID-19 prevented that from happening in both 2020 and 2021. Now, Cashman says that while much has changed, plenty remains the same from the perspective of The Nite Show.

“Tickets to our show remain free of charge, our show is still bringing amazing guests, Brian Nadeau & The Nite Show Band will be coming back bringing some incredible live music, and Christie Robinson and myself have some great ideas planned,” said Cashman. “We will not only make this show special for Sanford, but we’re also taping a pretty special show that night – our 25th anniversary show.”

The Nite Show first went on the air in Bangor in 1997 on a small WB affiliate. While the show went off the air for several years before returning to TV on CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates statewide, the anniversary of the original show is an important milestone to Cashman and the team. 

“We’ll be saying more about the 25th anniversary next month,” said Cashman. “But for now, what people should know is that tickets are free and available now, we think people will love what we already have planned, we’ll have prizes and giveaways, live music, comedy, and a unique television production. It will be great for all ages, and by that we mean that there will be much less nudity than last time.”

Tickets for The Nite Show in Sanford are free and available on the show’s website, www.TheNiteShowMaine.com. At this time, the audience size is reduced due to COVID, although masks and social distancing are not required. 

The Nite Show is one of very few locally produced shows to use a late night talk show format. Modeled after shows done by Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Conan O’ Brien, the current version of the 30-minute weekly show features a 6-piece house band (Brian Nadeau & The Nite Show Band), a live announcer/co-host (Christie Robinson), and many elements familiar to late night television viewers. 

The Nite Show with Danny Cashman normally originates from The Gracie Theatre in Bangor and is broadcast statewide. The show is seen Saturday nights in Bangor at 11:30 on WABI-TV5 (CBS); Saturday nights in Portland at 10:30 on WPFO, FOX 23, and 1 a.m. on WGME CBS 13; and in Presque Isle on Saturday nights at 11:00 on WWPI NBC 16.

The Nite Show with Danny Cashman has regularly ranked as the #1 show on Saturday late nights in Eastern & Central Maine through WABI TV in Bangor. The Nite Show with Danny Cashman received the first Arts & Culture Award from the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce in January of 2020, and Telly Awards for excellence in TV/Film Entertainment in 2016 and 2021. The Nite Show has also been nominated for nine New England Regional EMMY^® Awards and the Fusion:Bangor FLAVA on two occasions. The show is produced by students and faculty from the New England School of Communications at Husson University in Bangor.

The Nite Show with Danny Cashman is a production of Cashman Communications, in association with Gray Broadcasting, INC.