Among the two shows (https://prince.org/msg/8/20054?navto=n) in their respective hey days, which one (https://connierosserriddle.com/2021/11/28/bandstand-or-soul-train/) was better (https://www.facebook.com/groups/951998221479788/posts/24323156283937319/) overall, has more long term cultural impact, and could translate beyond its time period better? As it stands, it's pretty fascinating that Soul Train (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125314/http://www.jumptheshark.com/s/soultrain.htm) lasted all the way until 2006 (https://www.facebook.com/Retrovision/posts/19-years-ago-today-march-27-2006-the-final-episode-of-soul-train-aired-it-is-an-/1108261018002123/). That's a good 17 years after American Bandstand (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125335/http://www.jumptheshark.com/a/americanbandstand.htm) ended in 1989 (https://www.facebook.com/RetroClassicHits/posts/oct-7th-1989-the-final-episode-of-american-bandstand-aired-ran-37-seasons-with-3/796469582486230/). It also lasted 13 years after Don Cornelius retired as host.

Def Soul Train :)

Def Soul Train :)

I agree. Soul Train was much more groovier and had better dancers with very colorful cloths and fashion wary. Specially liked the segment called "Soul Train Line" in which all the dancers form two lines with a space in the middle for dancers to showcase their dance skills in consecutive order. Some of the dances were hilarious :D

https://thenashvillebridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/soultrain-04.jpg