Today we are watching “Jack Does Christmas Shopping Show” from CBS’s The Jack Benny Program. In 1954, when this episode aired, Benny was still also doing weekly his radio show, also for CBS, one of the highest-rated programs of the day. Before his transition to CBS, the radio program also ran for more than a dozen years on NBC. The program was based loosely on Benny’s life, a musician/comic/entertainer’s escapades at home and at work, although Benny’s on-air persona was an exaggerated caricature and the jokes were usually at his expense. Breaking the 4th wall and interacting with the audience was a large part of the show, inviting the viewers to be in on the joke. The show usually started with a bit of stand-up comedy, Benny alone on stage, and then the second part would consist of a skit, involving other actors in a sketch comedy segment.
Thank you. I remember watching Jack Benny. It was a "must see " program. I would laugh every time he stood still alone and with fingers to cheek would say, Well!"
Benny’s radio show is one of the few comedies from back then I enjoy listening to. And the radio show was usually a show about putting on the show. The skits and musical numbers were all “rehearsals” or “let me hear the number you’re planning to do tonight, Kenny” kind of thing. And the thread tying it all together was Jack getting together with his costars either to plan the show, complain about someone on the show (usually Phil Harris’ band members, most often Remley, played by “Mr. Radio” Elliott Lewis), or Jack’s various feuds, rivalries and attempts to ingratiate himself with other celebrities.
Jack Benny was a little before my time, although I always enjoy his work when I see it (thanks!). The format of doing a bit of standup and then moving to sketch was replicated in just about every comedy/variety show that followed, notably, in two of my all time favorites, The Red Skelton Show and The Carol Burnett Show. (Not to mention the generally lame offerings of SNL.) Not sure if Benny originated the format, but it has certainly survived the test of time.
Red Skelton, not surprisingly, also had a radio show. I don’t know if his started on the air later than Benny’s or not, but I suspect it did. His was also the format of opening monologue (or more of a dialogue with his announcer) followed by sketches with Red’s various characters like The Mean Widdle Kid.
There’s a site (sadly, the name escapes me) where you can find a number of old radio programs to stream for free if you’re interested.
He’d also do a gag about going down to his vault, and all the complicated locks, and the poor guard who was down there who would go months without seeing another soul.
I like that this episode features Sheldon Leonard because he was always fun to watch but also lets me show off my smarts. Mr Leonard played tough guys and gangsters a lot in both comedies and dramas but later became a producer of shows. One of his best was the Dick Van Dyke Show. He even appeared as a gangster with a less than funny nephew in an episode. Wanted Rob Petrie to give his nephew help in becoming a comic. Anyway, bringing in the smarts, if his name seems familiar that would be because the 2 lead characters of The Big Bang Theory were named after him in tribute. Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter.
I adored Jack Benny (still do). He was hilarious and such a kind man. My best childhood friend and I watched The Horn Blows at Midnight every New Year's Eve.
There's the classic Jack Benny joke:
Mugger: Your money or your life!
Jack Benny: [long pause]
Mugger: Well?
Jack Benny: I'm thinking, I'm thinking.
But I like his early call-out of product placement.
Jack Benny: Oh, Rochester, pull the Cadillac up to the front door.
Rochester: But boss, we don't have a Cadillac!
Jack Benny: We do now.
Thank you. I remember watching Jack Benny. It was a "must see " program. I would laugh every time he stood still alone and with fingers to cheek would say, Well!"
In real life, Jack Benny was immensely generous to his friends and the crews of his shows. One of the most beloved people in Hollywood.
Also there were a lot of jokes about Jack's not being able to play the violin when he was actually quite adept. Talented man.
Just like Spinal Tap*, you have to be pretty good to be that bad.
*young Harry Shearer was a performer on the Benny show
Benny’s radio show is one of the few comedies from back then I enjoy listening to. And the radio show was usually a show about putting on the show. The skits and musical numbers were all “rehearsals” or “let me hear the number you’re planning to do tonight, Kenny” kind of thing. And the thread tying it all together was Jack getting together with his costars either to plan the show, complain about someone on the show (usually Phil Harris’ band members, most often Remley, played by “Mr. Radio” Elliott Lewis), or Jack’s various feuds, rivalries and attempts to ingratiate himself with other celebrities.
The show had basically five punchlines, and the variations on hiw they got there were ingenious.
Jack Benny was funny as shit
Jack Benny was a little before my time, although I always enjoy his work when I see it (thanks!). The format of doing a bit of standup and then moving to sketch was replicated in just about every comedy/variety show that followed, notably, in two of my all time favorites, The Red Skelton Show and The Carol Burnett Show. (Not to mention the generally lame offerings of SNL.) Not sure if Benny originated the format, but it has certainly survived the test of time.
Red Skelton, not surprisingly, also had a radio show. I don’t know if his started on the air later than Benny’s or not, but I suspect it did. His was also the format of opening monologue (or more of a dialogue with his announcer) followed by sketches with Red’s various characters like The Mean Widdle Kid.
There’s a site (sadly, the name escapes me) where you can find a number of old radio programs to stream for free if you’re interested.
I’ve wondered if there were. Ima look into it.
My favorite Jack Benny gag from the radio, he is in the vault. "Look at all thus money. Millions of dollars. (Sighs loudly)
If only the confederacy would have won."
😂
He’d also do a gag about going down to his vault, and all the complicated locks, and the poor guard who was down there who would go months without seeing another soul.
I like that this episode features Sheldon Leonard because he was always fun to watch but also lets me show off my smarts. Mr Leonard played tough guys and gangsters a lot in both comedies and dramas but later became a producer of shows. One of his best was the Dick Van Dyke Show. He even appeared as a gangster with a less than funny nephew in an episode. Wanted Rob Petrie to give his nephew help in becoming a comic. Anyway, bringing in the smarts, if his name seems familiar that would be because the 2 lead characters of The Big Bang Theory were named after him in tribute. Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter.
Oh, that's a fun fact that I'd not heard before. Very cool!
I adored Jack Benny (still do). He was hilarious and such a kind man. My best childhood friend and I watched The Horn Blows at Midnight every New Year's Eve.