The Jack Benny Program

The Jack Benny Program: Summary

Airs Next:CBS at Sunday 7:30 PM (30 min.)
Status:Ended
Premiered:October 29, 1950
Last Aired:September 10, 1965
Show Categories:Comedy, Variety Shows

Jack Benny made his television debut after a long career in vaudeville, radio and film. During his radio series he cultivated the traits that his television character would have as well. Jack's on-air persona was of a vain, stingy character who always claimed to be age 39. Jack's radio show aired on NBC & CBS from 1932-1955, overlapping the TV show.

Joining him from his radio cast were Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, as Jack's wise-cracking valet; Dennis Day, the naive, somewhat dense tenor who sang on the show; and Don Wilson the announcer.

Seen on a more irregular basis was Mary Livingstone, Jack's real-life wife. On the show Mary did not play Benny's spouse (Jack's character always remained single) but her role was never defined. In Mary's first appearances she played a fan of Jack's; later she portrayed Jack's secretary. Mary, who suffered from stage fright, made few television appearances before retiring from show business in 1959.

Also appearing were:
- Frank Nelson (the man who always harassed Jack, greeting him with an obnoxious "YEEESSSS"),
- Artie Auerbach (who played Mr. Kitzel),
- Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny, who often played Professor LeBlanc, Jack's violin teacher as well as many other roles).

Jack Benny moved into television slowly:
- In his first season (1950-1951), he only performed 4 shows.
- By the 1951-1952 season, Jack was ready to do 1 show approximately every 6 weeks.
- In the third season (1952-1953), the show was broadcast every 4 weeks.
- During the 1953-1954 season, The Jack Benny Program aired every 3 weeks.
- From 1954-1960, the Benny programs aired every other week, rotating with such shows as Private Secretary and Bachelor Father.
- Beginning in the 1960-1961 season, The Jack Benny Program began airing every week.

It is also worth noting that the show moved from CBS to NBC prior to the 1964-65 season. Jack Benny made his television debut after a long career in vaudeville, radio and film. During his radio series he cultivated the traits that his television character would have as well. Jack's on-air persona was of a vain, stingy character who always claimed to be age 39. Jack's radio show aired on NBC & CBS from 1932-1955, overlapping the TV show.

Joining him from his...

Smothers Brothers Show

Aired: April 16, 1965

The Smothers Brothers introduce the show trying to sing "Love in Bloom." Later, they sing "Boil that cabbage down" and "I never will marry." The sketch is set in London in 1944, after an air raid. Jack has been trapped under an unexploded bomb, and the Smothers Brothers play the bomb defusing squad.

Sorry, no blogs exist at this time.

Sorry there is no news for The Jack Benny Program at this time.

Jack BennyHimself
Bill DaysSportsmen Quartet
Bob Stevens (III)Sportsmen Quartet (1950-1951)
Martin SperzelSportsmen Quartet (1950-1957)
Robert GarsenSportsmen Quartet (1954-1965)

10
00
gideonbernstein
member since: Mar 23, 2005
The Bottom Line: "Classic"
One of the greatest TV shows ever produced. ...Continue »
03/03/06 12:33am | report abuse
10
00
Rootsie_basic
member since: Aug 19, 2002
The Bottom Line: "Classic"
Attention Seinfeld. Jack Benny did it first! ...Continue »
11/12/05 08:49am | report abuse
9.4
00
tvpig8776
member since: Aug 3, 2005
The Bottom Line: "Classic"
I love this show. ...Continue »
08/02/05 10:42pm | report abuse