SEASON 1 – CBS
NOTE: This series was a spin-off of the the radio series of the same name which was broadcast until 1955. In previous incarnations the radio series had been known by the titles “The Canada Dry Ginger Ale Program” (1932-1933), “The Chevrolet Program” (1933-1934), “The General Tire Revue” (1934), “The Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny” (1934-1942), “The Grape Nuts Flakes Program Starring Jack Benny” (1942-1944), and “The Lucky Strike Program Starring Jack Benny” beginning in 1944.
Theme song: “Love in Bloom” by Ralph Rainger, and lyrics (not used in the theme music) by Leo Robin.
- 001. Premiere Show – 10/28/1950
- Anheuser-Busch and Ken Murray’s program give up their time slot for the premiere episode of The Jack Benny Show presented by Lucky Strike. A bus arrives in New York City and Jack Benny (himself) is obviously on it as indicated by the man hanging his violin out the window. The Sportsmen Quartet (themselves) sing There’s No Business Like Show Business. Jack addresses the audience and introduces the first episode of his new show. He says that his radio fans have been asking him to get into television, which will bring him to New York from Beverly Hills. He says the show will be on once every eight weeks. He explains that he’s not really stingy, but rather it is a character he has played on the radio, although he admits that he’s staying in a dump in the city. The TV technician (Mel Blanc) comes onto the stage during his monologue to direct the lights and camera on how to make Jack look okay for the audience. He also says hello to his aunt. He then introduces his radio announcer Don Wilson (himself), who has been with Jack for seventeen of his nineteen years in radio. Don tells Jack that some of their jokes from radio won’t work on TV, for instance Jack’s jokes about Don’s weight won’t work now that the audience has seen him. Don does a commercial for Lucky Strike while Jack holds up the pack of cigarettes for him. Jack then starts to tell Don about how he planned for his first show, flashing back to his house in Beverly Hills, where his valet Rochester Van Jones (Eddie Anderson) sings the song My Blue Heaven as he dances and cleans he house. He then talks to his girlfriend Susie and they arrange their date for the evening. Rochester tells her that Mr. Benny is down at CBS negotiating his contract for his first TV show. When Jack gets home, his parrot Polly tells him to count the fruit, and Jack finds out that Rochester ate a banana. Jack’s friend Mr. Kitzel (Artie Auerbach) to wish Jack well with his show and trip to New York. When Kitzel asks Jack for a cigarette, Jack reveals a cigarette machine in his house. He has his housekeeper Mrs. Higgins use one of the Bendix pay washing machines to do his laundry. Jack then decides to get Dinah Shore (herself) as his first guest star. He calls her up to discuss it but doesn’t care for the price of $5000 she quotes him for her appearance. However, she sings the song I’m Yours over the phone. Jack returns to the stage and thanks Anheuser-Busch and Ken Murray (himself) for letting him have his time slot. Ken comes onto the stage to give Jack his well-wishes for the new show. Dinah Shore comes onto the stage and sings Tess’s Torch Song. Jack asks if he can accompany her with his violin, but she declines. After she finishes the song, Jack comes back on the stage and asks her to go out with him. The pair then duet the song I Ought to Know More About You. The Sportsmen Quartet join her to insert some lyrics for Lucky Strike. Jack then plays Love in Bloom on his violin, causing the audience to file out. 45 minutes. 7/28/23
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