The Jack Benny Program

Mark Seen

Premiere Show Oct 29, 1950 Jack's debut program. The Sportsmen Quartet introduce the show, singing "There's No Business Like Show Business." (which was the closing theme song during the radio program). Mel Blanc plays a TV technician, who interrupts Jack to wave to his Aunt Sophie. The monologue and the sketch are about how Jack decided to go on television, and how he put his initial show together. Rochester sings "My Blue Heaven" while doing his housework. Mr. Kitzel drops by to wish Jack good luck. Dinah Shore sings "I'm Yours" over the phone to see if Jack approves of it for her guest spot. On the show, Ken Murray drops by to wish Jack good luck, and Dinah and Jack sing a duet: "I Oughta Know More About You." The Sportsmen Quartet do the Lucky Strike commercial. Jack closes the program playing his signature song "Love in Bloom" on the violin and thus driving the audience away.

Mark Seen

Faye Emerson and Frank Sinatra Show Jan 29, 1951 Benny and Sinatra do a skit on New York City. Sinatra sings 'Take My Love.' Benny and Rochester do a skit, and Benny and Faye Emerson do a skit. Frank Fontaine plays the character John L.T. Savonie that he later developed into Crazy Guggenheim on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Mark Seen

Claudette Colbert and Basil Rathbone Show Apr 2, 1951 When Jack hears that Colbert and Rathbone will star in Montgomery's television show, he tries to replace Rathbone.

Mark Seen

Ben Hogan Show May 20, 1951 Jack Benny was a regular on his own radio program since 1932. He brought the program, with his...

Mark Seen

21827 Oct 4, 1959 Jack is found sleeping because his show has moved from 7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.; and the Sportsmen Quartet has challenges with the sponsor shift to Lux Soap after shilling Lucky Strike Cigarettes for well over a decade.

Mark Seen

21841 Oct 18, 1959 Jack recalls visiting the Truman Library in Independence; Missouri. The former President gives Jack a personal tour of the facility; and they share their mutual love of music.

Mark Seen

21883 Nov 29, 1959 Jack Paar asks if Jack would replace him as a host on The Tonight Show while Paar is on vacation. Jack is reluctant but Paar coaches him; and Dennis Day pinch hits for Tonight Show regular Charlie Weaver.

Mark Seen

Dorothy Shay Nov 5, 1951 The guest star is singer Dorothy Shay, the Park Avenue hillbilly. Bob Crosby interrupts one of Jack's jokes in the opening monologue to sing 'I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses.' Mel Blanc plays a taxi driver. Dorothy Shay sings 'Beverly Hills.' Jack leads the Beverly Hillbillies in singing 'You are my sunshine.'

Mark Seen

Helen Francoise Show Dec 17, 1951 Jack's Maxwell breaks down in Beverly Hills while Rochester is driving him to the studio. His monologue is about Christmas presents for his cast and crew. He then introduces three guest stars: Helène Françoise, a French singer; Lynette Bryant, the poker-faced little girl from the hillbilly act in his last program; and jujitsu expert Leon Salvadore, who is supposed to be able to throw anyone within 12 seconds; six guys from the Twelfth Street Gym knock him out.

Mark Seen

Gaslight Jan 28, 1952 Jack opens with a monologue on his movie career. He introduces Ray Noble. Don doesn't want to do the commercial Jack wrote, claiming it is too silly, but Jack makes him do it. Noble plays a tune on the piano. The sketch consists of a parody of the film Gaslight.

Mark Seen

Gracie Bit Mar 10, 1952 Gracie can't be found for her scheduled appearance on the show, so Jack has to dress up as a woman and do a comedy bit as Gracie with George. The Sportsmen Quartet does the Lucky commercial--Any time you light a Lucky--in Jack's crowded dressing room. When Gracie finally arrives, she thinks George has been playing around with another woman (Jack).

Mark Seen

Isaac Stern Show Apr 21, 1952 Rochester has been taking bowling lessons. Dennis gets his bowling ball stuck on his finger. Jack plays 'Flight of the Bumblebee' with his guest, Isaac Stern.

Mark Seen

Jack Prepares For a Trip to England Jun 1, 1952 Jack is preparing to leave for a concert tour of England. The Sportsmen Quartet sing 'Bye Bye Benny' for the Lucky commercial. The doctor gives Jack his shots. His agent brings in a supporting act, the 'Landrew Sisters,' who audition by singing 'Did you ever see a dream walking?'

Mark Seen

Don Wilson's 27th Anniversary with Jack Nov 1, 2017 Don and Jack recall how they first met.

Mark Seen

Bob Crosby's Contract Oct 6, 1952 Jack introduces new cast member, Bob Crosby, who won't sing until his contract is signed. They discuss the situation while Don does the commercial for Lucky Strike. Bob agrees to sing when Jack tells him to come over after the show and they will sign it then. Crosby sings "You belong to me." After the show, Jack and Rochester rearrange the house to make it look shabby so Bob will feel guilty about taking more than $50 a week, but Bob has a trick of his own, and gets Jack to sign it for $500.

Mark Seen

Buck Benny Rides Again Nov 3, 1952 Western skit. Good girl Dinah is forced to sing in a saloon because she must raise $2000 to pay off the mortgage to bad guy Leonard, or marry him. After Dinah sings 'My Momma done told me,' Benny challenges Leonard to poker, in order to raise money for Dinah, but loses. Back in the saloon, Dinah tries to shoot Benny because he couldn't help her, but Benny's gun, which always hits the wrong person, kills Leonard. Dinah and Benny embrace. Benny introduces Alan Hale, Jr. and Randy Stuart to promote Biff Baker U.S.A. Dinah Shore and the Sportsmen Quartet do a singing commercial for Lucky Strike.

Mark Seen

Jack Gets Robbed Dec 1, 1952 Bob Crosby sings 'Peter Pan.' Jack signs an autograph for a little girl from Washington named Margaret Truman. At home, Jack falls asleep and two men try to rob him, encountering many booby traps in his bedroom.

Mark Seen

Cafe Skit Dec 29, 1952 It is New Year's Eve and the Stewarts plan to spend a quiet, romantic evening in a restaurant, but Jack appears with Mabel Flapsaddle, a loud telephone operator at CBS who is bowled over by Stewart. The Stewarts' evening is spoiled.

Mark Seen

60 Piece Orchestra Skit Jan 26, 1953 Jack explains to an interviewer in his dressing room that he would rather have been a concert violinist than a comedian. In a flash-back, we see him practicing as a small boy, and as a 17-year-old. Don Wilson does the Lucky commercial as a ballet, in tobacco-leaf costume. Jack imagines that he is playing with a large orchestra. At the end of the show, Ann Sothern comes on to plug Private secretary.

Mark Seen

Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde Mar 23, 1953 Bob Crosby sings 'A Foggy day in London Town.' Jack plays both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the sketch.

Mark Seen

Fred Allen Show Apr 20, 1953 While rehearsing for his show, the producers give him a two hour break and Jack decides to visit his sponsor to renew his option. While waiting in the lobby, Fred Allen is inside talking with Mr. Lewis, President and sponsor. Allen is trying to convince Mr. Lewis not to renew Jack's option and hire him instead. Mr. Lewis says he needs some time to think about it and Allen starts to leave. Seeing Jack in the lobby, he races back in to Mr. Lewis' office and Mr. Lewis hides him in the closet. Mr. Lewis asks for Jack to come in and they discuss his option. What is normally a formality affair becomes increasingly evident to Jack that this time, it is not so. He eventually finds his option in the trash can and is shocked. Mr. Lewis convinces him that the wind blew it off his desk but that he does want just a few days to think about it. Jack, seemingly appeased, starts to leave but chooses the wrong door, thereby exposing Allen. Jack hits the roof but quickly forgives Allen and they leave tog

Mark Seen

Honolulu Trip Sep 13, 1953 After Jack's monologue he tells about his cruise to Hawaii with Rochester, where they encounter a series of characters on the ship Jack takes a nap and dreams that Marilyn Monroe is on board with him. Marilyn sings to Jack and tells him she is crazy about him. This was Marilyn's first appearance on network TV. The commercial consists of a Lucky Strike hula. First show of the 1953 season. Guest stars: Marilyn Monroe, Joe Kearns, Artie Auerbach.

Mark Seen

Jack As A Child Oct 5, 1953 One of Jack's elderly fans interrupts his monologue to request that he kiss her like he kissed Marilyn Monroe. Rochester comes out to tell Jack that an interviewer is waiting for him backstage. The Sportsmen Quartet do the Lucky commercial to the tune of 'By the light of the silvery moon.' In the sketch, Jack tells the interviewer about his childhood. In flashback, Jack plays his own father, arguing with little Jack over money, and playing in a string quartet.

Mark Seen

Humphrey Bogart Show Oct 26, 1953 Bob Crosby gets angry at Jack for cutting his song, and Don is upset because his commercial is to be cut. In the sketch, Jack plays a detective trying to get a confession out of 'Baby Face,' the killer, played by Bogart. Bogart is promoting his new picture Beat the Devil.

Mark Seen

Johnnie Ray Show Nov 16, 1953 It is Rochester's day off, and Jack has to make his own lunch. Don arrives, and Rochester sings the commercial to him; they do a soft-shoe routine together. A messenger arrives with Johnnie Ray's contract for a guest appearance, and Jack is horrified to see that Ray wants $10,000. Jack goes to Ray's home to tell him off, and have him sing to see if he is worth the money. Ray sings 'Please don't talk about me when I'm gone,' and 'Cry.' Jack is devastated and agrees to Ray's price. At the end of the show, Danny Thomas makes a guest appearance to plug Make Room for Daddy.

Mark Seen

Irene Dunne Show Dec 7, 1953 While Benny is getting a haircut, he reads that Gregory Ratoff is planning a new production starring Irene Dunne and Vincent Price. Since he has always wanted to play against Irene Dunne, he goes to first Ratoff and then Dunne to try to get them to give him Price's part. He then invites himself to Dunne's house for the first rehearsal, which he disrupts by cracking walnuts and bungling lines.

Mark Seen

Reminiscing About Last New Year's Dec 28, 1953 Benny does a monologue on his Christmas gifts, then remembers last New Year's Eve: Mary is giving a party, but Jack is not planning to go because he has a date with Gloria. After the show, the cast gathers in Jack's dressing room. Crosby sings 'Let's start the new year right,' with the Sportsmen Quartet. Jack gets a call from Gloria cancelling their date. He refuses to go to the party, and instead wanders the streets alone, finally stopping for coffee at Nick's Cafe, where the waitress turns out to be Gloria. He goes home, where he and Rochester ring in the new year together.

Mark Seen

Liberace Show Jan 18, 1954 Jack tries to call Liberace. Two operators, Gertrude and Mabel, talk about Jack. Jack finally decides to go to Liberace's home. The house is filled with candelabra. Liberace asks Jack to appear with him in concert. After Liberace performs solo, the two play 'September song' together, Jack on his violin.

Mark Seen

Entire Cast Show Oct 4, 1954 Jack's monologue includes a discussion of the premiere of A Star is Born. Then he falls asleep onstage. Don comes out and explains that Jack has been nervous all day about this first show of the new season. The sketch depicts Jack's day.

Mark Seen

Jam Session At Jack's Oct 18, 1954 Jack delivers a monologue on critics. He is anxious to get home because at 8 p.m. some friends are coming over for their weekly jam session. At home, the guests arrive: Tony Martin with his clarinet, Fred MacMurray with his saxophone, Dick Powell with his trumpet, Dan Dailey with his drums, and Kirk Douglas with his banjo. Guests must purchase food, drink or smokes from vending machines in Jack's closet. They play 'Basin Street.' Jack holds a contest for the most popular guest.

Mark Seen

How Jack Met Mary Nov 1, 1954 Jack tells an interviewer how he met Mary Livingstone years before when she worked at The May Co. Rochester sings and dances with The Sportsmen Quartet.

Mark Seen

The Giant Mutiny Nov 15, 1954 The sketch is a take-off on the Caine Mutiny. Benny plays Alvin Dark, captain of the N.Y. Giants during the fourth game of the World Series. He rebels against Durocher's harsh tactics, and is court-martialled. His judges are managers Dressen and Haney, pitcher Lemon, and umpire Reardon. Durocher plays with two baseballs in imitation of Captain Queeg.

Mark Seen

The Life of Jack Benny Nov 29, 1954 Jack is planning his life story for the next week's telecast, and the show opens with Rochester typing up the script. Mel Blanc plays the postman delivering a telegram. The Sportsmen Quartet sing 'You must have been a beautiful baby.' Benny auditions actors for the show; he casts a beautiful girl as his first love, and his real first love as his mother. Instead of casting the little boy trying out for the part of himself as a boy, he casts the tough, pushy little boy who is acting as his agent.

Mark Seen

Jack Does Christmas Shopping Dec 13, 1954 Jack looks for Christmas gifts in a department store, and encounters Nelson as the floor manager, Blanc and Pepper as salespeople, Rubin as a bandit. The Sportsmen Quartet sing the Lucky commercial in the elevator.

Mark Seen

San Diego Naval Training Center Show Dec 27, 1954

Mark Seen

Jack Goes To Dennis' House Sep 25, 1955 Presented by Lucky Strike. Jasck's monologue is about new discoveries in makeup, the time difference. Jack introduces Dennis Day, who sings "Yellow Rose of Texas."

Mark Seen

Relaxing After The Show Oct 9, 1955 Jack Shows what he Does to relax after a show. He goes to get a massage and the masseur used Chicken Fat and then later to a night club with Gertrude Gearshift.

Mark Seen

Peggy King and Art Linkletter Oct 23, 1955 Jack is featured in Look! Magazine. Mel Blanc heckles Jack from the audience. Guest stars Peggy King and Art Linkletter.

Mark Seen

Isaac Stern Boosts Jack's Morale Nov 7, 1955 When Jack's latest violin lesson causes Professor LeBlanc to attempt suicide, Jack becomes depressed. Rochester comes up with a scheme to boost Jack's confidence: he tricks Jack into thinking that music being played by Isaac Stern (who's hiding in the closet) is actually a recording of Jack's violin playing. Delighted, Jack hurries to a recording studio to cut a record, but his music destroys the equipment. After discovering the truth, Jack thanks Rochester for his efforts. For an encore, Stern and pianist Alexander Zakin perform "Polonaise Nº 1 in D Major"

Mark Seen

Jack Gives Johnny Carson Advice Nov 21, 1955 Jack Gives Johnny Carson Advice" about maintaining a long show business career through versatility, but Johnny turns the tables on him by displaying his many talents including singing, dancing and drumming.

Mark Seen

Jack Hunts For Uranium Dec 5, 1955 Jack hears there's uranium for the finding in Death Valley, so he's off to buy gear for an expedition. At the camping store he duels his nemesis, the sarcastic sales clerk Frank Nelson. In the desert Jack's party confronts other prospectors, and some Mexican stereotypes a la Treasure of Sierra Madre.

Mark Seen

Christmas Show with Frances Bergen Dec 19, 1956 The Sportsmen sing a tune composed by a couple of Benny's staffers, "That's How Santa Claus Will Look This Year." Don has spent $1000 on the supposedly great Enrico Scortichinni to perform with them. Jack is upset when Enrico's only contribution is an occasional "Ho, ho, ho." Jack goes to Edgar Bergen's home to discuss his appearance on the show. While waiting for Edgar to arrive, wife Frances sings a number. Jack's goes into shock when he learns the incredible truth about Bergen's dummies: they're alive! Charlie McCarthy walks into the room, followed soon by Mortimer Snerd, and Jack can only stare slack-jawed. Edgar Bergen doesn't arrive until afterward and has Jack sit on his knee to discuss the show

Mark Seen

Alfred Wallenstein Show Sep 23, 1956

Mark Seen

George Burns/Spike Jones Show Oct 7, 1956 Jack has pre-concert jitters because he is to play Carnegie Hall in an hour. He gets a visit from old friend Spike Jones. Afterwards, Jack falls asleep and dreams that Mendelssohn tells him that he plays the violin beautifully. Jack wakes, then sleeps again; this time, he dreams the Devil (George Burns) tells him he can make Jack the greatest violinist of all time. Jack begins to play with the orchestra, but after a few members leave, Jones takes over the conductor's podium, and crazy music and comedy ensue. In the end, Jones shoots Benny and he is carried away on a stretcher, still playing.

Mark Seen

George Gobel/Red Skelton Show Oct 21, 1956 Jack is running for president of a club for wealthy boys, the Beverly Hills Beavers Club. George Gobel, whose nephew is in the club, decides to run against Jack; each get one vote, and the winner is Red Skelton, uncle of another of the boys.

Mark Seen

Jack Is Invited To Ronald Colman's Nov 5, 1956 Rochester is cleaning house and discovers Jack's diary from 1945; he reads an entry in which Jack reports that he was invited to dinner at Ronald Colman's house. Rochester remembers in flash-back what really happened. Jack tells Mary, Don and Don's wife Lois that he has found an invitation addressed to Jack on his doorstep inviting him to dinner at the Colmans'. The Colmans have lost an invitation to their close friend Jack Wellington. To the Colmans' surprise, both Jacks arrive.

Mark Seen

Jack's Maxwell Is Stolen Nov 19, 1956 Rochester calls Jack in the middle of his monologue to tell him his Maxwell has been stolen. While he goes to the Beverly Hills Police Station, the Sportsmen cover for him, singing 'Puttin' on my top hat' while they get dressed on stage. Jack is amazed at the sumptuousness of the police station. Eventually the car is found; it has been returned to Jack's house by the thieves.

Mark Seen

Jack Locked In The Tower of London Dec 3, 1956 Filmed on location in London. Jack and Mary are touring London. Jack takes a lesson in British currency. Jack and Mary visit the Tower of London on a tour; Jack is so entranced with the Crown Jewels that he loses track of time and is locked in at the close of the day. He falls asleep and dreams he is a lover of Anne Boleyn about to be executed by Henry VIII.

Mark Seen

The Mikado Dec 17, 1956 Dennis wants to do his Elvis Presley imitation, but Jack won't let him. Don does the commercial with his son Harlow. The sketch is Jack's version of The Mikado, which is ruined by Dennis doing his Elvis imitation in his Japanese costume.

Mark Seen

First Show of the Season Sep 22, 1957 Show opens with the audience in line to see the show, telling each other how their tickets were forced on them. In his opening monologue, Jack analyzes his own humor. Dennis sings 'Around the world in 80 days.' Don does the Lucky Strike commercial as a calypso number; Jack won't let him finish it. He introduces Mel Blanc as Otto Ketzler, a novelty music act from Vienna; Ketzler plays bottles filled with alcohol--as he tunes them, he becomes more and more inebriated. Don's wife makes Jack call the sponsor to explain that the curtailed commercial was Jack's fault, not Don's.

Mark Seen

The Airport Oct 6, 1957 Jack goes to the airport and encounters Leonard as the racetrack tout, Blanc in the Mexican routine, Nelson as the obnoxious ticket taker.

Mark Seen

Hal March Show Oct 20, 1957 During the monologue, the President and Secretary of the Jack Benny Fan Club, Pasadena Chapter, come onstage. Don and Harlow Wilson do a soft shoe to 'Me and my shadow' for the Lucky commercial. Hal March, host of The $64,000 Question quiz show, is the guest; Jack asks him questions, and he tries to answer them for prizes.

Mark Seen

Ginger Rogers Show Nov 4, 1957 Jack and his producer decide to do a musical for the show, and Jack wants to invite Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire to appear as guests. When he visits Ginger to invite her to appear, she is getting ready to give a party, and tries to conceal the fact from him. She agrees to do the show, but Fred Astaire is unable to make it, so Jack dances with her instead.

Mark Seen

John Forsythe Show Nov 18, 1957 Jack's monologue is interrupted by Lassie walking across the stage. Soon Jon Provost follows, and Lassie has to rescue him from Jack's invitation to join the Beverly Hills Beavers, once he learns Provost makes $500 a week. Benny introduces John Forsythe in the audience. Don does the Lucky Strike commercial as a man-on-the-street interview. Mel Blanc plays a passerby who is insulted when it turns out he is not being featured on This is your life. Mary Costa sings 'One fine day' from Madame Butterfly. Jack has forgotten that he asked her to dinner, and has made another date. John Forsythe asks her out instead. They go to a gypsy restaurant where they discover Jack masquerading as a gypsy violinist.

Mark Seen

Jack's Life Story Dec 2, 1957 Twentieth Century Fox is planning to film Jack's life story, and he has become unbearably conceited. Don looks for a Lucky Strike at Jack's house, and a series of treasure hunt notes end with his being locked out of the house. At the Fox studios, Jack encounters the director of The Horn Blows at Midnight working as a parking lot attendant. Buddy Adler informs Jack that he is not going to star in the picture, Van Johnson is; Jack is going to play his own father.

Mark Seen

Christmas Shopping Show Dec 16, 1957 Jack goes Christmas shopping in a large deptartment store and has trouble making up his mind. Dennis Day sings "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer". Jack encounters Nelson as the floor manager, Blanc and Pepper as salespeople, Rubin as a bandit. The Sportsmen Quartet sing the Lucky commercial in the elevator.

Mark Seen

Gary Cooper Show Sep 21, 1958 Jack and Gary Cooper do a routine, and Cooper forgets his lines; he sings 'Bird dog' with the Sportsmen Quartet. In the sketch, Jack tries for the part of Cooper's twin brother in Cooper's next film; he comes to the auditions in elevator shoes and western costume, but chickens out when he realizes the part requires that he be beaten up in a barroom brawl. At the end of the show, he introduces Cooper's wife and daughter in the audience.

Mark Seen

Phil Harris Show Oct 5, 1958 During Jack's monologue, the Announcers' Guild sends over a man to fill in for Don Wilson and do the commercial. He doesn't smoke, but Jack gives him a Lucky, and he loves it. Phil Harris leads the band in 'That's what I like about the South.' Jack hates the song and tries to make sense of the lyrics.

Mark Seen

The Millionaire Oct 19, 1958 In the prologue, Marvin Miller appears at Dennis Day's door, and hands him a check for a million dollars. After the commercial, and Jack's monologue, Jack introduces Dennis, but he doesn't show. Instead, Jan and Arnie appear and sing 'The beat that can't be beat.' Jack then tries to phone Dennis, but has a hard time with the operator. He goes to Dennis' home and finds Dennis in a polo outfit, his mother dressed up, and Rochester working as his new butler. Miller returns, having given the check to the wrong person.

Mark Seen

Stars' Wives Show Nov 3, 1958 Mel Blanc plays a painter hired by Jack who likes to paint to music. Jack gets a new classical record in the mail; when he learns Blanc gets .50 an hour, he plays the fast side. Jack reads in the paper that the Committee for the Improvement of Beverly Hills is meeting with the mayor. Their current project is to get rid of Jack's Maxwell. They decide to hold a raffle and sell Jack the only ticket. Jack is finally persuaded to buy it, but then sells it to Blanc, who wins. Bob Hope and David Niven appear in a cameo at the end of the show.

Mark Seen

Bachelor TV Lives Nov 17, 1958 Jack is driving to New Orleans for a benefit concert, and has advertised for riders in his car. Two crooks who want him to pick them up in front of a bank answer the ad. The Sportsmen Quartet sing 'Way down yonder in New Orleans.' Frank Nelson plays a mechanic bringing Jack's car back from the shop. George Burns wants to go with Jack and sing in the benefit concert. Mel Blanc and his wife want a ride, but quarrel over who will sit in the front seat. More and more people arrive wanting rides to New Orleans.

Mark Seen

Jack Goes To The Doctor Dec 1, 1958 Jack is a nervous wreck. Oscar Levant, who is to guest on Jack's next program, convinces him to go to the doctor. While waiting for the doctor, Levant gets Jack to reveal the cause of his agitation: Frank Nelson.

Mark Seen

Jack And Gisele Mackenzie Dec 15, 1958 In his monologue, Jack considers what he should give various members of his cast for Christmas. He introduces Gisele, and they talk about her recent trip to Europe. She sings a song in Italian. While Jack is backstage, Don introduces his son Harlow to Gisele, and she lets him do the commercial, which he keep interrupting in order to make advances to her. In the sketch, Jack puts a quarter in the coke machine, and gets a coke and two quarters back; the second time, the machine takes his money and gives him an empty coke bottle. Dennis appears to do a promo for his new Christmas album. Jack and Gisele do their customary violin duet. For a second piece, Gisele is to play a piano, out of which Red Skelton appears.

Mark Seen

The Jack Benny Program 30 Years In the Future Oct 4, 1959 In the opening segment, Benny misses the opening of his show because he has fallen asleep in his dressing room. In his monologue, he mentions that he fell asleep because his show is now on later in the evening. Don and the Sportsmen Quartet keep doing commercials for their old sponsor, Lucky, rather than their new one, Lux. Dennis sings 'While we're young.' In the sketch, Jack imagines how his cast will all look 30 years from now.

Mark Seen

Harry Truman Show Oct 18, 1959 In the opening sketch, the director says the show is too long, but Benny refuses to do the show unless they put back the line about his blue eyes. Instead, he insists that the Sportsmen Quartet do the Minute waltz commercial for Lux Soap in 40 seconds. In the main sketch, Benny does a benefit concert in Kansas City, and Truman invites him on a tour of the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.

Mark Seen

Jack Webb Show Nov 2, 1959 Webb and Benny do a Charlie Chan skit to prove how much it is like a Dragnet show; the title of the skit is 'Dragon Net.' Benny plays Charlie Chan, and Webb plays #1 Son.

Mark Seen

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart Show Nov 16, 1959 In his monologue, Jack informs the audience that Jimmy and Gloria Stewart begged him to come to their anniversary party. However, Jimmy is seen explaining to his wife that he couldn't stop Jack from inviting himself. Benny and his irritating girlfriend Mildred crash the intimate dinner party at a swanky Beverly Hills restaurant and drive the Stewarts to drastic measures.

Mark Seen

Jack Paar Show Nov 30, 1959 In his monologue, Benny says he is going to follow the new CBS policy and tell the truth from now on (probably with reference to the recent quiz show scandals). Don introduces Joyce Davidson, who tries to do the Lux Soap commercial while Don and Jack interrupt her constantly. Dennis sings 'Climb every mountain.' Jack introduces Jack Paar and they spar with each other. Then Paar asks Jack to replace him while he goes to Honolulu. Jack is reluctant, so Paar tells him to try it out with his own audience, and they do a version of the Jack Paar show, with Dennis doing an imitation of Charlie Weaver.

Mark Seen

Jack Goes To a Pasadena Fan Club Meeting Dec 14, 1959 Dennis sings 'Sinner man.' In the sketch, the Jack Benny Fan Club, Pasadena Chapter, has asked Jack to play the violin at their meeting. He plays 'Love in bloom,' and 'Swanee River,' and is joined by a small band made up of some of the members of the club, who jazz up the performance.

Mark Seen

George Burns Show Dec 28, 1959 George visits Jack and Rochester at home. Don has given both Jack and George duck hunting gear for Christmas; they phone Don to tell him they hate his gifts. In a flash-back Don remembers the time he took Jack and George duck hunting.

Mark Seen

Nightbeat Takeoff Oct 16, 1960 Jack is preparing to begin a new season in which he will be putting on a show every week. His new publicity agent has sent out trucks that run over people, leaving a tire imprint on their backs saying 'Watch Jack Benny every week.' At the golf club, all his friends are dubious about whether he has the energy to put on a show every week. Suddenly Jack feels tired, and he goes home to take a nap; he dreams he is on Mike Wallace's interview show being grilled about his decision to go on every week. Don Wilson does the Lipton commercial like a political campaign; the Nixon/Kennedy election campaigns are mentioned several times during the show.

Mark Seen

Dick Clark Show Oct 23, 1960 Jack visits Dick Clark for advice on how to get teen-agers to watch his show. Dick suggests that he book the Sabres, who sing 'Flip, flop and fly' for them, but Jack refuses to pay their 1,000 fee; on the show, Jack, Dennis and Don, dressed as the Sabres, do the number.

Mark Seen

Milton Berle Show Oct 31, 1960 Jack meets Milton Berle in a restaurant and Berle hams up his entrance. He convinces Jack to alter his comedy style. They do a show together and Jack wears a clown suit, gets a pie in the face, and tells dumb jokes.

Mark Seen

Jack's Hong Kong Suit Nov 7, 1960 Jack gets a haircut between the dress rehearsal and the show; none of the barbers want to do it because his tips are so small. Don and Oscar the seal do the State Farm commercial. Gisele sings 'Smile'. Jack asks her for a date, but she is busy giving a party to which she has not invited Jack. They do their violin duet, during which Jack's ten dollar suit from Hong Kong comes to pieces.

Mark Seen

John Wayne Show Nov 21, 1960 Jack is in New York, and in his monologue he tells the audience about the press party he gave at the Automat. He introduces Betty Furness and John Wayne in the audience. J.R.C. Scavone [?] (Frank Fontaine) wants to know why Jack didn't introduce him. Don has Jack introduce Howard K. Brawley, the man who gave the State Farm Insurance people the idea for their horn theme. Jaye P. Morgan sings 'Won't you come home, Bill Bailey?' Jack forgot that he made a dinner date with Morgan, and has made another date. John Wayne asks her out instead. They go to a gypsy restaurant where they discover Jack masquerading as a gypsy violinist. (The same sketch was originally done on the program aired November 17, 1957.)

Mark Seen

Joey Bishop Show Nov 28, 1960 Jack states that due to time shortage, he has to cut his monologue. Diana Trask sings. Jack and Don visit the Copacabana to see Bishop's night club routine. Show done in New York.

Mark Seen

Lunch Counter Murder Dec 5, 1960 Jack's monologue concerns the previous night's bachelor party. Dennis does not want to sing because Dan Duryea got the star dressing room. His mother has thrown Duryea out of the room. The sketch is entitled 'Death across the lunch counter, or He died sunnyside up.' Jack plays Charleston T. Gundlefinger, a counterman in a diner. Don plays the police chief. It is midnight, and Jack is nervous because a man was murdered across the street the week before. Three toughs (Duryea, Day and Nelson) come in and intimidate Jack. The police chief is no help. Benny shoots Duryea and Day, but Nelson turns out to be the interior decorator.

Mark Seen

Season Premiere Oct 15, 1961 Filmed in New York City. Jack explains he is in New York to sign his new contract. He introduces Phil Silvers from the audience, and Phil comes up and upstages Jack. Don comes out to do the commercial, and Jack interrupts him to put wigs on him. Betty Johnson sings 'My kind of guy.' In the sketch, Jack arrives at his sponsor's office to sign his contract, and is asked to wait. Meanwhile, the sponsor is with Silvers, who is trying to replace Jack. Phil hides in the closet. Jack discovers him, along with Garry Moore, Alan King, and Jack Paar, who were also after Jack's job. 9

Mark Seen

Waukegan Show Oct 22, 1961

Mark Seen

Jack on Trial For Murder Nov 6, 1961 Jack, whose rooster is bothering the neighbors, receives a summons. He goes to a lawyer (Frank Nelson) who learned the law by watching Perry Mason. He tells Jack to plead insanity. Jack goes home, where he finds Don and a Hawaiian princess, who does the commercial with hula movements. Jack falls asleep and dreams he is on trial for murdering the rooster. Perry Mason defends him very badly, and in the end breaks down in the courtroom and confesses that he himself killed the bird.

Mark Seen

Jack Takes The Stewarts To a Play Nov 13, 1961 Jack and his girlfriend Cindy plan to go to a play with Don, but Don calls to say he can't make it. Jack calls the Stewarts to invite them to go instead, and they accept, mistaking him for Jack Lemmon. Outside the theater, Jack encounters a bum begging for a dime for a cup of tea; Jack gives him a Lipton teabag. It turns out Jack's free passes are no good on the week-end. The Stewarts, trying to escape from Jack, say they need to shop for a lamp, so Jack insists on taking them to a tacky auction where they can get free donuts.

Mark Seen

Tennessee Ernie Ford Show Nov 20, 1961 In his monologue, Jack talks about the boys in his orchestra. When Jack starts to introduce his guest star, he discovers that everyone on his crew but him knows that Tennessee Ernie Ford will be appearing by remote from Lakeport, Calif. Fred de Cordova shows Jack how the remote unit works. Ernie appears in his barn, talks about farming, sings "John Henry" and then his image blacks out. "We lost him." Don does the commercial with a man on a pogo stick who is jumping for joy because he just took out State Farm Car Insurance. The remote picture comes back, but Ernie isn't in it. One of his peapickers comes in (a beautiful girl). Ernie claims to have developed a square egg. Jack and Ernie play a fiddle duet of "Sweet Georgia Brown" on split screen with television engineers in voice over; first they lose both of them, then Jack is in the barn and Ernie is on the stage, then both appear upside down.

Mark Seen

Jack Plays Golf Nov 27, 1961 Nobody in Jack's club wants to play golf with him because he is such a bad sport. He manages to make up a foursome consisting of the golf pro and two out-of-towners, but they become exasperated with his cheating. Don does the Lipton Tea commercial in the locker-room with Dr. Scott who has been called to the phone because of an emergency: his wife is out of Lipton Tea.

Mark Seen

Jack Is Followed Home (Bobby Rydell) Dec 4, 1961 Guest star Bobby Rydell sings "Sitting On Top Of The World," and "Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye." After the show, Jack is followed home, and a rock is thrown through his window. The rock thrower turns out to be Dennis, who is mad at Jack because Bobby sang instead of Dennis Day. Jack decides to take the law into his own hands, when he punishes Dennis.

Mark Seen

Sammy Davis, Jr. Show Sep 25, 1962

Mark Seen

Frank Sinatra, Jr. Show Oct 2, 1962 Frank Sinatra, Jr. sings 'My kind of girl.' Don and his son Harlow appear; it's Harlow's 19th birthday. Jack and Harlow snipe at each other while Don does the Jell-O commercial. In the sketch, Jack, Harlow and Frank Sinatra, Jr. play typical teenagers, at home and at the soda shop, topping it off with the rock and roll rendition of 'She has a wig, contact lenses and a nose job.'

Mark Seen

Phil Silvers Show Oct 9, 1962 In the dressing room before the show, Jack calls for a barber, who turns out to be a nut and a Phil Silvers fan. Silvers has been complaining about coming on so late in the show. Jack discovers his pants are missing. Silvers comes on stage in Jack's pants to introduce the show. He goes through Jack's pants pockets. Jack comes out wearing Don's pants, and goes through Don's pockets. Don does the State Farm Insurance commercial in an angry voice. In the sketch, Jack tells of his first encounter with Phil Silvers, when he shows up on Jack's doorstep with a note from Jack's Aunt Sadie asking Jack to help Phil get started in show business. He mooches off Jack, plays the clarinet at 4 a.m., and sells Jack's violin to get money to play poker with his friends in Jack's living room, until Aunt Sadie comes to visit, and doesn't recognize Silvers.

Mark Seen

Air Force Sketch (Raymond Burr) Oct 16, 1962 Benny instructs Raymond Burr how to be a comedian and Burr practices exaggerated comic antics. In the sketch, Burr enacts a scene from an Air Force drama, and Benny redoes it as a comedy.

Mark Seen

Lawrence Welk Show Oct 23, 1962 In the sketch, Benny tries to conduct Welk's orchestra. He persuades Welk and the orchestra to play the song he wrote, 'When you say I beg your pardon, then I'll come back to you.' Welk turns it into a polka, and the audience dances with Welk and Jack.

Mark Seen

My Gang Comedy Oct 31, 1962 Benny introduces Darla Hood, and talks with her about her work on the Our Gang comedies. She sings 'It's a most unusual day.' In the sketch, she plays her old Our Gang role, while Jack plays Alfalfa, Don Wilson plays Spankie, Rochester plays Buckwheat, and Dennis plays the rich kid.

Mark Seen

Jack Plays Tarzan Nov 14, 1962 Burnett sings 'Clang went the trolley.' In the sketch, Jack plays Tarzan, Burnett plays Jane, and Harlow plays their son.

Mark Seen

Billy Graham Show Sep 24, 1963 Season opener. Don, Jack and Dennis do the commercial as Peter, Paul and Mary. At Billy Graham's request, the skit is redone according to a new formula in which there are no insults to anyone, and everyone is quiet and sweet; Dennis reports that he went to UCLA over the summer. Billy Graham gives a short inspirational message.

Mark Seen

Robert Goulet Show Oct 1, 1963 Jack makes his entrance from the opposite side of the stage, and stands with his back to the audience out of force of habit. Don rolls out a carpet, and Goulet comes out vacuuming it—he had failed to read the fine print on his contract. Goulet tells about growing up in Canada, tells a Nelson Eddy joke, discusses playing nightclubs with Jack, and sings, This is all I ask. Jack questions Goulet's reputation as a ladies' man, leading into the sketch: in flashback, Jack sees Goulet and his girl at a Hollywood nightclub; his girl makes a pass at Jack. Later we learn that in fact Jack's girl made a pass at Goulet.

Mark Seen

Riverboat Sketch (Carol Burnett) Oct 8, 1963 Don, Carol and Jack make their entrance jumping through large doorways covered with paper; Jack can't break through and Carol has to do it for him. Jack and Carol talk about her desire to become a director, and she makes some suggestions about his show. She sings "Sweet Georgia Brown." In the sketch, Jack, Don, and Carol play riverboat card sharks out to cheat each other.

Mark Seen

Tall Cowboy Sketch (Clint Walker) Oct 15, 1963 In the monologue, Jack discusses the writing of his autobiography. He introduces Clint Walker, saying they both have a lot in common: both were born in Illinois, joined the Navy and have blue eyes. Clint Walker sings The Navajo Trail. Clint mentions that they are casting for his twin brother in his new picture. Don comes out with a table on wheels, and demonstrates that he can eat a whole meal, and still have room for JELL-O. In the sketch, Jack, in elevator shoes, auditions for Clint Walker's twin brother; he watches a prior applicant rehearse a scene in which the twin brother is beaten up, and decides he doesn't want the part after all. Remake of the sketch done Sept. 21, 1958 with Gary Cooper.

Mark Seen

Johnny Carson Show Oct 22, 1963 Jack gives Johnny Carson advice on how to run the Tonight show. Johnny does card tricks, plays the drums, sings and dances to Ballin' the Jack. They do a mock version of the Tonight show with Jack as Johnny's guest. Don Wilson does a man-on-the-street interview for the commercial.

Mark Seen

Jack Directs a Film Oct 30, 1963 Jack hears on the morning talk show 'This is Hollywood' that James and Gloria Stewart are making a movie together. He decided to go to the studio to wish them good luck. On the set, he ruins take after take, then tries to take over direction of the film; sketch is similar to the one done on March 9, 1958.

Mark Seen

Ed Sullivan Show Nov 6, 1963 Ed Sullivan is nervous about doing "His first Dramatic part" on the show, but he gets into the spirit playing an attorney defending a French girl accused of murder. The case seems to be stacked against district attorney Jack when the entire jury are beret-and-smock wearing,baguette-wielding Frenchmen.

Mark Seen

NBC Premiere Sep 25, 1964 Huntley and Brinkley open the show with a newscast on Benny's move to NBC, the network which used to carry his radio program, for this opening show of the season. Jack's monologue also concerns his move to NBC. Dennis brings his wife and nine children on stage. Don does the commercial. In the sketch, Jack meets with NBC executives and discovers that his new studio is a radio studio. Doug McClure and Roberta Shore from the Virginians make a cameo appearance. Then Jack does a sketch with the Marquis Chimps, in which they dress like the Beatles and sing 'I want to hold your hand' with Jack.

Mark Seen

Lucille Ball Show Oct 2, 1964 Jack receives a visit from his next-door neighbor, Lucille Ball. Lucy recounts her version of Paul Revere's ride, and a sketch unfolds with Jack as a gallivanting Revere, Lucy as his jealous wife Rachel, and Don Wilson as Washington.

Mark Seen

Andy Williams Show Oct 9, 1964 Jack and his guest Andy Williams perform at the gala grand opening of a meat market. Andy sings "On the street where you live."

Mark Seen

Income Tax Show Oct 16, 1964 Two IRS agents visit Jack. They can't understand how he could have earned 375,000 dollars, and spent only 19 dollars on entertainment. Since one declared item was 3.90 (three dollars and ninety cents) to take Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart to dinner, they next visit the Stewarts. The Stewarts reveal that on the occasion in question, Jack saw them at their favorite restaurant, made them sit at his table with his waitress/girlfriend, told them he would pay, and then at the end generously let the Stewarts pay the whole bill so they could have the tax deduction. The 3.90 was for cleaning his suit after Gloria Stewart dumped the salad on his head.

Mark Seen

Jack Makes a Comedy Record Oct 23, 1964 When Bob Hope drops by, Jack comes up with what he's convinced is a great idea: The two should team up to cut a comedy record album.

Mark Seen

Hillbilly Sketch Oct 31, 1964 In his monologue, Jack reveals that his producer has been using raffle tickets to get the audience to stay in their seats until the end of the program. He introduces Connie Francis, and they argue about whether it is harder to sing or to get laughs. She sings "I was born too late," an Al Jolson medley ("Swanee," "Mammy," and "April showers"). Don does the Alka-Seltzer commercial as an endorsement by a safe-cracker. In the sketch, Benny, Stevens, Dale White and Don Wilson play members of the Skinner family of the Ozarks. They all sing a parody of "Sit right down and write yourself a letter." This sketch is a remake of the "Ah, Wilderness" radio program of May 16, 1937.

Mark Seen

Jungle Sketch Nov 7, 1964 Don introduces the show by announcing that the show must go on; Jack is brought out in traction in a hospital bed. Abbe Lane sings 'I believe in you.' Don says he needs his glasses to do the State Farm commercial; when he finds them, they include a funny nose and a State Farm sign. In the sketch, Benny plays a scientist living deep in the jungle trying to develop a non-skid banana peel. Abbe Lane plays his beautiful wife, who is sick of the rain, and Dennis plays his new assistant, Lawrence of Africa.

Mark Seen

Tijuana Brass & Sy Blanc Aug 1, 1966 Another skit with Mel Sy Blanc and the Tijuana Brass