Saturday, December 30, 2023

This is how you preserve a classic: The Jack Benny Hour (1966)

 Jack Benny moved to NBC in the 60's, but instead of an all new weekly series, a series of specials would serve nicely until the eternal 39 year old's passing in 1974. 

In this installment, dubbed The Jack Benny Hour, Jack is joined by the Smothers Brothers, Phyllis Diller, Trini Lopez, and 10 beauty queens from across the globe, back when these ladies were given primetime in pageants themselves.

We've already seen Sy (Mel Blanc) and the Tijuana Strings, and the American Motors ad with Peter Hansen (General Hospital) & Frank Nelson. Now, you get the whole enchilada.


I get that Benny wanted to prove he could do a standard variety show without his usual troupe, and announcer Bill Baldwin is no Don Wilson. In fact, Blanc & Nelson were the only members of his repertory company to appear.

No rating. This is in memory of Tom Smothers, who passed away on Wednesday.

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