For example, an entire show might be devoted to Jack taking a violin lesson, instructed by his harried violin teacher, Professor LeBlanc (played by Mel Blanc). The sitcom shows often took place in Jack's house in Beverly Hills, with the story revolving around some aspect of Benny's life. Over the years, The Jack Benny Program evolved into the modern domestic situation comedy form, crafting particular situations and scenarios from the fictionalized life of Jack Benny, the radio star. In some episodes, Jack closed the show with brief instructions to his band leader ("Play, Phil."), and the band would play a final musical number, as Don Wilson did a final commercial. "Buck Benny Rides Again," or a murder mystery starring Jack as Police Captain O'Benny), or a satire of a current movie (e.g. getting Carmichael to take his medicine). Jack might leave the studio and go home to handle some problem (e.g. The second half of the show would be devoted to a comedy sketch. Don Wilson would insert another commercial for the sponsor, and the band would do a "Big Band" number (ostensibly led by Phil Harris, although conductor Mahlon Merrick actually led the band). At some point, Jack would tell the tenor it was time for their singing number ("Sing, Kenny!" or "Dennis, let's have your song."). Occasionally, Andy Devine or the Jewish character, Schlepperman (Sam Hearn), would make an appearance. with Jack's pet polar bear, Carmichael, or with his crazy wartime boarder, Mr. Īs the show progressed, Jack might be interrupted by a phone call from his valet, Rochester ( Eddie Anderson), reporting some problem at Benny's home (e.g. The banter between Benny and the regulars generally covered the news of the day, Jack's latest exchange in his ongoing feud with Fred Allen, or one of the running jokes on the program, such as Jack's stinginess, his age, or his vanity, Phil's habitual drunkenness, egotism, or illiteracy, Don's obesity, Dennis' stupidity, or Mary's letters from her mother. Gradually, the rest of the cast members – including Mary Livingstone, bandleader Phil Harris, and tenor Kenny Baker or Dennis Day – would "walk on" to join the conversation. Wilson would then introduce Jack Benny as the "Master of Ceremonies," and banter with him. Jell-O or Grape Nuts Flakes), accompanied by a musical number from the orchestra. The show usually opened with announcer Don Wilson doing a commercial for the sponsor (e.g. As the characters of Jack and his cast became more defined, the show took on a "variety show" format, blending sketch comedy and musical interludes. 1932–1935), Jack Benny followed the format of many other radio comedians, standing at the microphone, telling jokes and stories, and introducing band numbers. The show often broke the fourth wall, with the characters interacting with the audience and commenting on the program and its advertisements. On both television and radio, The Jack Benny Program used a loose show-within-a-show format, wherein the main characters were playing versions of themselves. The show's producer, Hilliard Marks, was the brother of Benny's wife, Mary Livingstone. He played one role throughout his radio and television career, a caricature of himself as a minimally talented musician and penny-pincher who was the butt of all the jokes. The Jack Benny Program, starring Jack Benny, is a radio and television comedy series, which ran for more than three decades and is generally regarded as a high-water mark in 20th-century American comedy. Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, and Eddie Anderson (Rochester) in a group portrait
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