George Burns

When Radio Ruled 143 – Birth of the SitCom

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Early American entertainment included the circus, the minstrel show, vaudeville, broadway revues, all popular forms of the variety show.

And it was talent from those stage shows that created radio.

But radio wasn’t the same as the stage.

Radio was different manifesting new possibilities for entertainment.

An opportunity to entertain with new formats.

The situation comedy was one such format, brand new, a child of radio, never before seen in the history of man.

Although the situation comedy format is only a hundred or so years old, there is still a mystery surrounding who was the first and when.

My research indicates three radio shows have claim to be the first situation comedy. But the early recordings that exist casts some doubt on each claim.

That is, according to my definition of Situation Comedy.

If you know others who might be the first, or have recordings I have failed to discover, or want to argue a different definition of SitCom, please let me know in a comment on BeforeTvBlog.com.

FEATURING:

Sam ‘n Henry

Jim and Marion Jordan

George Burns

Gracie Allen

Fibber McGee and Molly

Groucho Marx

Chico Marx

Jack Benny

Phil Harris

Mary Livingstone

Kenny Baker

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson

And More!!

Click Here if You Got Time to Sit and Learn of SitComs!

When Radio Ruled episode #90 – Thanksgiving Special 2023

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Todays turkey filled audio feast is made up of two broadcasts from the World War Two years, the first from 1942 the second from 1944.

During the big war, Thanksgiving had an extra emotional impact. So many families had empty chairs where sons and daughters used to sit but now were stationed all over the globe doing thier duty to protect those who sat around the thanksgiving table.

Some of those chairs would be occupied by strangers, locally deployed servicemen who couldn’t get home to their families.

The prayers were extra solemn, and the thanks were sincerely given.

Turkeys weren’t rationed, but they were scarce and expensive. The military was determined that servicemen abroad should have a traditional thanksgiving, and so many turkeys were sent to the troops abroad that the birds were scarce and expensive back home.

Our first Thanksgiving episode plays on the turkey price increase, as our favorite housewife, Gracie Allen buys a live turkey planning to fatten it up for the big day’s dinner.

From November 17, 1942 The Burns and Allen show presents “Gracie Buys a Live Turkey”

Then we move onto a more serious look at wartime thanksgiving with the Command Performance thanksgiving special from 1944.

Command Performance was broadcast nationally, but was aimed at the soldiers overseas. The show took requests from servicemen for guests and songs and did their level best to deliver.

Performers were honored to be requested by the servicemen and volunteered their time to appear on the show and do their part for Armed Service morale.

Lionel Barrymore hosts, and Dinah Shore the southern songstress who was America’s Sweetheart in 1944.

Patriotism and entertainment, brought to you by grateful American radio stars.

Click Here to Hear an Old Time Radio Thanksgiving