The Jack Benny Program

The Jack Benny Show was one of the longest running programs in the history of broadcasting, airing on the radio from May 2, 1932 until May 22, 1955 and on television from 1950 until 1965. It is widely considered to be one of the best shows to ever air in the United States. The show starred Jack Benny as himself and the format of the program was essentially that of a show-within-a-show. Aside from Benny, the regular characters on the show were his valet Rochester Van Jones (Eddie Anderson), Don Wilson (playing himself), Dennis Day (playing himself), Mary Livingstone (player herself) and a large number of characters such as Carmichael the Polar Bear and Sly the Mexican voiced by cartoon legend Mel Blanc. These characters would basically discuss the news of the day while also commenting on running jokes within the show. When the Jack Benny Show ended in 1965, it was still one of the highest-rated shows on television. MORE