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THE RED SKELTON SHOW |
September 30, 1951 - August 29, 1971
NBC & CBS Comedy/Variety Series
Host:
Red Skelton
Regulars:
David Rose and his Orchestra, Carol Worthington,
Chanin Hale, Jan Arvan, Bob Duggan, Peggy Rea,
Brad Logan, Sheila Rogers, Helen Funai, Lloyd Kino,
Jan Davis, Billy Barty, Beverly Powers, Elaine Joyce,
Ida Moe McKenzie, Jimmie Cross, Lester Mathews,
Kathryn Cord, Stanley Adams, Mike Wagner,
Dorothy Love, Adam Kaufman, Stuart Lee,
Linda Sue Risk, Rod O'Connor, The Skeltones,
Tom Hanson Dancers, Alan Copeland Singers,
and The Burgundy Street Singers.
Comedian Red Skelton, son of a circus clown,
was one of the brightest young stars in radio
during the 1940s. While many of radio's big names
never fully made the transition to television,
Red did. He had been essentially a visual comedian
all along. In September 1951, almost ten years to
the day after he first appeared with his own show
on network radio, he arrived on TV, and remained
a TV superstar for the next 20 years.
Most of Red's repertoire of regular characters had
been developed on radio, before a live audience,
and they worked just as well on television. Among the
best known were The Mean Widdle Kid, who left chaos
wherever he went (his favorite expression "I dood it!");
Clem Kadiddlehopper, the befuddled rustic; Sheriff
Deadeye, the scourge of the West; boxer Cauliflower
McPugg; Willie Lump-Lump, the drunk; San Fernando Red,
the con man; George Appleby, the henpecked husband;
Ludwick von Humperdoo, the scientist and Bolivar Shagnasty.
The one major addition to Red's character list for TV
was Freddie the Freeloader, a hobo who never spoke.
The sketches for Freddie were always pantomimed,
and would, therefore, been completely lost
on a radio audience.
The format of the show consisted of an opening
monologue by Red, performances by his guest stars,
and comedy sketches with them. In general the humor
was broad, but occasionally it could be touching and
warm, particularly in the mime sketches with Freddie
the Freeloader. Skelton was a warm human performer
who loved his audience as much as they loved him.
Red's heartfelt closing remarks:
"If someday you're not feeling well, and you should
remember some silly little thing I've said or done,
and if it brings a smile to your face or a chuckle
to your heart, then my purpose has been fulfilled."
The time has come to say goodnight,
My how time does fly.
We've had a laugh, perhaps a tear,
And now we hear good-bye.
I really hate to say goodnight,
For times like these are few.
I wish you love and happiness,
In everything you do.
The time has come to say goodnight,
I hope I've made a friend...
And so we'll say, "May God bless you,
Until we meet again."
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Scroll down for links and TV Guide covers when available.
An Official Website by Lothian Skelton
A Clown Forever In Our Hearts
By Emily's Cottage
Golden Memories and Silver Tears
By Zwampee
Obituary
By CNN
Red Skelton Gallery
An Official Website by Don Miller
The Red Skelton Scrapbook
By Mark Kratzner
The Red Skelton Show
From The Museum of Broadcast Communications
The Red Skelton Show
From TV.com
These links were last tested March 2004.
Check out these classic TV Guide covers...
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