I suppose we have 400 channels on our TV and usually can’t find anything worth watching. It wasn’t always that way. In the 1950’s, there weren’t that many channels (only 2 or maybe 3 if you were lucky) but the programming was of such quality that it was called the Golden Age of Television.
The Variety Shows – now a dinosaur in programming – led the way. First up, the Milton Berle Show. The King of Slap Stick, Uncle Miltie, was as schmoozie as it gets. He often dressed in drag, complete with make-up, and would do anything to get a laugh. But he always had terrific guests – folks like Burns, Benny, Crosby, Hope, Lucille Ball and Elvis as well.
And way before American Idol and America’s Got Talent, there was the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. Soft spoken Ted Mack hosted the show and there was sometimes questionable talent, but it was always entertaining. With no cell phones or texting at that time, viewers actually mailed in their choice for the top talent on post cards – two cent post cards. Shows you how times have really changed.
Your Show of Shows starring Sid Caesar dominated early 50’s TV and won Emmy after Emmy. Caesar’s co-stars included Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris. Caesar was one of the great mimes of all time. Without speaking a word, he would have audiences rolling in the aisles.
The Perry Como Show (Dream Along with Me) was a wonderful variety show during the early years of TV. Perry always had great guests – actors and singers – and he sang a few songs of his own including hits like Papa Loves Mambo, Hot Diggity Dog, Round and Round, Catch a Falling Star, Magic Moments, It’s Impossible, And I Love You So, and so many more. What a talent, what a show.
The Colgate Comedy Hour was a Sunday night special and introduced the zany talents of Martin and Lewis – particularly Jerry Lewis. Dean Martin later starred in his own show with top ratings and popular guests such as Dom DeLuise, Bob Newhart, Norm Crosby, Jonathan Winters and Don Rickles. No one knew for certain if Dean had had as many drinks before taping the show as it appeared, but he likely did. It was most entertaining.
But there were many others in the early years such as Dinah Shore, George Gobel, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jack Benny, Andy Williams and going way back – Your Hit Parade with Giselle MacKenzie, Snooky Lanson, Dorothy Collins and Russell Arms. If you can remember that show, and those names, you are definitely a Boomer.
Wish we still had shows like those.