Other Comedy Programs

There was a large variety of comedy programs on the radio throughout the 1930s and the 1940s. There were the famous duos of Amos 'N' Andy and Fibber McGee and Molly. There were also a large variety of other stars who had transferred from stage comedy to radio comedy, for example Eddie Cantor, Ed Wynn, and Jack Benny, who could all be heard in weekly comedy - variety shows.

These shows were particularly popular during the worst days of the depression and it has been suggested by some commentators that the availability of some of these comedy shows was enough to make a family want to stretch the household budget to afford the cost of a radio. It gave the family a chance to let off steam and laugh and enjoy themselves without having to pay to go somewhere. The lack of money meant that they only had to buy a radio once then they had free listening indefinitely rather than having to pay for the whole family to go to the cinema or the theater regularly.

The table shows the variety of radio comedy shows which were available on the radio in January 1939. These shows were very popular throughout America.

There were phrases which would be repeated in show after show and became almost part of the American language, for example "That's a good i-dee, Lum" from Lum 'n' Abner, and "I betcha" from Fibber McGee. There were also a variety of sound effects which became well know to the listeners, from the sound of the weekly avalanche from the McGees' hall closet, and various sounds from Jack Benny's vault.

The Jack Benny show was very popular and had a large changing cast on it. There was a large number of characters on the show, with differnt roles. For example Rochester, and the role of Benny's car.

Fred Allen was also a very popular comedian. The 'feud' between him and Jack Benny was well publicised and was given such hype as to make it a reason for some families to listen to the shows, just to find out the latest on the so-called feud.

The Great Guildersleeve was also a very popular show. This character was a spin off from the Fibber McGee and Molly show. In 1941 it was deveoped into its own show. The show evoked images of small-city life through its wide range of characters.

These shows were almost always sponsored by a big company, this occasionally lead to problesm because of the way in which they woulkd promote there product in a heavy handed manner. Brian Peres has done a interesting study into the commercial aspect of radio.