Jack Benny wrote:Jello, yet again,
Too bad about all the interuptions, but as I was saying, Maxwell you appear to have a few more posts then... oh, will you look at that, I appear to have more then you now, how did that happen...nevermind.
I didn't know we were in a race! I think what you're saying depends on how you look at it. Jack had Dennis and Phil/Bob/Mahlon and the orchestra to provide "variety." Hope used guest stars (at least on TV) for that purpose. Skelton also had musical numbers and in his TV shows, especially after he switched to a one-hour format. I remember for a year or two he used the Modernaires to provide the vocal music.
Skelton's one-hour show and Hope's specials probably could best fit in the "comedy-variety" category. But they were essentially comedy shows first, unlike shows hosted by Dinah Shore and other singers. I consider Hope's and Skelton's shows to be in a gray area.
