The Jack Benny Show with Guest Host....and More!

[Maxwell]

I always like to post when Chuck Schaden's "Those Were the Days" radio program features Jack Benny, but for the next two episodes, Schaden has come up with an interesting idea: "When the Stars Are Out, the Stars Come Out!" Among the shows featuring programs with guest hosts due to the stars' absence are the Jack Benny Programs from the time Jack contracted pneumonia and missed several weeks.

Here is the lineup for the two TWTD programs:

Saturday, September 22:

The Bob Hope Show (11/18/47): Bob is on his way to England for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and a command performance. In his place are Eddie Cantor, Red Skelton, Fibber McGee and Mollie, Amos 'n' Andy, and Walter Winchell along with regulars Vera Vague and Jerry Colonna.

The Jack Benny Program (3/7/43): The first broadcast after Jack contracted pneumonia, hosted by George Burns and Gracie Allen with regulars Eddie Anderson, Dennis Day, and Don Wilson, Bill Goodwin (George and Gracie's announcer), and Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. The plot is a continuation of the ongoing plot from the Burns and Allen show with Gracie preparing to play at Carnegie Hall.

Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge: (8/16/44): Technically this isn't a show with the host away. This was Kyser's summer vacation. But there is Benny interest here since the guest host is none other than Phil Harris. Ish Kabibble (aka Merwyn Bogue) is featured along with the King Sisters.

The Danny Kaye Show (10/26/45): Danny is off entertaining servicemen around the USA and is replaced by: Jack Benny and his gang, Mary Livingstone, Eddie Anderson, Phil Harris, and Larry Stevens. Jack and the gang go to the theater to see Danny's latest movie, "Wonder Man."

The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (5/20/46): Nigel Bruce is ill, so he is replaced by (who else?) Joe Kearns as Dr. Watson. The episode is "The Haunting of Sherlock Holmes."

The Jack Benny Program (3/14/43): Orson Welles takes over as guest host for the first time during Jack's illness. The show begins with Welles' secretary (Verna Felton) disinfecting the cast before his arrival. Welles then invites the cast to the studio to see his latest picture being made. Dennis Day, Don Wilson, Eddie Anderson, Andy Devine, Mel Blanc, and Frank Neson appear in this episode.

Saturday September 29

Fibber McGee and Molly (3/28/44): The Jordans are both ill, so Hal Peary and Walter Tetley star as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve and his nephew LeRoy. Gildersleeve and LeRoy are waiting in Wistful Vista to change trains and decide to visit the McGee's who aren't home. So they wait....The cast includes Arthur Q. Bryan, Ransom Sherman, Shirley Mitchell, Marlin Hurt (Beulah), Harlow Wilcox, The King's Men, and Billy Mills and his Orchestra.

The Jack Benny Program (3/21/43): Orson Welles continues to fill in for Jack. Orson is at the studio being dressed by his new Valet, Rochester, and the cast drops in to watch the filming. This week's cast includes Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Dennis Day, Don Wilson, Verna Felton, and Frank Nelson.

The Jimmy Durante Show (1/7/48): Durante is recovering from major surgery, so Bob Hope takes the reins. The sketch is "The Road to Pismo Beach." The cast includes Victor Moore, Peggy Lee, Candy Candido, Veola Vonn, and Roy Bargy and his Orchestra.

The Jack Benny Program (3/28/43): Welles continues to act as guest host. This week he joins the gang at the drug store for a sandwich. Then the cast performs "Death at Midnight."

The Great Gildersleeve (12/17/47): This time it's Hal Peary who is ill and cannot perform. The writers work around this with this plot: Gildy is miffed by something the mayor has said about the water department, so he locks himself in his room and won't come out until the mayor apologizes. The cast includes Walter Tetley, Lillian Randolph, and Louise Erickson.

The Jack Benny Program (4/4/43): Orson Wells' final appearance as guest host. Jack is to return next week and Welles prepares to leave the program. The sketch: A Wellesian version of "Little Red Riding Hood."

The programs can be heard live on the dates shown at http://www.wdcb.org from 1:00-5:00 p.m. or for a week starting the following Tuesdays at http://www.nostalgiadigest.com.