Jack's modern-day fame

[haverpopper]

Why isn't Jack nearly as famous today as some of his contemporaries? I'm in my mid-20s, and most of my peers have never heard of Jack, or only vaguely recognize the name without really knowing who he was. In contrast, some of Jack's peers are much more famous among my generation. Most 20-something have heard of Bob Hope, George Burns, and others, and may even have seen them in a movie or two. I'd even venture that Fred Allen is slightly better known, though still obscure in my age-set. It can't be based on quality, since most things I've read on the subject have consistently ranked Benny as first among his peers in this regard.

I can only think of two reasons for this problem: 1) longevity: Hope and Burns lived a lot longer than Jack, and were still around and kicking enough to make an impression on Gen Xers, and 2) Jack's genius was particularly well suited to radio, which is still undiscovered territory for many people my age. Of course, this doesn't explain why Jack's TV show never got the air time it deserved in recent years.

Your thoughts?

[Jack Benny]

I think you have pretty well nailed it. Very few young people listen to old time radio, but with the advent of MP3 technology this situation has improved some. The Jack Benny TV show has not been syndicated very effectively. Don Knotts would probably be rated as a better comedian than Jack just by name recognition alone. Bob Hope stayed in the public eye with his yearly christmas specials. Had jack lived onother 15 years, and had 15 farewell specials instead of two, I think he would be remembered by more folks. If he would have played Samantha's father on Bewitched, Mr. Howell on Gilligan's Island, or Floyed the barber in Mayberry, he would be better remembered. It's been almost 30 years since Jack's death, how well will Bob Hope or George Burns be remebered in 30 years?

I don't think the key is how well you are remebered after your death, but how much you were treasured while you were alive, and Jack was a national treasure!

[Gerry O.]

This is truly a sad state of affairs. Nowadays most younger people have absolutely NO interest in history or heritage. If a show or performer isn't presently alive and in the HERE and NOW, then it isn't considered to be "relevant".

I'm 49 years old now, but when I was a teenager in the early 1970's, I actively studied and learned about performers like Eddie Cantor, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields and others....even though these performers had already been deceased for years. NOW many young people have the attitude of, "Who cares about HIM? He's DEAD!"

The younger people who know of Bob Hope and George Burns are probably the last younger people who WILL easily know of them. As the years roll on, Hope and Burns' names and legacies will be as foggy to future generations as Benny's is today.

It's amazing just how many younger people don't even REALLY know about Johnny Carson! They know OF him as "the guy who hosted "The Tonight Show" before Jay Leno", but they don't know about his comedy or interviewing style...and THAT wasn't THAT long ago!

The GOOD news is that although entertainers like Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor...and eventually Bob Hope and George Burns....may not be easily remembered (or even recognized) by the younger generation's general public, they WILL be remembered by younger people who truly love and appreciate classic comedy and entertainment in general. These entertainers will enjoy more of a "scholarly"-type appreciation...and they'll STILL be making SOMEBODY laugh in years to come.

[River Phoenix]

It's amazing just how many younger people don't even REALLY know about Johnny Carson! They know OF him as "the guy who hosted "The Tonight Show" before Jay Leno", but they don't know about his comedy or interviewing style...and THAT wasn't THAT long ago!

And how many people know who Jack Parr is?

If it makes you all feel any better, I'm 17 - and I think I heard the Who's on First show when I was 5 or 6, and then a whole collection of OTR on a long car ride when I was 9 or 10 (both courtesy of my father). I got into it, but it really is boring to just listen to OTR relative to other forms of entertainment. But I found that OTR is perfect to listen to with your eyes closed while lying in bed before going to sleep.
Also I agree that the advent of mp3 (and for me good mp3 players) was absolutely necessary.

Incidentally, I have always hated people who make widespreading judgements about 'kids today', citing the fact that their greatgrandparents said the same thing about them. But I'm home for Christmas right now and I actually see somewhat of a bad pattern right now, at least in my hometown. All the world needs is intelligent pathfinders who are also charismatic leaders.

[Gerry O.]

Incidentally, I have always hated people who make widespreading judgements about 'kids today', citing the fact that their greatgrandparents said the same thing about them. But I'm home for Christmas right now and I actually see somewhat of a bad pattern right now, at least in my hometown. All the world needs is intelligent pathfinders who are also charismatic leaders.

"River", I don't blame you for hating, and even resenting, the widespread judgements about "kids today". I didn't mean to sound like one of those old geezers who complains....in fact, if you notice my previous message, I DID end it by saying that there WILL be younger people who DO appreciate legends and accomplishments of the past in years to come...but I still believe that they will be in the minority.

[BT]

In addition to the fact that Bob Hope and George Burns outlived Jack by many years, I think the fact that they had more prominent film careers than Jack did also raises their contemporary profile relative to Jack. And I think that the Jack Benny TV shows have been relatively little seen over the years, in some part due to concerns about Rochester's subserviant role being a potential source of criticism on grounds of racial insensitivity.

But younger viewers and listeners who are exposed to Benny's work will, I think, quickly perceive the enormous extent of his influence on later situation comedies such as Frazier, Seinfeld, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[ZEjackbennykid]

the first posted message on this topic is something i relate to. i'm 13 and have done many projects, writing pieces, and reports on jack and still people can't remeber who he was. some people at my school know who jack is through me and few know jack from themselves

[shimp scrampi]

On the flip side, (maybe this is heresy) it is kind of nice to have to work a little to find and enjoy Jack Benny. Look at Lucy, undeniably a great comedienne, but definitely overexposed. I don't know if I would appreciate Jack so much if he was plastered all over lunchboxes and tickytack and shown in endless rotation on TV Land. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. The new technologies like mp3s and DVDs have done wonders in recent years to make so much available cheaply. It would be nice to have Jack get more recognition (though almost EVERY comedian cites him as an influence. Even Bernie Mac in his autobiography, seriously), but I kind of like that not EVERYONE is a Jack Benny fan.

[Clyde]

Today's world is a much-faster paced world than that of Jack Benny and his gentle, subtle humor. Today, people want their laughs fast and loud, without having to think. Many people find humor in subject manner that Jack NEVER would have addressed...at least in public. It's a sad statement, but, yes, 'the times, they have a-changed'.....(and NOT for the better).

[haverpopper]

Nowadays most younger people have absolutely NO interest in history or heritage. If a show or performer isn't presently alive and in the HERE and NOW, then it isn't considered to be "relevant".

I'm 49 years old now, but when I was a teenager in the early 1970's, I actively studied and learned about performers like Eddie Cantor, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields and others....even though these performers had already been deceased for years. NOW many young people have the attitude of, "Who cares about HIM? He's DEAD!"

I don't think young people in the 70s were more interested in history and heritage than young people are today; my parents are your age, and although they (along with my aunts and uncles) have heard of Jack Benny and at least know him as that guy who never aged past 39, they don't really know much beyond that. (Kind of like people of my generation knowing that Archie Bunker was a bigot and had a special chair, even though we may never have seen "All in the Family.") I'm sure I've listened to more radio shows and seen more old Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin two-reelers than most of the people in my parents generation that I know. I guess it just takes a special/odd kind of person to try to seek this stuff out...

You mentioned Johnny Carson: ironically, it is much easier for me to get to know Jack Benny and Fred Allen than Johnny Carson. The quick and cheap distribution of radio shows on MP3 is really the thing that opened up this whole new world to me (I don't think I ever would have had the patience to deal with clunky casette tapes with at most two or three episodes on them). In contrast, since there are no old "Late Night" reruns being shown, Carson is bound to remain shut off to me for the time being.

[Phil Harris]

I don't think young people in the 70s were more interested in history and heritage than young people are today; my parents are your age, and although they (along with my aunts and uncles) have heard of Jack Benny and at least know him as that guy who never aged past 39, they don't really know much beyond that. (Kind of like people of my generation knowing that Archie Bunker was a bigot and had a special chair, even though we may never have seen "All in the Family.") I'm sure I've listened to more radio shows and seen more old Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin two-reelers than most of the people in my parents generation that I know. I guess it just takes a special/odd kind of person to try to seek this stuff out...

You mentioned Johnny Carson: ironically, it is much easier for me to get to know Jack Benny and Fred Allen than Johnny Carson. The quick and cheap distribution of radio shows on <A TITLE="Click for more information about mp3" STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: medium solid green;" HREF="http://search.targetwords.com/u.search?x=5977|1||||mp3|AA1VDw">MP3</A> is really the thing that opened up this whole new world to me (I don't think I ever would have had the patience to deal with clunky casette tapes with at most two or three episodes on them). In contrast, since there are no old "Late Night" reruns being shown, Carson is bound to remain shut off to me for the time being.

You tell 'em son! Nicely stated! can't stand blanket statements that try and group all old folks, young folks, or any group of folks together. I showed Kelsea Grammar's Christmas Carol musical to a bunch of 8th graders. The usual generalization that I hear about "kids today" is that they hate musicals, but a lot of these kids loved those crazy songs. I mean some of these cats were really into it man!

I think it's great that we have some of you younger cats speaking out on this site lately. Your point about Johnny Carson is well taken. I would love it if more of Carson's monologues were available in MP3 format, but there are about a half dozen available right here on Laura's website because they have Benny guests, but they are also a great way to get to know Johnny better as well.

[Gerry O.]

I showed Kelsea Grammar's Christmas Carol musical to a bunch of 8th graders. The usual generalization that I hear about "kids today" is that they hate musicals, but a lot of these kids loved those crazy songs. I mean some of these cats were really into it man!

That's ONLY because you were telling those poor kids that "A Christmas Carol" took place in Doo Wah Ditty and that Scrooge's first name was "Clyde"!

[Phil Harris]

That's ONLY because you were telling those poor kids that "A Christmas Carol" took place in Doo Wah Ditty and that Scrooge's first name was "Clyde"!

Oh, baby! Keep laying on that crazy jive!