Jack's Sentimental New Years shows

[shimp scrampi]

I was thinking that Jack's traditional new year's programs (either the baby new year/old man old year, or Jack ending up alone) are really on the sappy and maudlin side, whereas his traditional Christmas shows are hilarious and almost callous (I'm thinking particularly of the TV version where Mel Blanc is driven to suicide while Jack makes change). Interesting that Jack saved the glurge for New Years in constrast to most shows that lay the schmaltz on thick at Christmas. Any thoughts?

[Gerry O.]

I was thinking that Jack's traditional new year's programs (either the baby new year/old man old year, or Jack ending up alone) are really on the sappy and maudlin side, whereas his traditional Christmas shows are hilarious and almost callous (I'm thinking particularly of the TV version where Mel Blanc is driven to suicide while Jack makes change). Interesting that Jack saved the glurge for New Years in constrast to most shows that lay the schmaltz on thick at Christmas. Any thoughts?

Hmmm, VERY interesting observation! You're right...One doesn't usually think of "New Year's" episodes as the ones that go heavy on the sentiment. Perhaps something unhappy or unpleasant once happened to Jack on New Year's Eve in real life....a date stood him up when he was single, he wasn't invited to a big party that all of his friends were invited to, or something like that. Maybe the unpleasant experience ruined New Year's Eve for Jack and he had a first-hand experience of what it was like to be unhappy and/or lonely on that "special and fun" evening.

I'm just "What If"-ing here, but it does make you suspect that there was SOMETHING in Jack's life that would cause him to attach so much serious sentiment and dramatic emotion to a holiday that's supposed to be one of fun celebrating.

[shimp scrampi]

Of course, Jack being a Jewish man who celebrated Christmas in a secular way explains a lack of deep attachment to that holiday. Maybe by New Years' he realized all the other shows were getting sappy so he just got into the game late!

[Jack Benny]

I think it is more simple than all this. His writers came up with two great christmas concepts that they would use over and over and over again, one was shopping for christmas presents the other was having a christmas party. For New Years they came up with two ideas as well, the New Years fantasy,and Jack gets left out at christmas, and yet again it was easiest to just use thee over and over. I don't think these need to be over analyzed; they were just stories thought up in under a week by a few writers. The were just re-hashed so much that they seemed to take on a false significants as time went on.

[Gerry O.]

I think it is more simple than all this. His writers came up with two great christmas concepts that they would use over and over and over again, one was shopping for christmas presents the other was having a christmas party. For New Years they came up with two ideas as well, the New Years fantasy,and Jack gets left out at christmas, and yet again it was easiest to just use thee over and over. I don't think these need to be over analyzed; they were just stories thought up in under a week by a few writers. The were just re-hashed so much that they seemed to take on a false significants as time went on.

Yes, you're probably right....Of course, what I REALLY love are the "after-New Year's" radio episodes where Jack and the gang have a flashback about going to the Rose Bowl game. Those are always hilarious!

[haverpopper]

Funnily, I also remember a very sentimental Halloween episode, of all things. It was very early on when I started listening to the Jack Benny Show, and it actually managed to bring a lump to my throat. Just at the very end of the program Jack is reminiscing about his mother talking to him, and at the end of the speech the music begins to swell and he ends with "And she said, 'Jack, you're a very good boy,'" or something to that effect, and then the closing music comes in. Maybe I'm remembering the whole thing incorrectly, but does this ring a bell for anyone? Anyone know which show that was?

[Roman]

The New Years shows provide one of the few glimpses into Jack's (and his writers') serious side. In the late 1930's, when Jack started his tradition of these melancholy New Years sketches, Hitler and the Japanese were on the rise and moving toward war. Jack must have keenly felt the dichotomy between his light-hearted comedy and the darkening world situation. I think these shows were Jack's way of acknowledging this ugly reality. I have to admit that I got a chill listening to one of these shows from 1939 (just after Hitler had invaded Poland to start World War II) where Jack and Rochester wistfully lament the growing destruction and express their disgust at those who revel in violence and hatred. A quietly powerful moment in the Benny program's otherwise light-hearted, humerous world.

[LLeff]

A quietly powerful moment in the Benny program's otherwise light-hearted, humerous world.

Very well said. My favorite Benny show is my favorite for just that reason: 12/30/45. Listen to Jack's speech at the end.