"The Red Skelton Show" (1951) TV series 1951-1971

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Ed Hiller

Writers:

Johnny Carson (writer)
Hal Hudson (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | unknown

Release Date:

30 September 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Long-running weekly show that spotlighted legendary comedian and beloved TV clown, Red Skelton. Each show featured comedy skits, gags and vignettes starring Skelton and guest performers.

Plot Keywords:

Variety | Based On Radio Show

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Red Skelton	...	Clem Kadiddlehopper / ... (567 episodes, 1951-1971)
Art Gilmore	...	Announcer / ... (526 episodes, 1954-1971)
David Rose and His Orchestra	...	Themselves (290 episodes, 1951-1971)

Also Known As:

"The Red Skelton Hour" (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

60 min | 30 min (1951-1962)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1951-1955 and 1958-1965) | Color (1955-1958 and 1965-1971)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Trivia:

Red Skelton had a reputation among comedy writers as being extremely difficult to work with, since he didn't like writers in general and resented CBS for insisting that he use them on his show; he wanted to write all the sketches himself, his reasoning being that no one knew his characters as well as he did. Sherwood Schwartz, prior to taking the position as head writer on the show, had it written into his contract with CBS that Skelton was under no circumstances allowed to discuss anything about a show's script with him before he was given it prior to taping, which often resulted in Skelton not knowing what a sketch was about or even what character he would be playing until shortly before airtime. That's why Skelton would often break character in the middle of a skit and turn to the audience and say something like, "Don't blame me, folks, I don't write this stuff."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Creeping Terror (#7.6)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Holiday for Strings

Skelton was great. His show lasted, because He was the show.

.......Playing Kaddiddlehopper, Col San Fernando, etc. the man was pretty wide ranging and a scream. I love watching him interact w/ Amanda Blake, or Don Knotts or whomever--he clearly was having a ball and I think he made it easier on his guests as well--so long as they Knew ahead of time it wasn't a disciplined, 19 take kind of production. Relax and be loose was clearly the name of the game there.

He reminds me of guys like Milton Berle, Benny Hill, maybe Jerry Lewis some too. Great timing, ancient gags that kept audiences in stitches for decades, sheer enjoyment about what he was doing. His sad little clown he played was good too--but in a touching manner.

Personally I think he's great, having just bought a two DVD set of his shows from '61 or so, it brings his stuff back in a fond way for me. I can remember seeing him on TV at the end of his run when he was winding up the series in 1971 or so.

Check this out if you are a fan or curious. He was a riot.