The Red Skelton Hour (1951)

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The Red Skelton Show is an American television comedy/variety show that, from 1951 to 1971, was an entertainment staple and an institution to a generation of viewers. It was second to Gunsmoke (1955–1975) and third to The Ed Sullivan Show (1948–1971) in the ratings during that time. In the decade prior to hosting the show, Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton had a successful career as a radio and motion pictures star. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than sixteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961. In 1959 Skelton also received a Golden Globe for Best TV Show.

Original Release

09/30/1951 on NBC

US Release

09/30/1951

Cast

Name

Character

Red Skelton

Himself - Host / Self - Host / Clem Kadiddlehopper / Freddie the Freeloader / George Appleby / San Fernando Red / Host / Sheriff Deadeye / Cookie the Sailor / Bolivar Shagnasty / Cauliflower McPugg / Junior Cavendish - the Mean Widdle Kid / Willie Lump Lump / Gertrude and Heathcliffe / Smithers of Vaudeville Team / Deadeye / Forsooth / Pvt. Bolivar Shagnasty / Self - Host (in clips) / Clem Kadiddlehopper as John Alden / Clem Kadiddlehopper (in clips) / Cinderfella / Christopher Columbus / Chicago Red / Chi Sheik Skelton / Chef Baloney / MacGumbo the Explorer / Horrible Humphrey / Golf Pro / Weepy (J. Newton Numbskull) / British Lord Beaverhead / Captain Kidd / Bonnie Prince Ugly / Barrister Kelly / Methuselah Skelton / Marionette / Junior Cavendish / Himself / Dr. Ludwig von Humperdoo / Magician / Fairley T. Forthright / Studio Guard / Himself - Freddie the Freeloader / Himself - Cauliflower McPugg / 'Hot Lips' Morgan / Prince Valiant / San Fernando Red McGraft / Paul Revere / Heathcliffe / Clem Kadiddlehoppper / Gertrude / the Sultan / Dr. Rudolph Schlepper / American in French Foreign Legion / Freddie 'the Freeloader' Fredericks / Ed Norton / Detective / J. Weepy Numbskull / Willie Lump Lum / Wilbur the Happy Husband / Sir Vivian Oblivion / Sam Neanderthal / Pasquale / Male Secretary / Junior - the Mean Widdle Kid / English Barrister / Captain Hook / Yankee Carpetbagger / Canadian Mountie Sgt. Strongheart / Waiter (sketch) / Dunkin' Doughnuts Salesman / US Ambassador / The Baby / Slippery Skelton / Sleepy Sam / Singing Waiter / Sheeriff Deadeye / John Q. American / Salesman / Rusty Morgan / Rupert the Stupert / Romeo Montague / Roman Slave Nauseous / Robin Hood / Revere the Photographer / Man Seeking Employment as Waiter-Help Wanted Skit / Pvt. Red Skelton / Pitchman Pete / Pierre the Giglio / Peter Minuit / John Q. Quandary / Page Boy / Musician / Mime / Mime Cameo / Mayor / Elevator Operator / King Snafu I / Professor von Klein Shagnasty / Janitor / Iowa Pete / Self / Self (in clips) / Suitor-Silent Spot / Three Sisters-Pantomime with Narration / Sailor #1 / J. Newton Numbskull / Sherlock Holmes / Dr. Homer Hemoglobin

David Rose and His Orchestra

Themselves / Orchestra / Singers / Themselves - Musician

Art Gilmore

Announcer / Self - Announcer / Himself - Announcer / Announcer (voice) / Himself - Announcer (voice) / Announer (voice) / Radio Disk Jockey / Pageant Emcee / Newscaster / Baseball Broadcaster

Tom Hansen Dancers

Themselves / Can Can Dancers / Themselves - Dancers

Jan Arvan

Paw Kadiddlehopper / Muggsy / Shopkeeper / Waiter-Silent Spot / Umpire - Freddie the Freeloader sketch / Trained Seal Artist / Ticket Seller-Theater Sketch / the Wazir / the Minister / The Mayor / Swami the Lunch-Wagon Owner / Supporting Player / State's Attorney / Sheriff Duffy / Shah's emir / Self - Yashi the Violnist / Martian General / Scientist / Saunders / San Fernando's Assistant / Sam - Club Aristocrat Owner / Royal Guard / Railroad Ticket Agent / Professor Hoffmeyer / Prison Warden / Prime Minister / Cruel Stepbrother / Contest Executive / Christmas Tree Vendor / Candy Factory Manager / Camper / Bullfighter / Brush Company Boss / Blackie-Dreamer Sketch / Bartender / Barber's Customer / Attorney Reading Will / Arthur Cavendish / American Tourist / Police Officer / Police Chief Miller / Poker Player-Showboat Skit / Pickpocket Hobo - Freddie Sketch / Paw Kaddidlehopper / Pa Kadiddlehopper / TV Director / Operating Room Doctor / Mr. Prentiss - Theatrical Agent / Mr. Humphrey / Mr. Hao - owner of Japanese tea house / Mr. Fairchild - Freddy's father / Mr. Cavendish / Minor Role. / Minor Role / Minelli / Mexican Man / Member of Bar Association / McPugg's Manager / McPugg's Manager - Cauliflower Skit / Maitre D' / Local film production manager / Karl the spy / J.J. Fitzpatrick-Broker Sketch / Indian Chief / Ignac Weiler - Museum Curator / Himself - Silent Spot / Harry - Zsa Zsa's agent / Grizzled Old Prospector / Gas Station Owner / Floogle / Ferguson / Fencing Master / Expectant Daddy - Father Skit / Executioner / Dusty / Driver / Dr. Oliver / Dr. Froelich in Happily Skit / Director of Public Works / Diner Counterman / Deck Officer on Ship

The Alan Copeland Singers

Themselves / Guest Vocalists / Singers

Bob LeMond

Announcer / Self - Announcer

Ray Kellogg

Police Officer / Bartender / Santa Claus / Williams - Joan's Jealous Husband / U.S. Marshal #2 / Bernie the Emcee / Actor / Townsman / Texas Ranger / Supporting Player / Spy #1 / Self - Joe / Sam the Suitor / Salesman / Ray / Ray - The Lowly Prop Man / Ray - steelworker / Policeman / Police Officer #1 / Police Officer - Freddie Skit / Police Officer - Freddie Sketch / Poker Player / Patrolman / Mr. Swanson / Mr. Martin - the Carpenter / Man Who Wants to be Lieutenant Governor / Man Challenged to Duel-Showboat Sketch / Lasagna's Hoodlum / Indian Chief / Hennessey the Cop / Harry / First Policeman / Expectant Daddy - Father Sketch / Doorman / Deliveryman / Cowpoke / Court Clerk / Court Bailiff / Cop / Charlie - Deliveryman / Centurian / CBS Executive / Catcher - Freddie the Freeloader sketch / Camerman / Cal the Bartender / Buster's Owner / Big Man in Phone Booth / Silent Spot / 'Big Jim' / Sketch

The Skelton Dancers

Themselves / Saloon Dancers / Guest Dancers / Dance Hall Girls

Lucille Knox

Movie Theater Patron-Opening Sketch / Baby Nurse-Bum's Rush Skit

(see additional cast & crew)

#	Title	Air Date
1	The Magic Act	Monday, 14 September 1970
2	Freddie's Desperate Hour	Monday, 21 September 1970
3	The Family Business	Monday, 28 September 1970
4	The Private Detective	Monday, 05 October 1970
5	Bad Guys and Good Girls	Monday, 12 October 1970
6	Census Taker	Monday, 19 October 1970
7	Hiring the Secretary	Monday, 26 October 1970
8	The Dan Blocker Show	Monday, 09 November 1970
9	San Fernando Red and the Football Star	Monday, 16 November 1970
10	Humperdoo's Secret Invention	Monday, 23 November 1970
11	The Yacht Club	Monday, 07 December 1970
12	Stagecoach Hijack	Monday, 14 December 1970
13	Red Skelton Christmas Show	Monday, 21 December 1970
14	Junior and Sunday Morning	Monday, 04 January 1971
15	Humperdoo's Little Prescription	Monday, 11 January 1971
16	Instant Marriage Mill	Monday, 18 January 1971
17	The Auction	Monday, 25 January 1971
18	Freddie's Country Home	Monday, 01 February 1971
19	The Castaways	Monday, 08 February 1971
20	Appleby's Garage Sale	Saturday, 13 February 1971
21	Humperdoo's Magic Tire	Monday, 22 February 1971
22	Sheriff Hater	Monday, 01 March 1971
23	The Candidate's Director	Monday, 08 March 1971
24	Ironside Spoof	Monday, 15 March 1971

Directors

Seymour Berns, Bill Hobin, John Gaunt, Terry Kyne, Martin Rackin, Jack Donohue, Howard A. Quinn, Frank Bunetta

Writers

Red Skelton, Dave O'Brien, Sherwood Schwartz, Arthur Phillips, Mort Greene, Jesse Goldstein, Martin Ragaway, Al Schwartz, Larry Rhine, Robert Orben, Ed Simmons, Seaman Jacobs, Fred S. Fox, John Fenton Murray, Benedict Freedman, Buster Keaton, Hugh Wedlock Jr., Rick Mittleman, Bruce Howard, Pat McCormick, Jack Douglas, Will Fowler, Bob Schiller, Tony Webster, Bob Weiskopf, Robert Mott, George Balzer, Mike Settle, Larry Klein, Hal Goodman, Charles Isaacs, Lionel Burt, Mort Green, Jack Lloyd, Jeffrey Barron, Lou Meltzer, Stan Dreben, Jay Sommers, Joe Bigelow, Howard Leeds, Arthur Stander, Arthur A. Ross, Arthur Julian, Bob Ross, Paul West, David R. Schwartz, Michael Morris, O. Henry, Robert O'Brien, Jack Barron

Cast

Name

Character

Red Skelton

David Rose and His Orchestra

Themselves / Orchestra / Singers / Themselves - Musician

Art Gilmore

Announcer / Self - Announcer / Himself - Announcer / Announcer (voice) / Himself - Announcer (voice) / Announer (voice) / Radio Disk Jockey / Pageant Emcee / Newscaster / Baseball Broadcaster

Tom Hansen Dancers

Themselves / Can Can Dancers / Themselves - Dancers

Jan Arvan

The Alan Copeland Singers

Themselves / Guest Vocalists / Singers

Bob LeMond

Announcer / Self - Announcer

Ray Kellogg

The Skelton Dancers

Themselves / Saloon Dancers / Guest Dancers / Dance Hall Girls

Lucille Knox

Movie Theater Patron-Opening Sketch / Baby Nurse-Bum's Rush Skit

Gilchrist Stuart

Man with Umbrella / the Butler / Phillip / Antony / Butler (as Gil Stuart) / Clothier / Film director / Finchley - the Butler / Guest / Hives - Butler / Hotel Manager / Jeeves the Butler / Maitre D' / Man Holding Popcorn Box / Manners - Butler / Oswald - Valet / Paul - Garson's Producer / Paul / Self - Hawkins / Stokely (as Gil Stuart) / Supporting Player / the Van Owen Butler / Townsman (as Gil Stuart) / Whitney Bradford / Winthrop

Currie Pederson

Dancer

Jimmy Cross

Drunk / Croupier / Charlie / Charlie - Lodge Member / Cafe Operator / Bud / American Officer / Actor / 1st Man / Soldier / Sketch Actor / Sheik's Henchman / Reporter / Phillips / Olio Spot / Makeup Man / Johnson / Inebriated Gypsy / Himself - Dancer / Himself - Blackout / Harry - Tipsy Man / Guest / Gorilla / Drunken Tourist / Drunken Convict

Chanin Hale

Minor Role / Nurse / Myrtle / Daisy June / Girl in Diner / Girl on Park Bench / Grady's Girlfriend / Hen / Herself - Housefly Silent Spot / Housewife / Indian Maiden Sitting Pretty / Judge Frances Gavel / Maid / Silent Spot / Mrs. Lump Lump / Newlywed / Ruby - San Fernando's Accomplice / Ruby / Ruthie - / Saloon Gal / Secretary / Stagecoach Stewardess / Swimmer / the Actress / the Lady / Wistful Hen / Yachtsman's Girlfriend / Actor / Bubbles Laverne / Gay 90s Fiancee / Gibson Girl

Pat McGeehan

Self - Announcer / Announcer

Bonnie Evans

Dancer

David Rose

Orchestrator / Himself - Orchestrator / Self - Orchestra Leader / Self / Himself / Orchestra Leader / Self - Bandleader / Self - Orchestrator / 'Davy' Rose / the Black Knight

David Sharpe

Little Old Lady / Father / Candy Maker / Ambassador / the Witch / Sam Jenkins / Minor Role. / Himself / George Washington's father

The Jimmy Joyce Singers

Themselves / Singers

Gil Perkins

Willie's Brother-in-Law / Three-Fingered Ike-Laredo Skit / Mr. Swenson-Topsy Turvy Sketch / Soldier - MP / Short Cowboy / Sergeant - Cauliflower McPugg sketch / Reporter, McPugg Sketch / Psychiatrist Making House Call / Police Officer / Outlaw / McPugg's opponent - Dirty McGurk / McPugg's Manager in Folding Boy Sketch / Man With Sandwich Board in Announcer Skit / Man Wearing 'Tom' Campaign Button / Man Looking for Warners Bros. Fire / Man Listening to Mother's Day Talk / Hotel guest - Pasquale sketch / Hospital Janitor / Tide Commercial / Catcher / Burglar in Willie Sketch / Bartender-Cocktail Lounge Skit / Bartender - Deadeye Skit / Barber Customer