58 10 05 Phil Harris

[@NativeAmericanIndiansGen-ii7ne]

It is good to see Phil on this episode. Besides Jack of course, but my three favorite cast members from the radio show were Phil Harris, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson and Dennis Day. I remember the first time that Phil sang Doo-Wah-Diddy on Jack’s radio show when Herbert Marshall was hosting while Jack was out of town that night. I STILL enjoy the song!

[@chrischeshire6528]

There must have been a time on Earth when all was good and perfect, and God was pleased and gave us Jack Benny.

[@stuuuporman]

AND, Phil Harris

[@philipbeck5815]

Appreciate all the love for my grandfather Phil Harris! Thank y’all!!!

[@AltonPitts-gg4dv]

I understand that in real life Mr. Harris was a modest reserved man, the opposite of his public persona. Bing loved being around him because he made him laugh.

[@jasonbeard4713]

Your Grandfather??? I love watching and listening to his shows.

[@billbarker7418]

My grandfather and Phil Harris were vaudeville partners back in Indiana until my grandfather left the stage to marry my grandmother. Unfortunately I know little of their history together.

[@Liz-xc5zs]

That's so cool! They seem like they would have been really awesome as grandparents.

[@wagonmaster1974]

Phillip's grandfather had one of the smoothest, yet most powerful voices of his era. Almost didn't recognize "Floyd" without his shears! Jack was the master of mugging. Thanks for the post.

[@historicradiotelevision-bi2861]

Hilarious. Phil and Jack are a pair that can’t be beat.

[@Phillyfan45]

I have always loved the Do-Wah-Diddy bit.

[@AndrewStorar]

Hello Phillip, I've always been a big fan of your grandfather AND your grandmother. They have brought a lot of joy and laughter to my life. Thank you Phil, Alice , and Jack!

[@NativeAmericanIndiansGen-ii7ne]

They did this skit, years before, on Jack’s radio show. It is wonderful to watch on his television show.

[@fromthesidelines]

February 1948, to be exact.

[@NativeAmericanIndiansGen-ii7ne]

@@fromthesidelines, I recognize your first name, middle initial, and your last name from comments left for The George Burns and Gracie Allen television show. There was an individual who had their shows grouped together by Seasons AND Episode numbers, BUT NOW that person’s hard work is gone and the few shows to find to watch are missing several Seasons & Episodes. Do you know what OR who messed up that other person’s hard work? I can not remember how to spell the person’s name, but it is OR was something close to: jefront…

[@Norvo82]

It's such a shame Phil had no interest in doing a TV version of his radio show with Alice Faye. He claimed he didn't have the face for television, but come on the man just oozes charm and charisma... You can't help but smile when he comes on and does his stuff.

[@Bojangles5-2]

Unfortunately, many of us are our own worst critics. It's a shame in Phil's case, I agree. But I can identify if that was the concern with Mr. Harris.

[@OofusTwillip]

Phil's vanity had nothing to do with it. He and Alice didn't want all the pressure and work of being on a weekly TV show. Radio was much easier, took less time & effort, and meant they were free to enjoy life with their daughters and friends. That's why Phil didn't want to be a regular on Jack's TV show, and why he and Alice didn't take their own show to TV.

[@fromthesidelines]

And there was the fact that Phil was under exclusive contract to NBC when Jack appeared on his first TV show (in October 1950), which meant he could not appear on *any* of Jack's CBS TV programs. Instead, he made various guest appearances on NBC's TV shows.

[@Bojangles5-2]

@@OofusTwillip I stand corrected.

[@EdwinEdwards-cb7ol]

I feel his radio show didn't last long enough

[@cpcattin]

I remember the day Phil died. I remember where I was. Doo Wa Ditty, ain’t no town ain’t no city.

[@chasse123b9]

The first Rap music by Phil Harris.

[@philipbeck5815]

U got that right

[@MarkNelson-tu1rn]

A little Phil Harris goes a long way.

[@cpcattin]

Look for the bare necessities !

[@xander6464]

Phil Harris and Floyd, the barber. That's entertainment!

[@fromthesidelines]

Don was in Philadelphia at the time, preparing to appear in a Broadway play, "Make A Million" (starring Sam Levene), which opened at the end of October 1958. Howard McNear, who made several appearances on Jack's program, appeared as "Elwood Hunsett", a fictional announcer who doesn't smoke......

[@xander6464]

@@fromthesidelines This was the first time I saw Jack and Howard together. I'm really happy that it was posted.

[@claudecat]

Big fan of the Harris/Faye radio show, less so of Benny's shows over the years, though he was a landmark comedian. Great to see Phil's physicality and facial expressions! A whole new layer hidden by radio. Some of his appropriations of black culture are hard to stomach today, perfectly acceptable at the time...

[@raymondkb2nzo788]

He was great entertainer.

[@cpcattin]

Floyd the barber !

[@aresee8208]

Apparently, Phil Harris once brought this thing home for Alice Faye. And she told him in no uncertain terms: "Get out of here with that (boom ba boom) and don't come back no more." Or so I heard somewhere.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

I love how Sammy the drummer never stops smiling during the whole “Darktown Poker Club” number.

[@anthonycorso4750]

Thank u , can we get more lost episodes please !

[@eddylauterback1312]

When Phil kidded the bald drummer, Jack lost it! Apparently it was off script. Those lucky strike smokers look healthy!

[@kubeckjay1137]

Phil Harris used to call Benny, “Jackson”!

[@chrischeshire6528]

And Jack called Phil "Curly".

[@fromthesidelines]

So did Elliott Lewis (as "Frankie") on his radio show.

[@chrischeshire6528]

@@fromthesidelines Frank Remley and Mel Blanc were the two guys that Jack like to be around when on vacation. Jack said, in Joan Benny's book, that Don Wilson wasn't fun to be around, Phil Harris had his own friends, Mary stayed home and Dennis was always working. Jack would go for a long drive with Frank and Frank would ask Jack where he wanted to go...Jack's response was "What way is the car pointed".

[@NativeAmericanIndiansGen-ii7ne]

Yep! Phil said on air to Jack during one of the radio show episodes that Jackson was as close to jackass as he could get🤭. Back in the day, they had censors during radio shows.

[@jec1ny]

"Jackson" was old school slang. Basically 1940s version of "bro." It was also used to refer to a $20 bill.

[@michaelcase8574]

The great Howard Mc Near!! Dock on radio version of Gunsmoke and ,of course, Floyd the hwrber and countless radio appearance. He was the only member of the radio cast to appear on the TV version of Gunsmoke. of

[@OofusTwillip]

That dressing table was used for backstage scenes on "The Carol Burnett Show" too, including the "Backstage" sketch with Sammy Davis Jr.

[@fromthesidelines]

Same stage at Television City {Studio 33}.

[@Kent-qo6xp]

Bern Kabelski!

[@bst6791]

This must have been before Floyd moved to Mayberry and started barbering.