You Bet Your Life #55-19 Esther Bradley, country singing ex-factory worker ('Foot', Feb 2, 1956)

Groucho seems completely taken with Esther Bradley, one of those contestants who's so naturally funny that he's happy to let her take center stage. Groucho spends so long talking to Esther, there was no time for any of the other couples!
Esther, under-confident of her ability to answer the quiz questions, bows out; a sailor from the audience takes her place. At the end of the show, producer John Guedel decided to have Esther and Joe return next week, and the big question is skipped.
COUPLE #1: Esther Bradley, who talks about her history of botched factory work / Joe Eggbert, in charge of dog licenses
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Episode identification and basic description based on "Tell 'em Groucho Sent You", © 1997 by Mark Petty. Used by permission.

[@BazingaBallpit]

This is my grandma !! I’m so proud to be able to have called her that. I love her and miss her every day 🖤🖤 I love you gramma 🥰

[@Dexiray]

BTW, Have you been to any TV show we could watch?

[@issaalsmairat5415]

Actually she's my grandmother. She used to sing to me when I was younger. I miss and love you rest in eternal peace grandma

[@BazingaBallpit]

@@issaalsmairat5415 pls who even are you GAHAHAHA

[@marilynlarosa7449]

She is naturally funny Love her personality You were blessed

[@Linda-qi8iy]

@@Dexiray these shows are 70 yrs old.

[@johndaugherty7779]

What a simple, sincere, and sweet woman. Not to mention just hilarious. First time I have seen Groucho content with a contestant having so much time with their own humor.

[@SelfReflective]

She is simple, I'll give you that.

[@henrybrowne7248]

One of many reasons this show is so good.

[@axiomist4488]

Aw, shes so sweet. She says "Get somebody with brains". What a darling angel. Anyone who had her in his/her life was a very lucky person. God bless her, RIP Esther .

[@BazingaBallpit]

Thank you. This was my grandmother. She really was the sweetest woman and I miss her so dearly every day

[@rleon8339]

@@BazingaBallpit She seemed like an anger. We would love to know more about her! Did she always talk about her appearance on the show? How long did she live? I hope she had a great life.

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@BazingaBallpit Just scientifically curious. Did she suffer from severe late age dementia or not?

[@henrybrowne7248]

I loved Esther too.

[@henrybrowne7248]

It was almost Esther tells the story, and Groucho makes a face to the audience.

[@valeriebradleylensing166]

My mother, Esther Bradley, passed away three years ago on January 18, 2015. I wish I knew about YBYL videos and shared the comments with her. She would have been so pleased. My mother was not a professional actress or comedian. She was savvy in how she wrote in to the show to be a contestant...she put a tiny safety pin with a small, dainty bow to seal the letter and it got the attention of someone. She was a fabulous writer, so I am sure she used her witty writing skills. Esther was offered a contract, and I still have the unsigned contract from the William Morris agency in Beverly Hills. She just knew it was not the right path to take with a husband, two small children and me on the way. My dad was not one for the lime-light and he would have faded in the background. Valerie Bradley Lensing

[@suryclind]

When I am feeling low, I watch this episode with your darling mother Esther Bradley. Losing a mother is so very difficult and I wish you, Valerie, deepest condolences on your mother's passing. I hope she enjoyed her life; which can be much like traversing thru a carnival, dodging the merry go round, the ferris wheel and the house or horrors..I'm so pleased to learn she was an excellent writer; I dabble myself as a poet/short story writer..Best wishes indeed.

[@larslarsman]

Your mother was great, her stories were great, and her honesty and good character was something Groucho recognized completely, including me. I've never seen a whole episode where Groucho devoted the whole show to one couple. Thank you for sharing you memories.

[@kamikazeyamamoto4545]

Your mother was a natural entertainer and of the many contestants Groucho had on his show, he spent more time with your mom and she got him laughing a lot too. She had a great voice for singing Western music too.

[@maxinegallant3240]

Thank you so much for that information, I thought she was great God love her .I often wondered if she was still alive.

[@darranwigg3722]

I have downloaded many of these great episodes and I watch them on my mp4 player, the episode with your mother is one that I can watch over and over again, in a way she reminds me of my mother, down to earth and caring, one of the best parts for me, is where groucho says to your mother if she has any hobbies like blowing up bridges, and with a straight face, your mother says nothing that big!, then you hear the audience laugh, and the smile and laugh of groucho is brilliant, because you can tell that he thinks that that's one of the best things that he's heard, bless you and your family.

[@df5295]

Groucho was having so much fun with Esther he totally ignored the game! The game is actually just a method for Groucho to interact with the guests. When he realized how great Esther was he just kept it going! Esther is a doll! One of the best game show contestants ever!

[@mehboobkm3728]

This is the first time I'm noticing Groucho leading a contestant to the secret word. He literally asked about the "foot clinic."

[@optitom9033]

These shows are priceless, I'm 78 and can't get enough

[@nancyterrywhittemore2015]

Esther was a charm ! She had a decent singing voice,too. She sounded like kitty Wells.

[@garyshenenberger7518]

This clip NEVER gets old! Love this lady! Watched it first on reruns of ‘’ You Bet Your Life’’ on an oldies station as a young girl . Laughed till I cried🤣! She was genuinely hilarious.

[@gward8579]

Esther Bradley is a engaging, charismatic and beautiful lady. Her family must be very proud of her. Sad that she has passed R I.P Esther. Thanks for the memories.

[@buckroo8424]

She’s simply hilarious! Such a sweet woman. And such a cute laugh!

[@poyed88]

I would have liked to live in that house. She is a hoot. She out-staged Groucho and she can sing. I can't stop watching her on YBYL. What a natural.

[@johnsimon340]

Funny and cute

[@clydeholiday5907]

I can watch her for a million times and it still put a smile on my face how can you not love this woman

[@angepicone5749]

I absolutely love this episode. Esther is the real star. Would have loved to have met her

[@kafkakitty8630]

The connection between Groucho and Esther was cemented with the blowing up bridges bit.

[@moonlanding-69]

"oh nothing that big' ........I fell off my chair!

[@kafkakitty8630]

Mightymole I’ll have to watch this again. I’ve forgotten what was said!

[@bobatl4990]

He rarely laughs and the cigar couldn’t help him keep a straight face with the blowing up the bridge part.

[@kafkakitty8630]

@@bobatl4990 It was lovely to see him laugh like that and to enjoy the moment. All the pressure (which he thrived on) seemed to fall away then, and he relaxed. She really was engaging with him on another level, instead of just laughing at every outrageous thing he said.

[@censusgary]

Esther Bradley is one of the funniest people I’ve ever seen. I can’t quite tell if she’s doing comedy intentionally or unintentionally. She also has a good country singing style- it reminds me of Mother Maybelle Carter.

[@LeeKav]

I think a bit of both. There's a few times where she clearly didn't say something to be funny, but when the audience laughs she immediately gets why it IS funny and laughs herself.

[@josephwalker1090]

Valerie your mother was a sweet lady , hilarious , beautiful ,a angel , wonderful , fantastic , a great singer, delightful, amazing, smart ,polite, very nice, if everyone was like mrs.esther Bradley this world would be like heaven . She is the best ,Valerie you are very blessed to have a mother like Esther , she has the perfect personality , I hope to see her in heaven , take care of yourself Valerie and God bless you . From Joe and Effie walker in Denton , Texas .

[@laurnaleto4622]

This was hilarious; my favorite of the dozens I've seen. Nonstop innocent comedy. Groucho has better aside looks than Jack Benny, but his sincere incredulity at that man's laugh was priceless. Esther was such a sweet unknowing foil. Watched it 3 times and will again.

[@kathleenbrennan1469]

What a sweet lady! Valerie, how lucky you are to have this precious video of your Mother.

[@PrimeDirective101]

It's such a pleasure to see two of Esther's daughters in these comments. We all just love her. I've seen this episode before and never tire of it. What a wonderful, honest, person Esther was. She added a smile to the world and for years to come.

[@valeriebradleylensing166]

Thank you! Very kind words.

[@paultempleton530]

May miss Bradley live forever God Bless her and hers

[@russellcampbell9198]

You get to love Esther. Great show.

[@paultrainor960]

I think I watched over 75 episodes and this one is my favorites​. She and Groucho definitely connected in a genuine, positive way.

[@gordonward537]

This was the best I've ever seen in all my 75 years

[@casyatbat]

For me it is a tie for with a few others, but I cannot remember liking such a genuine, sweet woman on a show like this. Here is are the other 2, same league, different division - search *_groucho gonzalez gonzalez_* and *_groucho crazy eyes_*

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Groucho knew immediately he had a gold mine here. That’s the sign of a real host and comedian. Very rare that he allowed one couple to take up the whole show, but this is comedy gold.

[@Michigan25132]

Esther has a great laugh!

[@marybradley3871]

I've had such pleasure reading the great comments. So many kind words from so many people. It's wonderful to know my mother is still able to make others laugh after all this time! I would however, like to comment on Rhonda's kind words regarding my mother. It's nice of her to comment, but I don't know who she is. I have only one sister, and her name is Valerie. Just the same, thank you Rhonda, for blessing her and helping keep her memory alive .

[@russellcampbell9198]

She was so engaging.

[@abelincoln3287]

What a sweet and genuine woman, I was so entertained.

[@kirtbarnes9638]

Bjb

[@marybradley3871]

Hi Sam S. I'm glad your doing better, and the past is past. Laughter is the best medicine 😇

[@df5295]

Your mom was such a treasure! What a sweetheart!

[@sgit1]

Esther Bradley was such a sweet person - never putting on an act. Her husband was a very lucky man to have such a companion in life.

[@CD-db1zo]

She was naturally funny

[@paulesposito5856]

What a wonderful and charming human being Esther was.

[@Stuart68505]

Ester was really funny. Good singer with a great trumpeter

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Her singing voice was just fine.

[@marions.120]

Esther was awesome, so funny and engaging! When she said, then I went to work for the government, I about lost it! p.s. I put this video on with Esther on when I need to smile a little!

[@papagen00]

hands down the funnest episode of YBYL. 16:10 also love the jazz trumpet player 👍

[@clydeholiday5907]

I love this lady n her singing

[@ladyofthewoods2448]

Ester and Groucho are great together, made me laugh ....

[@tommyvictorbuch6960]

She was wonderful! ❤️

[@jeanpeters100]

Esther Bradley fantastic made me laugh so much it made my throat sore.

[@johnderfler5183]

Ester Bradley and Pedro Gonzalez- Gonzalez 2 funniest YBYL episodes.

[@martinjones5965]

This was an exceptional show - in none of the other 28 I've watched did Groucho talk so long with the contestants - I loved that. Esther was wonderful. I though some of Groucho's put-downs were unkind like getting 5year old from audience. Her singing was wonderful. I was impressed by Groucho's willingness to acquiesce to her request for musician to be next to her. She obviously felt inadequate to be in the quiz - many contestants in YBYL stand there and don't answer at all and other person does all the talking. "A bird" (he gets it half right) "That's right an aquatic bird" Groucho fills in the missing half :) I can't imagine a modern game show being this spontaneous.

[@birdieberry]

I really love how Groucho is having so much fun in this episode!

[@ManInTheBigHat]

Best of Show, right here.

[@jwinn885]

If you ever just need to feel good watch this. And I would have loved to have met your grandmother and especially your grandfather.

[@dantheman1382]

I can watch this episode like I can watch the honeymooner! It makes me laugh every time !!! and even Groucho is entertained with Esther !!!!!

[@kevinkettell1092]

im from Pennsylavania too . i love this one. Esther Bradley !

[@jameswilde3414]

that was funny interaction between Esther and Groucho just great

[@elspethcoogan1499]

This is one of the few YBYL shows where Groucho genuinely laughs. He is evidently enjoying Esther’s sardonic humour. She was a hoot and would have been great at stand-up using her observational style of story-telling.

[@henrybrowne7248]

That's right. It's a special moment when a great comedian can't suppress his own laughter and Groucho understood that ordinary people produce the most genuine comedy, usually spontaneously. Btw, he laughs on several other episodes. An out-and-out guffaw on the show with that prince guy, who might have actually been a deliberate act--I think Esther was just genuine--dammit I can't remember his name but he wore a humongous headress of some kind and he's in the thumbnail pick.

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

Beautiful lady ❤️

[@CD-db1zo]

OMG. Esther is so hilarious!

[@meandinah4310]

Hilarious..lovely lady..

[@anton1949]

This is one cool ,smart lady.

[@retrobilly1986]

I have watched this episode several times. If Esther is putting on an act, she does it very well, if not, she still great. RIP Esther. From Australia

[@valeriebradleylensing166]

Hi William, Esther was putting on an act most of her life haha. It was just my mom; genuinely an extrovert...so embarrassing when I was young. Thank you :)

[@PrimeDirective101]

@@valeriebradleylensing166 Everybody loves her; what a genuine friendly person

[@retrobilly1986]

4 years later and am still enjoying her humour.

[@owenlewis8006]

Aw, she was so sweet and funny!

[@deltabilly1]

Esther is amazing

[@rusepharos5071]

Arguably, the most entertaining episode of YBYL.

[@noeljokait]

This is probably the funniest YBYL episode !!! Thanks for posting

[@karlakor]

I had intended to watch only a little of this episode, but it was so engaging that I ended up watching it all the way to the end. This was one of the most entertaining episodes of You Bet Your Life.

[@jeanpeters100]

I had to watch your mother again and Esther is as funny as the great Groucho was but much sweeter than the great man and although i remembered most of it i laughed even more then i went to bed and was still laughing would loved to have met your mum.

[@pamelastetor8803]

Check this out, I love this one!!!! She sings wonderfully!!! A real lady!!!

[@Finglesham]

A remarkable programme ( UK spelling) A natural lady who was very entertaining without even trying.

[@Greenwinkle]

A beautiful soul RIP 🙏

[@robertpatrick5188]

Groucho once referred to Esther Bradley as a :"highly-trained comedienne in the Minnie Pearl tradition." She and Joe Egbert were also the first couple to go the entire show. This one's a classic "YBYL" episode.

[@bobcrestwood740]

Yes, it's obvious that she's a professional comedian doing an act rather than just somebody off the street who really is that way. She was certainly good at it.

[@robertpatrick5188]

@@bobcrestwood740 Perhaps belaboring a point, but Groucho's staff considered Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez to be the funniest contestant but Esther Bradley to be the best. She had many more stories she could have told.

[@johnlamorges4432]

@@robertpatrick5188 ll

[@henrybrowne7248]

What! She was doing that on purpose? Fooled me. I'm gonna have to do some research . . .

[@clydeholiday5907]

Wow she is so adorable I've been watching this for 2 months on and off of course and I still love it I wish her more ladies like that out there

[@thomassant2154]

One of the funnest YBL, I couldn't stop laughing!

[@SuperWinterborn]

Esther was such a sweet, clumsy lady. She reminds me about the failured salesman in a previous episode. Both really nice, honest and open persons. :)

[@PimpLenin]

I didn't think she was that bad of a singer either, if that is your type of music.

[@bobdownes162]

Not a bad singing voice. No canned laughter reqiured on this Show. (composer, musician, vocalist)

[@muskratbill]

Nice of the producer to give the sailor an extra $50.00

[@JohnCahillChapel]

Lovely lady... Esther Bradley.

[@keithnaylor1981]

“What did they ask you to do? “Work!” Possibly the funniest comment by any guest! She was wonderful! Esther and Groucho would have made a terrific double act!

[@temeculajim8283]

Thanks so mush for posting these shows. Such a joy watching real talent. The comics now dont come near the great entertainers of the past

[@peggywelty5139]

I bet she was a great mom

[@kuyaotto135]

what a good sport Esther was. groucho really laid in to her. hahahahaha

[@robertnorth5725]

hhahahaahaa Best Everrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!! (at 12;50) she says: "WE WON THE DUCK!!!!!!!" awwwwwwwesome!!!!!! :) :) SHE'S THE BESTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!

[@buzzsaw6341]

This woman was naturally funny and I thought she sang well.

[@gaylelewis9114]

Love her!

[@marybradley3871]

i was just informed by my sister, Valerie that YBYL is on KZbin, and there is the hilarious episode of my mother Esther Bradley! She really was a funny person in real life. She loved to sing and spent much of her time behind her typewriter, writing short stories and poetry, while managing 4 kids.

[@jeanpeters100]

What a lovley talented lady your mother was.

[@marybradley3871]

Thank you, Cyril. Bless you!

[@abelincoln3287]

Such a genuine and unpretentious woman. I so enjoyed this video

[@Victorygirl2000]

Your mother was a rare gem!

[@marybradley3871]

Thank you, Rachel. She is missed.❣

[@richarddavies9514]

I have watched quite a few of Groucho this was without the funniest one yet, and a true statement The one the only Groucho

[@HAZIDEAD]

Such nice, polite refined people on this show.

[@billylittleton3395]

Great voice

[@stevenhudson7313]

Perfect!

[@bruceburch8301]

Great professional actress

[@jimlaguardia8185]

This is undeniable evidence in support of the proposition that the purpose of the guest is to make the host look good. Never was that more true than on this series.

[@h.e.miller3710]

This episode's uniqueness is shown by YBYL letting her segment take the entire time slot. #55-19 and Gonzales Gonzales are my favorite 2 episodes.

[@FF11Freshstep]

the navy man's name is Pat Hunt in case you want to throw that in the description

[@clydeholiday5907]

It's been over two years and I still love this❤

[@rhondapierre8772]

That's would be correct. Esther Bradley. Epic!!!

[@clydeholiday5907]

I'm a single guy and I would love to find a woman like her I just love her

[@marytolian]

She's a delight - and Groucho thought so too!

[@miltonlevant2290]

Great stuff

[@EFFIEWalker-pn7hh]

Mrs.bradley is the greatest

[@dannybayridge4999]

This episode is tied for number one along with Gonzalez Gonzalez !!!! Lmao

[@alexandermarquis6197]

The intersection at Sunset and Alvarado, is a normal lower class area of lower Hollywood, closer to Silverlake.

[@jimmiedee2315]

The production staff nearly blew this one. Esther says, "foot clinic" and nothing happens - no duck. Thirty-four seconds pass and she says, "foot clinic", again. The audience then applauds, and the duck drops down.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Jimmie Dee Nice catch-- I never noticed this before. Interestingly, sometimes the segments were juggled around from one show to another for timing reasons, even to the point that sometimes the TV versions of episodes don't have the same couples featured that the radio versions do. In these cases, the producers would sometimes have to either edit out a mention of a secret word that wasn't the secret word on the show the segment was originally recorded for, or they'd get mail from viewers complaining that the contestants got rooked. Other times, they would make up a fake secret word after the fact, choosing something that they knew was never said during the interview. As spontaneous as YBYL feels, it was a heavily produced series.

[@annodomini7887]

Seems that they weren’t paying attention because of this woman’s baffling story.

[@robertnorth5725]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!........i was enthralled TOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mntryjoseph1961]

I caught that too!

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Ester broke the duck

[@PATSYBSWEET]

I love these shows. And she is delightful. What fun!

[@worldnotworld]

This is the friggin' nuttiest hilarity I've encountered for some time...

[@aloisemason3044]

This was very intresing..I might add a delightful performance on everybody including the audience..thank you all

[@WoolyBuggerPicker]

Esther was sure a sweet, good sport.

[@valeriebradleylensing166]

Thank you Mike, I hope it is not too late to reply. How rude of me. I will get the hang of this maybe haha.

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@valeriebradleylensing166 Greetings from The Kingdom of The Netherlands. 😊 Your dear mother was an adorable and truly sincere lady, IMHO. Although, I see where some folks here in the comment section seemingly believe that she was 'Putting on an act'; sorry, I don't see that AT ALL! She seems to me to be truly innocent and not play-acting in any respect. I remember watching this episode of 'YBYL' several years ago then being charmed by your mother's child-like innocence, so refreshing with all of the pretenders in the world, even back then. Your mother may have 'butched' a job or two but she didn't butch her charm. God Bless & Keep you, VTY, Jeff di Giusto.

[@rhondapierre8772]

Wow way to go Mom. Please your soul

[@moonlanding-69]

Groucho you're kidding me...Kitty Wells Queen of country......Making Believe #1 hit

[@thomastimlin1724]

She said "Foot Clinic" or "foot" so why didn't the duck come own immediately? Foot was the secret word. When Esther said "Then I worked for the Goverment" I lost it. She left Groucho speechless. Bravo!

[@HappyLife693]

Ester Bradley missed her calling! She was hilarious.

[@robertnorth5725]

......birds and animals............."what's PETREL!?"...... (she says) "that's Gas!" hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, JUST THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JayJay-it1uh]

Did you catch the bit of Yiddish at 2:45? He asks her if she's from "misa meshina' Pennsylvania. That's Yiddish for 'unusual death'. I've never heard him speak Yiddish before.

[@lindaday6275]

Wow, you're right! I didn't notice it...

[@deltabilly1]

He throws some Yiddish in from time to time. More German though.

[@johndaugherty7779]

Who cares?

[@MoiAussi18]

No prizes for guessing why Daugherty doesn't care.