It was a cold night in the Atlantic Ocean. The crew ship that was operated by the United Fruit Company thought it was going to be an ordinary evening. Then the radio […]
Be Prepared for Something of Great Interest to Follow
The Unlikely Origin of One of the Best-Loved Christmas Songs
It is almost impossible to imagine Christmas without thinking of all the songs that go with the day. There are enough holiday tunes to fill the season, and many are so beloved […]
TV’s Historic and Forgotten ‘The Television Ghost’
It is August 17, 1931, and you are one of the very few who are sufficiently fortunate and wealthy to own the latest technological gizmo. It is a radio that allows you […]
Trust, Decency, and Age Are the Secrets to the Marriage of Burns and Allen
George Burns and Gracie Allen not only had a wildly successful career as a comedy duo but they also enjoyed a happy marriage. When asked about the basis for the trust between […]
A Disastrous Encounter With a Barrel of Bricks and the Hilarious Letter That Ensued
Back in the day when comedians earned laughs by stimulating the minds of the audience, rather than appealing to prurient interests, there was one whose light shone brighter than any other: Fred […]
Sowing Wild Oats and Praying For a Crop Failure
“Most of us spend the first 6 days of each week sowing wild oats, then we go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure.” — Fred Allen
Who’s On First — The Greatest Comedy Routine in History
It was 1938. Very little about that year was generating laughter. The Great Depression continued to hold the world’s economy in its grip. War clouds were building in Europe, Asia, and Africa. […]
The Last-Minute Change that Created One of TV’s Favorite Shows
It was 1969 and Fred Silverman had to scramble to revise his big plans. He staked a lot on a new children’s program that he was sure was going to be a […]
The Wit and Wisdom of Fred Allen
Fred Allen (1894-1956) was one of the most brilliant comedians of all time. The fact that he is not better known today is one of the great travesties of the ages. After […]
Owning a Piece of the Yukon — One Square Inch at a Time
Real estate has always been a potentially-lucrative investment tool. Thanks to an unlikely realtor, more than 21 million children were given the opportunity to become landowners in the Yukon Territory and begin […]
Awards and Arthritis
“I don’t deserve this award, but I have arthritis, and I don’t deserve that, either.” — Jack Benny Read about unusual awards. Read more funny quotes.
All the Sincerity in Hollywood
“You can take all the sincerity in Hollywood, place it in the navel of a fruit fly and still have room enough for three caraway seeds and a producer’s heart.” — Fred […]
What Inspired the Radio Program that Terrified America?
It was 72 hours before they were to go on the air. Because of his busy schedule with other projects, the director was only then getting his chance to review the script […]
President Who?
Harry Von Zell is remembered as the long-time announcer of the Burns & Allen radio and television programs, but he also has the dubious distinction of being responsible for one of the first […]
The Trendsetting Benefits of Bad Fashion
“Her hat is a creation that will never go out of style. It will look ridiculous year after year.” — Fred Allen
Commonplace Fun Facts 