Mitlon Berle

 

THE BUICK BERLE SHOW 

 

 

 

In the 1953-54 season, the Buick-Berle Show was set into the 8:00 P.M. Tuesday time slot. Facing greater competition and sensing the need for more determined effort to compensate for the dwindling novelty of both the program and the medium, Berle's staff and writers changed focus from the zany qualities of the show's early days to a more structured format. Berle continued to attract a substantial audience, but he was dropped by Buick at the end of the season in 1955. Hour long variety shows had become more difficult to orchestrate due to higher costs, in-creasing salary demands, and union complications. Also, Berle's persona had shifted from the impetuous and aggressive style of the Texaco Star Theater days to a more cultivated, but less distinctive personality, leaving many fans somehow unsatisfied. The next year, a new Milton Berle Show was produced in California for the 1955-56 season, but it failed to capture either the spirit or the audience of Uncle Miltie in his prime. Berle was featured on Kraft Music Hall in the late 1950s and Jackpot Bowling, a 1960s game show. In 1965, Berle renegotiated his 30-year contract with NBC, allowing him to appear on any network. He later made guest appearances in dramas as well as comedy programs. In addition to television, Berle's career in the later years included film, night clubs, and benefit shows. He has been the subject of nearly every show business tribute and award, including an Emmy and TV specials devoted to his contributions and legacy in broadcasting.

 

1-   HOUR SHOWS

 

1.   BASIL RATHBONE & MICKY SPILLANE

2.    STEVE ALLEN

3.    ELVIS

4.    RONALD REAGAN

5.    JACK WEBB & LISA KIRK

6.    CAROL CHANNING & PETER LAWFORD

7.    FROM NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE

8.    JANE FROTHMAL

9.    KAY THOMPSON

10.                       JACKIE COOPER & VIC DAMONE

11.                        MICKEY ROONEY

12.                       SAMMY DAVIS JR.

13.                       BOB CUMMINGS & PAUL DOUGLAS

14.                       JACK BENNY

15.                       ANDREW SISTERS & MOLLY GOLDBERG

16.                       MARTHA RAYE

17.                       OLSON & JOHNSON

18.                       FRANK SINATRA & TALLULA BANKHEAD

19.                       JUDITH ANDERSON