Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

" The Merry Widow" starring Anne Jeffreys.

September 30, 1951-August 29, 1971

Red Skelton's network television program began at the start of the 1951 fall season on NBC (for sponsor Procter & Gamble). After two seasons on Sunday nights, the program was picked up by CBS in the fall of 1953 and moved to Tuesday night, the time slot with which it would become primarily associated during most of its run. After his first CBS season the program was moved to Wednesday night and expanded to an hour for the summer of 1954 only; it was then reduced back to a half-hour for a time, later expanded again, returning to Tuesday night where it would remain for the next sixteen years (co-sponsored by Johnson's Wax and Pet Milk between 1955 and 1962).

On September 25, 1962, the program was again expanded to a full hour (becoming The Red Skelton Hour) and remained in this longer format for the balance of its CBS run.

CBS ended its association with the program in early 1970. This apparently marked the beginning of one of several attempts by CBS to downplay programming whose primary appeal was to "Middle America", an audience more rural and also somewhat older than that generally desired by network television advertisers. Marketers were moving towards a younger, "hipper", and more urban audience.

At least in part due to Skelton's iconic status, the program was picked up by NBC, premiering on September 14, 1970. Vice President Spiro Agnew introduced Red's 20th season opener, returning back to NBC where he began his first TV season. Guest on Shelton's premiere program was Jerry Lewis. After the taping of the show Lewis told the audience: "My ambition has always been to be a clown...tonight I've had the honor of working with a great clown."

The program that aired was quite different from the one that Skelton's CBS audience was used to seeing. The new set was dark, devoid of the backdrops that viewers had seen on CBS. The show was cut back to its original half-hour length and it was moved from Tuesday to Monday nights.

The new format never really worked. The program ended in March 1971, although selected programs from this final season were rerun on NBC on Sunday nights in prime time during June-August, 1971.                                                                   

September 30, 1951-August 29, 1971

Red Skelton's network television program began at the start of the 1951 fall season on NBC (for sponsor Procter & Gamble). After two seasons on Sunday nights, the program was picked up by CBS in the fall of 1953 and moved to Tuesday night, the time slot with which it would become primarily associated during most of its run. After his first CBS season the program was moved to Wednesday night and expanded to an hour for the summer of 1954 only; it was then reduced back to a half-hour for a time, later expanded again, returning to Tuesday night where it would remain for the next sixteen years (co-sponsored by Johnson's Wax and Pet Milk between 1955 and 1962).

On September 25, 1962, the program was again expanded to a full hour (becoming The Red Skelton Hour) and remained in this longer format for the balance of its CBS run.

CBS ended its association with the program in early 1970. This apparently marked the beginning of one of several attempts by CBS to downplay programming whose primary appeal was to "Middle America", an audience more rural and also somewhat older than that generally desired by network television advertisers. Marketers were moving towards a younger, "hipper", and more urban audience.

At least in part due to Skelton's iconic status, the program was picked up by NBC, premiering on September 14, 1970. Vice President Spiro Agnew introduced Red's 20th season opener, returning back to NBC where he began his first TV season. Guest on Shelton's premiere program was Jerry Lewis. After the taping of the show, Lewis told the audience: "My ambition has always been to be a clown...tonight I've had the honor of working with a great clown."

The program that aired was quite different from the one that Skelton's CBS audience was used to seeing. The new set was dark, devoid of the backdrops that viewers had seen on CBS. The show was cut back to its original half-hour length and it was moved from Tuesday to Monday nights.

The new format never really worked. The program ended in March 1971, although selected programs from this final season were rerun on NBC on Sunday nights in prime time during June-August, 1971.    

In this episode, Red Skelton's guests are actor Boris Karloff
and actress Eva Gabor.                                                                                        

Mickey Rooney guests in a "Freddie the Freeloader" sketch entitled "Half a Lawyer is Better Than None."             

September 30, 1951-August 29, 1971

Red Skelton's network television program began at the start of the 1951 fall season on NBC (for sponsor Procter & Gamble). After two seasons on Sunday nights, the program was picked up by CBS in the fall of 1953 and moved to Tuesday night, the time slot with which it would become primarily associated during most of its run. After his first CBS season the program was moved to Wednesday night and expanded to an hour for the summer of 1954 only; it was then reduced back to a half-hour for a time, later expanded again, returning to Tuesday night where it would remain for the next sixteen years (co-sponsored by Johnson's Wax and Pet Milk between 1955 and 1962).

On September 25, 1962, the program was again expanded to a full hour (becoming The Red Skelton Hour) and remained in this longer format for the balance of its CBS run.

CBS ended its association with the program in early 1970. This apparently marked the beginning of one of several attempts by CBS to downplay programming whose primary appeal was to "Middle America", an audience more rural and also somewhat older than that generally desired by network television advertisers. Marketers were moving towards a younger, "hipper", and more urban audience.

At least in part due to Skelton's iconic status, the program was picked up by NBC, premiering on September 14, 1970. Vice President Spiro Agnew introduced Red's 20th season opener, returning back to NBC where he began his first TV season. Guest on Shelton's premiere program was Jerry Lewis. After the taping of the show, Lewis told the audience: "My ambition has always been to be a clown...tonight I've had the honor of working with a great clown."

The program that aired was quite different from the one that Skelton's CBS audience was used to seeing. The new set was dark, devoid of the backdrops that viewers had seen on CBS. The show was cut back to its original half-hour length and it was moved from Tuesday to Monday nights.

The new format never really worked. The program ended in March 1971, although selected programs from this final season were rerun on NBC on Sunday nights in prime time during June-August, 1971.    

Comedy with Red Skelton                                                                                                  

September 30, 1951-August 29, 1971

Red Skelton's network television program began at the start of the 1951 fall season on NBC (for sponsor Procter & Gamble). After two seasons on Sunday nights, the program was picked up by CBS in the fall of 1953 and moved to Tuesday night, the time slot with which it would become primarily associated during most of its run. After his first CBS season the program was moved to Wednesday night and expanded to an hour for the summer of 1954 only; it was then reduced back to a half-hour for a time, later expanded again, returning to Tuesday night where it would remain for the next sixteen years (co-sponsored by Johnson's Wax and Pet Milk between 1955 and 1962).

On September 25, 1962, the program was again expanded to a full hour (becoming The Red Skelton Hour) and remained in this longer format for the balance of its CBS run.

CBS ended its association with the program in early 1970. This apparently marked the beginning of one of several attempts by CBS to downplay programming whose primary appeal was to "Middle America", an audience more rural and also somewhat older than that generally desired by network television advertisers. Marketers were moving towards a younger, "hipper", and more urban audience.

At least in part due to Skelton's iconic status, the program was picked up by NBC, premiering on September 14, 1970. Vice President Spiro Agnew introduced Red's 20th season opener, returning back to NBC where he began his first TV season. Guest on Shelton's premiere program was Jerry Lewis. After the taping of the show Lewis told the audience: "My ambition has always been to be a clown...tonight I've had the honor of working with a great clown."

The program that aired was quite different from the one that Skelton's CBS audience was used to seeing. The new set was dark, devoid of the backdrops that viewers had seen on CBS. The show was cut back to its original half-hour length and it was moved from Tuesday to Monday nights.

The new format never really worked. The program ended in March 1971, although selected programs from this final season were rerun on NBC on Sunday nights in prime time during June-August, 1971. 

Red's guest is Dale Robertson.                                                                               

Dan Rowan & Dick Martin take a swipe at TV with a host of many guest stars. 

A duplicate of #5428.             

The Smothers Brothers "lost" NBC special about censorship and freedom of speech. Tom and Dick present an hour of satire and music. Guests include Peter Fonda, Glen Campbell, David Frye, and comics Bob Einstein and David Steinberg. 
The high-point of the hour is a sketch blending comedy and patriotism. Tom and Dick greet Abraham Lincoln (Pat Paulsen) Thomas Jefferson (Peter Fonda), Benjamin Franklin (Fredd Wayne) and President Johnson (David Frye).
Also: Songs by the brothers ("Time," "A Song For The Asking.") and Campbell ("Pave Your Way Into Tomorrow.") Steinberg as a way-out existential psychiatrist; Einstein as officer Judy (with an a comic apologia for the police) and "instant analysis" of the show by David Frye (as William F. Buckley, Jr and David Susskind) and newsman Alex Dreier. 

Dupe of #9243.                             

The Smothers Brothers "lost" NBC special about censorship and freedom of speech.          

A gentle poke at family life as host Robert Young introduces a series of typical family dilemmas. Produced & directed by Bud Yorkin, who co-produces & directs "All In The Family."             

September 17th, 1969-January 11th, 1974 ( ABC) 

Half-hour comedy-drama set at Walt Whitman high school in Los Angeles. The cast included Lloyd Hanes as black American history teacher Pete Dixon, Karen Valentine as student teacher Alice Johnson, Michael Constantine as principal Seymour Kaufman, and Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre, a black guidance counselor and Dixon's female friend.  

Pilot Episode: Homosexuality issues.           

September 17th, 1969-January 11th, 1974 ( ABC) 

Half-hour comedy-drama set at Walt Whitman high school in Los Angeles. The cast included Lloyd Hanes as black American history teacher Pete Dixon, Karen Valentine as student teacher Alice Johnson, Michael Constantine as principal Seymour Kaufman, and Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre, a black guidance counselor and Dixon's female friend.  

In this episode: Woodrow Parfrey as a bigoted father whose son is starting to rebel against blind hatred.               

A comedy special starring Richard Pryor. Richard wanders around the NBC studio encountering various eccentrics.             

September 15th, 1977- January 26th, 1978. 

Series Premiere Episode.

An hour-long comedy/variety show hosted by Redd Foxx.

15 broadcasts: 1977 - Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 1978 - Jan. 5, 12, 26.

Pre-empted Oct. 13, 27, Jan. 19, 1978. Re-run Dec. 29 (Sept. 29).

After Redd Foxx quit Sanford And Son after only four years, that made him rich, famous and so successful he elected to do this short lived TV variety show (16 broadcasts). Despite good critical ratings ABC TV dropped the show. It was disappointing to Foxx fans for this show provided a venue that allowed Redd to show off his talent and charm and charisma.

Red Foxx He was a pioneer for young black comics. If you ask any one of them Richard Pryor or Eddie Murphy who their idols were they would probably say Redd Foxx.

Many rare moments did occur on the show such as when the great Joe Louis guested on the third show (9/29/77). In a comedy routine Louis made out like he was going to box Redd. They called it "The Brown Bomber versus The Redd Target"

NOTE: To date only four of this series video taped episodes are extant. Three are archived at The Paley Center for Media (Oct. 4, Nov. 17, and Dec. 20, 1977. No episodes are in the archives of The Library of Congress or at UCLA Film & Television Museum. 

One complete episode has been uploaded to You tube (Jan. 5, 1978). 

                                                                            

September 15th, 1977- January 26th, 1978. 

An hour-long comedy/variety show hosted by Redd Foxx.

15 broadcasts: 1977 - Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 1978 - Jan. 5, 12, 26.

Pre-empted Oct. 13, 27, Jan. 19, 1978. Re-run Dec. 29 (Sept. 29).

After Redd Foxx quit Sanford And Son after only four years, that made him rich, famous and so successful he elected to do this short lived TV variety show (16 broadcasts). Despite good critical ratings ABC TV dropped the show. It was disappointing to Foxx fans for this show provided a venue that allowed Redd to show off his talent and charm and charisma.

Red Foxx He was a pioneer for young black comics. If you ask any one of them Richard Pryor or Eddie Murphy who their idols were they would probably say Redd Foxx.

Many rare moments did occur on the show such as when the great Joe Louis guested on the third show (9/29/77). In a comedy routine Louis made out like he was going to box Redd. They called it "The Brown Bomber versus The Redd Target"

NOTE: To date only four of this series video taped episodes are extant. Three are archived at The Paley Center for Media (Oct. 4, Nov. 17, and Dec. 20, 1977. No episodes are in the archives of The Library of Congress or at UCLA Film & Television Museum. 

One complete episode has been uploaded to You tube (Jan. 5, 1978).