December 24th, 1948- June 4th, 1950 (NBC) October 2nd, 1950-June 24th 1955 (CBS) September 17th 1955- June 12th, 1963 (NBC)
In 1944, the year his first record was released, Perry Como appeared on radio in The Chesterfield Supper Club; when that show came to television late in 1948, Como came with it, and has remained on television for more than four decades. The Chesterfield Supper Club, which also featured The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and the Fontane Sisters, was originally seen on Friday nights but soon shifted to a half-hour slot on Sundays, opposite Ed Sullivan's "Toast Of The Town." In the fall of 1950, Como shifted to CBS where he hosted his own show for the next five seasons; the fifteen-minute program was seen Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, following the network news. Also featured were the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and The Fontane Sisters, together with announcer Frank Gallop. In the fall of 1955 Como returned to NBC, where he hosted a weekly hour show for the next eight years; from 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturdays and was titled The Perry Como Show. From 1959 to 1963 it was seen on Wednesdays and was titled The Kraft Music Hall. The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and Frank Gallop were again featured, along with The Ray Charles Singers and The Louis DaPron Dancers (later, The Peter Gennaro Dancers). The Como Music Hall Players included Don Adams, Paul Lynde, Kaye Ballard, Jack Duffy, and Sandy Stewart.
Show of 12-26-62. Guests: Dancer Eleanor Powell, Singer Caterina Valente, pianist Roger Williams. Medley of songs from the movies of Eleanor Powell. Tap dance number.
Commercials included. Announcer Frank Gallop.
