watches TV - with the Colmans: Jack Benny (February 18, 1951)

Jack Benny, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“watches TV - with the Colmans” is an episode of Jack Benny, the old-time radio show, first broadcast February 18, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Jack Benny is at home taking violin lessons when his valet Rochester is pressed for money and Jack agrees to raise the professor's fee. Phil Harris calls with news of a rehearsal and Don Ameche visits to collect a wager, but Jack's evening takes a turn when he learns that a picture of his is to be shown on television. Lacking a set of his own that works, Jack heads next door to the Colmans' home to watch it. The Colmans, who have been avoiding him, end up hiding in a back room, and their evening is disrupted by his unexpected presence. This episode of the Jack Benny series first aired on February 18, 1951, with Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Eddie Anderson and Phil Harris in the lead.

Beverly Hills, California: Jack Benny's home and the Colmans' house next door

Characters: Jack Benny, Rochester, Professor LeBlanc, Phil Harris, Don Ameche, Ronnie Coleman, Bonita Coleman, Herbert Rawlinson

Listen for: Jack's visit to the Colmans' house to watch television, and their attempts to avoid him

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.