On January 12, 1926, radio audiences heard the first exchanges of wit and wisdom between “Sam ’n’ Henry”—the verbal jousters who would evolve into Amos ’n’ Andy and whose broadcasts launched the radio sitcom. Here is a detailed look at 20 of the most popular such sitcoms that aired between the mid–1920s and early 1950s, the three-decade heyday of radio.
Each series is discussed from an artistic standpoint, with attention to the program’s character development and style of comedy as well as its influence on other shows. The book provides complete biographical profiles of each sitcom’s stars as well as several actors whose careers consisted primarily of supporting roles. Appendices include an abbreviated summary of 13 sitcoms beyond those discussed in the main body of the book, and a comprehensive list of 170 radio sitcoms. Notes, bibliography, index.

Jim Cox, a leading radio historian, is an award-winning author of numerous books on the subject. A retired college professor, he lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jim Cox
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 296
Bibliographic Info: 15 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012 [2007]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6912-3
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9180-3
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi

Introduction      1

1. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet      7

2. The Aldrich Family      19

3. The Amos ’n’ Andy Show      32

4. Archie Andrews      48

5. Baby Snooks      61

6. Beulah      71

7. Blondie      86

8. Duffy’s Tavern      95

9. Father Knows Best      105

10. Fibber McGee & Molly      116

11. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show      133

12. The Great Gildersleeve      143

13. The Jack Benny Program      157

14. The Life of Riley      168

15. Life with Luigi      176

16. Meet Millie      186

17. My Favorite Husband      195

18. My Friend Irma      206

19. Our Miss Brooks      220

20. The Phil Harris–Alice Faye Show      239

Appendix A: A Directory of Network Radio Sitcoms      249

Appendix B: Additional Radio Sitcoms      262

The Bickersons      262

A Date with Judy      263

A Day in the Life of Dennis Day      263

Easy Aces      264

Ethel and Albert      264

The Halls of Ivy      265

Junior Miss      265

Lum and Abner      266

Maisie      267

Meet Corliss Archer      267

My Little Margie      268

That Brewster Boy      268

Vic and Sade      269

Chapter Notes      271

Bibliography      279

Index      283

“detailed…a wealth of information…useful…very specialized work”—Booklist; “first-rate…factual…in-depth…highly informative…enjoyable”—OTR Bulletin Boards; “fascinatingly detailed”—Monitoring Times; “the detail…is extensive…a good reference…a good read”—Air Check.