The Milton Berle Show
Season 8
The Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the show soared to ratings dominance (Number One in 1950-51), NBC dominated Tuesday night, and Berle became the first great star of the new medium, "Mr. Television". The basic format was modeled after a vaudeville variety hour, spotlighting Berle's jokes, sight gags, and costumes.
Where to Watch Season 8
6 Episodes
- Guest Host: Jan MurrayE4
Guest Host: Jan MurrayComedian Jan Murray fills in for Berle, who fell ill during rehearsals. Guests include Gale Storm, accordionist Dick Contino, Vic Damone, and Ben Blue. Jan's monologues include jokes about his move to the suburbs. Gale sings "I Hear You Knockin'" and Vic does "Autumn Leaves." Blue does a pantomime as a man in a park making friends with a young woman. Shown is a black-and-white dramatic sketch from the 9/29/1953 episode of "The Buick-Berle Show" featuring Frank Sinatra and Tallulah Bankhead. - Live from the USS HancockE10
Live from the USS HancockBroadcast live in color from USS Hancock stationed at San Diego, CA. Milton's guests include Elvis Presley, Esther Williams, Buddy Rich, regular Arnold Stang, and the Harry James Orchestra. Following Berle's monologue, Esther Williams joins him and they sing "Memories Are Made of This" with new lyrics about sailors. Elvis and his band perform "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Blue Suede Shoes." Presley introduces his "twin brother Melvin," a hick dufus played by Berle. The two launch into a reprise of "Blue Suede Shoes" with Berle destroying his guitar and dancing Elvis-style like a lunatic. Francis (Arnold Stang), now a sailor, is the winner of the date with Ester Williams contest. James leads his band in "You Made Me Love You" joined by Buddy Rich for "Two O'Clock Jump." As James, Rich, and the orchestra play "Tiger Rag," Berle attempts to join them on trumpet, with little success. Berle performs a musical number with Williams as a wave who gets doused with water. - Mickey Rooney, Peggy King, Ruth Gilbert, Arnold StangE12
Mickey Rooney, Peggy King, Ruth Gilbert, Arnold StangIn color from California, Berle's scheduled guests include actor Mickey Rooney singer Peggy King, with Ruth Gilbert and Arnold Stang. Miltie talks to a psychiatrist because the show is putting him under excessive pressure. The doctor suggests hiring an understudy to lighten the load; enter Mickey Rooney.