The Jack Benny Program - Season 8
1 - First Show of the Season
Air Date: September 22, 1957
Show opens with the audience in line to see the show, telling each other how their tickets were forced on them. In his opening monologue, Jack analyzes his own humor. Dennis sings 'Around the world in 80 days.' Don does the Lucky Strike commercial as a calypso number; Jack won't let him finish it. He introduces Mel Blanc as Otto Ketzler, a novelty music act from Vienna; Ketzler plays bottles filled with alcohol--as he tunes them, he becomes more and more inebriated. Don's wife makes Jack call the sponsor to explain that the curtailed commercial was Jack's fault, not Don's.
2 - The Airport
Air Date: October 6, 1957
3 - Hal March Show
Air Date: October 20, 1957
During the monologue, the President and Secretary of the Jack Benny Fan Club, Pasadena Chapter, come onstage. Don and Harlow Wilson do a soft shoe to 'Me and my shadow' for the Lucky commercial. Hal March, host of The $64,000 Question quiz show, is the guest; Jack asks him questions, and he tries to answer them for prizes.
4 - Ginger Rogers Show
Air Date: November 3, 1957
5 - John Forsythe Show
Air Date: November 17, 1957
6 - Jack's Life Story
Air Date: December 1, 1957
Jack wants to star in the movie version of his life story, but producer Buddy Adler wants Van Johnson. Van Johnson and Buddy Adler play themselves. Announcer: Don Wilson. Rochester: Eddie Anderson.
7 - Christmas Shopping
Air Date: December 15, 1957
8 - Jack Goes to the Rose Bowl
Air Date: December 29, 1957
9 - Jack Takes a Beaver to the Dentist
Air Date: January 12, 1958
10 - Honeymooners Show
Air Date: January 26, 1958
Dennis sings 'The 12th of never.' In the sketch, Jack plays Ralph Kramden in a take-off of The Honeymooners, with Meadows as Alice and Dennis as Ed Norton.
11 - Jack at the Races
Air Date: February 9, 1958
12 - Violin Competition with Gisele MacKenzie
Air Date: February 23, 1958
13 - Academy Awards
Air Date: March 9, 1958
14 - Railroad Station Show
Air Date: March 23, 1958
15 - Ronnie Burns Show
Air Date: April 6, 1958
16 - Hillbilly Act
Air Date: April 20, 1958