How was it possible for a group of trained people to put on such a flop

October 23, 2023 3:17 PM

The evening of JFK's inauguration also marked the first (and last) episode of a new CBS panel game show, "You're In The Picture," hosted by the inimitable Jackie Gleason, with panelists Jan Sterling, Arthur Treacher, Patricia Carroll and Pat Harrington, Jr. The following week Jackie appeared in that time slot again, but without sets or a panel. He spent the entire time before a studio audience giving a improvised monologue about how resoundingly the show had flopped, as well as a story from his early career, while drinking booze-laden coffee. Both episodes are up at the Internet Archive. Thanks to StarkRoads for finding these! CW: guest misgendering for humor, cultural insensitivity typical of 1961 pop culture, and commercials.
posted by JHarris (15 comments total)

The second show with Gleason just talking to the audience was amazing. Great post. Thanks.

That dude knew how to smoke and tell a story.
posted by SoberHighland at 4:28 PM on October 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

Really enjoyed the second show with just Gleason, and now I want an L&M unfiltered cigarette. :-)
posted by milnak at 4:35 PM on October 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Thanks! I watched enough of the first show to get the idea (yikes!), and watched the second end to end - completely engaging and wicked funny.

The weird personalized ads were interesting, as well as the intro of Special K!

L&M. For the flavour.
posted by whatevernot at 4:56 PM on October 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

the intro of Special K

With all the prote-in you need to start the day.

This was delightful
posted by paper chromatographologist at 5:09 PM on October 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

YES I forgot to mention that, the way that guy pronounces protein, sounds all the world to my ear like protieum, that new element your body craves!
posted by JHarris at 5:11 PM on October 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

What we might call 'native advertising' today was a feature of early tv and radio - basically getting your ad read from within the show. I suppose some talk radio has always featured that but it was essentially unknown in later broadcast tv.

And it's come come right around to video again via youtube sponsorships. Sign up today for VoordVPN and save 15%! Yartek, leader of the alien Voord, commands it!
posted by StarkRoads at 5:21 PM on October 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

Mr. Gleason is the personification of the word raconteur...
posted by Czjewel at 5:27 PM on October 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

This is great.

That is some good coffee.
posted by freakazoid at 5:38 PM on October 23, 2023

As Jackie Gleason says it, it's more like, "That is some gooooood coffee!"
posted by JHarris at 6:42 PM on October 23, 2023

BTW, just as an aside, a movie we at MST Club greatly enjoyed that has Gleason in it is Soldier In The Rain.
posted by JHarris at 6:43 PM on October 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

What we might call 'native advertising' today was a feature of early tv and radio - basically getting your ad read from within the show. I suppose some talk radio has always featured that but it was essentially unknown in later broadcast tv.

And it has returned with a vengeance in many podcasts.
posted by mark k at 9:06 PM on October 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

The "pro-tee-in" guy is Dennis James, who also hosted the original "The Price is Right"
posted by briank at 2:50 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]

Another connection with Price: the announcer is Johnny Olsen!
posted by JHarris at 1:32 PM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]

The "pro-tee-in" guy is Dennis James, who also hosted the original "The Price is Right"

Bill Cullen was the original host of The Price is Right. Dennis James hosted the 1970s syndicated nighttime version when Bob Barker was named host of the daytime version.
posted by mmb5 at 5:24 PM on October 24, 2023 [2 favorites]

I dug out a couple of 1961 press clippings reacting, first, to the show itself and, second, to Gleason's apology for it.
posted by Paul Slade at 6:51 AM on October 28, 2023 [1 favorite]