The Martin and Lewis Show

Show Information based on John Dunning's book "On The Air"

Comedy-variety (1949-1952).

The Martin and Lewis Show was developed by NBC in the wake of the stinging CBS talent raids that lured Jack Benny and others to the younger network. NBC announced a talent hunt: the network was searching for rising young performers for radio and television. Soon thereafter a network executive caught the nightclub act of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, who had been performing together for several years and had developed some name recognition within the industry while remaining largely unknown to the general public.

NBC offered a contract, the pair moved to Hollywood, and their show was concocted over the next three months. Expectations were high for the April premiere. The budget was huge, reportedly $10,000 a week, and this enabled the producers to hire top guests (Lucille Ball for the first broadcast). But the show was unexciting, and the critics said so: the nightclub act, which had drawn raves from every quarter, did not transfer well to the air. Like Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis was a visual comic, dependent on mugging. It was standard variety fare: an opening song by Martin, some verbal slapstick, a guest spot, more Lewis antics, and a closing number by Martin.

Despite the lack of success, NBC wanted it back after a short season, upping the fall ante to a reported $12,000 a week. Maestro Dick Stabile became one of Lewis's main foils, but Lewis was screechy and shrill, and the show closed at the end of the season. Martin and Lewis went into movies, but returned to NBC in the fall of 1951. Martin was billed as "master of ceremonies." Lewis inevitably arrived "late," turning up at the end of Martin's song, which he (Lewis) continued to sing in that terrible screech. But it was more of the same, a short season and an uninspired encore.

On TV they were more effective, appearing on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town and seen numerous times on The Colgate Comedy Hour.

CAST:

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, comics, with guest stars.

Regulars, ca. 1949-50: Ben Alexander, Sheldon Leonard.

ORCHESTRA: Dick Stabile.

DIRECTORS: Robert L. Redd, 1949; later, Dick Mack.

WRITERS: Ed Simmons, Norman Lear.

BROADCAST HISTORY:

April 3, 1949-Jan. 30, 1950, NBC. 30m, Sundays at 6:30 until June;

returned in Oct., Fridays at 8:30; Mondays at 10 beginning in Nov. 1949.

Oct. 5, 1951-July 14, 1953, NBC. 30m, Fridays at 8:30 until April 25, 1952;

returned Sept. 16, Tuesdays at 9 for Chesterfield and Anacin.