The Mel Blanc Show
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mel Blanc's Fix-It Shop
| Other names | The Fix-It Shop Mel Blanc's Fix-It Shop |
|---|---|
| Genre | Situation comedy |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language | English |
| Syndicates | CBS |
| Starring | Mel Blanc |
| Written by | David Victor Herb Little Mac Benoff |
| Directed by | Sam Fuller[1] Joe Rines |
| Produced by | Joe Rines |
| Original release | September 3, 1946 – June 24, 1947 |
| Sponsored by | Colgate |
The Mel Blanc Show was a radio situation comedy in the United States. It was broadcast on CBS from September 3, 1946 to June 24, 1947.[2]
Although Mel Blanc "did countless character impersonations on other radio programs, as well as being the voice of many cartoon characters," he used his natural voice in this program and played himself – except that instead of being an entertainer, the Mel Blanc character in the show was "the bumbling owner of a fix-it shop that was never able to fix anything."[3] The show's one regular outlet for another Blanc voice was the character Zookie, a stuttering helper.[2] One website noted, however, "Many episodes required Mel to impersonate an exotic foreigner or other stranger in town, ostensibly for carrying out a minor deception on his girlfriend's father, but of course simply as a vehicle for him to show off his talents."[4]
The June 1947 issue of Radio Mirror magazine provided an insight into the program with this comment in its Recommended Listening column under "Tuesday night": "At 8:30, you'll have to make a choice between the Mel Blanc Show (CBS) and Date with Judy (NBC). If it's impossible-situations-made-to-seem-real that you like, you'll choose Mel and his girl and his fix-it shop".[5]
One old-time radio website commented, "Mel Blanc's natural – and exceptional – voice talent was unquestionably the series' greatest selling factor; and Mel got to show his acting and timing chops to a far greater degree with his own situation comedy."[6]
A signature expression of the program was "ugga-ugga-boo, ugga-boo-boo-ugga," the password for Blanc's (the character's) lodge, the Benevolent Order of Loyal Zebras.[2] Other recurring catchphrases included Mr. Colby's threat to Mel, "I'll break every bone in your body!" and Mr. Cushing's weepy "But I don't know why I'm telling you all this; it's just that I've got no one to talk to!"
Characters and cast
The Mel Blanc Show featured several veteran actors of old-time radio in addition to Blanc as himself and Zookie. The regular characters and actors were as follows:
| Character | Actor/actress |
|---|---|
| Betty Colby (Mel's girlfriend) | Mary Jane Croft |
| Mr. Colby (Betty's father) | Joseph Kearns |
| Mr. Cushing (lodge president) | Hans Conried |
| Mr. Potchnik (piano teacher) | Alan Reed |
| Mrs. Longneck (rich socialite) | Bea Benaderet |
Others who often appeared in the program were Leora Thatcher, Earle Ross,[2] Jerry Hausner, Elvia Allman, and Sandra Gould.[6] The announcer was John "Bud" Hiestand.[7] Victor Miller and his orchestra were the musicians.[1]