From: MDuPree@world.std.com (Micky DuPree)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: >Re: Jack Benny Episode Guide?
Summary: Obtaining complete list of "Jack Benny Program" episodes
Keywords: Jack Benny, episode guide
Date: 14 Apr 92 04:07:17 GMT
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

In article <1992Apr01.135158.128402\@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu>
mm02\@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (MARY MRKICH) writes:
>[In article <8639\@emory.mathcs.emory.edu> km\@mathcs.emory.edu (Ken
>Mandelberg) writes:]
>>Does anyone know where I can get a Jack Benny episode guide?
>>
>>Its also not clear to me how many episodes and which seasons are
>>actually in syndication. It seems as if the Comedy Network may have
>>the rights to what exists for a while, but it sure doesn't seem like
>>many.
>
>There is a complete episode guide in the book, "Television Comedy
>Series: An Episode Guide to 153 TV Sitcoms in Syndication," by Joel
>Eisner & David Krinsky.

There is an Australian magazine called "Laugh," devoted entirely to
comedy.  Their first issue contained what is probably the definitive
"Jack Benny Program" episode guide, compiled with the aid of CBS, the
UCLA Research Library, and the International Jack Benny Fan Club.  It
lists every "Jack Benny" television broadcast from 1950 to 1974,
including the specials.  I've been told by the article's author, Peter
Tatchell, that only 105 of the episodes are in the American syndication
package, as listed in Eisner & Krinsky.  However, it appears that a few
more eps. have been added to the American syndication package since the
publication of that book.  (I know because I have that book's list and
I've noticed a few eps. from Comedy Central that simply aren't on the
list.)  There are other eps. from the standard list of 105 that Comedy
Central does not seem to be showing.  Go figure.  In addition, according
to Tatchell, there are a few filmed episodes that are known to have been
aired in overseas markets, but have not been made available for American
syndication.  What can be thought of as the "regular" "Jack Benny
Program" (a bit misleading since it was irregularly scheduled for much
of its long run) spanned the years 1951-1965.  The episodes that Comedy
Central runs span the years 1954-1965, the earliest of which that I've
seen so far is "How Jack Found Mary" 10/31/54, and the last of which was
"The Smothers Brothers Show" 4/16/65.  Comedy Central does not show them
in strict chronological order, but only roughly so.

Last I heard, copies of "Laugh" no.1 were still available for the price
of $4 U.S., $4 Australian, or 2 pounds U.K.  Unfortunately, it isn't
made clear what form of payment they are able to accept aside from
Aussie checks and British checks.  There was talk of acquiring a U.S.
sales agent, but I haven't heard any more about that.  It's risky, but
in general, I've found that the most hassle-free way to make small
overseas purchases is with bank notes, in either U.S. currency if the
recipient can find a use for dollar bills, or in the currency of the
destination.  Getting a check deposited in foreign currency can often
cost the recipient more in bank fees than the check is for.  Similarly,
I've found that an international money order costs anywhere from $20 to
$35 in processing fees, which is prohibitive for small purchases.  If
you're interested, the address is:

   Laugh Magazine
   P.O. Box 394
   Caulfield East
   Victoria  3145
   AUSTRALIA

or their U.K. agent:

   Paul Pinch
   75 Priory Avenue
   Haverfordwest
   Dyfed  SA61 1SG
   GREAT BRITAIN

Any checks should be made out to Peter Tatchell.

Issue no.1 also contains a Monty Python discography, an article and
episode guide to "The Young Ones," a profile of Barry "Dame Edna"
Humphries, home video and compact disk releases in comedy, "Band Waggon"
article and info, and a list of comedy-related fan clubs, including the
International Jack Benny Fan Club:

   The International Jack Benny Fan Club
   c/o 15430 Lost Valley Dr.
   Fort Wayne, IN  46845

For the hell of it, issue no. 2 of "Laugh" covers "Not Only ... But
Also," "Steptoe and Son," "Police Squad"/"Naked Gun," Aussie comedian
George Wallace, a Marx Brothers discography, a Craig Ferguson
discography, and new comedy releases on video, print, and compact disk.
It is probably the same price as issue no.1, but this is not made
explicit in the issue itself.

-Micky