Old - time radio Old - time radio ( OTR ) is a phrase frequently used by scholars , fans , and companies to refer to a period in American broadcasting history , from roughly 1926 to 1962 , when radio was a dominant entertainment medium . While modern radio is dominated by music stations , newscasts , and call - in talk shows , " old - time radio " featured a wide range of programming . " Old - time radio " encompassed situation comedies , variety shows , game shows , anthology series , dramas , serials , and live band performances . Soap opera as a form originated in radio , and such programs as " The Guiding Light " went on to equally long runs on television . Other radio series which successfully transferred to TV include " Gunsmoke " , " Dragnet " , and " The Lone Ranger " . Mellifluous announcers , live sound effects ( often created through household implements ) , and dramatic tag openings characterized the programming of this period . Contrary to the impression that old radio was always " tamer " than television , sound men on programs employed such techniques as chopping a head of cabbage with a machete to simulate decapitation , or grilling bacon to suggest searing flesh . The phrase " old - time radio " has also been applied to programs of like vintage from England ( such as " The Goon Show " ) , Australia , or Canada , but less frequently since radio has largely retained the same basic scope and significance in these countries , with the BBC still producing regular dramatic series , adaptations , and sitcoms . Within the United States , with the exceptions of occasional revivals , mostly as syndicated series , and sporadic dramas on NPR , radio programming of this stripe is relegated to the past , but made available through record , tape and CD collections , online archives , regional re - broadcasts , live recreations , and satellite radio channels . Arguably the last network radio comedy was " The Stan Freberg Show " on CBS in 1957 . Most soap operas ended in 1960 , as the genre moved to television . The mystery series " Suspense " and " Yours Truly Johnny Dollar " both ceased in the fall of 1962 . Thus , Jim Henson grew up during the tail - end of the radio era , and was exposed to such series as " The Shadow " and " The Green Hornet " . Influence . The announcing style used on these programs was largely adopted by Jerry Nelson , as the announcer on " The Muppet Show " and in other productions . Nelson recalled his fondness for old - time radio and how it influenced him in multiple interviews with his local NPR station : Caroll Spinney has also discussed how radio influenced him : In addition , such long - time radio staples as Bob Hope , Edgar Bergen , and George Burns were guest stars on " The Muppet Show " , and subsequent Muppet / Creature Shop productions would occasionally reference or pay homage to old - time radio , either individual programs , or as a collective entity . Connections . Several people who worked behind the scenes with the Muppets were directly related to radio personalities . In addition , many guest stars on " The Muppet Show " and in movies , plus others with Muppet connections , had widespread experience from the " golden age of radio , " or in more recent old - time style revivals .