Conversation so far:
Why did Gracie Allen do running gags?
Gracie Allen frequently used running gags as publicity stunts.
What stunt did Gracie Allen do at the Hollywood Bowl?
Another publicity stunt had Gracie Allen playing a piano concerto at the Hollywood Bowl.

Question: What position did they run for in 1940?
Self-contained rewrite: What position did Gracie Allen run for in 1940?