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Jack knew how to handle his "image", especially in the face of certain people who wrote to him asking for money- he personally answered one of them by commenting, "I have just fired my four writers because obviously my image isn't coming through to you".
fromthesidelines 2 years ago 5
Great line. What wit!
hwy61media 2 years ago
Jack once parodied the "plugola" side of broadcasting in one of his radio scripts. He once said to Rochester, "Run upstairs and plug in my General Electric blanket".
ROCHESTER: But, Boss- you don't HAVE a General Electric blanket!
JACK: I have now.
That got a big laugh, and G.E. DID send Jack and his cast electric blankets, even though he hadn't intended to RECEIVE any from them!
fromthesidelines 2 years ago
LOL, the whole cast!
hwy61media 2 years ago
No, Jack certainly wasn't "cheap" in real life, and spent more than enough to prove it (in charity donations and performing at benefits, lavish tips at restaurants, supporting his immediate family, etc.). But Milt and his other writers, who knew the "plugola" benefits on radio and TV shows, were the ones who convinced Jack to hold off on buying his friend's TV set until they found a way to get it "gratis"...
fromthesidelines 2 years ago 4
This is a great story. In the end the false persona worked out well for Jack.
hwy61media 2 years ago
...apparently, Milt Josefsberg suggested that if Jack mentioned the name of the manufacturer in one of the jokes in the script, he was certain to get a TV set from them. Sure enough, his writers found a way to do it, Benny got his laugh from the reference to "Admiral", AND a free TV for his friend in the bargain.
fromthesidelines 2 years ago
Very shrewd, although I know that in real life, Jack wasn't cheap.
hwy61media 2 years ago
The "integrated" middle commercial, at 2:49, is delivered by Don Wilson in the form of a marriage ceremony....only Jack could get away with it. At 8:34 is a "plug" for Admiral Television; writer Milt Josefsberg later explained a close friend of Jack's, who wasn't as wealthy as he, wanted to buy a new TV set, and Benny told him he'd figure a way to get it for him without cost. In those days, sometimes if you "plugged" certain products on radio or TV, you got one free from the manufacturer...
fromthesidelines 2 years ago
What a deal!
hwy61media 2 years ago