The Red Skelton Show 1951
What is The Red Skelton Show?
The Red Skelton Show is an American comedy and variety program that aired on television for two decades, beginning on September 30, 1951, and concluding in 1971. Hosted by comedian Richard Red Skelton, the program served as a staple of the medium and was one of the first variety series to successfully transition from a career in radio to television.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1951
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 672
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 30, 1951
- Last aired
- Mar 15, 1971
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC, CBS
- Genres
- Comedy, Talk, Family
- Updated
Where to watch
Buy
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 672 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
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Overview
The Red Skelton Show is an American comedy and variety program that aired on television for two decades, beginning on September 30, 1951, and concluding in 1971. Hosted by comedian Richard Red Skelton, the program served as a staple of the medium and was one of the first variety series to successfully transition from a career in radio to television. Although the show is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended its run on NBC. Throughout its history, the series was considered one of the longest-running variety programs on television. In terms of viewership, it ranked second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show during its time on the air. The program received three Emmy Awards, including honors for Skelton as best comedian and for the program as best comedy show during its initial season. The production featured David Rose and His Orchestra, announcer Art Gilmore, and the Tom Hansen Dancers.
Should you watch it?
“This long-running American variety show features the comedic talents of former radio star Red Skelton.”
- features a celebrated comedian
- showcases a long-running television staple
- limited availability of specific episode details
Watch it if you enjoy classic American variety television programs from the mid-twentieth century.
The program is a comedy variety show suitable for general audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 The Skylarks Sep 30, 1951
- E2 How to Wash a Baby Oct 7, 1951
- E3 Dunking Doughnuts Oct 14, 1951
- E4 Smokeless Sunday Oct 21, 1951
- E5 Laying a Cornerstone Oct 28, 1951
- E6 Willie and the Burglar Nov 4, 1951
- E7 Cafe Paree Nov 11, 1951
- E8 G.I. McPugg Nov 18, 1951
- E9 Clem and Married Life Nov 25, 1951
- E10 Stairs Dec 2, 1951
- E11 The Big Trial Dec 9, 1951
- E12 Clean Politics Dec 16, 1951
- E13 The Skeltons at Home Dec 23, 1951
- E14 Learn To Dance in Ten Easy Lessons or One Hard One Dec 30, 1951
- E15 The Bouncer Jan 6, 1952
- E16 McPugg the Babysitter Jan 13, 1952
- E17 Clean Fighter Jan 20, 1952
- E18 Rock-a-Bye Baby Jan 27, 1952
- E19 San Fernando Red on Television Feb 3, 1952
- E20 The Transcontinental Feb 10, 1952
- E21 The Disc Jockey Feb 17, 1952
- E22 How to Make a Salad Feb 24, 1952
- E23 Pasquale's Hotel Mar 2, 1952
- E24 Napoleon Mar 9, 1952
- E25 Dirty Deadeye Mar 16, 1952
- E26 How to Eat Corn on the Cob Mar 23, 1952
- E27 Willie the Barber Mar 30, 1952
- E28 Clem's Travel Club Apr 6, 1952
- E29 Mad Scientist Apr 13, 1952
- E30 Helen of Troy Apr 20, 1952
- E31 The Railroad Tower Apr 27, 1952
- E32 It Takes All Kinds (Live in San Francisco) May 4, 1952
- E33 Let's Talk About Mother May 11, 1952
- E34 Telephone Trouble May 18, 1952
- E35 The Railroad Station May 25, 1952
- E36 Tornado Deadeye Jun 1, 1952
- E37 Folding Boy Jun 8, 1952
- E38 Let's Talk About Father Jun 15, 1952
- E39 Imaginary Dog Jun 22, 1952
Season 2 · 39 episodes
- E1 Willie Comes Home Sep 28, 1952
- E2 Willie Paints a Room Oct 5, 1952
- E3 Stagecoach Robbery Oct 12, 1952
- E4 Calling Dr. Prankenstein Oct 19, 1952
- E5 Lieutenant Muscles Oct 26, 1952
- E6 Whistle Stop Nov 2, 1952
- E7 Clem Kadiddlehopper's Graduation Nov 9, 1952
- E8 Help Wanted Nov 16, 1952
- E9 Weepy Talks Turkey Nov 23, 1952
- E10 One Man's Mortgage Nov 30, 1952
- E11 Fancy Footwork Dec 7, 1952
- E12 The Sultan Dec 14, 1952
- E13 The Christmas Show Dec 21, 1952
- E14 Highlight of 1951-52 season Dec 28, 1952
- E15 The Big Trial Jan 4, 1953
- E16 Drug Store; Private Eye Jan 11, 1953
- E17 The Whistle Stop Jan 18, 1953
- E18 Rush-Rush Jan 25, 1953
- E19 Helen O'Connell Feb 1, 1953
- E20 How to Eat Corn Feb 8, 1953
- E21 Dirty Deadeye Feb 15, 1953
- E22 French Waiter Feb 22, 1953
- E23 Mills Brothers Mar 1, 1953
- E24 Telephone Booth Mar 8, 1953
- E25 June Havoc Mar 15, 1953
- E26 Ambulance Driver Mar 22, 1953
- E27 Quiz Show Winner Mar 29, 1953
- E28 The Eyes Have It Apr 5, 1953
- E29 Sure As Shootin' Apr 12, 1953
- E30 Baby's First Birthday Apr 19, 1953
- E31 3-D Apr 26, 1953
- E32 Racetrack May 3, 1953
- E33 Washing the Elephant May 10, 1953
- E34 Marooned May 17, 1953
- E35 Gale Robbins May 24, 1953
- E36 Freddie Becomes a Star-Gazer May 31, 1953
- E37 Scarlet Ribbons Jun 7, 1953
- E38 Helen O'Connell Jun 14, 1953
- E39 Deadeye from Mars Jun 21, 1953
Season 3 · 39 episodes
- E1 McPugg's Last Fight Sep 22, 1953
- E2 Clem and the Check Sep 29, 1953
- E3 Appleby's Cocktail Party Oct 6, 1953
- E4 The Nervous Tenor's Auction Oct 13, 1953
- E5 Hobo's Dilemma Oct 20, 1953
- E6 Appleby the Dreamer Oct 27, 1953
- E7 Freddie's Masquerade Nov 3, 1953
- E8 The Marriage Broker Nov 10, 1953
- E9 How to Be Happily Married Nov 17, 1953
- E10 California Gold Rush Nov 24, 1953
- E11 Flugelmeyer's Secret Formula Dec 1, 1953
- E12 Dr. Schlepper Dec 8, 1953
- E13 It Happened at the Stationhouse Dec 15, 1953
- E14 Christmas With the Skeltons Dec 22, 1953
- E15 The Great White Hunter Dec 29, 1953
- E16 Accidents Will Happen Jan 5, 1954
- E17 A Voyage to Paris Jan 12, 1954
- E18 What Fathers Should Know Jan 19, 1954
- E19 Clem the Campus Soda Jerk Jan 26, 1954
- E20 The Train Trip Feb 2, 1954
- E21 Deadeye at the Golden Nugget Feb 9, 1954
- E22 Captain Hook Feb 16, 1954
- E23 Cave-Man Marriage Feb 23, 1954
- E24 Toots Shor Show Mar 2, 1954
- E25 Uncle Sam Wants You Mar 9, 1954
- E26 Sherlock Holmes Satire Mar 16, 1954
- E27 Skelton Awards Mar 23, 1954
- E28 King Putt Mar 30, 1954
- E29 Freddie's Picnic Apr 6, 1954
- E30 Going to Work Apr 13, 1954
- E31 Clem in the South Pacific Apr 20, 1954
- E32 Willie I-Q Apr 27, 1954
- E33 The Referee May 4, 1954
- E34 Prince Valiant May 11, 1954
- E35 The Artist's Dilemma May 18, 1954
- E36 Clem Goes to Mexico May 25, 1954
- E37 Mississippi Showboat Jun 1, 1954
- E38 Freddie Goes to the Cleaners Jun 8, 1954
- E39 Dial 'B' for Brush Jun 15, 1954
Season 4 · 39 episodes
- E1 Clem the Rookie Sep 21, 1954
- E2 Orson Bean Sep 28, 1954
- E3 What Goes Down, Must Come Up Oct 5, 1954
- E4 Columbus and Isabella Oct 12, 1954
- E5 Romeo and Juliet Oct 19, 1954
- E6 The Andrews Sisters Oct 26, 1954
- E7 Campaign Nov 2, 1954
- E8 Clem Goes to College Nov 9, 1954
- E9 He Made Good in the City Nov 16, 1954
- E10 USO Thanksgiving Nov 23, 1954
- E11 Chicago Red in Las Vegas Nov 30, 1954
- E12 The Art Show Dec 7, 1954
- E13 Tribute to Guys and Dolls/The Stuntman Dec 14, 1954
- E14 The Unwanted Christmas Tree Dec 21, 1954
- E15 John Calvert Dec 28, 1954
- E16 The Smog Czar Jan 4, 1955
- E17 Skelton Goes Back to School Jan 11, 1955
- E18 Honeymooners Spoof Jan 18, 1955
- E19 Love Thy Neighbor Jan 25, 1955
- E20 Queen of Mars Feb 1, 1955
- E21 Red Goes to Barber College Feb 8, 1955
- E22 Smithers & McGurk visit Persian Shah Feb 15, 1955
- E23 Seach for Uranium Feb 22, 1955
- E24 Insomnia Mar 1, 1955
- E25 Look Magazine Movie Awards Show Mar 8, 1955
- E26 Red Goes to Prison Mar 15, 1955
- E27 At the Movies Mar 22, 1955
- E28 Sleeping Beauty Ballet Mar 29, 1955
- E29 Hospital Mix-Up Apr 5, 1955
- E30 Smithers & McGurk Western Café Apr 12, 1955
- E31 South American Beauty Contest Apr 19, 1955
- E32 Drama Coach Apr 26, 1955
- E33 Smithers & McGurk Go to Australia May 3, 1955
- E34 Red Becomes a Prop Man May 10, 1955
- E35 Sheik Slave Market May 17, 1955
- E36 Tippy Toe Dancing School for Teenagers May 24, 1955
- E37 Red Goes to Japan May 31, 1955
- E38 Rose Marie Jun 7, 1955
- E39 Freddy the Freeloader's Past Jun 14, 1955
Season 5 · 37 episodes
- E1 The Super Chef Sep 26, 1955
- E2 Money, Money, Money Oct 4, 1955
- E3 New York Tour Oct 11, 1955
- E4 Shore Leave Oct 18, 1955
- E5 Cinderfella Oct 25, 1955
- E6 Halloween Show Nov 1, 1955
- E7 The Sweetie of Tahiti Nov 8, 1955
- E8 TV vs. the Electric Guitar Nov 15, 1955
- E9 Fish Peddler's Thanksgiving Nov 22, 1955
- E10 Phantom of the Ballet Nov 29, 1955
- E11 Deadeye vs. the Lone Ranger Dec 6, 1955
- E12 The Cop and the Anthem Dec 20, 1955
- E13 Cookie and Zsa Zsa Gabor Dec 27, 1955
- E14 Old Vaudeville Jan 3, 1956
- E15 Willie Resists Girls Jan 10, 1956
- E16 The Sculpture Show Jan 17, 1956
- E17 Freddie on a Luxury Liner or Bum Overboard Jan 24, 1956
- E18 Lamb to Lion Jan 31, 1956
- E19 The Election Show Feb 7, 1956
- E20 Valentine's Day Double Date (Original) Feb 14, 1956
- E21 Salesman vs. Mad Scientist or A Man Is Ten Feet Tall Feb 21, 1956
- E22 Cookie Returns or Cookie in Korea Feb 28, 1956
- E23 The Hypnotist Jun 26, 1956
- E24 Clem's Feud Mar 27, 1956
- E25 Freddie vs. the Freeway Mar 20, 1956
- E26 Dance Marathon Apr 3, 1956
- E27 Stages of Evolution Apr 17, 1956
- E28 Robin Hood Apr 24, 1956
- E29 Hollywood Plumber May 1, 1956
- E30 Baker Man May 8, 1956
- E31 Desert Island May 15, 1956
- E32 Stock Wizard May 22, 1956
- E33 Public Pigeon May 29, 1956
- E34 The Picnic Jun 12, 1956
- E35 The Convention Jun 26, 1956
- E36 Pirate Show Jun 5, 1956
- E38 County Fair or Minister of Agriculture Jun 19, 1956
Frequently asked questions
When did the show air?
The Red Skelton Show aired from 1951 to 1971.
Which networks broadcast the show?
The program was broadcast on both NBC and CBS.
Did the show win any awards?
Yes, the program received three Emmy Awards during its run.
What was Skelton's background?
Skelton was a radio star and had appeared in several motion pictures.
How did the show perform in ratings?
It was a television staple that ranked second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show.