The Big Show

As Television captured the attention of American families in the early 1950's NBC radio made the last great attempt to save radio listeners in the form of a All-Star Review called The Big Show. Several year before the Big Show premiered NBC had all it's biggest talents raided by William Paley and CBS. Stars like Jack Benny, Amos & Andy, Burns and Allen, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Harold Perry etc...all switched networks by Paley helping these star save tons of money through tax loopholes that NBC would not grant. The once all might NBC was now in real competition by CBS radio and TV was causing ratings to drop so they created a BIG show, 90 minutes of the most talent and exciting stars (they could book)...they brought on Broadway darling Tallulah Bankhead as host with her deep husky voice, dry comic delivery and air of sophiscation, she bantered with likes of Bob Hope, Grouch Marx, Ed Wynn and Jim Durante while introduces top singers from all arenas of music. The show was the most expensive radio show in the history of the medium and after 2 years proved disappointing in the ratings....if the show was produced a decade before it would have been a hit but with TV and the changing American taste it didn't stand a chance.

I think it had some really great moments from likes of Groucho Marx and Bob Hope so I think it's really worth listening too. Here is a great episode with a great segment with Jimmy Durante and Tallulah!! Enjoy!!!!!