Red Skelton's show was a little bit like Burns & Allen in that the star would come out and give a monologue before the actual story of the episode took place. While George Burns might have talked for a minute or two, Skelton expanded that to also include a little pantomime skit. I also liked Sketon's monologues, as seen here, because they sounded so natural, not rehearsed. You know he ad-libbed certain things that would come to mind.
Here, he interjects about being ill recently and show's producers surprised he showed up at rehearsals. All the time, he's laughing and making jokes about it. In all, six minutes before had elapsed before the actual "George Appleby's Garage" story began, but at 18 minutes with a lot of chaos, that was long enough. Skelton's ad-libbing in these skits seems to crack up the guest stars, particularly Jackie Coogan and they all have a good time in this "gangster" skit.
It was a typical show where Red really put everything into it. I doubt if the humor, frankly, would go over today. It's sad to say but this kind of comedy has been replaced by a lot of raunchy, sex-oriented material. This stuff probably looks like caveman material to young folks of today.
Here, he interjects about being ill recently and show's producers surprised he showed up at rehearsals. All the time, he's laughing and making jokes about it. In all, six minutes before had elapsed before the actual "George Appleby's Garage" story began, but at 18 minutes with a lot of chaos, that was long enough. Skelton's ad-libbing in these skits seems to crack up the guest stars, particularly Jackie Coogan and they all have a good time in this "gangster" skit.
It was a typical show where Red really put everything into it. I doubt if the humor, frankly, would go over today. It's sad to say but this kind of comedy has been replaced by a lot of raunchy, sex-oriented material. This stuff probably looks like caveman material to young folks of today.
