The Herb Shriner Show
Encyclopedia
The Herb Shriner Show was the title of two different American
television series shown in prime time
by CBS
during the late 1940s and 1950s. A similar program, also hosted by Herb Shriner
, was Herb Shriner Time, which was aired by ABC
as part of its 1951-52 lineup.
The first Herb Shriner Show was essentially a continuation of what Shriner had previously done on radio
. It was aired by CBS five nights a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) from 7:55 to 8:00 P.M. Eastern time and consisted solely of Shriner's folksy monologues, which had already earned him comparisons to Will Rogers
. This program was seen only from November 1949 until February 1950.
Herb Shriner Time was a half-hour format aired by ABC on Thursday nights at 9 PM Eastern from October 1951 to April 1952. In addition to the comedy monologues, this format provided time for guest stars, and also allowed for Shriner to play his harmonica
and act in comedy sketches
.
In the fall of 1952, he became emcee of Two For The Money
, Goodson-Todman's answer to Groucho Marx
's You Bet Your Life
, in which Herb delivered a brief monologue (and occasionally performed a harmonica solo) at the start of the show, then informally interviewed his contestants before a question and answer quiz segment. As a result of the show, Herb's popularity soared during this period, and when Two For the Money
ended in the summer of 1956, Herb signed with CBS
for another attempt at a variety series.
The final (aka "The [New] Herb Shriner Show" [N.B., "New" was announced, but not written in the title]) was a predecessor of the current "late night" monologue + guest TV shows. It was sponsored by Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of Geritol
, and, as Shriner said on the air during episode #2 (? possibly contributing to the show's early demise ? [see below]): "...you know, I've been taking Geritol myself, folks, and I'll tell you one thing: It does put iron in your blood. In fact, I got my blood so full of iron now, I cut myself -- I didn't bleed, I just rusted". Like its previous format on ABC, it had a half-hour time slot, and was aired by CBS on Tuesdays at 9 PM Eastern from October to December 1956. As can be deduced from its short run, it was a near-complete failure in the Nielsen ratings
, even though it boasted such guest talent as Jackie Gleason
in its first episode, Orson Welles
in its second and Burl Ives
in its third. The sponsor, itself dissatisfied with the program's ratings, replaced Herb with To Tell The Truth
near the end of December. Shriner was never offered the opportunity to host another regular network series; his later television career overall was considerably less successful than that which he had enjoyed in radio and Two For the Money
. However, his sons Wil Shriner
and Kin Shriner
both had considerably more success on television in the 1980s, Wil as a comic and talk show
host, Kin as a soap opera
actor noted primarily for portraying Scotty Baldwin on ABC's long-running General Hospital
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series shown in prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
during the late 1940s and 1950s. A similar program, also hosted by Herb Shriner
Herb Shriner
Herbert Arthur "Herb" Shriner was an American humorist, radio personality and television host. Shriner was known for his homespun monologues, usually about his home state of Indiana...
, was Herb Shriner Time, which was aired by ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
as part of its 1951-52 lineup.
The first Herb Shriner Show was essentially a continuation of what Shriner had previously done on radio
Old-time radio
Old-Time Radio and the Golden Age of Radio refer to a period of radio programming in the United States lasting from the proliferation of radio broadcasting in the early 1920s until television's replacement of radio as the primary home entertainment medium in the 1950s...
. It was aired by CBS five nights a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) from 7:55 to 8:00 P.M. Eastern time and consisted solely of Shriner's folksy monologues, which had already earned him comparisons to Will Rogers
Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
. This program was seen only from November 1949 until February 1950.
Herb Shriner Time was a half-hour format aired by ABC on Thursday nights at 9 PM Eastern from October 1951 to April 1952. In addition to the comedy monologues, this format provided time for guest stars, and also allowed for Shriner to play his harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
and act in comedy sketches
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
.
In the fall of 1952, he became emcee of Two For The Money
Two for the Money
Two for the Money may refer to:* Two for the Money * Two for the Money...
, Goodson-Todman's answer to Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
's You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
, in which Herb delivered a brief monologue (and occasionally performed a harmonica solo) at the start of the show, then informally interviewed his contestants before a question and answer quiz segment. As a result of the show, Herb's popularity soared during this period, and when Two For the Money
Two for the Money
Two for the Money may refer to:* Two for the Money * Two for the Money...
ended in the summer of 1956, Herb signed with CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
for another attempt at a variety series.
The final (aka "The [New] Herb Shriner Show" [N.B., "New" was announced, but not written in the title]) was a predecessor of the current "late night" monologue + guest TV shows. It was sponsored by Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of Geritol
Geritol
Geritol is a US trademarked name for various dietary supplements, past and present. Geritol is currently a brand name for several vitamin complexes plus iron or multimineral products in both liquid form and tablets, containing from 9.5 to 18 mg of iron per daily dose...
, and, as Shriner said on the air during episode #2 (? possibly contributing to the show's early demise ? [see below]): "...you know, I've been taking Geritol myself, folks, and I'll tell you one thing: It does put iron in your blood. In fact, I got my blood so full of iron now, I cut myself -- I didn't bleed, I just rusted". Like its previous format on ABC, it had a half-hour time slot, and was aired by CBS on Tuesdays at 9 PM Eastern from October to December 1956. As can be deduced from its short run, it was a near-complete failure in the Nielsen ratings
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
, even though it boasted such guest talent as Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor and musician. He was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, especially by his character Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners, a situation-comedy television series. His most noted film roles were as Minnesota Fats in the drama film The...
in its first episode, Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
in its second and Burl Ives
Burl Ives
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was an American actor, writer and folk music singer. As an actor, Ives's work included comedies, dramas, and voice work in theater, television, and motion pictures. Music critic John Rockwell said, "Ives's voice .....
in its third. The sponsor, itself dissatisfied with the program's ratings, replaced Herb with To Tell The Truth
To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth is an American television panel game show created by Bob Stewart and produced by Goodson-Todman Productions that has aired in various forms since 1956 both on networks and in syndication...
near the end of December. Shriner was never offered the opportunity to host another regular network series; his later television career overall was considerably less successful than that which he had enjoyed in radio and Two For the Money
Two for the Money
Two for the Money may refer to:* Two for the Money * Two for the Money...
. However, his sons Wil Shriner
Wil Shriner
Wil Shriner is an American actor, comedian, director and game show host.-Life and career:Shriner was born in New York City, New York, the twin brother of soap opera actor Kin Shriner and the son of Eileen “Pixie” McDermott and Herb Shriner, a Hoosier humorist who had several shows in the early...
and Kin Shriner
Kin Shriner
Kin Shriner is an American actor, best known for playing Scott Baldwin on both daytime serials General Hospital and Port Charles .-Personal life:...
both had considerably more success on television in the 1980s, Wil as a comic and talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host, Kin as a soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
actor noted primarily for portraying Scotty Baldwin on ABC's long-running General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
.