Ladies Be Seated

Ladies Be Seated is an American old-time radio game show. It was broadcast on the Blue Network from June 4, 1943, to June 23, 1944, and on ABC from June 26, 1944, to July 21, 1950.[1] At its peak in popularity, it was carried on 198 stations.[2] Two versions were televised, one in 1945 and the other in 1949.

Ladies Be Seated
GenreGame show
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationWJZ
SyndicatesBlue Network
ABC
TV adaptationsLadies Be Seated
StarringEd East
Polly East
Johnny Olson
Penny Olson
Tom Moore
AnnouncerClaude Kirchner
Ed Roberts
Directed byBilly Redford
Charles Acree
Produced byBilly Redford
Phil Patton
Tom Hargis
Original releaseJune 4, 1943 (1943-06-04) – July 21, 1950 (1950-07-21)
Sponsored byAunt Jemima pancake flour
Muffets breakfast cereal
Toni home permanents

Personnel

Ed East and his wife, Polly, were the original hosts. They were joined by singer Lee Sullivan and Murray Grabhorn.[1]

When the Easts left the program, Johnny Olson and his wife, Penny, became the hosts on June 27, 1944. He wore "a glittering minstrel costume" in his new role.[2] She was both co-host and associate producer, responsible for developing stunts, selecting participants, and obtaining prizes for the show, She was known on the program as "Million Dollar Penny". Billy Redford portrayed Professor Schnaaps, and Bob Mauer was the announcer. Al Greiner directed the music. Directors included Redford[2] and Charles Acree.[3] Producers included Redford[2] and Phil Patton[3]

On September 15, 1947, Tom Moore replaced the Olsons as host of the program. His co-workers included announcers Claude Kirchner and Ed Roberts, producer Tom Hargis, organist Porter Heaps, and director Patton.[4]

Format

Originating from WJZ in New York City,[2] Ladies Be Seated began as a spoof of radio programs that provided household hints for women. It initially featured "blindfold husband-and-wife gags, spaghetti-eating contests, and other forms of audio slapstick".[1] The version hosted by the Olsons included identifying songs, recognizing good deeds, and interviews with children.[2]

Popularity

In addition to the radio audience, approximately 600 people were present for each broadcast in the program's studios. During one month of broadcasts from Chicago, the program received more than 33,000 requests for tickets, some from people as far as 900 miles away. Many who attended were on honeymoons, on vacations, or at conventions. Thousands more attended personal appearances when the show went on the road to cities across the United States. During the Illinois State Fair in August 1947, "the millionth lady was seated".[4]

Sponsors

On June 18, Ladies Be Seated began to be sponsored by Aunt Jemima Pancake Flour and Muffets breakfast cereal.[5] By December 1947, Toni home permanents had become a sponsor.[6]

Television

Two versions of Ladies Be Seated were televised. Olson was host of the first version, which was broadcast on WRGB in Schenectady, New York.[7] The February 27, 1945,[8] broadcast was the Blue Network's first venture into television.[9] Moore and Phil Patton were hosts of the second version, which was on ABC from April 22, 1949, until June 17, 1949.[7]

    References
    1. Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 387. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved 2019-10-24. Ladies Be Seated, weekday audience.
    2. West, Randy (2013). Johnny Olson: A Voice in Time. BearManor Media. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
    3. "'Ladies Be Seated' To Originate From Chicago March 31st". The Jackson Sun. Tennessee, Jackson. March 2, 1947. p. 34.
    4. "Ladies Be Seated Observes Anniversary". The Jackson Sun. Tennessee, Jackson. June 27, 1948. p. 20. Retrieved November 22, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
    5. "Network Accounts" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 4, 1945. p. 69. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
    6. "Toni Twins" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 29, 1947. p. 52. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
    7. McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 460. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
    8. "Blue Net Test Video Economics" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 26, 1945. p. 62. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
    9. "Blue Video Test Uses WABD, WRGB" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 22, 1945. p. 61. Retrieved 23 November 2018.

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