This Day in Jack Benny
Comedy
The Jack Benny Show AKA The Jello Program AKA The Lucky Strike Program aired from the 1930's right through to the 1950's. Each week your host, John Henderson, brings an episode from that week 60-80 years ago. It's old, yet still as funny as ever. "The...
Location:
Waukegan, IL
Description:
The Jack Benny Show AKA The Jello Program AKA The Lucky Strike Program aired from the 1930's right through to the 1950's. Each week your host, John Henderson, brings an episode from that week 60-80 years ago. It's old, yet still as funny as ever. "The Jack Benny program, starring Jack Benny with Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and yours truly Don Wilson"
Twitter:
@thisdaybenny
Language:
English
Episodes
A Yank at Oxford
4/15/2026
April 10, 1938 - Jack Benny talks about building a house in Beverly Hills.
References include British foreign secretary Anthony Eden, comedian Fred Allen, the song "A Cup of Coffee a Sandwich and You", and the movie A Yank at Oxford with Robert Taylor.
Duration:00:38:05
Don Wilson on Eddie Cantor Show (BONUS)
4/8/2026
April 25, 1937 - Texaco Town with Eddie Cantor. Eddie's announcer Jimmy Wallington wants to quit the show and Don Wilson pops in as a surprise guest. Plus Mr. Kitzel as part of his short time on the program.
References include the book "Gone with the Wind", movie stars Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Robert Taylor and Carol Lombard, and cartoon characters Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
Duration:00:32:32
Happy Easter (Eclipse)
4/1/2026
April 17, 1949 - A Walk Through The Easter Parade Jack and Mary meet their friends and neighbors from Mr. Kitzel to Frank Nelson. References include Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in the musical "Easter Parade" and the Lunar Eclipse.
Duration:00:31:56
Alan Ladd
3/26/2026
March 25, 1945 - Murder Mystery with guest star Alan Ladd. Mary Livingstone was named best dressed woman in radio. References include Humphrey Bogart and Fred Allen.
Duration:00:26:04
How Jack Found Rochester
3/18/2026
March 11, 1945 - Jack and the gand practice archery, then a reporter comes and asks about Rochester, featuring guests Amos 'n Andy.
References include the songs "Hot Time in the Town of Berlin" and "In My Merry Oldsmobile", the movie "The Last of the Mohicans", the Mr. Anthony advise program, and Hedda Hopper.
Duration:00:28:58
Haunted House/Western
3/11/2026
March 11 & 18, 1934 - Jack sleeps in a haunted house and the cast does an Arizona western play.
Duration:00:33:26
Mad About The Oscars
3/4/2026
March 1, 1942 - Jack Benny is upset that his movie "Charlie's Aunt" didn't win him an Academy Award, he falls asleep and dreams of what might have happened.
References include Oscar winner Gary Cooper and Joan Fontaine, Fred Allen, Frank Buck, and the old French motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" or "Evil to him who evil thinks".
Duration:00:32:01
The Whistler (Washington DC)
2/25/2026
February 26, 1950 - Jack Benny talks about his trip to Washington DC, then they do a parody of the mystery radio show "The Whistler". They did this same parody on the episode from October 20, 1946.
References include President Truman, the Gallup Poll, breakfast cereals, and the songs "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" by Bring Crosby and "Scarlet Ribbons" by Dinah Shore.
Duration:00:32:55
House in Palm Springs (I Think)
2/18/2026
February 22, 1948 - Jack Benny and the gang are in Palm Springs and they visit the site where his new house is being built. There is also a cameo by Frank Sinatra.
References include "The Lady of 29 Palms" by the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Jerry Colonna, AFRA (American Federation of Radio Artists) and Winthrop Rockefeller's wedding.
Duration:00:32:38
Surprise Birthday Party
2/11/2026
February 15, 1948 - Jack Turns 39 and for his birthday everyone plans to throw him a surprise party.
References include Bob Hope, Al Jolson, Jasha Hiefetz, the Academy Awards, the Oranges of Riverside Californiaand Townsend clubs.
Duration:00:32:05
Musical Tribute to Jack Benny
2/4/2026
May 11, 1941 - NBC Tribute 10th Anniversary. Jack and the gang talk about the testimonial dinner that took place this weekend in Jack Benny's honor. Then the episode is taken over by the NBC players' telling the life story of Jack in song.
References include Jack Oakie, Fred Allen, the Marx brothers and Eva Tanguay.
Duration:00:32:02
Testimonial Dinner (10th Anniversary)
1/28/2026
May 9, 1941 - NBC 10th Anniversary Testimonial Dinner. Rudy Valli hosts a formal dinner in Jack Benny's honor with speeches by Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy, Fibber McGee and Molly, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bob Hope, George Jessel, Paramount Sudios head Y. Frank Freeman, NBC president Niles Tramell, and more!
References include the song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano".
Duration:00:35:27
Salute to Jack Benny (10th Anniversary)
1/21/2026
May 4 & May 9, 1941 - Behind the Mike with Don Wilson interviewing Jack Benny and the NBC Special 10th Anniversary Salute to Jack Benny.
Plus it's the 10th anniversary of This Day In Jack Benny!
Duration:00:34:51
Elephant's Graveyard (Deleted Scene)
1/14/2026
January 9, 1955 - The Elephant's Graveyard Mystery. Jack Benny walks around the neighborhood in the morning, then decides to read an adventure book.
References include Burns and Allen, Robert Montgomery, William Bendix, Jane Russell, sanforization of clothes and the book "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle".
Duration:00:36:15
George Burns and Jack Benny are Gypsies
1/7/2026
January 8, 1948 - Jack Benny is the guest in Maxwell House Coffee Time with George Burns and Gracie Allen. Jack Benny wants to be appreciated for his violin playing and George Burns wants to be appreciated for his singing voice. Gracie recommends they disguise themselves as Gypsies.
Duration:00:31:04
New Year's Fantasy (1950 In Review)
12/31/2025
December 31, 1950 - The old time 1950 gives advice to baby 1951 in this New Year's Eve Fantasy skit.
References include the Korean War, radio show "Life Can Be Beautiful", the movie "Harriet Craig", TV host Faye Emerson, singers Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson, bandleaders Wayne King, Kay Kyser and Guy Lombardo, writing on the head of a pin, and Flying Saucers.
Duration:00:33:47
Trimming the Christmas Tree
12/23/2025
December 24, 1944 - Jack Benny has some trouble while trying to decorate his Christmas tree in this Christmas Eve episode. Plus Jack gives a heartfelt Christmas speech to those fighting in the war.
References include the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", the author Mark Twain, inventors Thomas Edison and Robert Fulton, and the movie "Hollywood Canteen".
Duration:00:33:24
Frank Sinatra In Person (BONUS)
12/17/2025
December 18, 1944 - Jack Benny is the guest on Frank Sinatra's radio show "Frank Sinatra in Person".
References include Fibber McGee, Bing Crosby and Fred Allen, plus war bonds and Vigero plant food.
Duration:00:29:11
Going Christmas Shopping (Sinatra)
12/10/2025
December 17, 1944 - Jack meets Frank Sinatra in a drug store. Mary drives Jack to go Christmas shopping.
References include Bing Crosby, Eddie Cantor, Fred Allen, women drivers, rationing, and the Gruen watch time signal.
Duration:00:32:52
Christmas Shopping (Gold Cufflinks)
12/3/2025
December 2, 1951 - Jack goes shopping for cufflinks for Don. The racetrack tout plays the department store Santa Claus.
References include advertising of the major cigarette brands, Ronson lighters, Napoleon Brandy, oil millionaire Glenn MacCarthy, actors Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper.
Duration:00:33:08