George Jessel’s most famous act, which he used throughout his long career, was that of the after-dinner speaker, and it was in that role that he appeared here.
Each week, Jessel – the self-proclaimed “Toastmaster General of the United States” – was seen in a mock testimonial dinner, paying comic homage to the assembled guests of honour.
In most cases, these were personalities from the field of entertainment, such as Eddie Fisher, Teresa Brewer, Sophie Tucker, Burl Ives, Dorothy Dandridge, Mitzi Gaynor, Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey and Margaret O’Brien.
The ABC show was broadcast live from New York on Sunday evenings between September 1953 and April 1954 but received a poor critical reception,
Jessel returned in 1958 with another show called The George Jessel Show.
This syndicated interview and variety series aired on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 85-minute show ran for 60 episodes with guests including Danny Thomas, Jerry Lewis, George Burns, Mel Tormé, Milton Berle, Jayne Mansfield, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, Jackie Coogan, Mickey Rooney, Jane Russell, Bob Hope, and Johnny Mathis.
In most cases, these were personalities from the field of entertainment, such as Eddie Fisher, Teresa Brewer, Sophie Tucker, Burl Ives, Dorothy Dandridge, Mitzi Gaynor, Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey and Margaret O’Brien.
