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Comedy variety shows were popular in America during television’s first decade of prominence in the late 1940s – early 1950s.
One popular series that used this format was NBC’s All Star Revue, which starred Martha Raye and a rotating roster of big-name show business stars as weekly hosts.
Such well-known entertainers as comedians Ed Wynn, Danny Thomas, Jack Carson, Jimmy Durante, Victor Borge, Bob Hope and bandleader Spike Jones and his City Slickers, ventriloquist Paul Winchell and his dummy, Jerry Mahoney, toastmaster George Jessel, and actress Talulah Bankhead took turns hosting the series.
They introduced comedy sketches, comedians, classical and pop singers, and a wide variety of other performers in a weekly, hour-long format.
Also appearing as the stars of special episodes of the series were ice-skating star Sonja Henie, singer Perry Como, and comedian Ben Blue.
Ed Wynn
Danny Thomas
Martha Raye
Jack Carson
Jimmy Durante
Victor Borge
Bob Hope
Spike Jones
Paul Winchell
Jerry Mahoney
George Jessel,
Talulah Bankhead
