THE RED BUTTONS SHOW

After two years on CBS, Red Buttons changed networks in the fall of 1954. After 13 episodes, the suits at NBC decided to turn the variety show into a situation comedy. Red played a fictional version of himself. His TV wife was played by Phyllis Kirk. Paul Lynde appeared as Tom Standish, an NBC vice-president who frequently battled with Red. The new format was supposed to debut on January 21, 1955, but Red wound up in the hospital that week. The format finally debuted the following week, live from New York.

#1

January 28

“Buttons covers a typical day in his own life.”

Premiere of new format, postponed because Buttons was in hospital with throat ailment.

#2

February 4

“Red Buttons has a hard day both at home and at rehearsal for the Red Buttons Show… The day gets off to a bad start when a friend of Mrs. Buttons stops by and gets her to see a fortune teller without first preparing Red’s breakfast; and from then on things really get into sad shape. But then evening comes."

#3

February 18

“RB anticipates a rosy future when he thinks he has inherited a fortune… Enthused with daydreams of expansive spending, Red outlines his grandiose plans to his wife, the producer of his TV show, and the network executive in charge of the show. But –-”

#4

February 25

“Buttons encounters the problem of a jealous wife.”

“Red’s wife forces a few changes in Red’s script with the result that, at the end of the show, you’ll get a couple of laughs and learn something new about how and where the Civil War was fought.”

#5

March 4

“Buttons tries for good impression on a company president.” (The Spectacular … Standish tries to get Buttons to work for free to impress Texas oilman so he will back a 2-hour spectacular.)

#6

March 18

“In-law problems arise for Buttons.”

#7

March 25

“RB’ problems with his network boss, Tom Standish, take a new tack…when he is assigned to get a fascinating blind date for the boss’ visiting niece.”

#8

April 1

“Red Buttons and his boss get into another battle…”

#9

April 15

“Red and Phyllis turn TV husband and wife team.”

#10

April 22

Synopsis?

#11

April 29

Synopsis?

#12

May 13

Final “live” episode, followed by two weeks of repeats of “the most successful shows of the past season”

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