The Eating Contest

TV Guide called this "one of the greatest episodes in TV history." It guest stars Fred Gwynne, who was a nobody at this time but went on to fame in "Car 54 Where Are You" and "The Munsters. Well, I wouldn't go that far. It was good but not that good, in my opinion.

Gwynne plays "Pvt. Ed 'The Stomach' Honnegan," a key figure in Ernie Bilko's plan to win the annual Company A vs. Company B eating contest held at Fort Baxter.

Bilko's Company B platoon just lost the annual football game, 68-0, and he's tired of always losing to "A" company. When new recruit Honnegan arrives, Bilko has no idea who he is but only knows he's no athlete and won't help him win any contests....until Rocco recognizes him and tells the Sarge that Ed is a world-famous eater who always wins the army eating contests.

Now it's time for Ernie to scheme again, trying, as always to win a big bet. This time, it's going to be his man against "Hog Henderson" of Company A. It was interesting to see Murray Hamilton in here at Bilko's opposite. (Hamilton played the town mayor in the "Jaws" films of the '70s, among many other roles.)

The contest is set, but trouble erupts - doesn't it always to Bilko? - when "The Stomach" tells Ernie why he no longer has his famous appetite. Bilko and the boys make sure he gets it back!

A sweet, feel-good ending to this funny episode, too.

In order for you to get any real entertainment value out of watching this episode from TV's "The Phil Silvers Show" you've gotta be willing to cut it some serious slack.

Anyway - As the story goes - Ernie Bilko's been on a losing streak lately, but that's about to end. A new mechanic has been transferred to the motor pool, an eating champ known as "The Stomach".

See what happens when Bilko goes into his shtick of deception and conniving.

Dedicated to my father, J.G.R.C., who had dinner out of the way and we were headed to the TV for "Phil Silvahs". This episode gave him inspiration to nickname me "The Stomach" due to the fact that I ate like a bird during the week, but I could shovel down hotcakes & waffles and outlast my four brothers, mom, and be in a 'dead heat' with my dad on weekend mornings. Rest in Peace dad, and enjoy your schemes with Phil Silvers "on the other side". I ended up being 6'7" and a rail like Fred Gwynne.

Some real nice acting chops on Gwynne here who shows a wide range of emotion. Not the funniest episode, but just a fun one as you anticipate how Bilko et al will manipulate Gwynne.

Also some real nice scenes of the platoon working together as a team with Bilko. I especially loved the musical portion where they switched from guitar to harmonica, it was hilarious.