The Jackie Gleason Show

FOLLOWING HIS HIGHLY successful return to network television's weekly grind, it was time for a course correction. The new program had been given the handle of JACKIE GLEASON'S American SCENE MAGAZINE and attempted to sort of update the focus of the comedy being produced. They also wanted to "modernize" the production with short, attention span friendly "blackout" type of skits.

BY THE END of the fourth season, that which had been considered "fresh" and "innovative" was now thought to be commonplace. So, what to do in order to fix things? Perhaps the thought crossed someone's mind that it was time to return to the well once again; but this time it would be to the old and familiar waters of THE HONEYMOONERS.

YES IT WAS true, the Gleason show was returning to Delancy Street and to the tenements of the Kramdens and the Nortons. It was a case of the old becoming fresh and "new" because of an extended absence. (Remember Schultz, "Absence makes the heart fonder!") SO WITH THIS news, the new segments were about to undergo some cast changes. Sheila Mac Rae would be Alice and Jane Kean would take over as Trixie. But without a doubt, no one could envision anyone else in the part of Ed Norton but Art Carney. We were right as it was indeed a reunion of what many believe to be the "Laurel & Hardy of TV" were now being reunited.

OTHER THAN THE live television aspect of the original incarnation of THE HINEYMOONERS, there were several items that could only be viewed as being updates. In addition to the aforementioned application of videotape, the series was now to be a musical. Original songs and production numbers would be the order of the day.

A PREVIOSLY USED IDEA that had both the Norton and Kramden families sharing a winning ticket in a contest and traveling away from their blue collar (Proletariat) existence and seeing Planet Earth from the decks of an Ocean Liner. They would also be taping the shows in beautiful color.

SOME GREAT MAN once said that "You can't go home!" But it would appear that THE HONEYMOONERS succeeded in doing it.

I'm so glad that the Honeymooners shows from the 1960s and 1970s are now available. The nine episodes called "The Trip to Europe" have been put on DVD and I hope that the rest of the 44 hour shows are also slated to be released on DVD. The Goodlife Network has been showing these Honeymooners, but not everyone has access to this network.

There are those that say, "If it's not Audrey Meadows, it's not the real 'Honeymooners'." Sure, Sheila MacRae plays a softer Alice, but she is far from inappropriate. In fact, Jane Kean enhances the role of Trixie. This is not to take away from Joyce Randolph. Sure, you get the June Taylor Dancers and Gleason and company break into song whenever they wish. I find this to be completely charming. I know. These traditional musical comedy numbers make the shows dated. I don't care. I love these numbers. There are also some dated topical jokes from the 1960s. So what! Gleason and Carney seem to have extra energy from being back together again and performing before a live audience. The famous Gleason mistakes are there, and these make the shows even better.

Did you know that there are a few Honeymooners sketches from the early 1960s with Sue Ann Langdon as Alice and Patricia Wilson as Trixie? Goodtimes put one of these shows on VHS. Did you know that there are also sketches from the late 60s, where the Honeymooners are part of a Gleason variety show? What about putting all of these on DVD. I would also like to see the Gleason American Scene Magazine shows on DVD.

It's the color honeymooners as the good life channel calls them and thank you good life, for bringing them back.

If it looks like the great one is resting on his laurels, so be it. He deserves it. Where the '50s version of the honeymooners was hysterical and gritty, the late '60s version emphasizes Miami (ad nausea - it still tickles me tho since i grew up in ft. Lauderdale in the '60s-'70s.), color, a large budget and awesome musical numbers. The comedy is still funny in fact even sidesplitting from time to time, but in this version, it seems to be all about CHARM as opposed to innovative comedy. Sure, Gleason and Carney are a TEAM and a delightful team, like going over to a favorite uncle at thanksgiving. It's a team that has paid their dues and now are reaping the rewards and just relaxing and having fun. THere's nothing wrong with that. IT's just not as funny and innovative as these episode are remakes of the '50s episodes which was where the innovation was.

THe composers of the songs can stand proud of their accomplishment at writing a damn fine musical a week (or every other maybe?) and their creations can stand along side anything on Broadway at the time or even now. Perhaps there can be a musical review on stage featuring these great songs. I especially love the song from the Italy episode which Sheila mccrae sings with a Italian boy. what a beautiful song.

Mccrae and Jane Kean are always criticized for not being the beloved Audrey Meadows (or Pert Kelton for that matter. I saw one extremely rare Dumont show where she played Alice. she was truly frightening.) and Joyce Randolph. But Sheila and Jane are top notch singers and I love the hear them belt out Alice's and Trixie's songs. It's funny because I can't picture Sheila and Jane in the old '50s show just like i can't picture Audrey and Joyce in the '60s show. Gleason and Carney aren't singers at all, but they can sure put over a great song nonetheless. There are no comparisons.

THe only thing i find regrettable is that good life TV is only showing honeymooner episodes and there are only 40 of these hour long color musicals. I wish they would show the other non-honeymooners episodes. And now that I live in a city where I cant get good life TV, I wish someone would come out with an authorized DVD of four complete seasons of the Jackie Gleason show from Miami.

But thank you good life TV for bringing back great Saturday night TV and a heck of a lot of charm and class.

This show was Jackie Gleason just doing what came natural to him. Enjoying himself and making people laugh. His portrayal of several different regular characters, all of whom were as memorable as Ralph Kramden, were all portrayed flawlessly. Frank Fontaine's songs were an added treasure! It seems unlikely to hit the airwaves again, so one can only hope that the shows are released on DVD.

The talent of Jackie Gleason and Art Carney made for an awesome chemistry on stage/screen. Anyone who can't see that should envy bats. "The Great One" has not only secured his rightful place in the history of show business but also in the hearts of millions of his fans for all time!!