1948-07-25, CBS, 18 min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
Oldest known surviving broadcast content, in any format or transcription, of a TOAST OF THE TOWN opening and closing and comic stand-up routine, extant only in the Archival Television Audio, Inc. archive.
In 1948 there existed only 600,000 TV sets in America. Practically all television broadcasts were aired LIVE including TOAST OF THE TOWN which would not kinescope their shows until December 5, 1948.
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive beginning with broadcasts December 5, 12, and 19, 1948.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
The guests archived in this earliest known TALK OF THE TOWN air check are Toni Kelly, with chorus on a boardwalk, in Atlantic City, and a 12 minute stand-up comedy routine by Jan Murray.
Variety reviewed this broadcast stating,
“JAN MURRAY WAS ON FOR A FULL 12 MINUTES OF THE HOUR-LONG SHOW WITH SOME VERY FUNNY BITS WHICH HAD THE STUDIO AUDIENCE YUCKING AS MUCH AS THE HOME AUDIENCE MUST HAVE LAUGHED.
AS WITH MOST NITERY EMCEES, THE STRAIN TO AVOID BLUISH PATTER WAS EASILY APPARENT BUT MURRAY CARRIED IT OFF OKAY.
WITH THE RIVAL “TEXACO STAR THEATRE” ON NBC-TV ON THE PROWL FOR SUITABLE EMCEES, MURRAY’S A CINCH TO GET A BID, AND FOR MORE PAY, TOO.”
NOTE: It was Milton Berle who got the nod, first to appear (audition) June 8, 1948, succeeded by other temporary hosts including Harry Richman, Georgie Price, Henny Youngman, Morey Amsterdam, Jack Carter and Peter Donald who all rotated in the Host's Spot, during the Summer of 1948, but NOT Jan Murray.
The final choice by NBC to become permanent host of THE TEXICO STAR THEATER was Milton Berle, beginning September 21, 1948...and the rest is history!).
Also, remarkably preserved in this TV Audio Air Check is the entire 2 minute opening and closing of this 6th "TALK OF THE TOWN" Broadcast.
1955-12-22, Live, 70 min.
The most complete recording known running almost ten minutes longer than what has been uploaded to the internet of this rowdy uncensored early Humphrey Bogart Friar's roast, recorded live almost 70 years ago.
Paying "tribute" to our guest of honor is Master of Ceremonies, Red Buttons, HIstorian of the Friars Club, Eddie Weiner, Joe E. Ross (missing from you tube uploads), Alan King, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Coburn, Lou Holtz, Gene Baylos, Phil Silvers (missing from you tube uploads), Solly Violinsky, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart (part of his speech missing from you tube uploads).
Red Buttons reads telegrams of congratulation from Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable and Bob Hope each using a term for copulation in their quotes).
Processed from an original recording with flaws (edits, under and over modulation, clicks and gaps) acquired over 30 years ago, Phil Gries, founder and owner of Archival Television Audio, Inc., has improved the quality and flow of this extraordinary Friar's Roast lampooning Humphrey Bogart just 13 months before his death at age 56.
1962-09-03, NBC, 9 min.
September 5th, 1960- September 28th, 1962 (NBC)
Charge Account also referred to as The Jan Murray Show was a daytime game show in which players competed for the right to purchase prizes by forming words out of a group of sixteen letters.
NOTE: Only known surviving broadcast representation of Charge Account (The Jan Murray Show).
During the first nine minutes an intermittent minimal "buzz" sound is heard on the recording. Otherwise, most discernible, historic and nostalgic.
NOTE:
Almost all daytime game shows from the 1970's and before have been destroyed. CBS's archives begin in 1972, ABC's in 1978, and NBC's in 1980. A handful of producers (most notably Goodson-Todman) did arrange for the preservation of their shows even during the tape-recycling period.
1963-02-17, WOR, 47 min.
Hy Gardner's guests are Jan Murray, Gary Morton and Hal March who discuss practical jokes.
1963-03-10, WCBS, 39 min.
Guest performers are Pinky and Perky, Jimmy Roma, Kaye Stevens, Jan Murray, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, Leon Bibb and Izumi Yukimura.
1964-12-07, WNBC, 63 min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
Substitute host Milton Berle welcomes his guests Sammy Davis Jr., Jan Murray, Della Reese, James Van Heusen and Sid Stone, who use to be Berle's announcer pitchman from 1948-1951. He does his famous pitchman routine.
1966-11-11, ABC, 23 min.
September 9th, 1966-January 6th, 1967 (ABC)
A Friday night variety hour seen on ABC. It did not catch on with the viewing public and was canceled in January 1967 after just four months on the air. The show was produced by Bill Dana with Bobby Rydell, Irving Benson, and Donna Loren as regulars. Benson was seen as an offstage heckler.
Milton's guests are Eddie Fisher and comedian Jan Murray.
1966-11-11, ABC, 23 min.
September 9th, 1966-January 6th, 1967 (ABC)
A Friday night variety hour seen on ABC. It did not catch on with the viewing public and was canceled in January 1967 after just four months on the air. The show was produced by Bill Dana with Bobby Rydell, Irving Benson, and Donna Loren as regulars. Benson was seen as an offstage heckler.
Host: Milton Berle welcomes guest Jan Murray.
1966-11-24, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1967-06-01, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe Of # 1925. Repeat Of 11-24-66.
1968-05-28, NBC, 30 min.
October 17, 1966-June 20, 1980. Durable daytime game show featuring two contestants and panel of nine celebrities. Regular panelists over the years included George Gobel, Wally Cox, John Davidson, Charlie Weaver (Cliff Arquette), Rose Marie, and Paul Lynde. Host Peter Marshall.
The Squares panel consists of Wally Cox, Rose Marie, Jan Murray, Connie Stevens, Paul Lynde, Nanette Fabray, Charlie Weaver, Max Baer Jr., Morey Amsterdam, and host Peter Marshall.
1968-05-31, NBC, 30 min.
Durable daytime game show featuring two contestants and panel of nine celebrities. Regular panelists over the years included George Gobel, Wally Cox, John Davidson, Charlie Weaver (Cliff Arquette), Rose Marie, and Paul Lynde. Host Peter Marshall.
Guests include Max Baer Jr., Nanette Fabray, Paul Lynde, Jan Murray, Connie Stevens, and others. Host Peter Marshall.
1969-01-04, WCBS, 42 min.
September 29, 1962-September 12, 1970. Jackie Gleason was a fixture on CBS for most of two decades. In the fall of 1962 Gleason was back to a Saturday slot, which he occupied for another eight seasons. From 1962 to 1966 it was called "Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine," and featured topical comedy sketches as well as musical numbers. One of Gleason's characters, Joe the Bartender, appeared regularly. Addressing the camera as his patron, Joe told a few jokes before calling out the tipsy Crazy Guggenheim from the back room. Guggenheim, played by Frank Fontaine, traded quips with Joe and then sang a song. Sue Ann Langdon was also featured regularly. In 1966 Gleason moved the operation to Miami Beach. The show was retitled "The Jackie Gleason Show." For the first time in almost a decade, production of "The Honeymooners" was resumed. Gleason was reunited with Art Carney; Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean were added to play Alice and Trixie. Many of these later "Honeymooners" sketches ran a full hour, and the accent was now on music.
1969-04-06, WOR, 52 min.
Milton Berle is roasted. George Jessel emcees this hour variety roast series featuring testimonials to guests of honor. This syndicated series aired from September 15, 1968 to March 9, 1969. Reruns ran through March 1, 1970.
1969-07-05, CBS, min.
September 20, 1952-June 22, 1957; October 3, 1958-January 2 1959; February 3 1961-March 24, 1961; September 1962-September 12, 1970
After the 1954-1955 season (one hour live broadcasts), Jackie Gleason produced a series of 39 filmed half-hour episodes of "The Honeymooners" which was syndicated (1955-1956). For the following 1956-1957 season, the Jackie Gleason Show returned to a live one-hour variety format with a Honeymooners sketch included in many of its broadcasts. After this season, The Honeymooners sketches would not be revived until the 1966-1967 season of The Jackie Gleason Show.
Host: Jackie Gleason.
Guests: Red Buttons, Nipsey Russell, Jan Murray. Honeymooners sketch with Sheila MacRae and Art Carney.
Rerun of January 4th, 1969.
1969-10-01, WNBC, 52 min.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the "Uncle Miltie Gets Roasted" broadcast. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
1969-10-27, NBC, 30 min.
October 17th, 1966- June 20th, 1980 (Daytime)
January 12th, 1968- September 13th, 1968 (Prime Time)
November 1st, 1971- September 1981.(Syndicated)
One of the longest-running daytime game shows on NBC television.
Host: Peter Marshall.
1973-02-08, WNBC, 52 min.
Bob Hope's fourth Special. Newly crowned heavyweight boxing champion George Forman joins an all-star lineup on Bob's special.
Duplicate of 5119.
1973-02-08, WNBC, 52 min.
Bob Hope's fourth Special.
1973-11-27, ABC, 60 min.
Milton Berle is roasted by the Frair's Club.
Host: Sammy Davis, Jr.
1973-12-04, WNBC, 51 min.
The Friars Club "roasts" Milton Berle, who celebrates his 60th anniversary in show business. Guests include Sammy Davis Jr., Alan King, George Burns, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Red Foxx, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Carroll O'Connor, Jan Murray, Walter Matthau, Kirk Douglas, Jack Lemmon, Senator Ted Kennedy, Archbishop Fulton J.
Sheen and Henny Youngman.
1973-12-04, ABC, 57 min.
The Friars Club "roasts" Milton Berle, who celebrates his 60th anniversary in show business. Some of the world's greatest talent pay a riotous tribute to "Mr. Television." Guests include Sammy Davis Jr., Alan King, George Burns, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Red Foxx, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Carroll O'Connor, Jan Murray, Walter Matthau, Kirk Douglas, Jack Lemmon, Senator Ted Kennedy, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and Henny Youngman.
Host: Sammy Davis Jr.
Duplicate of #1130.
1974-06-05, NBC, 30 min.
October 17th, 1966- June 20th, 1980 (Daytime)
January 12th, 1968- September 13th, 1968 (Prime Time)
November 1st, 1971- September 1981.(Syndicated)
One of the longest-running daytime game shows on NBC television.
Host: Peter Marshall.
1975-01-22, WABC, 78 min.
Alan King leads a round-robin discussion of comedy. Presented as a Wide World Special.
1975-04-24, WNBC, 52 min.
Roasting Sammy Davis Jr. are: Dean Martin, Altovise Davis, Milton Berle, Joey Bishop, Foster Brooks, Wilt Chamberlain, Phyllis Diller, Dionne Warwick, Norm Crosby, Jan Murray, Freddie Prinze, Don Rickles and Nipsey Russell.
1975-05-15, WNBC, 52 min.
Special: Michael Landon is sizzled on a verbal spit by host Dean Martin, Amanda Blake, Ernest Borgnine, Sid Caesar, Phyllis Diller, Euell Gibbons, Guy Marks, Jan Murray, Don Rickles, Cliff Robertson and Landon's former "Bonanza" costars Lorne Greene and Victor Sen Yung. Taped in the Celebrity Room of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
1975-11-17, NBC, 30 min.
October 17th, 1966- June 20th, 1980 (Daytime)
January 12th, 1968- September 13th, 1968 (Prime Time)
November 1st, 1971- September 1981.(Syndicated)
One of the longest-running daytime game shows on NBC television.
Host: Peter Marshall
1975-12-12, NBC, 30 min.
Daytime- April 1st, 1974- October 1st, 1976
Syndicated- September 9th, 1974- September 1975
Syndicated- September 20th, 1976- September 1977
Announcers: Bill Armstrong, Dick Tufeld, John Harlan
A game show involving two contestants, six celebrities, and the studio audience. Frequently seen on the celebrity panel were Carol Wayne, Buddy Hackett, Dick Martin, and Joey Bishop.
Host: Jim McKrell. Very few episodes of this quiz show survive.
1975-12-15, NBC, 30 min.
October 17th, 1966- June 20th, 1980 (Daytime)
January 12th, 1968- September 13th, 1968 (Prime Time)
November 1st, 1971- September 1981.(Syndicated)
One of the longest-running daytime game shows on NBC television.
Host: Peter Marshall
Duplicate of # 8297.
1976-01-23, NBC, 25 min.
January 5th, 1976- June 11th, 1976.
Kelly Lange hosted this daytime series, Monday thru Friday 12:30-12:55pm in which celebrities and their spouses suggested answers to problems submitted by the viewers.
Guests are comedian Jan Murray and his wife Toni and actor James Darren and his wife Abbey.
Commercials include:
Sin-Aid for sinus headaches, Glass Plus, Brock's Real Chocolate, Adult strength Anacin, Purina cat food, Stay Puff Blue, Duz cleaner, Pamprin, Spic 'N' Span, Reynolds Wrap.
During credits there is a plug by Dudley Moore and Peter Cook to tune into this evening's Saturday Night (not yet establishing the name Saturday Night Live).
NOTE: None of the broadcasts in this series are known to survive. All were either erased or discarded.
1976-03-05, NBC, 60 min.
Bob Hope hires six TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house in this comedy special.
1976-03-05, NBC, min.
Bob Hope hires six TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house in this comedy special.
Duplicate of #7757.
1976-03-05, NBC, 60 min.
Bob Hope hires six TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house in this comedy special.
Duplicate of # 7757.
1976-04-12, ABC, 30 min.
April 12, 1976 - July 23, 1976 (76 first run episodes)
September 18, 1976 - February 26, 1977 (19 first run episodes)
(Re-runs beginning in February 29, 1977 to September 11, 1977)
Break the Bank had two separate runs on American television. The first was as a daily series that aired from April 12 to July 23, 1976, on ABC, airing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Central. Although the series was popular, the network canceled it in order to expand the soap operas One Life to Live and General Hospital, both of which followed it on the daytime schedule, from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The show quickly returned as a weekly syndicated game from September 18, 1976, to September 11, 1977.
The ABC daytime series had 76 episodes, including the 3/23 and 5/20 pilots. The syndicated series had 24 episodes with 5 of them being rerun. The last episode for the entire series was on February 26, 1977, with reruns airing until September 11th of that year. In 1994, GSN added Break the Bank to their lineup. This continued until 1997, and since then, no episodes from the series have been broadcast on television again. Currently, 17 episodes from the original Tom Kennedy series and 3 episodes from the syndicated Jack Barry series have been uploaded and steam on YouTube.
NOTE: Complete with commercials.
1976-04-22, ABC, 30 min.
April 12, 1976 - July 23, 1976 (76 first run episodes)
September 18, 1976 - February 26, 1977 (19 first run episodes)
(Re-runs beginning in February 29, 1977 to September 11, 1977)
Break the Bank had two separate runs on American television. The first was as a daily series that aired from April 12 to July 23, 1976, on ABC, airing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Central. Although the series was popular, the network canceled it in order to expand the soap operas One Life to Live and General Hospital, both of which followed it on the daytime schedule, from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The show quickly returned as a weekly syndicated game from September 18, 1976, to September 11, 1977.
The ABC daytime series had 76 episodes, including the 3/23 and 5/20 pilots. The syndicated series had 24 episodes with 5 of them being rerun. The last episode for the entire series was on February 26, 1977, with reruns airing until September 11th of that year. In 1994, GSN added Break the Bank to their lineup. This continued until 1997, and since then, no episodes from the series have been broadcast on television again. Currently, 17 episodes from the original Tom Kennedy series and 3 episodes from the syndicated Jack Barry series have been uploaded and steam on YouTube.
NOTE: complete with all commercials.
1976-05-28, ABC, 30 min.
April 12, 1976 - July 23, 1976 (76 first run episodes)
September 18, 1976 - February 26, 1977 (19 first run episodes)
(Re-runs beginning in February 29, 1977 to September 11, 1977)
Break the Bank had two separate runs on American television. The first was as a daily series that aired from April 12 to July 23, 1976, on ABC, airing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Central. Although the series was popular, the network canceled it in order to expand the soap operas One Life to Live and General Hospital, both of which followed it on the daytime schedule, from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The show quickly returned as a weekly syndicated game from September 18, 1976, to September 11, 1977.
The ABC daytime series had 76 episodes, including the 3/23 and 5/20 pilots. The syndicated series had 24 episodes with 5 of them being rerun. The last episode for the entire series was on February 26, 1977, with reruns airing until September 11th of that year. In 1994, GSN added Break the Bank to their lineup. This continued until 1997, and since then, no episodes from the series have been broadcast on television again. Currently, 17 episodes from the original Tom Kennedy series and 3 episodes from the syndicated Jack Barry series have been uploaded and steam on YouTube.
NOTE: Complete with commercials.
1976-06-01, ABC, 30 min.
April 12, 1976 - July 23, 1976 (76 first run episodes)
September 18, 1976 - February 26, 1977 (19 first run episodes)
(Re-runs beginning in February 29, 1977 to September 11, 1977)
Break the Bank had two separate runs on American television. The first was as a daily series that aired from April 12 to July 23, 1976, on ABC, airing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Central. Although the series was popular, the network canceled it in order to expand the soap operas One Life to Live and General Hospital, both of which followed it on the daytime schedule, from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The show quickly returned as a weekly syndicated game from September 18, 1976, to September 11, 1977.
The ABC daytime series had 76 episodes, including the 3/23 and 5/20 pilots. The syndicated series had 24 episodes with 5 of them being rerun. The last episode for the entire series was on February 26, 1977, with reruns airing until September 11th of that year. In 1994, GSN added Break the Bank to their lineup. This continued until 1997, and since then, no episodes from the series have been broadcast on television again. Currently, 17 episodes from the original Tom Kennedy series and 3 episodes from the syndicated Jack Barry series have been uploaded and steam on YouTube.
NOTE: Complete with commercials.
1976-07-23, ABC, 30 min.
April 12, 1976 - July 23, 1976 (76 first run episodes)
September 18, 1976 - February 26, 1977 (19 first run episodes)
(Re-runs beginning in February 29, 1977 to September 11, 1977)
Break the Bank had two separate runs on American television. The first was as a daily series that aired from April 12 to July 23, 1976, on ABC, airing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Central. Although the series was popular, the network canceled it in order to expand the soap operas One Life to Live and General Hospital, both of which followed it on the daytime schedule, from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The show quickly returned as a weekly syndicated game from September 18, 1976, to September 11, 1977.
The ABC daytime series had 76 episodes, including the 3/23 and 5/20 pilots. The syndicated series had 24 episodes with 5 of them being rerun. The last episode for the entire series was on February 26, 1977, with reruns airing until September 11th of that year. In 1994, GSN added Break the Bank to their lineup. This continued until 1997, and since then, no episodes from the series have been broadcast on television again. Currently, 17 episodes from the original Tom Kennedy series and 3 episodes from the syndicated Jack Barry series have been uploaded and steam on YouTube.
Last daytime show of this ABC series.
NOTE: Complete with commercials.
1976-07-29, SYN, 28 min.
Syndicated - September 8, 1975 - September 19, 1976
Don Adams emcees this weekly show featuring two studio contestants reenacting scenes from famous movies with guest celebrities.
Contestants selected out of 1500 candidates act out scenes from classic films with celebrity partners. in this episode winning contestant Karen Russikoff acts with Jack Cassidy in a scene from The Phantom of the Opera (1943). Coming in second contestant Nathan Stelzer acts in a scene with Jan Murray from Captain Blood (1935).
Ms. Russikoff to appear with Robert Young in an episode of Marcus Welby M.D. In addition she takes home a 16mm film of this broadcast as well as a movie camera and projector.
Announcer is Dick Tufeld. Judge is Jerry London.
Commercials include:
White Cloud Bathroom Tissues, Dodge Colt Automobile, Kool Aid Tropical Punch, Prell Hair Concentrate, Welch's Grape Soda, A Disneyland Vacation Package, Pampers Diapers.
NOTE: No known episodes survive.
1976-12-15, NBC, 52 min.
Roastee Danny Thomas is on the receiving end of quips by Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Gene Kelly, Orson Welles, Howard Cosell, Jimmie Walker, Red Buttons, Ruth Buzzi, Charo, Jan Murray, Charlie Callas, Nipsey Russell, and Harvey Korman.
Dupe Of # 2118.
1976-12-15, WNBC, min.
Roastee Danny Thomas is on the receiving end of quips by Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Gene Kelly, Orson Welles, Howard Cosell, Jimmie Walker, Red Buttons, Ruth Buzzi, Charo, Jan Murray, Charlie Callas, Nipsey Russell and Harvey Korman.
Duplicate of #2118.
1976-12-15, WNBC, 52 min.
Roastee Danny Thomas is on the receiving end of quips by Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Gene Kelly, Orson Welles, Howard Cosell, Jimmie Walker, Red Buttons, Ruth Buzzi, Charo, Jan Murray, Charlie Callas, Nipsey Russell and Harvey Korman.
1977-05-14, SYN, 30 min.
April 12, 1976 - July 23, 1976 (76 first run episodes)
September 18, 1976 - February 26, 1977 (19 first run episodes)
(Re-runs beginning in February 29, 1977 to September 11, 1977)
This is a re-run episode originally broadcast in September 1976.
Break the Bank had two separate runs on American television. The first was as a daily series that aired from April 12 to July 23, 1976, on ABC, airing at 2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Central. Although the series was popular, the network canceled it in order to expand the soap operas One Life to Live and General Hospital, both of which followed it on the daytime schedule, from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The show quickly returned as a weekly syndicated game from September 18, 1976, to September 11, 1977.
The ABC daytime series had 76 episodes, including the 3/23 and 5/20 pilots. The syndicated series had 24 episodes with 5 of them being rerun. The last episode for the entire series was on February 26, 1977, with reruns airing until September 11th of that year. In 1994, GSN added Break the Bank to their lineup. This continued until 1997, and since then, no episodes from the series have been broadcast on television again. Currently, 17 episodes from the original Tom Kennedy series and 3 episodes from the syndicated Jack Barry series have been uploaded and steam on YouTube.
NOTE: Complete with commercials.
1978-01-13, ABC, 00 min.
Entertainers from all facets of show business selected in a nationwide survey, perform.
Host: Buddy Ebsen.