Hey everyone! Just a reminder that tomorrow June 30th, 2025 at 7PM i'm doing a webinar. It’s Part 2 of the CBS Talent Raids on the early Television era. This webinar focuses on the rise of TV throughout the 1940s and early 1950s as the CBS Talent Raids took hold.

If you missed Part 1, don’t worry, when you register for Part 2 I’ll email you a video of the webinar for Part 1. And if you’re interested in this Part 2 webinar and can’t make it live tomorrow, June 30th at 7PM, don’t worry I’ll be emailing every person who registers a video of Part 2’s webinar as soon as it’s done. Here's a link to register — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cbs-talent-raids-part-2-the-early-television-era-webinar-tickets-1419361692029?aff=oddtdtcreator

Here's an overview of the webinar below:

When David Sarnoff officially launched network television at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, he intended to have TV sets in everyone's homes by the early 1940s. World War II interrupted his plans. Meanwhile network radio soared in popularity throughout the 1940s. By the fall of 1948, three of the four major radio networks — ABC, CBS, and NBC — were funneling their soaring radio profits into the burgeoning television side of their businesses. And because all individual U.S. citizens were taxed 77% on all income over $70k (roughly $907k today), big stars of the day like Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, and Freeman Gosden had the idea to incorporate their popular shows as businesses in order to qualify for significant breaks under capital gains tax laws. What happened when David Sarnoff and RCA, the parent company of NBC, the nation's #1 network at the time, refused to make this deal with its stars? It's time to uncover how a smart bet by CBS helped it overtake its main rival during the golden age of radio and exactly how this affected the early years of television.

Join James Scully (myself) — Radio historian and producer/host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of U.S. network radio broadcasting for the second part of this two-part series that explores the events surrounding the CBS Talent Raids of 1948, and the many men and women who benefited from this monumental period in entertainment.

In Part Two: Early Network Television, we'll focus on the rise of TV throughout the 1940s and early 1950s as the CBS Talent Raids took hold, including:

• From Farnsworth to the 1939 World’s Fair — Early TV History and How World War II slowed TV’s oncoming growth

• How NBC, CBS, and ABC Launched into TV while siphoning radio profits into their TV networks

• The Dumont Network and Pro Rasslin’ — Could the network have lasted longer?

• Berle, Godfrey, Sullivan and The TV ratings landscape as we enter the 1950

• I Love Lucy Launches, forever altering Television viewing

• How Television’s explosive growth in the early 1950s changed America’s way of life

• TV’s profits are radio’s losses

Afterward, I’ll do a Q&A — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!Can't attend live? Not to worry! I'll be recording the event and sending the video out to all guests who register so you can watch it later. Hope to see you (virtually) there!

Last night's CBS Talent Raids webinar went so well I decided to do another one! One July 17th at 7PM I'll be presenting a webinar called Orson Welles' Career, Part 1: From Boy Wonder To Trouble Maker. Here's a link to register — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/orson-welles-career-part-1-from-boy-wonder-to-trouble-maker-webinar-tickets-1445315741289?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you can't make it live, don't worry, I'll be emailing all who register a video of the webinar once its done so you can watch it later. Here's an overview of the webinar below:

Throughout the last one-hundred years of American entertainment, few people have gotten as strong a reaction as Orson Welles. A rare quadruple threat: writer, director, actor, producer, Welles found immense success on stage, in films, on television, and in radio. In fact, he took center stage in the United States on more than one occasion… and not always to a positive reaction, but always with pushing the creative envelope in mind.

Welles managed to alienate the newspaper industry, the Hollywood studio system, and occasionally even the broadcasting networks, but he rarely had a door closed in his face.

Welles was known to work himself to the bone, and party even harder. He had romances with some of the most famous and attractive women in the country, including Virginia Nicholson, Dolores del Rio, and Rita Hayworth.

He was hailed as a genius, a charlatan, a magician, an incredible friend, an a***hole, a hard-driver, a steady worker, and a man who drank too much. Welles liked to joke that he began his career on top and spent the rest of his life working his way down. Such a strong-willed, creative person deserves an in-depth look.

Join James Scully — Radio historian and producer/host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of U.S. network radio broadcasting for the first of a three-part webinar that deeply explores the life and career of Orson Welles, with a strong focus on his two decades working in American and British radio.

In Part 1: From Boy Wonder To Trouble Maker (1931-1941) we’ll explore Welles’ early life, through his explosion of success in the 1930s all the way to the end of 1941, complete with audio clips and highlights including:

• Beginnings in Illinois and China — How they helped shape Orson

• The Todd Seminary School — His first exposure to theater and Radio

• Connections and Early Breaks — How his mentor Roger Hill, Thornton Wilder, Alexander Woollcott, and Katharine Cornell helped Orson get to Broadway

• Orson meets John Houseman and Archibald MacLeish, and first appears on the March of Time

• 1935-1937 — From the March of Time to the Columbia Workshop, and how Irvin Reis taught Orson how to create for radio

• How the US Government shaped the opportunity for Orson to write, direct, and star in Les Misérables on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1937

• The Shadow Knows! — Agnes Moorehead and Orson Welles’ one season on The Shadow

• The birth of the Mercury Theater on the Air as First Person singular. How its success led to the most infamous night in radio in October of 1938

• Mainstream success with Campbell’s Soups

• Orson goes to Hollywood, and signs the greatest autonomous film contract in history at 24

• Citizen Kane — How William Randolph Hearst and RKO shaped the film

• Lady Esther Presents — Orson comes back to radio in the autumn of 1941

• Pearl Harbor Day and collaborating with Norman Corwin

• How Joseph Cotton introduced Orson to Rita Hayworth

Afterward, I’ll do a Q&A — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged! Can't attend live? Not to worry! I'll be recording the event and sending the video out to all guests who register so you can watch it later. Hope to see you (virtually) there!

I visited a car museum today and ran across this gem.

I'm 54 and discovered big band swing and old time radio on a local NPR station around 1982. Since that fateful introduction, I've been a lifelong fan of Jack Benny. And Great Gildersleeve among others. In the past, I've binged every episode of Jack Benny's radio series in order, first to last.

I found this autograph of Jack Benny a few years ago in a local online auction personalized to "Allen." in an impossible coincidence, my name is Allen and it's spelled the way it's written on the page.

I didn't care about the stain on the paper and bid really high for it, and won it for a couple of bucks since I think I was the only bidder.

I like to think he signed it to me. No idea who Allen was, not Fred Allen I'm sure!

The paper even shows his Beverly Hills address, which is cool.

Hey everyone, I'm a historian and producer and host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of US Network Radio Broadcasting. I wanted to let you know about a new webinar I’m doing o July 17th at 7PM I'll be presenting a webinar called Orson Welles' Career, Part 1: From Boy Wonder To Trouble Maker. Here's a link to register — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/orson-welles-career-part-1-from-boy-wonder-to-trouble-maker-webinar-tickets-1445315741289?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you can't make it live, don't worry, I'll be emailing all who register a video of the webinar once its done so you can watch it later.

Here's an overview of the webinar below:

Throughout the last one-hundred years of American entertainment, few people have gotten as strong a reaction as Orson Welles. A rare quadruple threat: writer, director, actor, producer, Welles found immense success on stage, in films, on television, and in radio. In fact, he took center stage in the United States on more than one occasion… and not always to a positive reaction, but always with pushing the creative envelope in mind.

Welles managed to alienate the newspaper industry, the Hollywood studio system, and occasionally even the broadcasting networks, but he rarely had a door closed in his face.

Welles was known to work himself to the bone, and party even harder. He had romances with some of the most famous and attractive women in the country, including Virginia Nicholson, Dolores del Rio, and Rita Hayworth.

He was hailed as a genius, a charlatan, a magician, an incredible friend, an a***hole, a hard-driver, a steady worker, and a man who drank too much. Welles liked to joke that he began his career on top and spent the rest of his life working his way down. Such a strong-willed, creative person deserves an in-depth look.

Join James Scully (myself) — Radio historian and producer/host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of U.S. network radio broadcasting for the first of a three-part webinar that deeply explores the life and career of Orson Welles, with a strong focus on his two decades working in American and British radio.

In Part 1: From Boy Wonder To Trouble Maker (1931-1941) we’ll explore Welles’ early life, through his explosion of success in the 1930s all the way to the end of 1941, complete with audio clips and highlights including:

• Beginnings in Illinois and China — How they helped shape Orson

• The Todd Seminary School — His first exposure to theater and Radio

• Connections and Early Breaks — How his mentor Roger Hill, Thornton Wilder, Alexander Woollcott, and Katharine Cornell helped Orson get to Broadway

• Orson meets John Houseman and Archibald MacLeish, and first appears on the March of Time

• 1935-1937 — From the March of Time to the Columbia Workshop, and how Irvin Reis taught Orson how to create for radio

• How the US Government shaped the opportunity for Orson to write, direct, and star in Les Misérables on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1937

• The Shadow Knows! — Agnes Moorehead and Orson Welles’ one season on The Shadow

• The birth of the Mercury Theater on the Air as First Person singular. How its success led to the most infamous night in radio in October of 1938

• Mainstream success with Campbell’s Soups

• Orson goes to Hollywood, and signs the greatest autonomous film contract in history at 24

• Citizen Kane — How William Randolph Hearst and RKO shaped the film

• Lady Esther Presents — Orson comes back to radio in the autumn of 1941

• Pearl Harbor Day and collaborating with Norman Corwin

• How Joseph Cotton introduced Orson to Rita Hayworth

Afterward, I’ll do a Q&A — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged! Can't attend live? Not to worry! I'll be recording the event and sending the video out to all guests who register so you can watch it later. Hope to see you (virtually) there!

Born August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, Lucille Ball began her rise to stardom not on television, but behind the microphone. Before I Love Lucy made her a household name, Ball honed her comedic chops on radio — most notably as Liz Cooper in My Favorite Husband, which debuted in 1948 on CBS. Her zany timing and expressive delivery made the show a hit, laying the groundwork for her eventual leap to TV.

Ball also appeared in The Wonder Show with Jack Haley, The Abbott and Costello Show, Duffy’s Tavern, The Kraft Music Hall, and Suspense, showcasing her range in both comedy and drama. Her radio work helped shape the sitcom format and proved she could carry a show with just her voice — no visual gags required.

When CBS proposed adapting My Favorite Husband for television, Ball insisted her real-life husband Desi Arnaz play her on-screen spouse. The result? I Love Lucy, a cultural phenomenon that redefined television comedy and made Lucille Ball the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio.

She passed away on April 26, 1989, but her voice — and laughter — still echo through the golden age of radio.

#LucilleBall #OnThisDayInRadio #MyFavoriteHusband #ClassicRadio #OTR #RadioComedy #ILoveLucy #August6 #VintageBroadcasting #RadioHistory

Agnes Moorehead gave old-time radio some unforgettable performances, especially on Suspense.

If you only know her from television, her radio work is absolutely worth hearing. She had the kind of voice that could carry an entire story, and Suspense gave her some of the best material of her career.

I’ve been building the individual show pages on Golden Radio Hour so you can read about the program and then work your way through the available broadcasts in the archive.

Start with Suspense here:

https://goldenradiohour.com/old-time-radio-shows/suspense/

If you’ve heard Agnes Moorehead on radio before, which performance stands out most to you?

I am 50 years old and I’ve just discovered that almost every episode of OTR and available either on Podcasts or YouTube. I am absolutely thrilled. In the 80s as a kid, I found some tapes at the library and listened to them over and over. Only a few and mostly comedy and the shows were they redo popular movies with the original actors. I loved them as a young child. I am thrilled that I have unlimited access to them now.

I guess I’m a boring person, but I’m really not sure why these are not more popular nowadays.

Does anyone else listen to their programs on an actual vintage radio? I have a refurbished 1938 Stewart-Warner AM/SW radio. It still picks up AM stations clear as a bell, but it has added Bluetooth so I can stream my favorite OTR programs from my phone. They are, in no particular order:

1. Escape

2. Tales of the Texas Rangers

3. Gunsmoke

4. Dragnet

5. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

I also have a restored 1946 Arcadia Farm Radio, but the sound is better on the Stewart-Warner.

Hey everyone! I'm doing a new webinar on Monday 6/16 at 7PM on the story behind the CBS Talent Raids of the late 1940s and how it altered the radio landscape just as the TV era began. There's more info below if you're interested. I'll also email guests the video of it after if you can't attend live — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cbs-talent-raids-part-1-the-post-war-radio-era-webinar-tickets-1389789390479?aff=oddtdtcreator

In the fall of 1948, three of the four major radio networks — ABC, CBS, and NBC — were funneling their soaring radio profits into the burgeoning television side of their businesses. And because all individual U.S. citizens were taxed 77% on all income over $70k (roughly $907k today), big stars of the day like Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, and Freeman Gosden had the idea to incorporate their popular shows as businesses in order to qualify for significant breaks under capital gains tax laws. What happened when the parent company of NBC, the nation's #1 network at the time, refused to make this deal? It's time to uncover how a smart bet by CBS helped it overtake its main rival during the golden age of radio and early television.

Join James Scully — Radio historian and producer/host of Breaking Walls, the docu-podcast on the history of U.S. network radio broadcasting for a two-part series that explores the events surrounding the CBS Talent Raids of 1948, and the many men and women who benefited from this monumental period in entertainment.

In Part One: Post-War Radio Era, we'll focus on how a tax code and the country's top comedian helped shift Network superiority from NBC to CBS right as the TV era began, including:

• An overview of the radio and TV networks in the late 1940s, from how the radio industry grew from wireless telegraphy in the 1910s to one of the largest businesses in the United States

• A look at the biggest stars of the day and their programs like Jack Benny, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Eve Arden, and Lucille Ball

• Some of the big news stories of that era, including why the United States experienced so much labor turmoil as the baby boomer era began following the end of World War II

• A play-by-play of the CBS Talent Raid, including why CBS head William S. Paley happily agreed to these capital gains deals when NBC's David Sarnoff was vehemently opposed; and which yet unknown stars benefited the most

• How and why this deal changed the balance of power in the entertainment industry leading into the Television era

Afterward, I’ll do a Q&A — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't attend live? Not to worry! I'll be recording the event and sending the video out to all guests who register so you can watch it later. See you (virtually) there!

Part 2 on the early Television era will be presented at a later date.

On This Day In Radio… October 30, 1938

The War of the Worlds aired live on CBS Radio, directed and narrated by a 23-year-old Orson Welles. What began as a Halloween episode of The Mercury Theatre on the Air became the most infamous broadcast in radio history—blurring the line between fiction and reality.

📡 Adapted from H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel, the episode used a series of simulated news bulletins to depict a Martian invasion of Earth, beginning in Grover’s Mill, New Jersey. The format was so realistic that some listeners, tuning in late, believed the events were real.

🎧 Highlights of the broadcast’s legacy include:

• A script by Howard Koch, who cleverly restructured the story into a breaking news format.

• Performances by Ray Collins, Frank Readick, and the Mercury Theatre ensemble, whose urgency sold the illusion.

• A national reaction ranging from mild confusion to full-blown panic, with reports of people fleeing homes, jamming phone lines, and praying in churches.

📼 Though later studies showed the panic was exaggerated by newspapers, the broadcast sparked debates about media responsibility, audience trust, and the power of radio as a storytelling medium.

🎤 Welles’ voice—measured, ominous, and eerily calm—became the sound of invasion. His closing monologue, delivered with theatrical remorse, only deepened the legend.

🕯️ The War of the Worlds didn’t just make headlines—it made history. It remains a masterclass in audio drama and a reminder of how sound alone can shake a nation.

📻 #OnThisDayInRadio #WarOfTheWorlds #OrsonWelles #MercuryTheatre #GoldenAgeOfRadio #RadioDrama #VintageBroadcast #RadioHistory #CulturalHeritage #RadioVoices #OTD

On This Day In Radio… October 28, 1950

Jack Benny made his television debut on CBS, transitioning his wildly successful radio persona to the small screen without missing a beat. But Benny’s roots—and mastery—were in radio, where he reigned for over two decades as one of America’s most beloved entertainers.

📡 The Jack Benny Program began on radio in 1932 and ran until 1955. It was a masterclass in character-driven comedy, built around Benny’s persona as a vain, stingy, perpetually 39-year-old violinist surrounded by a cast of comic foils.

🎧 Highlights of Benny’s radio legacy include:

• A supporting cast featuring Mary Livingstone, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Don Wilson, Dennis Day, and Mel Blanc.

• Running gags like Benny’s ancient Maxwell car, his basement vault, and his legendary cheapness.

• The longest-running and most beloved “feud” in radio history with Fred Allen, which spanned years of mutual roast and affection.

📼 Benny’s show was one of the first to master the “slow burn”—letting silence, timing, and character interplay do the heavy lifting. His comic pauses became iconic.

🎤 His delivery was dry, deliberate, and deceptively simple. He could get a laugh with a look, a sigh, or a single word: “Well!”

🕯️ Jack Benny died on December 26, 1974, at age 80. His legacy lives on in every comedian who understands that timing is everything—and that generosity of spirit can hide behind a joke about being cheap.

📻 #OnThisDayInRadio #JackBenny #GoldenAgeOfRadio #RadioComedy #VintageBroadcast #RadioHistory #CulturalHeritage #RadioVoices #OTD

I hope to get a Cassette to MP3 converter so I can digitize these collections and add them to internet archives.

Join us over at the CBSRMT subreddit - for fans of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

On This Day In Radio! September 18, 1905

Eddie “Rochester” Anderson was born in Oakland, California. A vaudeville performer turned radio legend, Anderson made history as the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program—playing Jack Benny’s quick-witted valet Rochester Van Jones on The Jack Benny Program.

📡 Anderson joined Benny’s show in 1937, and his raspy voice, impeccable timing, and sly humor quickly made him a fan favorite. His character broke barriers, offering a rare portrayal of a Black man with agency, intelligence, and comedic power during a time of limited representation.

🎧 Highlights of Anderson’s radio legacy include:

• A 30-year run with Jack Benny across radio and television, becoming one of the most enduring comedy duos in broadcast history.

• Famous catchphrases like “What’s that, boss?” and his signature laugh, which became cultural touchstones.

• Appearances on Command Performance, Suspense, and other major network programs.

📼 Anderson’s success paved the way for future generations of Black entertainers in radio, film, and television. He was also a savvy businessman and philanthropist, known for his investments in real estate and support of civil rights causes.

🎤 His portrayal of Rochester evolved over time, reflecting changing attitudes and helping to challenge stereotypes with humor and heart.

🕯️ Eddie Anderson died on February 28, 1977, at age 71, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, trailblazing talent, and cultural impact.

📻 #OnThisDayInRadio #EddieAnderson #Rochester #JackBennyProgram #GoldenAgeOfRadio #RadioComedy #VintageBroadcast #RadioHistory #CulturalHeritage #RadioVoices #OTD

I’ve been running overnight old-time radio streams lately — mostly detective, suspense, westerns — the kind of stuff that just plays quietly in the background while you sleep or relax.

I finally organized my 2026 live streams into a single playlist so it can play straight through all night without stopping.

Curious — what shows do you usually fall asleep to?

Start the 2026 Old Time Radio Live Streams playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdhjpeNwhEeCg8HpHJOggSx1VZKmiurdV

On This Day in Radio — August 11, 1995: The Passing of Phil Harris On this day we remember Phil Harris, who passed away on August 11, 1995, leaving behind one of the most joyful, unmistakable voices in the history of American radio. Harris wasn’t just a bandleader or a comedian; he was a personality so vivid that he seemed to step out of the speaker and join you in the room. His work on The Jack Benny Program turned him into a national favorite, the wisecracking bandleader with a Southern drawl, a drink in his hand, and a punchline always ready. Radio audiences loved him because he sounded alive — spontaneous, musical, and just a little dangerous. With his wife Alice Faye, he built The Phil Harris–Alice Faye Show, a warm, fast‑moving domestic comedy that blended music, marital banter, and Harris’s lovable swagger into one of radio’s most enduring postwar hits. His voice carried a kind of musical confidence that made every line feel like part of a song, and even decades later, his timing still feels modern. On this date, we honor Phil Harris’s passing and celebrate the performer whose laughter, music, and larger‑than‑life charm helped define the sound of radio’s golden age.

📻 On This Day In Radio… October 13, 1968

Bea Benaderet, one of radio’s most prolific and beloved character actresses, died of lung cancer and pneumonia at age 62. Her passing marked the end of a voice that had shaped the sound of American comedy for over three decades.

📡 Benaderet’s radio career began in the 1930s, where her mastery of dialects and comic timing made her a fixture on national broadcasts. She was often the unseen glue holding ensemble casts together—bringing warmth, wit, and rhythm to every scene.

🎧 Her radio legacy includes:

• Blanche Morton, Gracie Allen’s best friend and foil on The Burns and Allen Show, a role she played for nearly 20 years.

• Iris Atterbury, the sharp-tongued neighbor on My Favorite Husband, opposite Lucille Ball.

• Recurring roles on The Jack Benny Program, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Great Gildersleeve, and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.

• Voice work for Warner Bros. cartoons, including Granny (Tweety’s owner) and countless one-off characters.

📼 Benaderet transitioned to television with ease, starring as Kate Bradley on Petticoat Junction and voicing Betty Rubble on The Flintstones. But it was radio where her voice first became iconic—capable of conjuring a character in seconds.

🎤 Her death came just days after her final appearance on Petticoat Junction aired. Though she rarely played leads in radio, her presence was unmistakable. She was the voice behind the laughter, the line that made the punchline land.

🕯️ Bea Benaderet’s passing was deeply felt across the industry. She left behind a legacy of professionalism, versatility, and joy—etched into the grooves of transcription discs and the memories of millions.

📻 #OnThisDayInRadio #BeaBenaderet #BurnsAndAllen #RadioComedy #GoldenAgeOfRadio #VintageBroadcast #RadioHistory #CulturalHeritage #RadioVoices #OTD

One of the things that surprised me while researching this was how many techniques we associate with modern sitcoms were already being developed on The Jack Benny Program decades earlier. Historian Geoffrey Mark argues: "It isn't that Jack Benny created the first sitcom. He created the elements that make sitcoms work."

Media historian and author Kathy Fuller-Seeley points out that Benny and his writers gradually shifted from jokes and monologues to recurring characters, continuing storylines and ensemble relationships—the very things that sitcoms still rely on today.

I spoke with Geoffrey, Kathy and Jack's daughter, Joan Benny, for a look at how one of radio's biggest stars helped shape television comedy. If you'd like to check out the full story, you can do so at https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/classic-tv/how-jack-benny-helped-invent-the-sitcom-memories-from-his-daughter

I am a big YTJD fan. Like most fans I prefer Bob Bailey, especially the 5 part episodes. You could have more character development that I really like. Yes there was a 6 and 9 part YTJD. Howard McNair(Floyd the barber) was in several episodes. He was especially good in The Indestructible Mike matter. Virginia Gregg was in most of the shows as well. She was the queen of radio. Anyone else a fan? Some might prefer Edmond O'Brien or Mandel Kramer? He knew how to pad an expense account like nobody else. He loved to fish. I listen as I go to sleep. Anyone else do any otr? I listen on Sirius and use Internet Archive. ✌️

Stumbled across OTR recently and last night I dipped my toe into a few episodes. I did the first Gunsmoke, The Zero Hour, and a Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.

As someone who's never really listened to much radio or podcasts, I'm in love with with the vibe already!

What are some of your favourites? I like mystery and twists especially so some shows that lean into that would be great.