TV series
The Red Skelton Show
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
The Red Skelton Show premiered September 30, 1951. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.
Season 16 episodes
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Episode 5
Mother Knows Pest
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Milton Frome, Audrey Meadows
Episode 6
Land of Bilk and Money
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Len Lesser, Robert Vaughn
Episode 7
It Happened One Nut
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Polly Bergen, Burt Mustin
Episode 9
A Gyp Off the Old Block
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Tim Conway, Dorothy Neumann
Episode 10
The Best Money a Sheriff Can Buy
Episode credits
Guest stars Jack Jones, Todd Martin, Harold Peary
Episode 13
The Fastest Cuspidor in the West
Sheriff Deadeye is determined to get the lead role in a motion picture being made in town - even to the extent of wearing a corset to appear thinner. However, he finds he has been beaten out by Nathan Nothing (guest Robert Goulet), who is younger and more handsome. In "The Silent Spot," Red plays a crotchety old man who hates children, but finds he has been promoted to a store's toy department during the Christmas rush.
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Stanley Adams, Robert Goulet, Ned Romero
Episode 16
In One Head
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Peter Falk, Chanin Hale, Jane Morgan, Alan Copeland, Art Gilmore, Harold Gould
Episode 17
Freddie’s Heroes
In this WW II parody, the stars of "Hogan's Heroes" (Bob Crane and John Banner) appear as their characters of Col. Hogan and Sgt. Schultz. Red (as Freddie the Freeloader) is assigned to assist in their escape from Stalag 13. In "The Silent Spot," Red plays a bungling 19th century suitor who must meet his girlfriend's parents.
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, John Banner, Bob Crane, Robert Easton
Episode 19
Absence Makes the Hate Grow Fonder
George Appleby accompanies his abusive wife, Clara (guest Eve Arden), on a southwestern vacation, but the couple splits in the process. They go their separate ways, but end up staying in the same hotel room, unbeknownst to each other. In "The Silent Spot," Red plays an old man whose bumbling attempts to run a gas station end in failure.
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Eve Arden, William Benedict, Jimmy Cross, A.G. Vitanza
Episode 22
A Bottle of Bumb
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, George Gobel
Episode 23
Not With My Dump You Won’t
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Don Brodie, Milton Frome, Buddy Lewis
Episode 26
It’s a Treat to Beat a Cheat on the Mississippi Mud
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Richard Chamberlain, Maudie Prickett, Frank Wilcox
Episode 28
Next Time Try the Brain
Clem Kadiddlehopper meets down on his luck Loser Lumpkin (guest Tennessee Ernie Ford), a once-great champion chicken-plucker who was in the Olympics. Observing that Clem has the fingers for it, Lumpkin takes him to the Olympics to break the world chicken plucking record. In "The Silent Spot," it's the day after Christmas and Red plays a man dealing with his contentious wife, who demands he take down the tree and the decorations.
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Connie Sawyer, Buddy Lewis, Peggy Rea
Episode 29
That Junk Built
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Len Lesser, Florence Lake
Episode 32
The Nag and I
Episode credits
Written by Red SkeltonGuest stars Art Gilmore, Milton Frome, Nipsey Russell, Herb Vigran, Mary Wickes
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
Available now in United States
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More about The Red Skelton Show
Cast
Red SkeltonHost
Herb VigranGuest
Lon Chaney Jr.George
Art GilmoreAnnouncer (voice)
Kathryn CardMaw Kadiddlehopper
Marshall ReedKid Jackson
Maudie PrickettWoman from PTA
Ed WynnColonel Jungle-Rot FreeloaderCredits
- Written by
- Red Skelton, Pat McCormick, Dave O'Brien, John Fenton Murray, Rick Mittleman, Bob Weiskopf, Bob Schiller, Jack Douglas, Mort Greene, Bruce Howard, Ben Freedman
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 672
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
NBCUnited States
CBSUnited States- Van Bernard Productions
CBSUnited States- Sursum Corporation
NBCUnited States