''The Gisele MacKenzie Show'' is an American musical variety television program that was broadcast on NBC from September 28, 1957, to March 29, 1958.

Format

Star Gisele MacKenzie sang, played her violin, danced, and acted with guest stars each week. She was supported by The Joe Pryor Group (singers) and The Curfew Boys (dancers). Axel Stordahl's orchestra provided music. Jack Narz was the initial announcer; in January 1958, Tom Kennedy replaced him. Guest stars on the program included Eddie Fisher,

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, Edie Adams,

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, Johnny Desmond, George Montgomery, Molly Bee,

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, and Miyoshi Umeki.

Production

J & M Productions, Jack Benny's company, produced the series, and Benny selected the writers and the director. It was broadcast live from KRCA-TV in Los Angeles from 9:30 to 10 p.m.

Eastern Time The Eastern Time Zone (ET) is a time zone encompassing part or all of 23 states in the eastern part of the United States, parts of eastern Canada, and the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. * Eastern Standard Time (EST) is five hours behi ...

on Saturdays.

Scott Paper Company The Scott Paper Company was a manufacturer and marketer of sanitary tissue products with operations in 22 countries. Its products were sold under a variety of well-known brand names, including ''Scott Tissue'', ''Cottonelle'', ''Baby Fresh'', ''S ...

and Shick, Inc. sponsored it on alternate weeks. Charles Isaacs was the show's initial producer and head writer; Joe Landis was the director. Other writers were Hugh Wedlock, Howard Snyder, Billy Barnes, and Bob Rogers. Benny edited each script. The show's competition, which an article in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' called "formidable" included '' The Lawrence Welk Show'' on ABC and '' Have Gun – Will Travel'' on CBS. ''The Gisele MacKenzie Show'' was replaced by ''Turning Point''.

Off-screen problems

Isaacs said in December 1957 that he was leaving the program. He cited a "mass of behind-the-scene kibitzing" and interference from the Scott company, J. Walter Thompson Company (Scott's advertising agency), and Music Corporation of America (the agency that represented artists on the show). He added that although the various interests were dissatisfied with the show, they offered no constructive suggestions for improvement. The sponsors said that Isaacs did not produce the show in a way that properly used MacKenzie's talents. Bob Henry replaced Isaacs, but ''

'' reported in February 1958 that off-screen problems persisted. An article in the trade publication ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

'' summarized Isaacs's resignation as "spotlighting a growing problem in the production of television programs." The article described the situation as "too many cooks all trying to stir the same pot". With two sponsors, a production company, a talent agency, and a network involved, "it was becoming impossible to tell who was calling the shots."

Critical response

A review in the trade publication '' Variety'' described MacKenzie as "a personally impressive entertainer". Although technical problems marred part of the reviewed episode, the reviewer complimented the performances of MacKenzie and guest Eddie Fisher both individually and as a duo. A ''Variety'' review of another episode called MacKenzie "a slick performer, equally capable with gab or song." A review of the premiere episode in ''

'' complimented MacKenzie's performance but criticized "the wretched nonsense that cluttered up at least parts of her show".

Recognition

McKenzie's work on the show resulted in her being named Best New Star on Television by '' TV Radio Mirror'' magazine in 1958.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gisele MacKenzie Show, The 1957 American television series debuts 1958 American television series endings 1950s American music television series NBC original programming