''Ladies Be Seated'' is an American

old-time radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the earl ...

game show. It was broadcast on the

Blue Network The Blue Network (previously known as the NBC Blue Network) was the on-air name of a now defunct American Commercial broadcasting, radio network, which broadcast from 1927 through 1945. Beginning as one of the two radio networks owned by the ...

from June 4, 1943, to June 23, 1944, and on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

from June 26, 1944, to July 21, 1950. At its peak in popularity, it was carried on 198 stations. Two versions were televised: one in 1945 and the other in 1949.

Personnel

Ed East and his wife, Polly, were the original hosts. They were joined by singers Lee Sullivan and Murray Grabhorn. When the Easts left the program,

Johnny Olson John Leonard Olson (May 22, 1910 – October 12, 1985) was an American radio personality and television announcer. Olson is perhaps best known for his work as an announcer for game shows, particularly the work he did for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman P ...

and his wife, Penny, became the hosts on June 27, 1944. He wore "a glittering minstrel costume" in his new role. Penny Olson was both co-host and associate producer, responsible for developing stunts, selecting participants, and obtaining prizes for the show — she was known on the program as "Million Dollar Penny". Billy Redford portrayed Professor Schnaaps, and Bob Mauer was the announcer. Al Greiner directed the music. Directors included Redford and Charles Acree. Producers included Redford and Phil Patton. On September 15, 1947, Tom Moore replaced the Olsons as host of the program. His co-workers included announcers Claude Kirchner and Ed Roberts, producer Tom Hargis, organist Porter Heaps, and director Patton.

Format

Originating from WJZ in New York City, ''Ladies Be Seated'' began as a spoof of radio programs that provided household hints for women. It initially featured "blindfold husband-and-wife gags, spaghetti-eating contests, and other forms of audio slapstick". The version hosted by the Olsons included identifying songs, recognizing good deeds, and interviews with children.

Popularity

In addition to the radio audience, approximately 600 people were present for each broadcast in the program's studios. During one month of broadcasts from Chicago, the program received more than 33,000 requests for tickets, some from people as far as away. Many who attended were on honeymoons, on vacations, or at conventions. Thousands more attended personal appearances when the show went on the road to cities across the United States. During the

Illinois State Fair The Illinois State Fair is an annual festival, centering on the theme of agriculture, hosted by the U.S. state of Illinois in the state capital, Springfield, Illinois, Springfield. The state fair has been celebrated almost every year since 18 ...

in August 1947, "the millionth lady was seated".

Television

Two versions of ''Ladies Be Seated'' were televised. Olson was host of the first version, which was broadcast on

WRGB WRGB (channel 6) is a television station licensed to Schenectady, New York, United States, serving the Capital District as an affiliate of CBS. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside CW affiliate WCWN (channel 45). The two station ...

in Schenectady, New York. The February 27, 1945, broadcast was the Blue Network's first venture into television. Moore and Phil Patton were hosts of the second version, which was on ABC from April 22, 1949, until June 17, 1949.

References

External links

{{Portal, Radio

Logs

Partial log of episodes of ''Ladies Be Seated'' from radioGOLDINdex

Magazine article

"Your ticket to Ladies Be Seated" in ''Radio and Television Mirror'', March 1949, pages 56-57
1943 radio programme debuts 1950 radio programme endings 1940s American radio programs 1950s American radio programs 1945 American television series debuts 1945 American television series endings 1949 American television series debuts 1949 American television series endings American Broadcasting Company game shows Radio programs adapted into television shows American radio game shows 1940s American game shows 1950s American game shows