Going to the Zoo

Going to the Zoo

Author: John Henderson May 14, 2026 Duration: 31:28

May 11, 1952 - Jack takes the Beavers to the zoo while Roy and Rochester clean on Mother's Day. 

References include Johnny Ray, Ike Eisenhower and Senator Estes Kefauver, Tarzan, and animal trainer Clyde Beatty.


Step back into a world of radio dials and living room entertainment with This Day in Jack Benny. Host John Henderson curates a weekly trip to the past, pulling an original broadcast from the same calendar week, but sixty to eighty years prior. These episodes, known variously as The Jello Program or The Lucky Strike Program, capture the iconic comedy that aired from the 1930s through the 1950s. What you'll hear is the timeless rhythm of Jack Benny's legendary stinginess and his impeccable timing, surrounded by the familiar voices of Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, and announcer Don Wilson. The humor, built on character and situation rather than dated references, remains surprisingly fresh and effective. This podcast offers more than just nostalgia; it's a direct line to a golden age of comedy that still delivers genuine laughs. Henderson presents each episode as a preserved artifact, allowing the original performances to shine without unnecessary commentary. It’s a family-friendly listen that bridges generations, proving that great comedy is truly timeless. Tune in and discover why these classic routines have endured, finding a perfect home in the modern podcast format where their charm can be appreciated all over again.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

This Day in Jack Benny
Podcast Episodes
What's My Line? (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
January 23, 1955 - Can you guess the Jack Benny cast member before the celebrity panel? Listen to the audio from the TV gameshow.
Amos & Andy with Jack Benny and Rochester (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:27
November 10, 1944 - Jack Benny and Rochester are guest stars on the long running radio series Amos & Andy. This episode is called "The Employment Agency".
Phil Harris Hosts Kollege (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:34
August 9, 1944 - "Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge" was fun music quiz show. When they needed a guest host they called on Phil Harris. Play along and enjoy the music!
Jack Benny on the Quiz Kids (Bonus) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:09
April 7, 1941 - This Bonus Episode features Jack as a guest on the Quiz Kids Program! Plus clips of Walt Disney and Fred Allen.
USO Show in Paris 1945 (BONUS) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:26
June 28, 1945 - Jack Benny, Larry Adler and Martha Tilton starting their USO tour in Paris. They mention the fall of Berlin, the Folies Bergère music hall, the Davis Cup tennis tournament, Bob Hope, Jasha Heifetz, Van Jo…
Portable TV Set [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
May 23, 1954 - Jack's trip to Las Vegas is disscussed as well as Jack's last television show of the season featuring Bob Hope, as well as Dennis Day's TV Show. References include the portable Crosley TV set, dialing info…
Rita Hayworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:38
May 20, 1945 - In San Francisco Jack Benny is joined by actress Rita Hayworth, Governer Earl Warren and harmonica player Larry Adler. This is just after the German Surrender. References include Orson Welles, Bing Crosby…
Victory in Europe (The Vault) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
May 13, 1945 - Jack is going to San Francisco. It is Mother's Day, the Sunday after V-E Day and Jack Benny is getting ready for a trip, so he gets some money from his vault. References include Truman, Churchill, and Eise…

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