The Jack Benny Program

Shower of Stars - Jack Benny's 40th Birthday Party (16x43)

Air date: Feb 13, 1958

On Feb 13, 1958, "Shower of Stars" presented this gala celebration of Jack Benny's (gasp) 40th birthday. Despite the fact that it's all a gag, the list of performers who turned out to pay tribute to Jack is astounding, including most of the major performers who had been part of his program going all the way back to his debut on radio. Even Mary Livingstone shows up, in what I believe is her only appearance ever on a live television broadcast (by this point in her life, Mary was terrified of appearing in front of live audiences and only appeared in occasional pre-filmed episodes of the Benny TV show). Just about the only regular cast member not on the program is Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who was too ill to participate (as Jack explains in the program). This is a fairly strange program, filled with bizarre musical tributes and overstuffed with guests. Supposedly broadcast live from the Coconut Grove, the restaurant is clearly a stage set (the show is announced as originating from "Television City in Hollywood"). There are also clearly segments that have been pre-filmed (e.g., the scene in Jack's bedroom); but what's really strange is that the entire program-- even the portions that appear to have been broadcast live-- uses an artificial laugh track to sweeten the audience response. If you have an ear for these things, you can't miss it. But how could there be laugh track sweetening on a live broadcast? Despite how big a deal is made of Jack Benny finally turning 40, his character predictably reverted to being perpetually 39 afterwards, with no reference ever made again to this nationally televised celebration.