Bob and Ray (comedy)

    (NBC Weeknights, 1951 - 1952;
     NBC Saturday Nights, 1952;
     NBC Weeknights, 1952 - 1953 as "Club Embassy/Club Time";
     NBC Primetime, 1953)

    [aka: "The Bob and Ray Show";
     aka: "Club Embassy";
     aka: "Club Time";

     The witty droll comedy team of "Bob and Ray" first emerged on
     Boston radio during the late 1940s where they invented a unique
     brand of send-ups of pop culture -- including routines that made
     fun of commercials and their best-known soap opera parody skits
     under the title, "Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife";

     At various times, parts in their routines for comediennes were 
     played by Audrey Meadows and Cloris Leachman; Clever comedy
     songs were provided by Sammy Mysels and other collaborators;
     Examples: "Somebody's Taking Your Mind Off Me", "Hot Headed,
     Pot-Headed Pat" and "One Beer Made You So Sincere";

     On TV, they first tried a 15-minute evening show, then tried
     a Saturday night format, then returned with another 15-minute
     slot that simulated a night club with musical guests, and then
     a weekly slot; finally the network gave up due to low ratings;

     Perhaps their subtle appeal didn't translate as well to the
     medium of 1950s television, but kudos go to NBC for trying
     hard for two years to find a way; 

     They continued with five-minute segments on the NBC radio
     weekend format called "Monitor" through 1955; later the duo
     even co-hosted a daytime TV game show, "The Name's The Same"]

---

Theme: "Mention My Name In Sheboygan"

    [THEME title verified by Ray Clark]

     Composers: Bob Hilliard (ASCAP),
                Sammy Mysels (ASCAP) and
                Dick Sanford (ASCAP)

     1978 Publishers: Better Half Music Co. (ASCAP)
                      World Music Inc. (ASCAP) and
                      Penn Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publishers: Better Half Music Co. (ASCAP)
                         c/o The Bourne Co.
                         of New York, NY;
                      Music Sales Corp. (ASCAP)
                         of New York, NY; and
                      Penn Music Company (ASCAP)
                         of North Hollywood, CA

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:

Return to the 1950s TV Series Title Page