Series synopsis
The Phil Silvers Show is an American comedy television series that premiered on CBS on September 20, 1955. It ended on March 14, 2001. It was created by Nat Hiken. It stars Phil Silvers, Harvey Lembeck, Paul Ford and Allan Melvin.
The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko of the United States Army.
The series was created and largely written by Nat Hiken, and won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series. The show is sometimes titled Sergeant Bilko or simply Bilko in reruns, and is very often referred to by these names, both on-screen and ...
Premise
The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko of the United States Army.
The series was created and largely written by Nat Hiken, and won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series. The show is sometimes titled Sergeant Bilko or simply Bilko in reruns, and is very often referred to by these names, both on-screen and by viewers. The show's success transformed Silvers from a journeyman comedian into a star, and writer-producer Hiken from a highly-regarded behind-the-scenes comedy writer into a publicly recognized creator.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Phil Silvers as Ernest Bilko
- Harvey Lembeck as Rocco Barbella
- Paul Ford as John Hall
- Allan Melvin as Steve Henshaw
- Billy Sands as Dino Paparelli
- Maurice Gosfield as Duane Doberman
- Terry Carter as Private 'Sugie' Sugarman
- Herbie Faye as Sam Fender
Supporting cast
- Kay Kendall
- Fred Gwynne
- Larry Storch as The Crying Sailor
- Ed Sullivan
- Yogi Berra
- Al Lewis as Bruno the Mobster
- Tony Galento as Little Pete
- George Maharis as Seaman at Craps Game (uncredited)
- Alexander Scourby as Hubbell Robinson (uncredited)
- Jimmy Little as MSgt. Francis Grover
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Musician (uncredited)
- Don 'Red' Barry as Capt. Carter (uncredited)
Guest cast
- Herbie Faye as Sam Fender
- Kay Kendall
- Fred Gwynne
- Larry Storch as The Crying Sailor
- Ed Sullivan
- Yogi Berra
- Al Lewis as Bruno the Mobster
- Tony Galento as Little Pete
- George Maharis as Seaman at Craps Game (uncredited)
- Alexander Scourby as Hubbell Robinson (uncredited)
- Jimmy Little as MSgt. Francis Grover
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Musician (uncredited)
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 174 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 30 | January 1, 1999 | |
| Season 1 | 34 | September 20, 1955 | May 15, 1956 |
| Season 2 | 36 | September 18, 1956 | June 11, 1957 |
| Season 3 | 37 | September 17, 1957 | March 14, 2001 |
| Season 4 | 37 | September 23, 1958 | June 17, 1959 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Lost Audition Show This episode was filmed on a 16mm Kinescope as an audition show and was never broadcast. The only known copy was originally found in the Nat Hiken Collection at The Wisconson Center for Film & Theater Research. |
|
| 2 |
The Bilko Cast History This is a list of all the characters who played their parts on the Phil Silvers Show including the dates of birth and death if applicable. These great stars deserve the photos that made them famous in their day. Most rest in their peace now and you can find out where they are buried. |
January 1, 1999 |
| 3 |
Bilko in Color Colorized 3 minute short video |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
New Recruits During a poker game the other sergeant's cheat and clean Bilko out of his bankroll so he has to look around for some more money. Just when it looks like he will miss out a new squad of rookies arrive for basic training. With a new source of cash the platoon think he can get back into the game but Bilko's conscience will not let him. |
September 20, 1955 |
| 2 |
The Empty Store Bilko is still broke and can't find a way back into the big poker game. When the three sergeant's win again, by beating one of the new recruits, Bilko decides to get even by renting an empty store and getting the sergeant's to invest in it |
September 27, 1955 |
| 3 |
The WAC A job comes up for a sergeant that has a jeep allocated Bilko applies for it only to find that he is beaten by a Sgt Joan Hogan. (1st appearance by Elisabeth Fraser As Joan Hogan) |
October 4, 1955 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Platoon in the Movies The platoon is chosen to make a film about the correct use of the spark plug. |
September 18, 1956 |
| 2 |
It's For The Birds Bilko looks around for an expert to go on the 64,000 Dollar quiz show on TV. He ends up with Pvt Honnegar who is an expert on wildlife, After surviving a loss of memory he wins the money but he has a surprise in store for Bilko |
September 25, 1956 |
| 3 |
Bilko Goes To College When a local gangster insults the army Bilko takes a bet of 1000 -1 That the local College Schmill can beat Notra Dame in a football game. Nobody gives them a chance, but when Bilko gets to work on the press they start to believe that Schmill can win. |
October 2, 1956 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bilko's Merry Widow | September 17, 1957 |
| 2 |
Bilko's Boy's Town When the army go on maneuvers the Colonel orders Bilko to stay in camp, so with Fort Baxter empty he uses the time to form a boy's camp. |
September 24, 1957 |
| 3 |
Hillbilly Whiz When the platoon lose again in a baseball game Bilko is desperate to find new players. Then a recruit from the south Hank Lumpkin turns up and Bilko can hardly believe his luck, as Lumpkin is a baseball star in the making. Bilko then contrives to have a New York Yankee's scout to 'accidentally' find Lumpkin so he can traded, but as a Southerner Lumpkin doesn't want to play for the Yankee's |
October 1, 1957 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gold Fever Bilko finds an old map of a secret gold mine near Grove City and investigates the site. |
September 23, 1958 |
| 2 |
Bilko's Vampire When Ritzik starts watching horror films instead of playing poker, Bilko tries to scare him off |
October 1, 1958 |
| 3 |
Bilko's De Luxe Tours When they have problems getting to town, Bilko goes into the transportation business, by joining the PTA and getting hold of one of their buses. |
October 8, 1958 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 20, 1955 |
| Last aired | March 14, 2001 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |