Usually you can expect a bonus episode from a holiday themed show on most variety or comedy shows. Not on this particular show. It was horrible. Jack Benny was someone who clearly did not want to be there. His voice was monotone and it seemed that he was just bored himself.Incidentally, He flubbed quite a few lines. Maybe he was hungover . Obviously contractual obligations. He had these 2 football head coaches of the 2 teams that were going to play against each other in the Rose Bowl. Red Sanders and Duffy Daugherty. It seems like they did not want to be there as well. They were IVed for about 2 minutes and left the stage promptly , not even looking at the audience when they left and basically not acknowledging the audience. It was quite rude. About half the show was a dumb little dialogue of Benny playing old year 1955 and 7 yr old Charles Herbert playing New year 1956 and consisted of basically incoherent mumbo jumbo about taking over the responsibilities of the new year. It was pure garbage. Mel Blanc had a bit part making a sound of an airplane. I mean what was the point? Mel Blanc did not want to be there either. The saddest thing about this was the brightest spot was actually a singing and dancing number by the Sportsman Quartet advertising for Lucky Strike Cigs. Just a horrible episode. Might have been better if the cast , including Jack Benny, cared about the audience, rather than biding time.
Review of New Years Day, 1956
