This was the Texaco Star Theater, the TV show that changed the face of American culture. Originally designed for rotating hosts, as did other shows of the late 1940s, no one counted on former Vaudeville comic Milton Berle utilizing such energy to make the show a huge hit. Uncle Miltie just willed his way into becoming a pop culture icon when he changed the habits of Americans, who made the Texaco Star Theater the first appointment TV in history, dominating Tuesday nights across America. Berle was credited with selling millions of TV sets and was richly rewarded by NBC parent company RCA, who made most of those sets, with a ten year multimillion dollar contract - almost 60 years ago! The guest is Danny Thomas, then starring at Bill Millers Riviera. WATCH NOW
Featuring Peter Lawford & Carol Channing
When Texaco tired of Miton Berle in the mid, 1950s, Buick had no such reservations, and renamed the show the Buick Berle Show. Same show. Different sponsor. This show had Peter Lawford and Carol Channing playing off the scenery chewing Uncle Miltie. WATCH NOW
Featuring Ray Anthony
This is the first network TV show ever originating from Las Vegas. It was done from Nellis Air Force Base live, and was quite a technical accomplishment for 1955.
Guest star is bandleader Ray Anthony and the Copa Girls from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
WATCH NOW
Gertrude Berg & The Andrew Sisters
This episode of the legendary Texaco Star Theater guest starred Gertrude Berg, then of The Goldbergs, a leading seminal TV sitcom. Milton Berle is in rare form and Tuesday night was never the same.
WATCH NOW DOWNLOAD NOW
Featuring Jackie Cooper & Vic Damone
Milton Berle and guests Jackie Cooper and Vic Damone cavort around in a clever edition of his show, pretending - in Dragnet -form - to show how a variety show is made. WATCH NOW
