"The Phil Silvers Show" (1955) TV series 1955-1959

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Creator:

Nat Hiken

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

20 September 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

Sgt. Ernie Bilko is the ultimate con man. He runs the motor pool at a small Kansas US Army Camp. Colonel Hall...

Plot Keywords:

Sergeant | Cult Favorite | Cult TV

Awards:

Won 8 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 9 nominations

Cast

Phil Silvers

...

MSgt. Ernest G. 'Ernie' Bilko / ... (143 episodes, 1955-1959)

Also Known As:

Sergeant Bilko (syndication title)
Sgt. Bilko (Australia) (DVD title)
The Phil Silvers Show: You'll Never Get Rich
You'll Never Get Rich (USA) (first episodes title)

Runtime:

30 min (143 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Trivia:

In 2003 "The Radio Times" named this as the top TV sitcom, above other classic shows such as "Fawlty Towers" (1975) and "Seinfeld" (1990).

Quotes:

MSgt. Ernest G. Bilko: You said "but". I've put the finger on the whole problem. You're a "but" man. Don't say "but". That little word "but" is the difference between success and failure.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Red Dwarf: The Tank - Series VIII (2006) (V)

From What I've Seen, A Brilliant Sitcom-Why Isn't It on DVD?

I regret that I have only seen a fraction of the episodes of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW. But those that I have seen confirms the show's reputation as an authentic television classic. Consider the star, Phil Silvers as Sgt. Ernie Bilko. Was there a more lovable conniver? His joy in his scheming was so droll and endearing one couldn't help but root for him. Yet Bilko never wanted to hurt anyone and whenever he learned any plan could hurt someone, he wouldn't go through with it. Silvers' ruefulness at such moments was as delightful as his ecstasy.

Silvers was backed by a delightful supporting cast. Particularly memorable were Maurice Gosfeld as the innocent Private Duane Doberman and Paul Ford as Bilko's flustered superior Colonel John Hall. Joe E. Ross got his big break as the gruff but lovable Sgt. Rupert Ritzik. Producer Nat Hiken would later team up Ross with Fred Gwynne in the police sitcom CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU? And what hilarious, inventive scripts that so deftly served those performers. I'm no prude but I consider such riotous episodes like "The Trial of Harry Speakup" and "The Face on the Recruiting Poster" proof that writers don't have to stoop to raunchiness to generate laughs. The problem with today's television sitcoms is that they often indulge in gratuitous filth.

With so many old sitcoms coming out on DVD today, isn't it about time for DVD episode guides of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW? Why should DVD users be denied access to, from what episodes I've seen, a wonderful show? Such a treasure does not deserve oblivion.