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

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:

Paul Ford often forgot his exact lines which allowed Phil Silvers to improvise during many of the scenes between BILKO and COL. HALL. Both men always stayed in character however, it was usually the other actors in the scene who laughed ruining the scene.

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 "The Jack Benny Program: The Phil Silvers Show (#13.3)" (1962)

classic......

As time goes on comedies come and go, some stand up to the test of time and some do not. Both the Brits and the Americans have made their share of funny shows: 'Fawlty Towers', 'Frasier', 'Cheers','The Office' etc, but if one show deserves to be the 'daddy' of all comedies then i think 'The Phil Silvers Show' is it! Just even thinking of Sgt Ernie Bilko makes me smile! Mr Silvers played this character to the max along with the rest of the cast. It still pops up from time to time on British t.v., usually at about 2 'o' clock in the morning or something! But if i'm still up and about i will always watch it, with a beer or two, and laugh my a*s off at the funniest comedy character ever created!