The Imogene Coca Show
The Imogene Coca Show is a half-hour NBC television series starring Imogene Coca (1908-2001) in both situation comedy and variety show formats. The program debuted on October 2, 1954, after the ending of Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, on which Coca had been a popular regular performer.[1]
The first two episodes of The Imogene Coca Show center upon the difficulties of a television star starting a new series. Her co-stars were Billy DeWolfe (1907-1974) and Ruth Donnelly (1896-1982). The program became a variety show in its third episode, with standard songs, comedy sketches, and weekly guest stars. Then in February 1955, Coca was cast as a newlywed with a husband and two lively neighbors, Helen and Harry Milliken, portrayed, respectively, by Bibi Osterwald (1918-2002) and David Burns (1902-1971).[1]
Eight years thereafter in the 1963-1964 season, Coca was cast in another NBC situation comedy, Grindl, about the wacky life of a middle-aged maid working for an employment agency.[2]
The Imogene Coca Show aired on Saturday evenings at 9 p.m. EST preceding The Jimmy Durante Show and opposite Two for the Money on CBS. ABC aired Saturday evening boxing at the time.[2]
The program was telecast from New York City. It ended after a single season.[1]
