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Riley Gets Promoted (Aired September 7, 1946)
The radio series also benefited from the immense popularity of a supporting character, Digby "Digger" O'Dell (John Brown), "the friendly undertaker."Beginning October 4, 1949, the show was adapted for television for the DuMont Television Network, but Bendix's film contracts prevented him from appearing in the role. Instead, Jackie Gleason starred along with Rosemary DeCamp as wife Peg, Gloria Winters as daughter Barbara (Babs), Lanny Rees as son Chester Jr. (Junior), and Sid Tomack as Gillis, Riley's manipulative best buddy and next-door neighbor. John Brown returned as the morbid counseling undertaker Digby (Digger) O'Dell ("Well, I guess I'll be... shoveling off"; "Business is a little dead tonight"). Television's first Life of Riley won television's first Emmy (for "Best Film Made For and Shown on Television"). However, it came to an end on March 28, 1950 because of low ratings and because Gleason left the show, thinking he could find a better showcase for his unique abilities. Groucho Marx received a credit for "story." THIS EPISODE: September 7, 1946. NBC network. Sponsored by: Prell Shampoo, Ivory Snow. "Riley Gets Promoted" to a desk job, but he thinks his physical exam shows that he's getting too old to do his job. Even his wife Peg is trying to send him to the old folks' home! Alan Lipscott (writer), Barbara Eiler, Irving Brecher (producer), Jack Brecher (writer), Ken Carpenter (announcer), Lou Coslowe (music), Paula Winslowe, Reuben Ship (writer), Tommy Cook, William Bendix. 30:04.