In 1957, the Phil Silvers Show ("You'll Never Get Rich") aired an episode entitled: "Bilko Enters Politics". The story: When the plan for a new serviceman's center is turned down by the mayor Bilko gets Doberman to run for Mayor. For those who don't know, Private Doberman is the quintessential lovable dope/slob in the motor pool. No intelligence, no charisma, no anything. In other words, a perfect political candidate.
With Bilko as his campaign manager, Doberman becomes a political hot commodity and a shoe-in for Mayor-well until Doberman goes "off script" and tells the truth. Up until this time, the show looks more like a documentary than a slapstick farce.
The episode is divided into three parts on YouTube, and only Parts 2 and 3 are featured here. Especially funny is the bit at the end of Part 2 which then flows into the beginning of Part 3. In it, Doberman's commanding officer, Colonel Hall, gives a radio interview slamming Doberman as a candidate. After some skillful editing by Bilko the interview turns into a ringing endorsement. Kind of reminds me how former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Cliff Taylor's campaign tried to portray his Supreme Court as the "Best in the Country" as allegedly determined by the Wall Street Journal.
Comments