God Bless America. It was a long time ago.
Posted by jeffersonranch at May 11, 2011 11:45 AMMr. Skelton wanted to do that "skit" on air for some time. The CBS "program-practices department" (aka censors) would always nix it. One night the show was running short and Red said he had something to fill the time.
CBS was furious ... until the letters asking for reprints flooded both the New York and Hollywood offices.
After his show was canceled Red made live appearances as he had done back in radio and vaudeville days. Invariably he was asked to repeat The Pledge.
He did so at a USO fund raiser in Washington, DC. I was in attendance and have never seen so many general officers and grizzled NCOs crying.
Thank heaven for the wonders of the internet that we may all share this moving performance.
Posted by Stretch at May 11, 2011 2:00 PMMy God how far we've fallen.
Posted by JD Sherman at May 11, 2011 7:08 PMJD Sherman: and failed.
Posted by Cilla Mitchell, Galveston Texas at May 13, 2011 5:26 AM