angie-65327 Gee whiz I don't think I've ever loved a show quite this much. I thought I'd found the best when I watched the Dick van Dyke show, but I have to say, George and Gracie top it. The wittiness is out of this world and Gracie delivers it with the utmost perfection. I, a person who does not laugh out loud quite often when watching anything, can't keep my mouth shut when watching. Time after time I find myself spending time I that I don't have on the show. It's highly addictive!

brian_m_hass In this American sitcom, George Burns and Gracie Allen bring their "Burns and Allen" radio program to television. George Burns, Gracie Allen, and their son (Ronnie Burns) essentially play themselves. The Burns family and their friends constantly find themselves involved in situations which are usually the result of Gracie's state of perpetual confusion.Many modern audiences have difficulty watching old television sitcoms from the 1950's. The acting seems a bit strange; and, the situations seem a bit exaggerated. One of the reasons why the old sitcoms seem so different from modern ones is that the shows from the fifties were essentially radio programs which were performed in front of television cameras. Audiences might notice that the actors' diction in the old sitcoms is different. Anyone who closes his or her eyes and listens to the audio from a 1950's sitcom will notice that the audio often sounds exactly like a radio show. Furthermore, many of the scenes on Burns' and Allen's show were essentially stand up comedy routines.Members of modern audiences might be somewhat disappointed by George Burns' character in this sitcom. Many probably know George Burns better from his solo period following Gracie Allen's death. While performing alone, Burns proved himself to be a very funny comedian. During his earlier Burns and Allen period, George Burns usually served as the straight man to the ditzy character played by Gracie Allen. While Burns did demonstrate some of his dry wit during the Burns and Allen era, he also seemed a bit more subdued while reacting to the peculiar things which were said by Allen's character. People need to remember that this was a different period in George Burns' career; and, anyone who gives this show a chance will learn to appreciate Burns' role as a member of a comedy duo.Some audience members might have difficulty coping with Gracie Allen's character. Many might be irritated by the character's unrelentingly ditzy personality as well as constant state of confusion. For those people, her character might seem excessively silly or exasperating; and, they might wonder why the Burns character would tolerate being married to somebody who was so infuriating. Modern audiences must remember that the characters were developed for the Burns and Allen stand up routine, and were never intended to be subtle or well rounded."The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" provides modern audiences with a fascinating look at television and comedy from an earlier era. Some viewers might find it difficult to get used to some aspects of the show. However, anyone who gives the show a chance will be rewarded; because, it has a way of growing on a person over time.

A_Different_Drummer Back in the days before supermarket tabloids, there was a story that most Hollywood insiders already knew. George Burns and Gracie Allen, two stage performers who had made their names in the post-vaudeville era, loved each other. For real. Keeping in mind that this wonderful show is often contrasted to I LOVE LUCY -- where the stars ended up in one of the most public divorces Hollywood has ever seen -- that fact is worth remembering. Also worth remembering is that Burns basically played himself. And in his case, playing himself meant playing of the most charming, talented, and gifted storytellers in the world. George Burns practically invented comic timing. And he was a well-liked individual. (So well liked that years later when they were casting the role of GOD, giving him the part was a no-brainer!). Also interesting is the use of the hidden camera to watch the other characters. Not only a "show inside a show," but anticipating a trend that was decades away. Marshall McLuhan was a young man when this show aired, but somehow you know he watched it. Bottom line, not merely a show, a piece of history. With commercials.

psh34 This is the television show that broke all the molds. There was no comedienne at the time (or for that matter, any time) better than Gracie! No one could act that dumb! She was poetry to watch. As George used to say, he stood while Gracie talked! What a pair they were. If you can find it, rent the episode about the checkbook. I got dizzy just watching! We can only hope that Nick at Nite goes back further than the 60s for the real classics of TV!