Title:

National Amateur Night

Type:

Talent show

Length:

30 minutes

Broadcast history:

Dec 30, 1934 - Feb 16, 1936 CBS on Sundays at 6:00 PM. Sponsored by Feen-A-Mint.

Feb 23, 1936 - Dec 27, 1936 Mutual network. Same times and sponsor.

Shows available:

1 Aug 18, 1935

Cast:

Ray Perkins as Host

Arnold Johnson Orchestra

National Amateur Night was the first nation-wide network amateur talent show. It was on the air almost three months before the more famous Original Amateur Hour. It never acquired near the popularity or power of Bowes' Original Amateur Hour program. This was partly because Perkins often used totally inept performers and set them up for ridicule. He bluntly told listeners to expect the worst and cracked wisecracks at the performers expense during their performances. Really bad performers were blared off by a "fearsome" blast in G major by the orchestra. The listening audience did not respond to this treatment of the contestants.

Source:

On the Air - Dunning

The 2^nd Ultimate History….. - Jay Hickerson