Grammer Gives Credit To Benny ‘Frasier’ Star Shines Spotlight On Talents Of A Classic Comedian

Wed., Nov. 29, 1995

Susan King Los Angeles Times

Well.

One of the funniest and most erudite men on TV today pays tribute to his comic inspiration Thursday night in “Kelsey Grammer Salutes Jack Benny.”

Grammer - star of the acclaimed hit comedy series “Frasier,” which has won him two Emmys - hosts the one-hour salute on NBC. It features funny clips from Benny’s classic 1950-65 TV series and personal moments with Benny fans Jay Leno, Phil Hartman and Dan Aykroyd.

And, thanks to the magic of special effects, the TV audience will see Grammer interacting with Benny. The special was produced by Grammer’s Grammnet Productions in cooperation with the Benny estate.

For more than 40 years, Benny was one of the most popular and beloved comedians in entertainment. He also was considered one of the most generous despite his public image as a miser.

His style evolved from a vaudeville violinist with funny patter to a Broadway emcee. He created a persona of a perpetual 39-year-oldyear penny-pincher who never mastered the violin, drove a brokendown Maxwell and kept his money in a vault in his basement guarded by a polar bear named Carmichael.

Benny’s repertory company was just as memorable: girlfriend Mary (played by real-life wife Mary Livingston), his valet Rochester (Eddie Anderson), announcer Don Wilson and singer Dennis Day.

Benny died of cancer in 1974.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PROGRAM TIME “Kelsey Grammer Salutes Jack Benny” airs Thursday at 10 p.m. on KHQ-Channel 6

This sidebar appeared with the story: PROGRAM TIME “Kelsey Grammer Salutes Jack Benny” airs Thursday at 10 p.m. on KHQ-Channel 6

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