Synopsis
Silvers tried to revive with considerable changes the theme of his earlier much more successful The Phil Silvers Show (CBS, 1955–1959). In the 1963–1964 version, Silvers played Harry Grafton, a plant foreman at the Osborne Corporation, who like the previous Bilko character is always eager to embrace a get-rich-quick scheme.
The large supporting cast included Stafford Repp as Grafton's supervisor, Mr. Brink; Jim Shane as Lester; Herbie Faye as Waluska; Douglas Dumbrille as Mr. Osborne, the factory owner; Eric Morris as Stanley; Steve Mitchell as Fred Starkey; Bob Williams as Bob, Buddy Lester as Nick; Pat Renella as Roxy, and Norm Grabowski as Grabowski.
At mid-season, the "new" program was altered again, as the Spanish actress Elena Verdugo joined the cast as Grafton's widowed sister and housemate, Audrey. Sandy Descher played Audrey's teenaged daughter and Grafton's niece, Susan. Child actor Ronnie Dapo played Audrey's son and Grafton's 11-year-old nephew, Andy.
The New Phil Silvers Show aired at 8:30 Eastern on Saturday, following The Jackie Gleason Show and preceding the acclaimed legal drama, The Defenders. Opposite Phil Silvers, NBC offered The Joey Bishop Show a sitcom with Joey Bishop and Abby Dalton, and ABC aired the first half of The Lawrence Welk Show. In November The Defenders returned to its former (1961–63) 8:30 slot and Silvers' show moved to 9:30, according to Brooks and Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present, 7th edition, 1998.
Read more about this topic: The New Phil Silvers Show