The episode broadcast on November 22, 1953, hosted by Donald O'Connor, made history as the first color television broadcast in the NTSC color system.
One of radio's biggest stars, Fred Allen didn't fare nearly as well on television. Citing health reasons, he decided to take a break after the December 17th broadcast. The departures of Bobby Clark and Fred Allen left NBC and Colgate free to experiment, and they brought in a number of guest hosts, including Jerry Lester (of the late-night 'Broadway Open House'), Spike Jones, Phil Silvers, and even Jackie Gleason. Veteran comedians Abbott & Costello hosted two episodes in the first season and proved so popular they were brought back as regulars the following year. The show also experimented with its format, airing 'Tickets Please!' starring the husband-and-wife team of Paul Hartman and Grace Hartman, the first 'Colgate Comedy Hour' adaptation of a Broadway show. In later seasons, as the program struggled to hold on to its audience, such fare became more common.
With the show set to premiere on September 10, 1950, the producers settled on a host rotation of Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, and Bobby Clark. At one point, Groucho Marx was considered but eventually proved unavailable when he decided to go with a TV version of his radio show 'You Bet Your Life', instead.
Eddie Cantor and Martin and Lewis were natural television stars, who took to the new medium like ducks to water. The most durable of the hosts, Cantor starred in more episodes (38) than anyone else, while Martin and Lewis had the longest run (1950-1955).
Bobby Clark was essentially a place holder for Bob Hope, who was a big enough star by the early fifties that he could just waltz in whenever he was available and grab Clark's spot. The Clark and Hope episodes (as well as a couple hosted by Beatrice Lillie and one by Jackie Gleason) were sponsored by Frigidaire rather than Colgate and were called simply 'The Comedy Hour'. (Nelson Case usually handled the Frigidaire commercials.) Clark's shows carried the sub-title 'Michael Todd's Revue', named for his producer Mike Todd. In 1950, Hope hosted the show's Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes, as well as one the following April. Clark starred in only four episodes, completing his tenure on the show in February - well before the end of the season.
Eddie Cantor and Martin and Lewis were natural television stars, who took to the new medium like ducks to water. The most durable of the hosts, Cantor starred in more episodes (38) than anyone else, while Martin and Lewis had the longest run (1950-1955).
Bobby Clark was essentially a place holder for Bob Hope, who was a big enough star by the early fifties that he could just waltz in whenever he was available and grab Clark's spot. The Clark and Hope episodes (as well as a couple hosted by Beatrice Lillie and one by Jackie Gleason) were sponsored by Frigidaire rather than Colgate and were called simply 'The Comedy Hour'. (Nelson Case usually handled the Frigidaire commercials.) Clark's shows carried the sub-title 'Michael Todd's Revue', named for his producer Mike Todd. In 1950, Hope hosted the show's Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes, as well as one the following April. Clark starred in only four episodes, completing his tenure on the show in February - well before the end of the season.
Most first season episodes originated from the International Theater in New York, though a couple were broadcast from Chicago. During the second season, with the construction of a nationwide cable line, it became possible for the first time to broadcast live from coast-to-coast. That meant that the show, which up to this point, had originated from New York, could now be based in Los Angeles. On September 30, 1951, The Colgate Comedy Hour moved from New York to the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, which had been completely remodeled for television.