Wayne/Shuster (radio/tv)+

Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster - Canadian Comedy Duo

RADIO JOURNEY

Background:

  • Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster, both from Toronto

  • High school friends and University of Toronto alumni (Ran the student newspaper, wayne news editor, shuster copy editor)

  • involved in series of college productions, many preformed at the Hart House theatre (an important stage after WW1, had been the centre of a Canadian theatrical movement)

  • Wayne focused on British literature and comics

  • Shuster, a fan of Hollywood movies, was related to Superman co-creator Joe Shuster (cousins)

  • their first professional gig was a Boy Scout show (they wrote it)

Early Collaborations:

  • First radio gig: "The Wife Preservers" on CFRB

  • Comedy built around household tips for women

  • an early wacky version of Martha Stewart

  • Becuase of success asked to create a free form show featuring young girls “Co-eds and Cut-ups”

    • they disliked the name

  • Quickly moved to CBC, where they also performed live at fundraisers

    • money for charities such as Star Fresh Fund, helping underprivileged kids

CBC Radio - "Blended Rhythm":

  • Sponsored by Buckingham Cigarettes

  • Blended Rhythm a pun on the alleged quality of Buckingham Cigarettes

  • Transitioned to CBC Radio, showcasing their comedic talents on a broader platform

  • Showcased versatility by combining various elements in "Blended Rhythm"

  • featured

    • Herb May (announcer)

    • Burt Austin (musical coordinator)

    • Campbell Sisters (singers)

WW2 Service - The Army Show:

  • Enlisted in army for World War II

  • Became part of "The Army Show," allowing them to perform for a cross-section of Canadians

  • the army show had two branches a radio show broad cast from Toronto and a live touring show overseas

  • Immediate feedback during performances helped them hone their comedic skills

  • were part of the overseas touring group

  • Had the opportunity to work with legendary comedian Jack Benny

  • Continued to build their reputation as a comedic duo after the war (go to TV section to see the rest of their success)

What is the correct chronological oldest to newest of these Wayne and Schuster shows

  1.  the wife preservers

  2.  coeds and cut-ups

  3.  Blended rhythm

  4.  the Army show

  5.  Johnny home 

Johnny Wayne (Died in 1990):

  • Renowned Canadian comedian, part of the Wayne and Schuster comedy duo.

  • Key figure in the emergence of the Wayne and Schuster Comedy Wall of Fame.

  • The celebration for its emergence featured The Royal Canadian Air Farce cast.

  • 6. Wayne and Schuster - WW2 Service (The Army Show):

  • Enlisted in the army for World War II.

  • Became part of "The Army Show," allowing them to perform for a cross-section of Canadians.

  • Show brought them into direct contact with American Show Business.

7. Wayne and Schuster TV Shows (1950-1989):

  • Initially hesitant about TV's longevity but accepted an offer in 1954.

  • Unique features: historical settings, large casts, wordplay, classical references.

  • University-educated, combining burlesque style with literary backgrounds.

  • Success in the 1950s and 1960s; declined in the 1970s due to evolving comedy trends.

  • Commuted between New York and Toronto, influenced by burlesque and literate slapstick.

TV JOURNEY

First TV Gig

  • Toni Twin Time Show (1950) - Their first TV gig

  • Hosted by young unknown (Jack Lemon)

  • Producers wanted Wayne and Shuster to take over (Lemon became a famous actor after but producers didnt like him and wanted Wayne and Shuster)

  • CBC offered a TV series - turned it down (didnt think the TV hype would stay)

  • Radio was king

CBC Specials

  • Series of CBC specials

  • Aired from 1954 - 1967 (in black and white)

  • 1967 - 1989 (in color)

TV set elements

  • Large casts and elaborate sets

  • Often set in historical times or far-off places

  • Material ran along "pun and parody"

Ed Sullivan

  • Met Ed Sullivan in England

  • Sullivan created alot of musical acts, had a variety act show

  • He booked them for 26 appearances

  • Commuted from Toronto to New York

  • Wayne and Shuster appeared 58 times from 1958 to 1970 on Ed Sullivan ( the most appearences in this show)

  • Had "carte blanche". = whatever they wanted they got, cus Ed was such a big force in the industry

  • Loved doing the show - didn't need to tour

Educated Comedy

  • American audiences loved Wayne and Shuster

  • "Literate Slapstick"

  • Different from American comics

    • University educated

    • Had a taste for burlesque, American movies, and comic books

      • like burlesque, the 4th act was a strip tease added in 1920 to comedy show

  • Did their own writing - no hired guns

Clash with Angry Comedy

  • Worked great through the 60s

  • 70s critics accused them of getting stale

  • "Angry" comedy popular in the late 60s

    • Clashed with Wayne and Shuster

General Observations

  • The evolution of Canadian comedy and its influences from American and British entertainment.

  • The challenges and successes of Canadian comedians in the American entertainment industry.

  • The shift in comedy styles over the decades and the impact on individual comedians' careers.

An important shift in Canadian comedy

  • the strongest cultural influences in Canada were no longer British but American.  Canadian kids were growing up listening to you and watching American entertainment when they became adults they reached back to their childhood influences and turn them into satire