'Emmy' Awards Fail to Reflect Hollywood's Taste

There’s always a complaint about the Emmy Awards. Among the gripes is some person or show should have been nominated and wasn’t.

I suppose the complaint isn’t a new one, judging by this United Press column published just after the awards ceremony 60 years ago. Some of the comments are interesting. Bob Crosby was in the cast of the Jack Benny radio show during its last few seasons. He didn’t pick Benny. Carson’s selection is no surprise; he told the world for years he was a huge Benny fan. Ann Sothern may have loved Lucy in 1956 but several reports say the two of them had a falling out after several appearances on The Lucy Show ten or so years later.

This story was published March 28, 1956; the title of this post was the headline in one newspaper which ran the story. See if you agree with the picks.

Stars Pick Dramas as Favorites
By VERNON SCOTT
UP Hollywood Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, March 27 – Ever wonder which television show the stars prefer?
United Press conducted a poll among motion picture and TV stars to determine the most popular show and performer on the air. The results were surprising. In few instances did the stars agree with the result of the recent “Emmy” award show. Phil Silvers, winner of three “Emmys,” didn't get a single vote from more than 50 personalities polled.
Many players refused to name a favorite for fear of stepping on the toes of close friends. One studio, MGM, requested its stars not be polled. Television performers were asked to name favorites other than their own shows and co-stars.
Three things stood out in the polling: preference for dramatic shows over comedy, panel or variety programs; wide divergence of favorites; eastern shows over western offerings by more than 10 to 1.
No one show greatly outdistanced the others. For the record, here are the results.
Favorite show—“Studio One.”
Favorite performer—Perry Como.
Bing Crosby, a Como fan, said, “Old Perry can sing for me any time.” Art Linkletter and Gale Storm also were counted in the Como forces.
Bob Hope named Sid Caesar—second in the voting to come—as his favorite, saying, “He is one of the real giants of the industry.” “Emmy” winner Lloyd Nolan also voted for Caesar.
Among those plugging “Studio One” were Lex Barker, Kim Novak, Mickey Rooney, Julie Adams, George Nader. Runner-up for favorite show was “U.S. Steel Hour” with such devotees as Eve Arden, Bob Sterling, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

George Gobel cast his vote for Martin and Lewis. Jerry and Dean, in turn, said they spend their TV time watching all comedy shows. Jerry speaking: “We watch everything. A comic has to know what’s going on in order to keep his material fresh.”
Sports fans include William Bendix, Gobel, Bill Holden, Jimmy Durante, Gordon MacRae, Aldo Ray and Cleo Moore. Said Cleo, "some of the greatest comedy can be seen in wrestling matches. I've picked up lots of acting tricks from those characters.”
Ann Sothern is a “Lucy” fan. Jack Benny voted for Burns and Allen. Johnny Carson voted for Benny. Tab Hunter and Bob Crosby picked Jackie Gleason.
Robert Ryan and Errol Flynn cast their votes for Groucho Marx. Ginger Rogers picked “This Is Your Life,” and Edgar Bergen chose “The $64,000 Question.”
But the shows that turned up most often were: “Omnibus,” “Goodyear Playhouse,” “Robert Montgomery Presents,” “See It Now,” “Kraft Theatre.
Favorite among panel offerings was “What’s My Line.”