Nat Hiken

Nat Hiken was an American radio and television writer, producer, and songwriter, renowned for his contributions to early television comedy. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he began his career in radio, writing for shows like The Grouch Club and The Fred Allen Show. Transitioning to television, Hiken created and wrote for The Phil Silvers Show (1955–1959) and Car 54, Where Are You? (1961–1963), both of which became iconic series. His work was noted for its sharp wit, character-driven humor, and satirical take on institutions like the military and police. Hiken's innovative approach to comedy has influenced generations of television writers and producers.

Works

The Phil Silvers Show

The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko of the United States Army. The series was created and largely written by Nat Hiken, and won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series. The show is sometimes titled Sergeant Bilko or simply Bilko in reruns, and is very often referred to by these names, both on-screen and by viewers. The show's success transformed Silvers from a journeyman comedian into a star, and writer-producer Hiken from a highly-regarded behind-the-scenes comedy writer into a publicly recognized creator.

Release Date1955-09-20

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Episode Count3

Vote Count21

Car 54, Where Are You?

The misadventures of two of New York's finest in the 53rd precinct in the Bronx. Toody, the short, stocky and dim-witted one, either saves the day or messes things up, much to the chagrin of Muldoon, the tall, lanky and smart one.

Release Date1961-09-17

DepartmentCreator

JobCreator

Vote Count11

The Love God?

Ornithologist Abner Peacock sells off his modest-selling birdwatching periodical to a charlatan who turns it into a girlie mag, making it a massive financial success. After Peacock and the magazine are taken to court on obscenity charges, he unwillingly becomes a reluctant hero and ends up a swinging libertine.

Release Date1969-08-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count15

The Slowest Gun in the West

The town of Primrose, Arizona is beset by outlaws, so the towns people hire Fletcher Bissell III (A.K.A. The Silver Dollar Kid) as their new sheriff. Fletcher is so cowardly the townsfolk are sure that the local outlaws will be too proud to gun him down. This proves to be the case, and the outlaws hire their own cowardly gunfighter, Chicken Farnsworth, to go up against The Silver Dollar Kid. Written by Jim Beaver

Release Date1960-05-07

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Vote Count1

Slapsie Maxie's

In this comedic short, when a waiter accidentally knocks out boxing champ Tiger Dorsey in Slapsie Maxie's restaurant, Maxie arranges a boxing match between the reluctant waiter and the champ.

Release Date1939-09-16

DepartmentWriting

JobScreenplay

Vote Count1

Carol + 2

Carol + 2 was the title of the second of a multi-year series of television variety specials starring Carol Burnett which aired on the CBS Television network in the United States between 1962 and 1989. The first special was produced in 1962, featuring Burnett and Julie Andrews. Carol + 2 premiered on March 22, 1966, with Carol joined by actor Zero Mostel and the legendary Lucille Ball. The program was such a critical and ratings success that CBS rebroadcast it on January 15, 1967.

Release Date1966-03-22

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Cliff Edwards and His Buckaroos

In this musical short, Cliff Edwards and his cowhands run a struggling dude ranch. When a pretty girl arrives, Cliff believes she is an heiress.

Release Date1941-03-08

DepartmentWriting

JobScreenplay

Vote Count1

The Great Library Misery

A man desiring to join the Grouch Club describes the terrible experience of trying to check out a book from a public library.

Release Date1938-09-10

DepartmentWriting

JobStory

Vote Count1