The prodigiously talented Gleason became a TV icon after he joined CBS from DuMont, where his work on `Calvalcade of Stars' had established many of his trademark characters, including Reginald Van Gleason III, the Poor Soul and Ralph Kramden, featured here, along with Art Carney, in `Honeymooners' sketches. The Emmy-winning mix also featured guest stars, musical comedy, the glitzy June Taylor Dancers and Frank Fontaine's Crazy Guggenheim character.
The Jackie Gleason Show (Season 5)
The Honeymooners: In Twenty-Five Words or Less (Episode 1)
Air date: 1966-09-17
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: After his brother-in-law wins a contest, Ralph tries and wins a cereal contest. But he didn't read the fine print of the contest rules. The boys try to fool the representatives, fail, and settle for second prize, a trip around the World.
The Passing Politician (Episode 2)
Air date: 1966-09-24
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: In this book musical, Jackie plays a five-term mayor of a small-town city, "Big Jim" Finley, who for the first time in his career is facing formidable (and younger) competition in his latest election.
The Honeymooners: Ship of Fools (Episode 3)
Air date: 1966-10-01
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: After winning a all-paid trip around the world, the Kramdens and the Nortons get on the cruise ship and start their journey. The boys fool around and get into a lifeboat, ending up in the ocean.
The Honeymooners: Poor People in Paris (Episode 4)
Air date: 1966-10-08
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While on their trip around the world, the Kramdens and the Nortons start in Paris. The boys unknowingly get counterfeit money, then get arrested when they spend it in a restaurant.
The Honeymooners: Confusion - Italian Style (Episode 5)
Air date: 1966-10-15
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in Rome. The girls are approached by a young boy taking and selling photos. He then sends a flower and love note to Alice. Ralph finds out and hilarity ensues.
S05E06 (Episode 6)
Air date: 1966-10-22
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Jackie welcomes guests Phil Silvers, who teaches him how to sing; Orson Bean, who performs "I Ate the Baloney"; Pat Boone, who performs "Love Letters in the Sand"; Patti Page, who performs a medley of her old hits; and Wayne Cochran, who performs "Get Down With It" and "Goin' Back to Miami".
The Honeymooners: The Curse of the Kramdens (Episode 7)
Air date: 1966-10-29
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in Ireland, to see the birth town of Ralph's ancestors. He finds out they are cursed and he tries to break the curse.
The Honeymooners: The Honeymooners in England (Episode 8)
Air date: 1966-11-12
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in England. The contest company wants Ralph to appear on their Wakey Flakey TV show.
The Honeymooners: You're in the Picture (Episode 9)
Air date: 1966-11-19
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in Spain. Ralph helps a young lady in distress and when she hugs him for helping, a photo is taken. Attempted blackmail and comedy ensues.
Salute to the Big Bands (Episode 10)
Air date: 1966-11-26
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: A salute to the big bands, with performances by the likes of Buddy DeFranco, Duke Ellington, Les and Larry Elgart, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Guy Lombardo, Freddy Martin and Sammy Kaye.
The Honeymooners: We Spy (Episode 11)
Air date: 1966-12-03
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The Kramdens and the Nortons cause an international incident while in Germany when they wander over to the communist side.
The Honeymooners: Petticoat Jungle (Episode 12)
Air date: 1966-12-10
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While on the last week of an all-paid world cruise, the boys meet a big game hunter in a shop. This leads to them changing their plans from sunbathing on the Riviera to big game hunting in Africa. The girls are NOT amused.
The Honeymooners: Run, Santa, Run (Episode 13)
Air date: 1966-12-17
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Unbeknownst to Ralph, Alice has taken up knitting to pay for his Christmas present. Seeing baby things in the apartment, and assuming she's pregnant, he takes on a job as a sidewalk Santa with Norton as his helper, and both end up arrested as operatives in a bookmaking operation.
The Poor Soul in Christmas-Land (Re-Staging) (Episode 14)
Air date: 1966-12-24
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: As Christmas approaches, the Poor Soul falls asleep on a busy city street. A Fairy Princess, with the touch of her wand, whisks him away to a fantasy land where he meets numerous storybook characters, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Shoemaker and the Elves, Little Bo Peep and her sheep, St. George and the Dragon, Alice in Wonderland, Rumpelstiltskin, the Old Woman in the Shoe, Old King Cole, and the Phantom Regiment.
New Year's Eve Show (Episode 15)
Air date: 1966-12-31
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: With Steve Allen/Jayne Meadows/Louis Nye/Morey Amsterdam/Jerry Lester/Gene Sheldon
The Honeymooners: King of the Castle (Episode 16)
Air date: 1967-01-07
Runtime: 60 min
The Honeymooners: Movies Are Better Than Ever (Episode 17)
Air date: 1967-01-14
Runtime: 60 min
One Man Show (Episode 18)
Air date: 1967-01-21
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Jackie demonstrates the laugh-getting techniques of vaudeville comics, and mimes a man trying to take a nap despite interruptions. Also, Reggie Van Gleason gives a dramatic recitation of "Casey at the Bat".
The Honeymooners: Without Reservations (Episode 19)
Air date: 1967-02-04
Runtime: 60 min
The Honeymooners: Life Upon the Wicked Stage (Episode 20)
Air date: 1967-02-11
Runtime: 60 min
Jackie Gleason's 51st Birthday Celebration (Episode 21)
Air date: 1967-02-25
Runtime: 60 min
The Honeymooners: Rififi - Brooklyn Style (Episode 22)
Air date: 1967-03-04
Runtime: 60 min
S05E23 (Episode 23)
Air date: 1967-03-11
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: In this country-themed edition, Jackie welcomes country satirists Homer and Jethro (who perform "Li'l Ole Kiss Of Fire" and "Jam-Bowl-Liar"), Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys (who perform "Wabash Cannonball" and "I Couldn't Believe It Was True"), Sue Thompson (who performs "Norman" and "Have a Good Time"), Roy Clark, The Collins Kids, Boots Randolph (who performs "Yakety Sax"), and Buck Owens and His Buckaroos.
The Honeymooners: Ralph Kramden Presents (Episode 24)
Air date: 1967-03-18
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Ralph gets into a spot after bragging that he knows Jackie Gleason and can get him to make an appearance at the Racoons' annual dance.
S05E25 (Episode 25)
Air date: 1967-03-25
Runtime: 60 min
The Honeymooners: Flushing Ho! (Episode 26)
Air date: 1967-04-15
Runtime: 60 min
The Honeymooners: Sees All - Knows All (Episode 27)
Air date: 1967-04-22
Runtime: 60 min
S05E28 (Episode 28)
Air date: 1967-05-27
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Jackie welcomes various musicians and aerialists. Trumpeter Bobby performs "Strangers in the Night." Dick sings "Melancholy Serenade." Saxophonist Charlie entertains with "He Walked Into My Life."
