Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Amos & Andy 43-03-09 Amos Is Missing

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode features the classic radio show, Amos & Andy, originally broadcast in 1943. The story revolves around the comedic chaos caused when Amos goes missing just before the show is supposed to begin. Andy, with Gabby Gibson’s help, embarks on a frantic (and humorous) search through NBC's studios, running into a host of other radio celebrities of the era. The episode’s purpose is to capture the lively spirit, celebrity camaraderie, and crossovers that defined the golden age of radio, with all the zany misadventures, musical interludes, and vintage sponsor banter that made classic radio so beloved.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Amos Goes Missing

Starts at 00:31

• Andy realizes Amos is absent as the broadcast goes live, kicking off the search across NBC studios.
• Gabby Gibson joins Andy in tracking down their missing friend, suggesting they split up (“Cherchez la femme!”) to cover more ground.
  • Notable Joke: “Cherchez la femme. That means find a woman. Cherchez le femi.” (02:49 – Gabby Gibson & Andy Brown)

2. Studio Crossovers: Star Encounters

01:02 - 10:00

• Andy and Gabby visit various studios in search of Amos, encountering Fibber McGee and Molly.

  • Classic mistaken identity banter ensues, with Molly joking about “tuning in” and only hearing Andy, not Amos.
  • Hilarious confusion over surnames, physical descriptions, and misused vocabulary (manacle, monocle, etc.).

  Memorable Moment:

  • “Is he about 6ft tall with wavy blonde hair?”
    “He wasn’t the last time I seen him.”
    (06:17 – Molly McGee & Andy Brown)

3. Musical Interlude: "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" Parody

08:39 - 11:43

• With Amos still missing, Gabby suggests filling airtime by singing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

• Andy and Gabby launch into an extended (and intentionally silly) version of the song, complete with playful radio in-jokes relevant to Gabby’s “lawyer” character and radio stardom.

  Notable Line:

  • “It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactual.”
    (09:18 – Andy Brown & Gabby Gibson)

4. Sponsor Banter: Rinso Detergent

12:10 - 13:15 / 19:49 - 20:53

• Classic vintage advertisements are woven into the plot, with characters and “users” extolling the virtues of Rinso for laundry and dishes.

  Sample Quote:

  • “Rinso results always win praises because Rinso has a triple action formula... for a dazzling wash.”
    (12:23 – Andy Brown)

5. Cameos: Bob Hope & Red Skelton

14:18 - 26:13

• Andy and Gabby wander into a studio hosting Bob Hope and Red Skelton (performing as Clem Kadiddlehopper).

• Segments include Bob Hope’s topical jokes about post-war shortages, track betting, and Palm Springs—typical of Hope’s rapid-fire stand-up.

• Red Skelton’s “country bumpkin” humor is delivered with signature absurdity, including gags about not wearing shoes and storing money in them to appear taller.

  Notable Skelton Exchange:

  • “Them pants you was wearing are so big and baggy at the bottom that they cover your shoes.”
    “Who’s wearing shoes?”
    (22:23 – Andy Brown & Gabby Gibson as Clem)

• The confusion continues as Andy and Gabby, still unable to find Amos, try not to get sidetracked by comedy legends.

6. The Mystery Solved: Amos Found!

26:17 - 30:56

• News breaks: Amos has been found in the hospital after an operation. Gabby gets him on the phone.

• Andy, relieved, jokes with Amos and passes the phone to Kingfish and Lightning, who are also “sick” with Amos, keeping the gag alive.

• The call closes with Amos thanking everyone, promising to return, and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of kindness. The cast discusses the importance of community and looking after loved ones during hard times.

  Touching Moment:

  • “Please tell them thanks for me, will you? Everybody been so nice. My room is full of flowers.”
    (27:52 – Amos Jones)

7. Closing Reflection & Goodwill

29:27 - 30:56

• Andy and Mr. Goodell talk about caring for what you have and the virtues of the Rinso product (in classic sponsor pitch fashion).

• The broadcast ends with Andy and Amos exchanging heartfelt words and sending off their audience until the next week.

  Closing Quote:

  • “You did a swell job. Tell everybody I said good night, folks.”
    (30:56 – Amos Jones)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "Cherchez la femme. That means find a woman."
  02:49 – Gabby Gibson

• "For five minutes now I’ve been trying to tune in on Amos and Andy and all I can get is Andy."
  03:33 – Molly McGee

• "He wasn’t the last time I seen him..."
  06:17 – Andy Brown, in response to Molly's description of Amos

• "It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactual."
  09:18 – Andy Brown & Gabby Gibson

• "Who’s wearing shoes?"
  22:23 – Gabby Gibson as Clem Kadiddlehopper (Red Skelton)

• "Please tell them thanks for me, will you? Everybody been so nice. My room is full of flowers."
  27:52 – Amos Jones

• “You did a swell job. Tell everybody I said good night, folks.”
  30:56 – Amos Jones

Episode Flow Summary

1. Setup: Andy realizes Amos is missing just before air time, setting the stage for frantic comedy.
2. Search Escapades: Andy and Gabby comb NBC, mingling with other famous radio stars and getting sidetracked by their antics.
3. Musical Fillers & Sponsor Spots: Musical comedy numbers and sponsor banter keep the show lively in Amos’s absence.
4. Star Cameos: Bob Hope, Red Skelton (as Clem), and Fibber McGee and Molly infuse the episode with cross-show humor and rapid-fire gags.
5. Resolution: Amos is found in the hospital, everyone checks in with him live, and camaraderie is restored.
6. Warm Close: The cast expresses goodwill, reinforcing the importance of friendship and community.

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is playful, high-energy, and fast-paced, packed with classic vaudeville humor, puns, and meta-radio jokes. Cameos from major stars and playful sponsor integration create a nostalgic, communal feel characteristic of 1940s radio.

A quintessential Golden Age radio caper—equal parts comedy, musical number, and heartfelt check-in—that reaffirms the magic of the original “shared screen.”