Podcast Summary: “Amos & Andy – And The Winner Is”
Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: March 26, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio revisits the classic comedy of Amos & Andy with a feature called “And The Winner Is.” The plot centers around a beauty contest organized by the Lodge to capitalize on the financial success of a recent masquerade ball. The main comedic thrust emerges from the scheming around the contest—judges can be bribed, rules are tailored for convenience, and the supposed fairness of the event is constantly undermined by personal interests. The arrival of special celebrity judge Cecil B. DeMille sets up a satirical twist on the idea of integrity and favoritism.
Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdowns
1. The Lodge’s Next Big Moneymaker (00:49 - 01:46)
- Following a financially successful masquerade, the Lodge officers—Andy, Kingfish, Amos, Fred—plan to hold a beauty contest.
- Practical considerations quickly arise: who will judge, who’s eligible, and most importantly, how to maximize profit.
2. Crafting the Contest’s Rules (01:19 - 02:49)
- Andy unveils the rules: “Rule one, you gotta be a woman. Rule two, you gotta be a woman with $2.” (02:28)
- Age and weight limits are set to slyly exclude certain local women, much to the others’ amusement.
3. Prizes and Sourcing with a Sense of Humor (03:01 - 03:23)
- The grand prize is a re-engraved silver loving cup from Honest Joe's Pawn Shop—its old inscription barely modified for the contest.
4. Bribery, Self-Interest, and Parental Influence (03:45 - 06:17)
- Mr. Washington tries to bribe Kingfish and Andy so his daughter Thelma will win. Kingfish plays innocent, but is quick to discuss "tokens of joy and happiness."
- Notable Exchange:
- Kingfish: “Ain't no reason we can't just sit down and talk.” (04:31)
- Kingfish (deadpan): “Everybody got the same chance to win. And if Thelma wins it, it ain't gonna be because of the $50 we's getting. Cause bribery is out.” (05:44)
5. Evaluating the Contestants: Satire and Sarcasm (06:06 - 09:19)
- Andy and Amos sort through photos of contestants, noting how beauty supplies from Barton's Drugstore are boosting appearances.
- Andy quips about one contestant: “When it comes to voting, it's a question whether to vote for the gal or the drugstore.” (06:50)
- They mock the appearance of Thelma Washington, offering comic exaggerations and pointed one-liners.
- Kingfish: “Take the Rocky Mountains. They got bumps on them, but they're beautiful just the same.”
- Andy: “Yeah, I know, but the Rocky Mountains ain't got ears like that.” (09:02)
6. Corrupt Incentives Multiply (09:54 - 10:20)
- Henry Van Porter, another judge, is also propositioned: If Mr. Snow's daughter Henrietta wins, he gets an insurance sale.
7. Judges Deadlocked and a Solution Proposed (13:37 - 14:41)
- Judges Andy and Henry Van Porter each champion a different contestant for personal gain, leading to a stalemate.
- Amos suggests bringing in a third judge and proposes—via an improbable connection—celebrity director Cecil B. DeMille.
8. Recruiting a Celebrity Judge (15:51 - 18:02)
- Kingfish and Andy pitch the idea to DeMille, initially met with polite refusal before his cook Amelia intervenes and convinces him.
- DeMille and his butler Hardwick share comedic asides about over-generous salary raises for the cook.
9. Judging Criteria Go Off the Rails (18:05 - 19:17)
- Kingfish outlines the scoring system: five points for beauty, five for personality, 25 for novelty, 50 for vigor, and 75 for ruggedness.
- DeMille jokes: “Any contest with a scoring system such as this could be won by either Hedy Lamar or Boris Karloff.” (19:06)
10. The Big Reveal: Everyone Has an Angle (19:29 - 25:35)
- Kingfish and Andy push for Thelma, Henry champions Henrietta, and both subtly try to “tip” DeMille to sway the outcome.
- At the final event, DeMille addresses the crowd:
- Cecil B. DeMille: “You all want to know who is the winner... I hereby award the title of Harlem’s Beauty Queen to Miss Mildred Forrest.” (23:32)
- Both judges are shocked, as Mildred wasn’t even their fallback candidate.
- DeMille’s reason?
- “She happens to be the daughter of my cook.” (25:35)
- The system of favoritism and bribery comes humorously full circle.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Andy Brown: “For 30 years, women's has been my specialty.” (02:04)
- Kingfish: “We giving five points for beauty and 75 for ruggedness... is this going to be a beauty contest or the Golden Gloves?” (18:31-19:00)
- Cecil B. DeMille: “Any contest with a scoring system such as this could be won by either Hedy Lamar or Boris Karloff.” (19:06)
- DeMille (on picking the winner): “There's one thing in this world which a person cherishes and wants to keep... It was for such a reason that I voted for Mildred Forrest. She happens to be the daughter of my cook.” (25:35)
Key Segment Timestamps
- 01:19 — Announcement and discussion of contest rules
- 03:45 — First bribery attempt by Mr. Washington
- 06:06 — Judges review photos and mock contestants
- 09:54 — Henry Van Porter offered insurance incentive
- 13:37 — Deadlocked judges; suggestion to recruit DeMille (14:41)
- 15:51 — Introduction of DeMille and negotiation for his involvement
- 18:05 — Outlandish scoring system presented
- 23:32 — Cecil B. DeMille announces the surprise winner
- 25:35 — Explanation for DeMille's choice: “daughter of my cook”
Episode Tone & Style
True to the original Amos & Andy style, this episode is marked by rapid-fire banter, tongue-in-cheek social commentary, and broad satire of American institutions—here, lampooning the concepts of beauty, fairness, and integrity by showing every character (even the high-minded celebrity judge) operating according to self-interest or personal connections. The humor blends old-timey exaggeration, playful insults, and the farce of committee politics.
This episode stands as a classic illustration of Amos & Andy’s enduring ability to turn everyday schemes into biting comedy, capturing both the spirit of golden age radio and the sly cynicism of its era.