Amos & Andy - Singing Lessons

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Amos & Andy: Singing Lessons

Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Show Featured: Amos & Andy – "Singing Lessons"

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Episode Overview

This episode revisits a classic "Amos & Andy" show titled “Singing Lessons,” transporting listeners to the pre-television era when radio reigned supreme in family entertainment. The episode centers around Andrew H. Brown’s anxious anticipation—and comedic misadventures—surrounding his upcoming singing recital, as well as the inter-personal foibles with his friends Amos, Andy, and the Van Porters.

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Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Technical Difficulties and Start Delay

• [01:53–03:06]: The show opens with an announcement about technical difficulties delaying the broadcast, followed by some organ music. Once resolved, the program launches directly into the meat of the episode with Amos and Andy.

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2. Andrew’s Singing Anxiety

• [03:06–03:45]: Andrew confides in Andy about forgetting the words to his song, his falling-out with duet partner Mrs. Van Folder (Van Porter), and the mounting fear of public performance.
  • Andy (03:38): “That is the germ that starts the whole fever. That fear germ.”
  • Andrew (03:45): “Oh, I wasn't scared.”

3. The Mocking Newspaper Article

• [04:23–06:03]: Andy reveals a tongue-in-cheek newspaper piece poking fun at Andrew’s singing and the recital's postponement. The article humorously blames Andrew’s ‘buck fever’ for the delay and jibes at his singing abilities.
  • Andy (05:10): “Residents of Harlem claim to have never heard Mr. Brown single. That noise you have been hearing for the past two weeks, which resembles a cow. Was Mr. Brown rehearsing for his debut?”
  • Andrew (06:03): “I relist the whole thing and I'll sue the newspaper for assault, battery and slander.”
  • Andy (06:41): “Don't try to fight the newspaper. Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword.”
  • Andrew (06:46): “I'd rather get stuck with a pen though.”

4. The Van Porter Complication

• [07:09–09:09]: Henry Van Porter enters, sharing that Mrs. Van Porter blames Andrew for her missed plans—her new dress (with security weights!) now unusable for the postponed recital. Tension and gentle banter ensue about practice, singing quality, and favoritism among the students.
  • Sam/Henry Van Porter (07:17): “Mrs. Van Porter is home and she's having a nervous breakdown.”
  • Andrew (08:58): “Well, one thing, I paid that teacher $21. I ought to get a little fitting for that. That's more than Mrs. Van Pooler done paid. You know that teacher can't live on IOU.”

5. The Perils of Practice

• [09:13–10:09]: Andy and Sam joke about how constant singing practice at home is driving everyone to distraction.
  • Sam (09:27): “Yeah, I have heard. Come, come, I love you Only till I'm about to jump out of the window.”
  • Andrew (09:34): “Well, I don't sing that much. I—I vulgarize.”

6. Recital Subterfuge and Surprise

• [10:09–11:02]: The gang speculates on when the recital will actually be held, with hints from Mrs. Van Porter’s teacher that the date will be kept a surprise from the performers to prevent nerves.
  • Sam (10:27): “The teacher thought that she would tell everybody but the singers a little ahead of time and not tell them till a few minutes before the recital happens so that they won't have time to get scared.”
  • Andrew (10:27): “Scared? I ain't scared, I'll tell you that. I'll sing in front of anybody.”

7. The Final Twist: The Recital is On

• [11:02–11:28]: Amos arrives with a surprise: the singing recital is, in fact, on for that very night, putting the pressure squarely back on Andrew.
  • Sam (11:05): “I just talked to your singing teacher... she says that she is going ahead with the recital tonight. And, Andy, you has got to sing.”
  • Andrew (11:26): “Well, I'll do it the best I can.”
  • Sam (11:28): “Oh, no, no, that's all right. Take it easy. I was just fooling.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Performance Anxiety:
  • Andy (03:38): “That is the germ that starts the whole fever. That fear germ.”
  • Andy (06:41): “Don't try to fight the newspaper. Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword.”
  • Sam (09:27): “Come, come, I love you Only till I'm about to jump out of the window.”
• On Practice and Criticism:
  • Andrew (06:03): “I'll sue the newspaper for assault, battery and slander.”
  • Sam (09:13): “I will be glad when this singing is over because it is about to drive me out of my own home.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Technical issues & show start: 01:53–03:06
• Andrew's singing nerves introduced: 03:06–03:45
• Funny newspaper article read: 04:23–06:03
• Henry Van Porter confrontation: 07:09–09:09
• Complaints about singing practice: 09:13–10:09
• Recital surprise announced: 10:09–11:28

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Tone and Style

The episode is marked by its trademark light-hearted banter, comical misunderstandings, and gentle ribbing among friends. The dialogue overflows with clever wordplay, playful jabs, and an undercurrent of camaraderie, embodying the spirit of Golden Age radio comedy.

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Conclusion

“Singing Lessons” is a classic slice of "Amos & Andy," blending slapstick, social satire, and the relatable, timeless fear of public performance. The episode, despite its dated elements, remains lively and full of witty exchanges, offering listeners both nostalgia and genuine laughs.

Transcript

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[Sam]

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[Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, technical difficulties beyond our control are delaying our presentation of the Campbell Soup Show. Amos and Andy scheduled to be heard at this time. As soon as these difficulties have been cleared, we hope to present Amos and Andy. In the meantime, a transcribed organ interlud. Ladies and gentlemen, the difficulties which delayed our presentation of Amos and Andy sponsored by the makers of Campbell Soups have now been cleared. Here are the pair Amos and Andy.

[Andrew Brown]

Then the next thing, I sort of forgot some of the words to the song I was going to sing. Couldn't get them in my head.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[Andrew Brown]

Then you know that Mrs. Van Folder and myself ain't speaking to each other and we were supposed to sing together. Then a little thing like. Well, this didn't mount to nothing, but I started thinking about getting up in front of all them people and something going wrong.

[Andy]

Oh, now, that's it right there. Now, now you don't. You don't beat like a boy. You don't. Finally got in there where the rabbit is.

[Andrew Brown]

Yeah, well, what's that? What?

[Andy]

Yeah, well, that is that thing you're talking about. That is the germ that starts the whole fever. That fear germ.

[Andrew Brown]

Oh, I wasn't scared.

[Andy]

You think you were. You were so nervous that all the nerves in your throat got together and said, let's tighten up on him. That's what your nerves say.

[Andrew Brown]

Well, I've been over and talked to my singing teacher. I told her that I had better now. Yeah. Then she told me that she was going to have the recital next week.

[Andy]

Oh, you was over there early this morning. Yeah, you told me that.

[Andrew Brown]

Oh, I in great shape.

[Andy]

I love you only.

[Andrew Brown]

Oh, boy, I really wish the thing was tonight.

[Andy]

Yeah, you really wish the thing was over and that you was a big success. That's what you really wish.

[Andrew Brown]

No, no, I tell you, I know that I gonna be a success. I know that the newspapers is all going to be there to hear me sing.

[Andy]

Well, now listen, and I didn't want to show you this, but Here's a little piece that was in the newspaper today.

[Andrew Brown]

What's that?

[Andy]

Look here, I'll read it to you. The Bluebird School of Singing, which is managed by Mademoiselle Henrietta DeWitt, announced that the recital schedule for tonight would be postponed until a later date due to illness of some of the participants.

[Andrew Brown]

Yeah, well, that ain't bad.

[Andy]

Andrew H. Brown contracted buck fever yesterday as as the zero hour approach. However, it was reported in Harlem that he knocked himself out with his own singing at rehearsals.

[Andrew Brown]

That's a fine thing.

[Andy]

Residents of Harlem claim to have never heard Mr. Brown single. That noise you have been hearing for the past two weeks, which resembles a cow. Was Mr. Brown rehearsing for his debut?

[Andrew Brown]

Now there's something.

[Andy]

It is reported that Mrs. Henry Van Porter, one of our better singers in Harlem, flatly refused to have her voice humiliated by singing a duet with Brown better singers. This, we believe, was the real cause of the postponed men. Although this writer called Mr. Brown on the phone yesterday for his statement, but found him unable to talk, much less sing. We are looking forward to the recital next week. When it is hoped that the teacher will be able to drug Mr. Brown sufficiently to get him on stage.

[Andrew Brown]

I relist the whole thing and I'll sue the newspaper for assault, battery and slander.

[Andy]

Yeah, we're going to start doing newspaper now. Cause they prints the news and this is news.

[Andrew Brown]

Yeah, but why has they got to stand up and say all that about me? Some little reporter that ain't got sense enough to come in out the rain write that stuff. Wait till the newspaper crickets hear me sing.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, that's who wrote this. This fella is the music cricket on the paper. He is the one that's going to report after he hears you sing.

[Andrew Brown]

Oh, he is? Well, I better let bad enough alone. Yeah, I say you might as well.

[Andy]

Don't forget. Don't try to fight the newspaper. Remember, the pen is mightiest than the sword.

[Andrew Brown]

I'd rather get stuck with a pen though.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, he's thinking you would one now.

[Andrew Brown]

Yeah, that's the way with these crickets. They can't do nothing themselves. And they find fault with everything everybody else do.

[Andy]

Well, the man is paid to find out the news about singing. And he gotta tell the truth. Cause the public wants to know the latest news.

[Andrew Brown]

My public. How can they be like that? I love them.

[Andy]

Wait a minute.

[Andrew Brown]

Here come Henry Van Porter. Yeah, I'm gonna talk to him.

[Andy]

But don't start an argument with him.

[Andrew Brown]

Oh, he's on my side. Come in, Henry.

[Andy]

Well, how is you today, Henry?

[Sam]

Well, my charming friends, how is you? Mrs. Van Porter is home and she's having a nervous breakdown.

[Andrew Brown]

Oh, she is? Now, what's the matter with her? Getting old or with my.

[Sam]

Damn it, I do not like that remark about Mrs. Van Porter.

[Andrew Brown]

Well, you don't like her singing.

[Andy]

Neither do you.

[Sam]

Well, her singing has nothing to do with the remark you made. I'll have you know, Andrew Brown, that she is a member of the younger set.

[Andrew Brown]

All right, all right. Well, what's the matter with her?

[Andy]

Yeah, what is the matter?

[Sam]

Well, it just seems that the singing that she's doing is getting on her nerves. Last night she heard the news of the postponement and it just messed up all of her plans.

[Andy]

It will end. They had a bad throat here till they called the thing off.

[Andrew Brown]

Yeah, I was sick as two horses there for a while.

[Sam]

Yeah, well, Count French. And then under your hat. Mrs. Vanporter went to a store here in town and she got a new dress to take home on approval. She was going to take the dress back Saturday morning and she had a hard time getting the dress out of the store.

[Andy]

Oh, yeah, they won't let my wife take nothing out unless they put one of them loosen. And if you take the lead sinkers off, why you got to keep the dress?

[Sam]

Well, they had the little lead weights on the dress that Mrs. Van Porter borrowed. But she got some flowers to cover the lead.

[Andy]

Oh, yeah, yeah, they do that.

[Sam]

But now she can't use the dress for the recital. And of course, she blames you for the whole thing, Andy.

[Andrew Brown]

Well, you blame me for it, huh? Yeah. What's that?

[Sam]

And first of all, she say that you are teacher's pet.

[Andrew Brown]

Well, one thing, I paid that teacher $21. I ought to get a little fitting for that. That's more than Mrs. Van Pooler done paid. You know that teacher can't live on IOU.

[Andy]

Well, boys, some things you know goes wrong and you can't do nothing about them.

[Sam]

Well, I will be glad when this singing is over because it is about to drive me out of my own home.

[Andrew Brown]

Well, don't forget, we gotta practice people complaining about my singing.

[Andy]

Well, yeah, there's been some complaints.

[Sam]

Yeah, I have heard. Come, come, I love you Only till I'm about to jump out of the window.

[Andrew Brown]

Well, I don't sing that much. I I vulgarize.

[Sam]

I O you Whoa.

[Bill Hay]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Well, that is the thing, ain't it? That is that the fellows is talking about in the newspaper.

[Sam]

You know, Mrs. Van Porter says that she will Ruin her voice?

[Andrew Brown]

Well, how about her ruining my voice? She got me deaf in one ear now, the side she sings on.

[Andy]

Yeah. Well, tell me this. When do you think the recital is going to be?

[Sam]

Well, Mrs. Van Porter talked to the teacher a while ago, and the teacher thought that she would tell everybody but the singers a little ahead of time and not tell them till a few minutes before the recital happens so that they won't have time to get scared.

[Andrew Brown]

Scared? I ain't scared, I'll tell you that. I'll sing in front of anybody. Be very funny if you see me in Carnegie Hall.

[Andy]

I think they got a janitor and.

[Andrew Brown]

All right, all right. Be funny now. Be funny. I'll show you. Wait a minute.

[Andy]

Come in, son.

[Sam]

Hello there. What y' all doing? Hello, Amos.

[Andy]

Well, we just talking to Andy here, brother Emma's. Andy claims that after all the reason his throat closed up on him and all that stuff that he claims that he didn't have the buck fever and that wasn't the trouble with his throat.

[Andrew Brown]

Yeah, well, don't think that I got the buck fever.

[Sam]

Yeah, well, the reason I come over here. I just talked to your singing teacher just a minute ago. I just left there, and she says that she is going ahead with the recital tonight. And, Andy, you has got to sing. Well, that's news.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, going ahead with her honeymoon. So, what do you think? What do you think of it, Andy?

[Andrew Brown]

Well, I'll do it the best I can.

[Sam]

Oh, no, no, that's all right. Take it easy. I was just fooling.

[Bill Hay]

Yeah.

[Sam]

Now there's a fellow that's really got a throat in it.

[Andy]

Yeah, them buck fever germs is just laying in your throat there waiting to hear something. Come on, son, unlatch yourself.

[Sam]

I was just kidding.

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[Sam]

Sam.

[Bill Hay]

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[Sam]

Tomorrow, meet the day with a sunny

[Announcer]

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[Sam]

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[Bill Hay]

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[Announcer]

Because of the importance of President Roosevelt's address to Congress, the transcription of the talk will be broadcast over WJSV at 10:45 this evening.

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