Podcast Summary:

Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Bing Crosby Rosemary Clooney Show 1961-11-23 – "Thanksgiving"
Release Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio transports listeners to a festive 1961 Thanksgiving broadcast of "The Bing Crosby-Rosemary Clooney Show." Against a backdrop of witty banter and classic song performances, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and their cast celebrate the simple joys of the holiday, discuss quirky Thanksgiving traditions, and share warm humor, musical numbers, and quintessential mid-century commercials.

The episode is a charming snapshot of radio’s golden days, featuring playful improvisation and period flavor, making it a delightful listen for fans of nostalgia and vintage entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Traditions & Lighthearted Banter

• Show kicks off with playful excitement for Thanksgiving Day
  • Immediate focus on holiday food, with comic interruptions and eager anticipation. (00:03–00:10)
• Turkey, Chicken, or… Chirky?
  • Bing asks Rosie and Ken what they're having for dinner.
    • Rosie: "Got a big turkey going, Bing." (02:16)
    • Ken: Prefers chicken, but alternates with turkey for his wife’s sake. (02:19–02:33)
  • Hilarity ensues as they dream up new hybrid birds: “cherky” (chicken + turkey), “gookie” (goose + turkey), and “just ducky” (duck + turkey).
    • Bing: “Someday there’ll be a bird to please both you and Betty.” (02:33)
    • “What will this bird be called?” “Cherky!” (03:12–03:14)
  • “This opens up a whole can of peas, doesn’t it?”—Ken (03:31)
• Spirit of Thanksgiving
  • Lighthearted gratitude for whatever’s on the table:
    • Rosie: “I’m thankful I’m not having a turkey.” (04:45)
    • Bing: “Count your blessings, kids.” (04:48)

2. Iconic Songs Performed Live

• "It's a Most Unusual Day" (00:16–02:14)
  • Celebrates the joy and uniqueness of the holiday mood.
• "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" (04:56–07:46)
  • Reassuring message to find gratitude in the little things.
    • Bing: “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep…” (04:56)
• "Bye Bye Blackbird" (09:17–10:39)
  • An upbeat tune about moving past heartache, delivered with warmth and harmony.
• "I'll Remember Today" (13:11–14:43)
  • Reflective, romantic ballad about cherishing special moments.
• "Isn't It a Lovely Day (to be Caught in the Rain)" (15:45–18:23)
  • Clooney and Crosby swap verses in a cheerful, cozy duet.

3. Comedic Moments and Playful Puns

• Thanksgiving 'Bird Mashup' Jokes
  • Imagining scientists creating new poultry: cherky, gookie, and “just ducky." (02:41–03:52)
  • Bing: “I have word… that Dr. Marlow W. Olson of Beltsville, Maryland, is working on just such a poultry pairing. I guess they belt themselves.” (02:53)
• Party Tips with a Wink
  • Rosie offers her "household hint": always keep “Sara Lee All Butter Cakes” in the freezer for an instant party. (14:44–15:24)
  • Bing, in typical wry style: “Rosie, I knew it all the time. It’s what we do at our house that’s so smart.” (15:06)

4. Period Commercial Breaks Full of Character

• Cold Medicine Plug
  • The cast delivers a tongue-in-cheek, but earnest promotion for “4 Way Cold Tablets.” (07:52–09:02)
    • “Cold sinus and singing sure don’t mix. To feel better fast I take the newest medicine for those miseries…” – Bing (08:09)
• Shoe Repair Endorsement
  • Ken espouses the virtues of restoring old shoes with “Cat’s Paw” heels and soles, with Bing and Rosie weaving the reference into a wedding joke. (11:57–12:49)
• Sara Lee Cakes
  • Rosie and Bing’s playful ad for ready-made butter cakes, complete with jingle. (15:06–15:45)

5. Memorable Quotes and Banter

• Bing’s Thanksgiving Toast:
  • “We hope you’re all having a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have lots to be thankful for, don’t we?” (04:41)
• Ken’s deadpan on new hybrid birds:
  • “I think these are all rather remote possibilities. Actually, very remote.” (03:55)
• Rosie’s Party Secret:
  • “Be sure you always have plenty of Sara Lee All Butter cakes on hand.” (15:06)

6. Warmth, Farewells, and Shoutouts

• Special Anniversary Mention
  • A toast to CBS affiliate KOTA on its 25th anniversary.
    • Rosie: “Remember earlier this week we mentioned CBS radio affiliate KOTA on this program?” (18:31)
    • Bing: “Congratulations. And Happy Thanksgiving to KOTA, way up north in South Dakota.” (18:41)
• Warm Sendoff
  • Bing: “Well, Rosie, I gotta cut out now. I gotta run home, put soup on.” (18:52)
  • “See you tomorrow.” (18:56)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “It’s a most unusual day…if my heart won’t behave in the usual way, well, there’s only one thing to say: it’s a most unusual, most unusual day.” – (01:08–02:14)
• “Bing, what’s for Thanksgiving dinner?” “Got a big turkey going, Bing.” “Same for us. How about you, Ken?” – (02:14–02:19)
• “Someday there’ll be chicken for you and turkey for Betty. I mean, there’ll be a combination chicken and turkey.” – Bing (02:44)
• “This opens up a whole can of peas, doesn’t it?” – Ken (03:31)
• “Count your blessings, kids.” – Bing (04:48)
• “I’m thankful I’m not having a turkey.” – Rosie (04:45)
• “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep…” – Bing (04:56)
• “The happy wedding of his expert craftsmanship and modern equipment turns old shoes into spanking new ones.” – Ken (12:01)
• “Always have plenty of Sara Lee all butter cakes on hand.” – Rosie (15:06)
• “Well, Rosie, I gotta cut out now. I gotta run home, put soup on.” – Bing (18:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:16: "It’s a Most Unusual Day" song
• 02:14: Thanksgiving dinner discussion, bird hybrids banter
• 04:56: "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" performance
• 09:17: "Bye Bye Blackbird" performance
• 11:43: Wedding plans, shoe repair dialogue
• 13:11: "I’ll Remember Today" ballad
• 14:44: Sara Lee cakes ad/party tip
• 15:45: "Isn’t It a Lovely Day" duet
• 18:31: KOTA radio station shoutout and sign off

Tone & Style

Faithful to the original, the episode brims with gentle banter, warmth, cheerful humor, and a community spirit. Bing’s deadpan delivery and Rosie’s bubbly charm create a familiar, inviting environment reflective of classic family radio entertainment.

For anyone yearning for simple cheer, musical nostalgia, and vintage radio warmth, this episode is a Thanksgiving treat from the golden age of variety radio.