Fibber McGee And Molly 37-10-04 (0130) Supervisor of State Fair

Summary

---

Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Fibber McGee And Molly 37-10-04 (0130) Supervisor of State Fair
Date: August 29, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode takes listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio with an original broadcast of "Fibber McGee and Molly." The story revolves around the annual state fair in Wistful Vista, where Fibber is begrudgingly recruited to serve as a Supervisor. The duo's misadventures and witty banter capture the charm and humor of classic American radio storytelling.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fibber’s Reluctance to Attend the Fair

• Molly is excited about the opening of the state fair and eager to participate, emphasizing the importance of supporting local farmers.

• Fibber expresses classic resistance, dismissing the fair as "for farmers" and making comical excuses about discomforts and trivialities at such events.

  “State fairs is for farming?” – Fibber (03:37)
  “I ain’t no chiropractor.” – Fibber (03:49)

2. The Offer of Supervisor

• The local mayor (“Applepuss”) appoints Fibber as a Supervisor of the fair, hoping to involve responsible citizens.

• Fibber is swayed—not by honor or duty, but by the promise of special perks, such as free entry and a badge with a blue ribbon.

  “I don’t think I can take it. I ain’t got any use for state fairs myself. Any salary to it?” – Fibber (05:20)
  “It’s got a blue ribbon on it?” – Fibber (06:05)
  “I’ll take it.” – Fibber (06:07)

3. Humor on the Midway

• Classic comic exchanges highlight side characters like Mrs. Wearybottom at the ticket booth, who jokes about getting paid to "peek at the neighbors".

• Quirky exhibits are mentioned, including a snake charmer, the “fat lady,” and a Hula dancer.

  “She could show Einstein several dimensions he never thought.” – Mrs. Wearybottom (09:00)

• Molly encounters a woman concerned about the pickle contest, humorously illustrating the competitive spirit at the fair.

4. Sideshow Characters and Gags

• Various fairground attractions provide setups for rapid-fire jokes and puns:

  • Dentist tent: “No pain or no pay,” with tooth jokes and wordplay about “buck teeth.”
  • Silly Watson, the “Head Duck Man,” explains he works at the “African Dodger” (a baseball throwing booth), dodging MLB players (“a bunch of baseball players here from the Giants”).

  “If I can keep dodging them okay, there ain’t much danger. Only thing is there's a shooting gallery right behind me. I can duck most any baseball with my head, but I can't dodge no bullets…” – Silly Watson (13:56)

5. Parade of Inventions and Absurdities

• The Inventors’ Exhibit showcases a bathtub carved entirely from soap.

• Fibber pitches his own ridiculous invention: the “collar button locator”—a dresser designed to catch falling collar buttons by “fooling” them into falling back up.

• Exchanges highlight the show’s trademark puns, quick wit, and good-natured teasing.

  “Why don’t you give a dozen sandpaper bathing suits with each tub?” – Fibber (16:56)

6. Sideshow Barking & Ballyhoo

• Encounter with a sideshow barker with laryngitis, which gives Fibber the opportunity to reminisce about his past as “Ballyhoo McGee, the baseball.”
• The segment ends with more pun-filled banter between Molly and Fibber about his supposed glory days.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the value of farmers:

  “The farmer's the backbone of the nation.” – Molly (03:45)

• Supervisor perks:

  “You have the privilege of entering all concessions free of charge.” – Mayor Applepuss (05:42)

• Satire of public fairs:

  “Clapping hands in ecstasy at a couple of fat hogs, getting popcorn in your hair, and barking your shins over fresh painted tractors.” – Fibber (04:15)

• Practical joke on inventions:

  “Did you ever hear about my invention, the collar button locator?” – Fibber (17:05)

• Reflection on dangerous sideshow work:

  “I can duck most any baseball with my head, but I can't dodge no bullets with my… well, it shows.” – Silly Watson (13:56)

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• State Fair Debate & Supervisor Offer: [03:35–06:09]
• Arriving at the Fair & Ticket Exchange: [08:24–09:21]
• Pickle Contest & Sideshow Humor: [09:50–11:45]
• Dentist Exhibit & Tooth Gags: [11:10–12:08]
• Silly Watson and Side Hustles: [12:46–13:56]
• Inventions Exhibit: [16:10–17:22]
• Sideshows and “Ballyhoo McGee”: [17:30–18:22]

---

Episode Highlights

• The episode perfectly encapsulates the lighthearted wit and playful social satire characteristic of Fibber McGee & Molly.
• Dialogue is heavy with puns and double entendres, reflecting both nostalgia for and gentle ribbing of Americana and rural fairs.
• Interactions with quirky side characters drive much of the humor, creating a lively and immersive atmosphere.

---

For listeners new to "Fibber McGee and Molly," this episode is a wonderful slice of 1930s radio humor, giving you a seat at the soda counter, a stroll down the fair’s bustling midway, and a behind-the-scenes look at small-town shenanigans—all with a wink, a nudge, and a badge with a blue ribbon.

Transcript

[A]

Hey there. Are you sitting down? Good cause Wayfair's end of season sale is here and you can shop it from your couch. It's Wayfair's Labor Day clearance and it's on now. Right now you can score up to 70% off everything home at Wayfair. Like up to 50% off outdoor furniture and decor and up to 70% off area rugs. Plus amazing doorbuster deals and 24 hour surprise flash deals on Wayfair Home finds in every style and get it all. With fast shipping on everything right to your door. From furniture to faucet. This is your last chance of the season to score huge deals at Wayfair. Don't let the final days of summer pass you by without shopping these end of season savings. So don't wait. Like summer, these savings won't last. Head to Wayfair.com today to score up to 70% off everything home. Celebrate your holiday weekend with can't miss savings before they run out. Shop Wayfair's Labor Day clearance now through September 2nd at Wayfair.com Wayfair Every style, every home.

[B]

When you walk on wax, you save your floors. The Johnson Wax program presenting Marion and Jim Jordan as Fiber McGee and Molly. Ted Williams and his orchestra open the show with Things Look Brighter again. Here's a housekeeping tip that will save you hours of work, give you more time for relaxation, and keep your floors clean and shiny. Use Johnson Self Polishing Gloat. This remarkable liquid floor polish dries in 20 minutes and shines without rubbing or buffing. Even dull, faded linoleum takes on new life and beauty with one application of Johnson's Glo Coat. Dirt can't stick to the gleaming surface. Scratches and stains are warded off by this wonderful protective polish. The ideal polish for printed or inlaid linoleum. Linoleum rugs, rubber tile, varnished and painted wood floors. Buy Glo Coat from your dealer tomorrow. Look for the attractive yellow can with the lettering Gloat Johnson Self Polishing Glo Coat. Oh yes. Remember, you save money on the larger sizes. This is the week the state fair opens in west for Vista. But although Molly is quite interested, Fibber is too sophisticated for that sort of thing. And here, having a soda in the west for Vista drugstore and discussing the state fair, we find Bibber McGee and Molly.

[C]

Oh, come on, McGee, let's go to the state fair.

[D]

No, sir, not me. You can go if you want to, but as the guy out in Hollywood says, include me out of it. State fairs is for Farming?

[C]

Oh, well, I think we ought to give it our support. After all, the farmer's the backbone of the nation.

[D]

You know what of it? I ain't no chiropractor. Hey, Fuzzy, give me another dash of soda in this, will ya? It's losing its oomph.

[E]

Yes, sir, Mr. McGee. Here you are.

[D]

Thanks, bud. A little bit of it on my shirt, but it's all right. How about you, Molly?

[C]

No, thanks, but I really want to go to the fair. McGee, come on, be a sport.

[D]

What you mean, be a sport? I can't see no sportsmanship. And walking your legs off. Going from one hot tent to another and clapping hands in ecstasy at a couple of fat hogs getting popcorn in your hair and barking your shins over a shed full of fresh painted tractors. No, sir. A little more strawberry in this, Fuzzy. It's losing its flavor. Thanks.

[E]

Hello there, McGee. Hello, Mrs. McGee.

[D]

Oh, hi, your honor. Molly. It's mayor Applepuss. Your honor, this is my wife, Molly.

[C]

How do you do? I'm sure.

[E]

Well, delighted to see you again, Mrs. McGee.

[D]

Join me in a soda, apple puss?

[E]

Well, I don't mind if I do.

[D]

Okay. Hey, Fuzzy, give the mayor another straw for my soda. Run your race to the bottom of the glass, apple puss.

[E]

Somebody told me you were in the drugstore and I came into. Well, I came into. What I mean to say is, I am empowered. Yes, empowered as director of the pair to appoint certain responsible citizens as supervisors. And naturally I immediately thought of you.

[D]

Oh, well, apple puss, I don't think I can take it. I ain't got any use for state fairs myself. Any salary to it?

[E]

Well, no, but there is considerable honor attached to the appointment, as well as certain prerogatives.

[C]

What's prerogative?

[D]

That's city hall. Double talk for percentages, Molly. Meaning what, apple pussy?

[E]

Well, first you have the privilege of entering all concessions free of charge.

[C]

Oh, think of that, Petey.

[D]

Shucks. That's just a legitimate way of crawling under the tent. And it ain't as much fun. What else? Apple puss?

[E]

And with the official supervisor's badge.

[D]

Oh, a badge, huh? Well, no, no, it's got a blue ribbon on it.

[E]

It has?

[D]

What color? Blue. I'll take it. And Fuzzy.

[E]

Yes, sir?

[D]

I want to see you out there at the fair. Understand it's the duty of every citizen to support a wonderful institution like the state fair. Come on, Molly, let's hurry out. The fair.

[C]

Looks like a very successful state fair, dearie. I guess we can walk right in the gate. If you tell him you're a supervisor.

[D]

Well, maybe I better get a couple of tickets. I'll get a refund after I get my badge. Hi, sis. Give me two in the front. Oh, it's Mrs. Wearybottom. Hi, Weary.

[C]

Oh, hello, folks.

[D]

You selling tickets here?

[F]

Yes. I get so tired of sitting at home and peeking at the neighbors out the wind. I can do the same thing here and get paid for it. You'll find the snake charmer 5/10 along the midway.

[D]

I ain't interested in snake charmers, Weary. I'm more interested in the scientific exhibit.

[F]

Well, in that case, you better go see the fat lady in tent number eight. She could show Einstein several dimensions he never thought. Well, here's your tickets, Mr. McGee. And I'd advise you to stay off the merry go round. You're dizzy enough. Now, who's next?

[C]

Well, where do you go to get your badge, Magee?

[D]

Well, Apple Puss said the administration building, but I don't know where the administration build. Hey, Bud, where's the administration building?

[C]

Me?

[D]

What's he says, where's the administration building?

[E]

The third large building past the Hula dancer, Johnny.

[D]

Much obliged, Bud. Say, is she a pretty good dancer?

[E]

Yeah, but I wouldn't trust her myself. She's just a shake in the grass.

[C]

Heavenly days, chaps.

[D]

I better hurry and get my supervisor's badge so I can see some of this stuff I gotta.

[C]

Pardon me. Did I hear you say you were a supervisor, sir? 12 times in the last five minutes, lady.

[D]

Why, Sis, what can I do for you?

[C]

Well, I put up some pickles for exhibit. And my neighbor put up some pickles too. Only the pickles she put up she put up in a lot fancier bottle than than I put up in mine. And the ones she got put up a lot look a lot better than the ones I put up. How does she get away with it?

[D]

I'd say that was a put up job. I'll take care of it.

[C]

Thank you.

[D]

You see, Molly, what it means to be a supervisor. It ain't every man that'd qualify for a job like this. You gotta be ambitious.

[B]

Apply yourself and Johnson's Wax. You can apply yourself so easily and quickly that your floors are.

[D]

Paul.

[B]

Hi, folks.

[C]

Hello, Mr. Wilcox. Say, I didn't know you were so interested in state fairs.

[B]

Oh, sure. I'm playing on one of the polo teams this afternoon.

[D]

Oh, yeah? I ever tell you about the time Harpo first learned to ride a horse, Molly?

[C]

No.

[D]

He asked the riding instructor which was the offside. And the teacher Said just get on and you'll find out.

[E]

Oh, all right.

[B]

Or the way I get.

[E]

All right here, folks. Step right up and see the latest scientific developments in outdoor dentistry. No pain or no pay. Old Dr. Dentin, the world famous molar manipulator. We fill em and yank em. Charge em and thank em. Yes, indeed. How about you, my little man?

[D]

Who, me? Listen, bud, I'm a supervisor of this fair, so don't get uppity with me.

[E]

Ah, yes, a supervisor.

[D]

Gotcha.

[E]

I see you have a large cavity right in front there that needs filling. My boy. Why don't you buy a lollipop? Kept frying up, folks. Extractions with a smile and treatments with a roar of laughter.

[C]

Well, how much do you charge to pool teeth, doctor?

[E]

It all depends, madam. Most patients $2. Special patients only $1.

[D]

What have you got to have to be a $1 patient, Doc?

[E]

Buck teeth. All right. Friends.

[D]

Smart guy, huh, dad? Dreaded. I wish I had my supervisor's badge on. They wouldn't be so. Hey there, Skinny. What's the idea parading up and down in front of the dentist exhibit?

[C]

Yes, if you got a tooth bothering your Skinny, go on up and have it fixed.

[E]

Why, if the teeth are okay for. But this dentist don't belong to the union, and I'm a ta, ta, ta, ta.

[D]

Toothpicket.

[C]

Hurry up and get your bags, McGee. You know, there's a lot of exhibits I want to see, particularly the hog calling contest.

[D]

Not me. I had all I wanted. A hog calling contest. Oh, go on.

[C]

When were you ever in a hog calling contest? And which side were you on?

[D]

What do you mean, which side was I on? I was the champion hog collar of Iowa from 1908 to 1921, but I had to give it up. You did? Yep. I was at the state fair in Des Moines, and when I started hollering Silly Suey Suy, we begun to get wires from butchers in Omaha, Chicago and Cincinnati saying to shut up on account of their bacon was jumping off on the hooks.

[C]

Oh, look, Magee. There's Silly Watson.

[D]

Oh, hi, Sil.

[G]

Hi, ma'. Am. How are you, boss?

[D]

What you doing at the fair, Sil?

[G]

Well, I work in here free, sir.

[C]

Doing what, Silly?

[G]

That I'm the head duck man.

[D]

You mean you're in charge of the poultry exhibit, Sil?

[G]

No, sir. I mean I duck my head. I'm working at the African Dodger. It's a conception.

[C]

Oh, no, Silly. You mean it's a concession?

[G]

Yes, ma', am, it sure is. On my part you mean you're the.

[D]

Guy who sticks his head through the canvas wall and lets people heave baseballs at you?

[E]

Silly?

[G]

Yes, that's me.

[C]

Well, why aren't you working now, silly?

[G]

Well, I ain't no fool, ma'.

[D]

Am.

[G]

I got my brother considerable working for me for a while. There's a bunch of baseball players here from the Giants and I ain't taking no chances.

[D]

I don't blame yourself. When are you going back to work?

[G]

I'm going back to work later on, Pleasant. Then there won't be no more ballplayers around except me. Some little old Cincinnati Reds and they don't worry me nothing.

[C]

Well, silly, tell me, that's kind of dangerous work, isn't it?

[G]

Yes, ma'. Am, if and I get hit it is. But if I can keep dodging them, okay, there ain't much danger. Only thing is that it makes me kind of nervous is there's a shooting gallery right behind me. I can duck most any baseball with my head, but I can't dodge no bullets with my. Well, it shows.

[B]

Perry Como sings. The moon got in my eyes.

[E]

Out of the darkness you suddenly appear. You smiled and I was taken by sutra. I guess I should have seen right through you. But the moon got in my eyes. I was so thrilled by the love you volunteered that I gave my heart without a compromise. I guess you don't remember, do you? When the moon got in my eyes. I thought a kingdom was in sight. That I would have the right to claim. That's with the morning. 39. I didn't have a dream to my name. You know the saying that all who love are blind. It seems that ancient adage still applies. I guess I should have seen right through you. But the moon got in my eyes.

[C]

Well, McGee, did you get your supervisor's bay?

[D]

Nope. It says old apple pussy out on the ground someplace. And for me to come back in 15 or 20 minutes.

[C]

All right, well, say, let's look around a little bit, then let's go in here to the inventor's exhibit.

[D]

Hey, look at all the gadgets, will ya?

[C]

Are you an inventor, sir?

[H]

Yes, madam. I'm the inventor of this bathtub. Interesting, isn't it?

[D]

What's interesting about it, bud? Looks like an ordinary bathtub to me.

[H]

Oh, well, take a feel of it. You see? Oh, yeah, yeah. The whole bathtub is carved out of soap.

[F]

Oh, man.

[H]

You see, this prevents losing the soap in the tub and also provides a self lathering bath with a lovely scent of violet permeating the bathroom.

[C]

Well, it'd be a bit slippery, though, wouldn't it, sir?

[H]

Well, possibly, madam. I'm working on that angle.

[D]

However, why don't you give a dozen sandpaper bathing suits with each tub? But.

[H]

Oh, that. That's splendid. Thank you, sir. Thanks.

[D]

Did you ever hear about my invention, the collar button locator?

[H]

No. What was that?

[D]

I built me a fake dresser with the legs sticking up on top so as when the collar button starts to fall to the floor, it sees the top of the dresser and falls back up again.

[H]

Oh, yes, yes. Well, so long, Stoop Nagel.

[D]

So long, Bud. Come on, Molly, let's get out of here.

[C]

Holy gee, look at that man with the megaphone. He seems to be talking to himself.

[D]

I'm surprised everybody around here ain't talking to themselves. I. Hey, listen. All right, folks. Step right up and see the world's greatest collection of fleets and marbles collected from the far corners of the earth. It's an amazing exhibit, folks. What's inside, Bud?

[G]

Probably you'd be surprised.

[D]

Is it something my wife shouldn't have known to see? No, no. Anybody can see it.

[G]

Men, women and children.

[C]

Well, then, what are you whispering for?

[G]

I got laryngit.

[D]

Hey, let me take that megaphone, Bud. You go to the first aid tent and get yourself a gargle.

[C]

Oh, what do you know about sideshow barking McGee?

[D]

Oh, me? Why, shucks, Molly. I used to be the most famous barker in the outdoor amusement racket. And I made the racket, no doubt. Valley Hoo McGee. I was known as in them days.

[C]

Oh, my Ballyhoo McGee, the baseball.