The Honeymooners
| The Honeymooners | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Written by | Marvin Marx Walter Stone A.J. Russell Herbert Finn Leonard Stern Sydney Zelinka |
| Directed by | Frank Satenstein |
| Starring |
Jackie Gleason Audrey Meadows Art Carney Joyce Randolph |
| Theme music composer | Jackie Gleason Bill Templeton |
| Opening theme | "You're My Greatest Love" |
| Ending theme | "You're My Greatest Love" (Extended Version) |
| Composer(s) | Sammy Spear |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 39 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Jack Philbin Stanley Poss |
| Producer(s) | Jack Hurdle |
| Location(s) | Adelphi Theatre, New York, New York |
| Cinematography | Daniel Cavelli Doug Downs Jack Etra |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 26–27 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Jackie Gleason Enterprises |
| Distributor | CBS Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Picture format | Black-and-white |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | October 1, 1955 – September 22, 1956 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | The Honeymooners (film) |
The Honeymooners is an American television sitcom created by and starring Jackie Gleason, based on a recurring 1951–55 comedy sketch of the same name.
The sketches originally aired on the DuMont network's variety series Cavalcade of Stars, which Gleason hosted, and subsequently on the CBS network's The Jackie Gleason Show, which was broadcast live in front of a theater audience. The popularity of the sketches led Gleason to rework The Honeymooners as a filmed half-hour series, which debuted October 1, 1955, on CBS, in place of the variety series. Although initially a ratings success—becoming the #2 show in the United States during its first season—it faced stiff competition from The Perry Como Show on NBC, and eventually dropped to #19, ending its production after only 39 episodes (now referred to as the "Classic 39"). The final episode of The Honeymooners aired on September 22, 1956, although Gleason revived the characters sporadically until 1978.
The Honeymooners was one of the first U.S. television shows to portray working-class married couples in a gritty, non-idyllic manner (the show is set mostly in the Kramdens' kitchen, in a neglected Brooklyn apartment building). The program is also popular internationally, particularly in Canada, Poland and Scandinavian countries Norway and Sweden.
The majority of The Honeymooners focused on its four principal characters on fixed sets within a Brooklyn apartment building. Although various secondary characters made multiple appearances and occasional exterior shots were incorporated during editing, virtually all action and dialogue was "on stage" inside the normal backdrop.
Played by Jackie Gleason—a bus driver for the fictional Gotham Bus Company based out of Brooklyn, NY. He is never seen driving a bus (except in publicity photos), but is often shown at the bus depot. Ralph is frustrated by his lack of success, and often develops get-rich-quick schemes. Ralph is very short tempered, frequently resorting to bellowing, insults and hollow threats. Well-hidden beneath the many layers of bluster, however, is a soft-hearted man who loves his wife and is devoted to his best pal, Ed Norton. Ralph enjoys bowling, playing pool and being a member in the Loyal Order of Raccoon Lodge (although in several episodes a blackboard at the lodge lists his dues as being in arrears). Ralph was given honorary membership in the union for real New York City bus drivers (Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union) during the run of the show, and a Brooklyn bus depot was named in Gleason's honor after his death. Ralph Kramden is the inspiration for the animated character Fred Flintstone.
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