A new public television special celebrates America's Clown Prince of Comedy and one of the longest running television variety series. "The Red Skelton Show," one of the first variety shows to make the successful transition from radio to TV, premiered September 30, 1951 and was a television staple for two decades until its cancellation in 1971. THE BEST OF RED SKELTON features classic Skelton slapstick routines and characters in full color, along with hilarious guest appearances from Walter Brennan, Raymond Burr, Tim Conway, Phyllis Diller, James Drury, Eva Gabor, Janet Leigh, Vincent Price, Cesar Romero, Mickey Rooney, Telly Savalas, Tiny Tim, Robert Wagner, John Wayne and others. THE BEST OF RED SKELTON features Skelton's most popular characters, including sometime singing cabdriver "Clem Kadiddlehopper," a hillbilly farmer with a big heart and a slow wit; "Sheriff Deadeye;" boxer "Cauliflower McPugg;" henpecked husband "George Appleby;" and "Gertrude and Heathcliffe," his pair of cross-eyed seagulls. The only television addition to Skelton's original radio repertoire of characters was hobo "Freddie the Freeloader." With Skelton's endless talent for pantomime, a simple smile, his trusty hat and cigar, "Freddie" could bring you to tears from both sadness and laughter
