The 4th Annual
Virtual Jack Benny Convention
- Noel Blanc
- Stuart Canin
- Rich Corell
- Rich Little
- Dan Pasternack
- Keith Scott
- Jack Benny’s Grandchildren
- Victoria (Al) Gordon
- No Soap Radio
- Gregg Oppenheimer
- Project Audion
- Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound (REPS)
- Jack West
The Researchers:
- Annette Bochenek – Hometowns to Hollywood
- William Cairns – Author, Jack Benny In the 1940s
- Zach Eastman – Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue
- Kathy Fuller-Seeley – Professor, University of Texas at Austin
- Lara Gabrielle – Author, Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies
- John Henderson – This Day in Jack Benny
- Walden Hughes – Yesterday USA
- Garth Johnson – Database and Archive Master
- Paul Kovit – Technical Consultant and Editor Extraordinaire
- Darryl Lantz – Buck Benny OTR Podcast
- Laura Leibowitz – President and Founder, International Jack Benny Fan Club
- Mark Malkoff – The Carson Podcast
- Phil Savenick – Beverly Hills Historical Society
- Anthony Scabelli – Comedy Aficionado and Content Creator
- Hope Sears – Historian, Podcaster, and Media Specialist
- Brad Strickland – Co-author, Wishing On a Star: The Life of Eddie Carroll
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time
Friday, 2/16
5:00 PM – Welcome!
5:15 PM – The Benny Grandkids: Laura sits down for a chat with Jack’s grandchildren to talk about memories of their grandfather and the legacy he left to them and the world.
6:00 PM – Interview with Noel Blanc: Walden Hughes and Hope Sears sit down with Noel Blanc about his fathers work with Jack & his own memories of knowing Jack in his childhood.
6:45 PM – Jack the Musician (Stradivarius 1729): Zach & Laura sit down with luminaries of the music world for a closer observation about Jack’s work in the world of classical music.
7:45 PM – Gregg Oppenheimer Recreation + Q and A: Recreation master Gregg Oppenheimer presents another of his fabulous radio recreations with an all-star cast.
8:45 PM – Beverly Hills Historical Society: Phil Savenick of the Beverly Hills Historical Society gives us a closer look at Jack’s time and residency in the beloved city of Beverly Hills.
9:30 PM – Benny After Dark: Buck Benny OTR and his regular gang pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of Jack’s final special with an observational chat and screening of the special!
Saturday, 2/17
11:00 AM – Mel Blanc Video Essay: Hope Sears presents another of her splendid video essay’s, this time covering the legacy of Benny cast member Mel Blanc.
12:00 PM – Hometowns to Hollywood: Phil Harris: Annette Bochenek of Hometowns To Hollywood gives a fascinating presentation of the Hometown of Benny cast member PHIL HARRIS!
1:00 PM – Johnny Carson Panel with Rich Little: Hope Sears gathers a gaggle of guests to discuss the legacy of Johnny Carson, his friendship with Jack, and how Johnny took cues from our favorite blue-eyed miser.
2:00 PM – REPS Presents The Bob Hope Show with Guest Jack Benny Recreation: REPS presents a recreation of The Bob Hope Program from November 9th, 1948 with his guest star Jack Benny!
3:00 PM – Walden Hughes Interviews Martha Bulton Writer for Bob Hope
3:45 PM – Reviewing the Revue- A Look at The Hollywood Revue of 1929: Author and Historian Lara Gabrielle gives our audiences a deeper dive into the making of Jack’s first film, THE HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929
5:00 PM – No Soap Radio: Jack at The Apollo Launch: The No Soap Radio crew presents an original production by writer Craig Shemin which set’s Jack Benny on the site of the Apollo 11 Launch
6:15 PM – Interview with Rich Corell
7:15 PM – Buck Benny OTR Presents: The Yosemite Trip Arc: Buck Benny OTR and his gang take a deep dive into the Benny programs 5 episode arc that has come to be known as the “The Yosemite Trip Arc”. Tune in for observations surrounding this arc and how its impact still lingers on.
8:15 PM – Benny After Dark
Sunday, 2/18
10:00 AM – Unsung Legends of Comedy: Comedy aficionado Anthony Scabelli presents to of his tribute videos to Benny Cast members Frank Nelson and Rochester
10:30 AM – Encore Performance: The Al Gordon Documentary: Paul Kovit and Victoria Gordon presents a repeat performance of their documentary surrounding the life of Jack Benny writer Al Gordon.
11:00 AM – The Vaudeville Database: Garth Johnson gives membership a guided tour of the Jack Benny Vaudeville Database.
11:25 AM – Project Audion Presents: “Witness for the Prescutuion” with Jack and The Gang & W.C. Fields: Project Audion brings together another of it’s splendid virtual radio productions, this time letting “Jack” share the space with comedy legend “W.C. Fields”
12:45 PM – Walden Hughes Interview TBD
1:30 PM – William Cairns Presents: Jack Benny- The Early Years: Author and Historian William Cairns gives a closer look at the early life and trials of Jack
2:45 PM – Remembering Eddie Carroll: Author Brad Strickland leads a tribute to Jack Benny impressionist and acting legend Eddie Carroll
4:00 PM – Jack keeps us in…. SUSPENSE- A Breakdown: Author and Historian Keith Scott sits down with Podcaster Zach Eastman to navigate the many appearances Jack made on radio’s great mystery show, SUSPENSE.
5:15 PM – “Whodunnit?”- A New Production by Jack West: In this fast-paced, gag-filled Jack Benny style radio comedy, Jack and Rochester find Jack’s beloved Stradivarius smashed on the floor. Jack calls for an emergency meeting of his cast of zany characters to root out the culprit. Written and Performed by Jack West.
6:15 PM – Benny After Party: The Benny convention kicks back for a candid chat following the convention.