The Red Skelton Show

The Barber of Schlemiel

English · Humor, Radio

The Red Skelton Show brings comedian Red Skelton’s character-driven humor to radio. Skelton was known for creating a gallery of comic personalities, and the program centers on his lively performance and knack for shifting between voices and comic situations.

The show combines comedy sketches with the rhythms of a variety program, offering a mix of character humor and performance rather than a single continuous story. Its title, “The Barber of Schlemiel,” points to a comic premise, while the radio format lets dialogue and vocal characterization carry the scene.

Skelton’s warm, playful style gives the program an easygoing feel, with humor built around recognizable comic types and verbal timing. It’s a chance to hear a major radio comedian turn a simple setup into an entertaining performance.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.