Jay Sommers
Encyclopedia
Jay Sommers was a producer, director and comedy writer whose career spanned four decades. He wrote more than 90 television comedy episodes, produced 63, and had a major responsibility for creating the Green Acres
television show. He also did the writing for and executive produced Petticoat Junction
during its second and third seasons, and also worked for The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
.
In 1940, he got a break by being brought in to write for a Milton Berle
radio show. (Berle at the time was one of the most popular radio personalities.) He wrote for Eddie Cantor
and Red Skelton
on the radio, and for the radio comedy series Lum and Abner
.
In 1950, he was the producer, writer and director for the Granby’s Green Acres radio show. Although it only ran for two months, it was highly similar to the highly successful Green Acres television show that he created 15 years later, where he was the main producer and writer.
His first television work was in 1955, as a writer for The Great Gildersleeve
. He wrote three episodes of Hello, Larry
toward the end of his life. He is credited for the story and screenplay for the movie Gordy
, released 10 years after his death.
Green Acres
Green Acres is an American television series starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm...
television show. He also did the writing for and executive produced Petticoat Junction
Petticoat Junction
Petticoat Junction is an American situation comedy produced by Filmways which originally aired on CBS from 1963 to 1970. The series is one of three interrelated shows about rural characters created by Paul Henning; the others are The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres.The setting for the series...
during its second and third seasons, and also worked for The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952 to September 3, 1966, starring the real life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television where it continued its success, running on both radio and TV for a couple of years...
.
In 1940, he got a break by being brought in to write for a Milton Berle
Milton Berle
Milton Berlinger , better known as Milton Berle, was an American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater , in 1948 he was the first major star of U.S. television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr...
radio show. (Berle at the time was one of the most popular radio personalities.) He wrote for Eddie Cantor
Eddie Cantor
Eddie Cantor was an American "illustrated song" performer, comedian, dancer, singer, actor and songwriter...
and Red Skelton
Red Skelton
Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton was an American comedian who is best known as a top radio and television star from 1937 to 1971. Skelton's show business career began in his teens as a circus clown and went on to vaudeville, Broadway, films, radio, TV, night clubs and casinos, all while pursuing...
on the radio, and for the radio comedy series Lum and Abner
Lum and Abner
Lum and Abner was an American radio comedy network program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff that aired from 1931 to 1954. Modeled on life in the small town of Waters, Arkansas, near where Lauck and Goff grew up, the showed proved immensely popular...
.
In 1950, he was the producer, writer and director for the Granby’s Green Acres radio show. Although it only ran for two months, it was highly similar to the highly successful Green Acres television show that he created 15 years later, where he was the main producer and writer.
His first television work was in 1955, as a writer for The Great Gildersleeve
The Great Gildersleeve
The Great Gildersleeve , initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, was one of broadcast history's earliest spin-off programs. Built around Throckmorton Philharmonic Gildersleeve, a character who had been a staple on the classic radio situation comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, first Introduced to...
. He wrote three episodes of Hello, Larry
Hello, Larry
Hello, Larry is an American sitcom which aired on NBC from January 26, 1979, to April 30, 1980.-First season:Larry Alder is a radio talk show host who left Los Angeles after being divorced and moved to Portland, Oregon, with his two teenage daughters, Diane and...
toward the end of his life. He is credited for the story and screenplay for the movie Gordy
Gordy
Gordy is a 1995 feature film about a piglet who searches for his missing family...
, released 10 years after his death.