Making mirth in the military

Television has a long and distinguished history of mining life in the military for laughs. One of the earliest examples of the military comedy was “The Phil Silvers Show.” Airing on CBS from 1955 to 1959, this satire of life in the service followed the machinations of Master Sgt. Ernie Bilko (played by Silvers), a loud, brash con artist who could talk his way out of any situation and gamble with the best of them, at the fictional Fort Baxter in Kansas. Much of the comedy derived from the uber-resourceful Bilko’s various money-making schemes and ability to outsmart his commanding officer, Col. Hall (Paul Ford). His attitude filtered down to the most of the men in his platoon, who also circumvented regulations and ran roughshod over the others. The series served as a launching pad for talent who would go on to prolific comedy careers, including character actor Harvey Lembeck, Allan Melvin (“Archie Bunker’s Place”) and Joe E. Ross (“Car 54, Where Are You?”). Viewers can catch “The Phil Silvers Show” late nights on Decades.