The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

About The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet radio show When Red Skelton was drafted in March 1944, Ozzie Nelson was prompted to create his own family situation comedy. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched October 8, 1944, on CBS, it moved to NBC in October 1948, then made a late season switch back to CBS in April 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949, to June 18, 1954. In total 402 radio episodes were produced. In an arrangement that exemplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television, the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network the option to move their program to television. The struggling network needed proven talent that was not about to defect to the more established and wealthier networks like CBS or NBC. The Nelsons' sons, David, and Ricky did not join the cast until the radio show's fifth year (initially appearing on the February 20, 1949, episode, at ages 12 and 8, respectively). The two boys were played by professional actors prior to their joining because both were too young to perform. The role of David was played by Joel Davis from 1944 until 1945 when he was replaced by Tommy Bernard. Henry Blair appeared as Ricky. Other cast members included John Brown as Syd "Thorny" Thornberry, Lurene Tuttle as Harriet's mother, Bea Benaderet as Gloria, Janet Waldo as Emmy Lou, and Francis "Dink" Trout as Roger. Vocalists included Harriet Nelson, The King Sisters, and Ozzie Nelson. The announcers were Jack Bailey and Verne Smith. The music was by Billy May and Ozzie Nelson. The producers were Dave Elton and Ozzie Nelson. The show's sponsors included International Silver Company (1944–49), H.J. Heinz Company (1949–52) and Lambert Pharmacal's Listerine (1952–54).

Publisher

Entertainment Radio

Category

comedy

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Mar 2022

Latest episode

22 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

81 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Aug 2026

   Boys Night Out

2. 

   18 Aug 2026

   New Dress Suprise

3. 

   7 Aug 2022

   Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet - 1954-02-19 #385 Come As You Are

   When Red Skelton was drafted in March 1944, Ozzie Nelson was prompted to create his own family situation comedy. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched October 8, 1944, on CBS, it moved to NBC in October 1948, then made a late season switch back to CBS in April 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949, to June 18, 1954. In total 402 radio episodes were produced. In an arrangement that exemplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television, the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network the option to move their program to television. The struggling network needed proven talent that was not about to defect to the more established and wealthier networks like CBS or NBC.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

8 ratings

Contact The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

• 

  Ozzie and Harriet - Bedtime Radio

• 

  GSMC Classics: Ozzie and Harriet

• 

  Ozzie and Harriet - Classic Radio

• 

  Father Knows Best

• 

  Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)