“Danny Kaye Is One Comedian Who Still Shies From Video”
Spokane Daily Chronicle – Oct. 12, 1953
By: Aline Mosby
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 10. (UP) – Danny Kaye is the only big-
So far the little home screens have claimed Red Skelton, Jack Benny, Fred Allen,
Groucho Marx and Martin and Lewis. Bob Hope has appeared on video; old-
Dramatic movie players from Loretta Young to Joan Crawford have launched TV programs and even Ava Gardner made a guest appearance.
But Danny has never once faced the TV cameras.
“The real reason I’ve never done television is I don’t know what kind of show I’d have,” he admitted as he and Bing Crosby rested on the sidelines of their movie set between scenes.
“I’m not exactly a comedian, but more of an entertainer.
“Then, I’m also busy with movies now and I want to return to doing performances on the stage.”
Kaye doesn’t think TV is such a terrific medium for comedians, anyway.
Standards Hard to Keep
“You just can’t give a weekly show, or even a monthly, or less than that, and come up to the standard you set for yourself,” he went on.
“You hit a peak and then don’t come up to it again for a while. There’s too wide a diversion between the comedy show you see on TV. You can’t maintain a standard year after year.
“TV’s here to stay, though,” he added. “I’ll eventually do one show, I guess, some year but not until I figure out what I’d do.”
Meantime he’s costarring with Crosby, Vera-