The Fred Allen Show
The Studio's Dilemma
by
Fred Allen’s radio comedy centers on the sharp-witted comedian and his playful exchanges with his wife, Portland Hoffa. The program is especially remembered for Allen’s dry, self-aware humor and for turning the conventions of radio entertainment into part of the joke.
Alongside the studio banter, the show features comic sketches and recurring characters, with music and guest appearances adding variety. Allen’s exchanges with announcer Kenny Delmar, whose booming “Tis the voice of the neighborhood” character became a familiar feature, helped give the program a lively, unpredictable feel.
The humor is conversational and gently satirical, often poking fun at show business and everyday life. Its mix of character comedy, wordplay, and radio-world mischief makes the program an engaging example of classic American broadcast comedy.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.