Mr. Television

In a shambles of sight gags, unfinished sentences and self-applause, Milton Berle last week returned to TV. Before a banner screaming: "Welcome back, Mr. Television," he raced through a brilliantly paced and enthusiastically vulgar show (Tues. 8 p.m., NBC-TV). There were some better-than-usual jokes (Berle poking his head between the curtains to ask drowsily: "Porter--what station is this?"), and plenty of corny ones (the first stooge to come onstage spit water in Berle's eye). But, as usual, whatever Comic Berle said or did reduced the studio audience to helpless shrieks of laughter. Even Berle's spectacular records of last year were in danger. Sindlinger researchers made the popeyed announcement that of all Philadelphia's TV sets, 80% were tuned to Berle and only 3.6% to other shows.

Of the other networks, only CBS even tried special competition. In the hour-long spot opposite Berle, CBS was trying an all-Negro show called Uptown Jubilee, a succession of variety acts enlivened by Maxine Sullivan and a visually exciting ballet troupe.

But Berle, who seemed more popular than presidents or prize fights, apparently was taking no chances on losing any viewers, even to Uptown Jubilee. Duke Ellington was a guest on his opening show. Announced for the second: Dodger Jackie Robinson and Dancer Bill Robinson.

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