I've been enjoying a set of CD's from the library featuring Fibber McGee and Molly. Its a 20 CD set with 41 episodes on it. Listening to it, I've learned that the voice of Bill Thompson was featured as Mr. Wallace Wimple using his trademark voice as Droopy the Dog, of animated cartoon fame. Also Gale Gordon was a regular cast member as Mayor LaTrivia, of the later TV fame as Mr. Mooney from the Lucy Show. Another regular cast member was The Great Gildersleeve, who later garnered his own radio show as a spinoff of Fibber McGee and Molly.
My question is, WHY didn't Vaudeville talents get more airplay on radio? Was it because most of their humor was lowbrow or considered "toilet humor", to use a modern term, or perhaps it was mostly a visual form of comedy, and not conducive to radio? Or was the US mentality of the time geared for "family" listening pleasure and none other? OR ... am I just blowing goats, and Vaudeville talent got plenty of airplay, and I just haven't heard it yet?
