Jack Benny PGM First Show of The Season Dennis is Leaving 09 26 1954

Review: The September 26, 1954 Jack Benny Program, Dennis is Leaving, kicked off the season with a hilarious “crisis” as Dennis Day’s mother tried to pull him off the show. It’s a classic Benny blend of mock drama, running gags, and razor-sharp timing that made the supposed departure of Dennis more of a comic showcase than a farewell.

🎙️ Entertaining Review of Dennis is Leaving (Sept. 26, 1954)

Setting the Stage
The episode was the first broadcast of the 1954–55 season, and Jack Benny wasted no time diving into absurdity. The premise: Dennis Day’s mother insists he quit the program, leaving Jack in a panic. Of course, Benny’s trademark stinginess and self-importance color every reaction, turning what could have been a sentimental goodbye into a farcical tug-of-war.

Highlights of the Comedy

Dennis Day’s innocence: Dennis plays his usual sweet, clueless self, caught between loyalty to Jack and obedience to his domineering mother. His cheerful delivery of bad news makes the “quitting” gag twice as funny.
Jack Benny’s exasperation: Jack milks the situation for laughs, portraying himself as both victim and negotiator. His mock despair is undercut by his ego—he’s less worried about losing Dennis than about how it reflects on him.
Supporting cast brilliance: Don Wilson, Rochester, and Mary Livingstone all add their trademark quips. Rochester’s sly commentary and Mary’s sharp wit keep Jack grounded in ridicule.
Running gag with contracts: Jack’s obsession with paperwork and money surfaces again, as he frets over Dennis leaving without proper “notice.” It’s a sly jab at Benny’s miser persona.
Musical interlude: Dennis delivers a song mid-show, reminding listeners why his voice was such a treasure. The contrast between his angelic singing and the comic chaos around him is pure Benny magic.

Why It Works
The genius of this episode lies in turning a potential cast shake-up into a meta-joke. Dennis Day had been with Benny since 1939, and the idea of him leaving was unthinkable. By playing it straight—while layering in ridiculous interruptions and Jack’s self-centered panic—the show reassures fans that Dennis isn’t really going anywhere, while giving them a hearty laugh at the very idea.

Final Verdict
Dennis is Leaving is a perfect season opener: it teases change, delivers laughs, and reaffirms the chemistry of the cast. Jack Benny’s ability to take a simple premise and spin it into 30 minutes of comic gold is on full display. Far from a farewell, it’s a reminder of why audiences tuned in year after year.