The Phil Silvers Show 2.24

Bilko's Black Magic

Private Lester Mendleson, who was stuck on a deserted island near Japan for more than 10 years, is assigned to Bilko's platoon soon after he is found. Bilko doesn't want him until he learns that Mendleson is due $7,000 of backpay.

MSgt Grover and MSgt Ritzik get Mendleson to play poker with them. They take all his money in no time at all. Bilko comes up with a plan to scare Grover and Ritzik into giving the money back.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.23

Rock 'n' Roll Rookie

Elvin Pelvin, one of the hottest acts in the country, gets drafted into the US Army. The Army decides, after numrous failed attempts to place him at big bases, that the best place for him is at Fort Baxter in Bilko's platoon. Colonel Hall tries to talk them out of sending Pelvin to Fort Baxter but he loses the argument.

Bilko sees dollars signs when he learns that Pelvin will be joining his platoon. He 

tries to record Elvin singing, without his knowledge, but every attempt fails miserably. Bilko finally gets Elvin recorded only to have second thoughts about what he is doing.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.22

Son of Bilko

Sgt Bilko starts to regret not having any children after he runs into an old flame and meets her two teenage children. Ernie returns to Fort Baxter and promptly "adopts" Private Perkins, a newcomer to his platoon. Perkins delights in playing practical jokes on everyone including, eventually, his adoptive father.

Thoughts

Colonel Hall is not in this episode.

I get what they were going for here but this one lacked punch. It was clearly supposed to be funny but most of the humor felt forced and unearned.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.21

Bilko's Television Idea

Buddy Bickford, television star, comes to Fort Baxter to get some ideas for his next TV show. Bilko tries to sell him an idea he got from another soldier but Bickford thinks his own ideas are better. Bilko tricks Bickford into thinking that he has lost his touch and that what he needs is the script Bilko is trying to sell him

Thoughts

Bilko makes a passing remark about a TV show about a New York City bus driver. He must be referring to the Honeymooners although the show isn't mentioned by name.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.20

Bilko Enters Politics

Bilko talks Doberman into running for mayor of Roseville when Mayor Burke refuses to build a servicemen's center in Roseville. Doberman isn't allowed to campaign for himself so Bilko organizes others to campaign for him. Mayor Burke doesn't know what to do. He hasn't had an opponent in the past 15 years. Mr. Donelly, the local party boss, tries to help Mayor Burke but in the end Doberman decides to bow out of the race for mayor.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.19

Bilko Goes to Monte Carlo

Bilko comes up with a scheme to win at roulette. He convinces everyone he knows that the system is foolproof. He gathers up more than $5,000 from guys he knows. He is ready to go to Las Vegas when Colonel Hall forbids it.

Bilko instead winds up going to Monte Carlo. He gets a lot of help getting there from other soldiers and airmen. They all give him money with which to gamble  He gets to Monte Carlo, finds a casino, but then has second thoughts about gambling with other soldiers' money.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.18

Sergeant Bilko Presents Bing Crosby

Bilko hears that Bing Crosby will be passing through Kansas by car on his way from New York City to Hollywood. He calls Bing's office and gets him to agree to stop and make an appearance at Fort Baxter.

Bilko finds out that the visit has been canceled, the day before Bing Crosby is supposed to visit the base. Bilko has already sold more than $500 worth of tickets for Bing's appearance. He doesn't know what to do until he spots a guy who looks kind of like Bing Crosby.

Bilko hires Chester, the Bing Crosby-lookalike, to pretend to be Bing. The real Bing shows up in the end.

The Phil Silvers Show 2.17

Love That Guardhouse

MSgt Ritzik wins over $1500 dollars playing roulette in Las Vegas. He returns to Fort Baxter eager to use most of the money he won to play cards with MSgt Bilko.

Thoughts

Tom Poston played the Guard House Lieutenant. This is the second of two appearances that he made on the show. He previous appearance was in 2.05 (The Face on the Recruiting Poster).