The Jim Backus Show is a 39-episode American television sitcom that aired in broadcast syndication in 1960 and 1961. The series was also known as Hot Off the Wire.[1]

The Jim Backus Show
Jim Backus as Mike O'Toole.
StarringJim Backus
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes39
Production
Running time30 minutes
Production companyCalifornia National Productions
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication
ReleaseOctober 6, 1960 (1960-10-06) –
July 11, 1961 (1961-07-11)

Premise

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The program focuses on Backus in the role of Mike O'Toole, the editor/proprietor of a low rent wire service struggling to stay in business.

Cast

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Episodes

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No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"The Mad Bomber"John FloreaJohn L. GreeneOctober 6, 1960 (1960-10-06)
2"The Patriots"Bretaigne WindustDick Conway & Roland MacLaneOctober 25, 1960 (1960-10-25)
3"Mike O'Toole, Angler"Gene ReynoldsJoseph QuillanNovember 1, 1960 (1960-11-01)
4"South Hampton Story"James SheldonBill Danch & Tedd PierceNovember 8, 1960 (1960-11-08)
5"No Help Wanted"Gene ReynoldsDick Chevillat & Jay SommersNovember 15, 1960 (1960-11-15)
6"The Marry-Go-Round"Christian NybyRay SingerNovember 15, 1960 (1960-11-15)
7"The Nephew"Hollingsworth MorseDavid Chandler & Don QuinnNovember 22, 1960 (1960-11-22)
8"Baby, Come Home"Ralph LevyBill Danch & Tedd PierceNovember 29, 1960 (1960-11-29)
9"The Frame Up"Christian NybyDick Chevillat & Ray SingerDecember 6, 1960 (1960-12-06)
10"Painting Caper"Howard W. KochDick Chevillat & Ray SingerDecember 13, 1960 (1960-12-13)
11"The Three Sisters"James SheldonJess Carneol & Kay LenardDecember 16, 1960 (1960-12-16)
12"Uncle Chester"Alan Crosland Jr.Bill Davenport & Charles TannenDecember 20, 1960 (1960-12-20)
13"Crime a la Carte"Theodore J. FlickerBill Danch & John L. GreeneDecember 27, 1960 (1960-12-27)
14"The Desk"Howard W. KochBill Danch & Tedd PierceDecember 27, 1960 (1960-12-27)
15"Piano Prodigy"Christian NybyHendrik VollaertsJanuary 10, 1961 (1961-01-10)
16"Mike Cheats a Cheater"James SheldonPeggy Chantler Dick & William CowleyJanuary 17, 1961 (1961-01-17)
17"Meet Melvin"Ben Feiner Jr.George Atkins & Bob OgleJanuary 24, 1961 (1961-01-24)
18"The Woman's Touch"Christian NybyStory by : Robert A. Cinader,
Teleplay by : Marvin Marx & Manny Manheim
January 31, 1961 (1961-01-31)
19"Sidney's Scoop"Hollingsworth MorsePeggy Elliott & Tedd PierceFebruary 7, 1961 (1961-02-07)
20"The Hypnotist"Ben Feiner Jr.Bill Danch & Tedd PierceFebruary 14, 1961 (1961-02-14)
21"Once Upon a Moose"Christian NybyHarry Crane & John TackaberryFebruary 21, 1961 (1961-02-21)
22"Pinkmalion"Alan Crosland Jr.Bill Davenport & Charles TannenDecember 28, 1961 (1961-12-28)
23"When a Body Meets a Body"Sidney SalkowGeorge Atkins, John O'Dea,
Bob Ogle & Sidney Salkow
March 7, 1961 (1961-03-07)
24"Arabian Night"James SheldonWalter BlackMarch 14, 1961 (1961-03-14)
25"Old Army Game"Christian NybyStory by : Robert A. Cinader
Teleplay by : Stanley Davis & Elon Packard
March 21, 1961 (1961-03-21)
26"The Fix"Arthur LubinArthur AlsbergApril 4, 1961 (1961-04-04)
27"Sad Sack Santa"Harvey HartSam Locke & Joel RappApril 11, 1961 (1961-04-11)
28"The Plant"James SheldonStory by : Jay Sommers,
Teleplay by : Carol & Joseph Cavella
April 18, 1961 (1961-04-18)
29"The Temporary Scoundrel"Theodore J. FlickerThomas Knickerbocker & Mort R. LewisApril 25, 1961 (1961-04-25)
30"Floundered in Florida"UnknownUnknownMay 2, 1961 (1961-05-02)
31"Dear Minnie"UnknownUnknownMay 9, 1961 (1961-05-09)
32"In the Rough"UnknownUnknownMay 16, 1961 (1961-05-16)
33"Dora's Vacation"UnknownUnknownMay 23, 1961 (1961-05-23)
34"The Birthday Boy"UnknownUnknownMay 30, 1961 (1961-05-30)
35"War Bride"UnknownUnknownJune 13, 1961 (1961-06-13)
36"The Texas Tycoon"UnknownUnknownJune 20, 1961 (1961-06-20)
37"Gift for Grandma"UnknownUnknownJune 27, 1961 (1961-06-27)
38"O'Toole and Son"Christian NybyStanley Davis & Elon PackardJuly 4, 1961 (1961-07-04)
39"Farewell to Dora"UnknownUnknownJuly 11, 1961 (1961-07-11)

References

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  1. ^ TV Guide Guide to TV. Barnes & Noble. 2004. ISBN 0-7607-5634-1.
  2. ^ "The Woman's Touch". 1960.
  3. ^ "Floundered in Florida on The Jim Backus Show". IMDb. May 2, 1961. Retrieved August 7, 2016.