The pun works better with a woman sale clerk than with Frank Nelson because people talk about women’s “figures.” The word “figure” is seldom used to describe a man.
It’s not generally well remembered but “The Jack Benny Program” (it was never called a “show”) usually featured a lot of snarky service people. At least they were snarky towards Jack and generally (except for Frank Nelson) with good reason. He’d usually do his shopping at the now defunct May Company store in Los Angeles, where Mary Livingston – in real life as well as on the show – had worked before marrying him and going into show business, so the staff there was friendly to her. Not so much to him. In his Christmas shopping shows he’d try to buy something from a female clerk, usually played by Bea Benaderette although sometimes in the TV show Barbara Pepper (who played Doris Ziffel on “Green Acres”) would take on the role. The character would generally get frustrated dealing with Benny (although never as frustrated as the clerk Mel Blanc played who had to deal with Benny changing his mind about the gift he was giving Don Wilson) and eventually unleashing a putdown.
Rod Gonzalez over 7 years ago
All we need is for the pushy salesclerk to come up to Slim and say “Yessss?”
cpalmeresq over 7 years ago
In my opinion, all that was missing was a drum riff! Very funny, Jim!
Lyons Group, Inc. over 7 years ago
Wonder if she’s any relation to Frank Nelson?
Neil Wick over 7 years ago
The pun works better with a woman sale clerk than with Frank Nelson because people talk about women’s “figures.” The word “figure” is seldom used to describe a man.
battle of plattsburgh over 7 years ago
The customer is always right.
bmckee over 7 years ago
It’s not generally well remembered but “The Jack Benny Program” (it was never called a “show”) usually featured a lot of snarky service people. At least they were snarky towards Jack and generally (except for Frank Nelson) with good reason. He’d usually do his shopping at the now defunct May Company store in Los Angeles, where Mary Livingston – in real life as well as on the show – had worked before marrying him and going into show business, so the staff there was friendly to her. Not so much to him. In his Christmas shopping shows he’d try to buy something from a female clerk, usually played by Bea Benaderette although sometimes in the TV show Barbara Pepper (who played Doris Ziffel on “Green Acres”) would take on the role. The character would generally get frustrated dealing with Benny (although never as frustrated as the clerk Mel Blanc played who had to deal with Benny changing his mind about the gift he was giving Don Wilson) and eventually unleashing a putdown.
georgestrum5 over 7 years ago
Slim with his size 44" waist which I also happened to be. My New Year’s resolution is to loose some weight.