The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko of the United States Army. The series was created and largely written by Nat Hiken, and won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series. The show is sometimes titled Sergeant Bilko or simply Bilko in reruns, and is very often referred to by these names, both on-screen and by viewers. The show's success transformed Silvers from a journeyman comedian into a star, and writer-producer Hiken from a highly-regarded behind-the-scenes comedy writer into a publicly recognized creator.

The Phil Silvers Show poster

The Phil Silvers Show (1955)

★ 7.1/10 September 20, 1955 4 seasons

Comedy

Creator: Nat Hiken  ·  Writers: Billy Friedberg, Phil Sharp, Barry Blitzer, Tony Webster

The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko of the United States Army.

The series was created and largely written by Nat Hiken, and won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Series. The show is sometimes titled Sergeant Bilko or simply Bilko in reruns, and is very often referred to by these names, both on-screen and by viewers. The show's success transformed Silvers from a journeyman comedian into a star, and writer-producer Hiken from a highly-regarded behind-the-scenes comedy writer into a publicly recognized creator.

Creators

Nat Hiken Nat Hiken

Cast

Phil Silvers Phil Silvers Ernest Bilko Harvey Lembeck Harvey Lembeck Rocco Barbella Paul Ford Paul Ford John Hall Allan Melvin Allan Melvin Steve Henshaw Billy Sands Billy Sands Dino Paparelli Maurice Gosfield Maurice Gosfield Duane Doberman Herbie Faye Herbie Faye Sam Fender Terry Carter Terry Carter Private 'Sugie' Sugarman