Good News of 1938 was to be _the_ spectacular radio show with all "name" talent.
It was the first time a national network (NBC) and a major film studio (MGM) joined to provide a commercial sponsor with a program.

First airing in November 1937, producers Metro Goldywn Mayer would make available all its stars so that each week a different gigantic cast would take listeners back stage and into the offices and dressing rooms of the studio.
Airing in the six o'clock Pacific time slot, they had a great lead in program from Rudy Valley and were up against Major Bowes and his amateurs on CBS.

Listener confusion about what product, MGM or Maxwell House Coffee, was being sold dictated some early changes and the show adopted a more "radio" format.
Credit for the improvement to the show can be given to Frank Morgan, Fanny Brice with her "Baby Snooks" character and master of ceremonies Robert Taylor having joined as regulars.

MGM's stars like Lionel Barrymore and Lew Ayers still made regular appearances in original playlets or previews of MGM's latest releases.

The second season premiered November 3, 1938 with Robert Young as master of ceremonies.
The final season, Good News of 1940, was shortened to 30 minutes and would feature the talents of Mary Martin.


1938-02-17
21:00
NBC
Good News Of 1938
Sponsored by Maxwell House
Season: 01
Episode: 16
Guest: Jack Benny
Runtime: 60 minutes

1st Sketch - Frank Morgan

Orch: Whistle While You Work

2nd Sketch - Baby Snooks "Telling Time"

Commercial

3rd Sketch - Jack Benny - This is Jack Snooks Benny talking - thanks Robert for appearing on the Jell-O show. Jack Offers some suggestions to improve the show.

Alan Jones - My Heaven On Earth

4th Sketch - Jack Benny, Robert Taylor - Kenny Baker is the antithesis of Alan Jones Taylor introduces Jack to some of the cast.

Always and Always

5th Sketch - Frank Morgan - Opening night of a Turkish Bath - Olympics

6th Sketch - Benny - who was that guy?

Good News - Station identification KFI Los Angeles

7th Sketch - Maurene O'Sullivan talks about "Yank At Oxford", Benny still giving suggestions 
Jack Conway introduced continues on about "Yank At Oxford" with Taylor.

Benny fiddles "Love In Bloom"
Merideth and Orchestra "Can't I"

8th Sketch - Dorry Shelly's "Epilogue To Love." with Maureen O'Sullivan and Lionel Barrymore

Alan Jones - Falling In Love With Someone 

Commercial

9th Sketch - Meridith got rid of Benny - Sent him to Fanny Brice's dressing room, Jack was expecting to Myrna Loy.
Benny and Brice running lines for a Three Musketeers sketch

MGM Concert Hall - Famous Melodies - Toselli's Serenade

Jack Benny would also appear on the Good News program. November 21, 1940.


Goldin:
45551. Good News Of 1938. February 17, 1938. Program #16. NBC net, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Maxwell House Coffee. Daddy tries to teach Baby Snooks how to tell time. 
Jack Conway, director of "A Yank At Oxford," appears. 
The cast does a skit called, "Epilogue To Love." 
Jack Benny tries to "improve" the program and does a torrid love scene with Fanny Brice!. 

Cast
Allan Jones (nm0427452), Fanny Brice (nm0108511), Frank Morgan (nm0604656), Hanley Stafford (nm0821288), Jack Benny (nm0000912), Jack Conway (nm0176699), Maureen O'Sullivan (nm0001577), Meredith Willson (nm0932745) and His Orchestra, Robert Taylor (nm0001791), Ted Pearson (nm0669396).