September 7, 1950 - June 13, 1951, CBS. 30 minutes, Sundays at 7:30 for two weeks, then Wednesdays at 9:00. CBS SUSTAINING (Some later shows sponsored by US Armed Forces)

Honest Harold was created by Harold Peary after his departure from The Great Gildersleeve in mid-1950. The show failed to gain any measure of an audience in its lone season,. Its failure was much discussed at the time and was attributed to several factors. Willard Waterman was considered excellent as the new Gildersleeve, and in Honest Harold Peary seemed to be hanging onto too many Gildersleeve elements. Peary had professed boredom with the role, but emerged on the rival network with a strong sound-alike, complete with the famous dirty laugh.

As Honest Harold Hemp, he lived with his mother and nephew and did a homemaker’s program on the air. Among his friends was Doc "Yak Yak" Yancy, a strange cross between the crustiness of Judge Hooker and the nasal whine of Mr. Peavey, both notable Gildersleeve characters. Peary sang frequently; the show opened with the dirty laugh and closed with Peary giving background dialogue over credits, all Gildersleeve throwbacks. Despite the negative ratings and the general negative attitude of the critics, Harold was the near-equal of Gildersleeve in several respects. Shows on tape reveal funny writing and well-drawn characters, and the supporting cast and production crew were first-rate.

STARS: Harold Peary, Gloria Holiday, Joseph Kearns, Mary Jane Croft, Parley Baer

SCRIPTS: Harold Peary, Gene Stone, Jack Robinson, Bill Danch

DIRECTOR: Norman MacDonnell MUSIC: Jack Meakin ANNCR: Bob Lamond

Series is complete in 38 shows including audition.

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08-23-50, Audition Show

Sundays at 7PM

09-17-50, Harold Loses His Job at the Radio Station (same storyline as audition)

09-24-50, Plan to Rename Boomer Park

Show moves to Wednesdays at 9 PM

10-04-50, Advertising Shark Repellant Powder on the Radio Show

10-11-50, Harold Falls for a Chanteuse

10-18-50, The Runaway Boy

10-25-50, Harold's Campaign Speech

11-01-50, Harold Decides He Wants to Lose the Election

11-08-50, Cousin Raymond Visits

11-15-50, Getting a Job for Raymond

11-22-50, Thanksgiving Play

12-06-50, Harold Meets "The Hummer"

12-13-50, Harold Helps Raymond and Gloria Go to the Dance

12-20-50, Santa at the Children's Christmas Party

12-27-50, New Years Barn Dance

01-03-51, Mrs. O'Day's Warbleware Party

01-10-51, Harold Loses His Sponsor and Tries a New Show

01-17-51, Harold Thinks of Going to New York

01-24-51, Harold Gets Engaged …… Twice

01-31-51, Civic Achievement Award

02-07-51, Harold's Mother Has a Suitor

02-14-51, Mistaken Valentines

02-21-51, Florabelle Returns

02-28-51, Willis Can't Pass the Physical

03-07-51, Red Cross Drive

03-14-51, Income Tax

03-21-51, Cousin Marvin Comes to Stay-Peary's 10,000th Broadcast

03-28-51, Cousin Marvin's First Day of School

04-04-51, Modernizing Doc's Office

04-11-51, [No Program?]

04-18-51, Harold Decides to Clean out the Cellar

04-25-51, Circus Day

05-02-51, Marvin's Gang

05-09-51, Harold and Mr. Walker Vie for Class

05-16-51, Does Florabelle Have a New Lover?

05-23-51, Marvin Is Invited to a Party

05-30-51, Harold Is Marshall for a Day

06-06-51, Peabody's Sister Takes over the Radio Station

06-13-51, Marvin Decides to Stay with Harold (final show of the series)