FRIDAY HALL OF FAMERS, MAY 08, 2020 - BLANCHE MORTON

George Burns:
You know, Blanche Morton is played by Bea Benaderet, and as Blanche Morton she's not supposed to like me, but off the stage as Bea Benaderet... she doesn't like me at all!

For our first Friday Hall of Famers entry into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame for May, 2020 when we celebrate the “Queens of May”, we have chosen a staple of Toobworld Life – the confidante to a show’s female lead, the best friend, and sometimes the partner in crime.

Probably people might think of Ethel Mertz of ‘I Love Lucy’ first, but I think she would be better served as a future “Queen of May” monthly showcase as she was such an archetype.

Instead, I’m going with a multiversal character who first came into existence in the Radio Universe….

BLANCHE MORTON

From the “Beverly Hillbillies” Wiki:
Beatrice "Bea" Benaderet (April 4, 1906 – October 13, 1968) was an American actress born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California. She appeared in a wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series 'Petticoat Junction' and 'Green Acres' as Shady Rest Hotel owner Kate Bradley, supporting roles as Blanche Morton in 'The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show' and as the voice of Betty Rubble during the first four seasons of 'The Flintstones', and in 'The Beverly Hillbillies' as Pearl Bodine.

From Wikipedia:
Bea Benaderet carried over from the radio show, portraying neighbor Blanche Morton. Her husband Harry Morton was first portrayed by Hal March (October–December 1950), and then by John Brown (January–June 1951), and after that, Fred Clark, until 1953 when the role was assumed by Larry Keating.

(I already covered those Recastaway Zonks about Harry Morton.  When he is eventually inducted into the Hall, it will be as Larry Keating.)

Here are the shows which qualified Blanche for membership in the TVXOHOF:

1953-1958
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show 292 episodes

1957
The Bob Cummings Show
- Bob Meets the Mortons (1957)

1959
The George Burns Show
25 episodes

Welcome to the Hall, Mrs. Morton.  You’ll find George already here and one day your husband Harry will be joining you as well.

Sorry about that….