Nitrate

The Phil Silvers Show

  • TV-PG
  • 1955–2001
  • 4 seasons
  • Comedy
  • 7.1

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.

Episodes

36 episodes
  1. 1Platoon in the Movies

    30 minSep 18, 1956

    The platoon is chosen to make a film about the correct use of the spark plug.

  2. 2It's For The Birds

    30 minSep 25, 1956

    Bilko looks around for an expert to go on the 64,000 Dollar quiz show on TV. He ends up with Pvt Honnegar who is an expert on wildlife, After surviving a loss of memory he wins the money but he has a surprise in store for Bilko

  3. 3Bilko Goes To College

    30 minOct 2, 1956

    When a local gangster insults the army Bilko takes a bet of 1000 -1 That the local College Schmill can beat Notra Dame in a football game. Nobody gives them a chance, but when Bilko gets to work on the press they start to believe that Schmill can win.

  4. 4The Girl From Italy

    30 minOct 9, 1956

    Rocco's brother refuses to marry a girl brought over from Italy so Bilko sets out to make him jealous and to change his mind

  5. 5The Face On The Recruiting Poster

    30 minOct 16, 1956

    Bilko hopes to get a handsome young recruit noticed by Hollywood so he tries to get the soldier's face on the new army recruiting poster. But first he must pass a test on the army and with Doberman coaching him a surprise is in store.

  6. 6Bilko's War Against Culture

    30 minOct 23, 1956

    When two special service officers come to educate the platoon the men promise Bilko they will not attend the lectures until they see who attractive the ladies are

  7. 7The Song Of The Motor Pool

    30 minOct 30, 1956

    Bilko looks for a song that the motor pool can adopt. He hears Paparelli singing one in the shower but it turns out that someone thought of it first

  8. 8Bilko's Engagement

    30 minNov 6, 1956

    After a mix up at the jewelers Bilko finds that Joan has been given an engagement ring and she thinks that they are to married. Bilko has to think fast of a way out.

  9. 9A Mess Sergeant Can't Win

    30 minNov 13, 1956

    Fed up with losing to Bilko all the time Mess Sgt Ritzik is leaving the army having saved up $400 to open a snack bar So Bilko devises a plan to repay all the money that he has won off Ritzik.

  10. 10Doberman's Sister

    30 minNov 20, 1956

    It's family day at Fort Baxter and all the platoon have invited their sister's. They all have date's except Doberman's so Bilko sets out to con Zimmerman into taking her out.

  11. 11Where There's A Will

    30 minNov 27, 1956

    A member of the platoon is cheated out of his share in his uncles will. The only thing he gets is a parrot so Bilko starts a rumor that the parrot holds the clue to a hidden treasure map.

  12. 12Bilko's Tax Trouble

    30 minDec 4, 1956

    Through an error Bilko is called before the tax people to explain his earnings

  13. 13Mink Incorporated

    30 minDec 11, 1956

    After Bilko loses 100 dollars of the platoons welfare fund on a horse, he tries to get the money back, by starting a mink farm, but the mink's refuse to breed.

  14. 14Sergeant Bilko Presents Ed Sullivan

    30 minDec 18, 1956

    When TV host Ed Sullivan tries to put on ‘A Salute to the Army' show, the talent scout leaves Bilko out to start with, but when the producer decides to use a jeep in the finale, they turn Bilko to organise things, but he tries to change the show to suit himself.

  15. 15Bilko Gets Some Sleep

    30 minDec 25, 1956

    Unable to sleep Bilko goes to the camp psychiatrist for advice. He is told to give up gambling and women.

  16. 16The Blue Blood Of The Bilko's

    30 minJan 8, 1957

    A sergeant from Fort Baxter is to be excluded from his son's wedding to an heiress. They only want officers to attend so Bilko decides to change their minds

  17. 17Love That Guardhouse

    30 minJan 15, 1957

    After winning 1500 dollars in Las Vegas, Ritzik is desperate to play poker with Bilko, so the Colonel locks him up in the guardhouse for his own protection.

  18. 18Sergeant Bilko Presents Bing Crosby

    30 minJan 22, 1957

    Bilko promotes a show starring Bing Crosby, but when Bing suddenly fails to show up, Bilko has to find a lookalike as a replacement.

  19. 19Bilko Goes To Monte Carlo

    30 minJan 29, 1957

    Bilko comes up with a foolproof method of winning at roulette, so all the camp come up with a bankroll and send him off Monte Carlo to try it out.

  20. 20Bilko Enters Politics

    30 minFeb 5, 1957

    When the plan for a new serviceman's center is turned down by the mayor Bilko gets Doberman to run for Mayor. When it looks like Doberman will win, the campaign manager makes a deal with Bilko to build the center if Doberman will drop out

  21. 21Bilko's Television Idea

    30 minFeb 12, 1957

    When T.V. star Buddy Bickford come to Fort Baxter to research background for a new television show. Bilko tries to sell him a T.V. idea of his own.

  22. 22The Son Of Bilko

    30 minFeb 26, 1957

    A young practical joker joins the platoon and drives everybody crazy until Bilko finds a way to give give him a taste of his own medicine.

  23. 23Rock 'n' Roll Rookie

    30 minMar 5, 1957

    When singer Elvin Pelvin joins the platoon, Bilko sees a way to make money but he can't get him to sing.

  24. 24Bilko's Black Magic

    30 minMar 19, 1957

    When Pvt Mendleson who has been lost in the jungle for years receives $7000 in back pay he loses it to Grover and Ritzik in a poker game. Bilko uses their fear of black magic to get his money back.

  25. 25Bilko Goes South

    30 minMar 26, 1957

    During a cold spell the platoon think that they are entering a singing contest which will be held in Florida, but instead they take part in a dangerous medical experiment.

  26. 26Bilko Goes Around The World

    30 minApr 2, 1957

    After watching ' Around the World in 80 Days ' Bilko calls the producer Mike Todd and suggests that to publicize the film he offer a prize to the first person who can do the same.

  27. 27The Mess Hall Mess

    30 minApr 9, 1957

    Bilko has dinner at a French restaurant and finds an old recipe that will win a prize in a competition to find a brand new American recipe.

  28. 28The Secret Life Of Sergeant Bilko

    30 minApr 16, 1957

    An investigative reporter tries to find evidence that American soldiers are giving away defense secrets. Bilko gets to hear and helps the reporter out

  29. 29Radio Station B.I.L.K.O.

    30 minApr 23, 1957

    When the local radio station is to close down Bilko sees a good way to make money using army equipment

  30. 30Bilko the Marriage Broker

    30 minApr 30, 1957

    When Lt Wallace gets transferred to become Bilko's platoon officer he works them hard all day. So they try and get him to fall for a new WAC officer Lt Rogers but he doesn't seem to be interested but unknown to Bilko the two officers are having a secret affair and no one is to find out.

  31. 31Bilko Acres

    30 minMay 7, 1957

    When Bilko thinks that the camp is being enlarged he buys swamp land next door hoping to make a killing only to find that the camp is being slimmed down. Trying to recoup his money he tries to sell it as building land but first he has to kill all the mosquitoes in the swamp and he gives the job to Doberman with unfortunate repercussions

  32. 32The Big Scandal

    30 minMay 14, 1957

    Bilko tries to hypnotize Ritzik, but it's Doberman who falls under the influence and he tells the Colonel's wife that he loves her

  33. 33Bilko's Perfect Day

    30 minMay 21, 1957

    For once everything goes right for Bilko, from hot showers in the morning, to picking all the winners in a horse race, but by the time he realizes it the day is over.

  34. 34The Colonel Breaks Par

    30 minMay 28, 1957

    Bilko wants the Colonel away from the camp so he can operate without obstruction he decides to get the Colonel to enter a golf tournament in Palm Springs but the Colonel doesn't think he is good enough to play. So Bilko gets Sam Snead to act as a golf novice and for Bilko to give him some golf lessons while the Colonel is watching.

  35. 35Show Segments

    30 minJun 4, 1957

    The cast meet in Lindy's restaurant to watch scenes edited out of previous shows. Nat Hiken felt these outtakes were too good to end up on the cutting room floor and compiled them into what is possibly television's first 'clip show'.

  36. 36His Highness Doberman

    30 minJun 11, 1957

    Doberman is dating the daughter of a Roseville millionaire, but when her parents find out that he is just another soldier they refuse permission for them to marry.

Where to watch The Phil Silvers Show

Not currently streaming in United States

No streaming service is listing it right now. Availability changes often — check back soon.

Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB.

Series cast

Phil SilversErnest Bilko144 episodes
Harvey LembeckRocco Barbella144 episodes
Paul FordJohn Hall144 episodes
Allan MelvinSteve Henshaw144 episodes
Billy SandsDino Paparelli144 episodes
Maurice GosfieldDuane Doberman144 episodes
Herbie FayeCpl. Sam Fender (uncredited)144 episodes
Terry CarterPrivate 'Sugie' Sugarman74 episodes
Joe E. RossRupert Ritzik6 episodes
Larry Storch2 episodes
Al LewisBruno the Mobster2 episodes
George KennedyKennedy (uncredited)2 episodes
Eric FlemingPrivate Mike McLusty2 episodes
Clifton JamesState Trooper (uncredited)2 episodes
Kay Kendall1 episode
Fred Gwynne1 episode
Ed Sullivan1 episode
Yogi Berra1 episode

More like thisShows TMDB viewers also watched