Was TOP CAT based on Phil Silvers? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TV DVD Fan · 06-10-2007, 11:17 PM

I just purchased TOP CAT- The Complete Series (I still haven't received it yet and it's basically a blind buy because I've only seen one episode on a previously purchased CARTOON CRACK-UPS disc (I liked what I saw)). From what I have seen of TC, it seems to me like the title character has a bit of Bilko in him: same kind of voice and attitude that could make a nail-eating prize-fighter into a scared sissy schoolgirl, and all of his basic mannerisms. The conniving nature, the cunning, the smarts--- anybody else second this?

caladon · 06-11-2007, 12:06 AM

You're absolutely right. Top Cat was greatly influenced by the Bilko Show and is actually considered a parody of the show. And probably the most unique Top Cat/Bilko connection is the fact that the character Benny the Ball was voiced by Bilko regular Maurice Gosfield; who played private Duane Doberman.

TV DVD Fan · 07-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Yeah I realized that. Actually I ended up answering my own question when I bought the show's DVD (TOP CAT) and one of the fun facts included was that the show was based greatly on Nat Hiken's brainchild.

TV Knowledge Fan · 07-02-2007, 04:38 PM

....and, according to Joe Barbera's autobiography, Michael O'Shea was originally supposed to be "T.C.'s" voice. But he didn't perform "well enough" in front of the recording mike, so Barbera (who directed the voice talent in those recording sessions) had to bring in Arnold Stang, who could sound a bit like Phil Silvers when he had to.

TV DVD Fan · 07-05-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

....and, according to Joe Barbera's autobiography, Michael O'Shea was originally supposed to be "T.C.'s" voice. But he didn't perform "well enough" in front of the recording mike, so Barbera (who directed the voice talent in those recording sessions) had to bring in Arnold Stang, who could sound a bit like Phil Silvers when he had to.

Arnold did a great job sounding like Phil--- I just wasn't entirely sure that he was supposed to be sounding like him before I got the DVD set and these replies!

Lee G · 07-05-2007, 01:50 PM

I dislike the Bilko show, but I bought the Top Cat DVD's because I like many of the Hanna Barbera cartoons (Flintstones, Jetsons, etc.) But after watching some Top Cat episodes, I dislike those almost as much as the Bilko episodes. But that's alright. It's not like the DVD's cost a fortune. They're good for a few chuckles, but not much more.

TV DVD Fan · 10-13-2007, 09:22 PM

Bilko is the kind of show where there can only be two types of views on the show: either you love it or you hate it. It's kind of humor is only pleasing to most people if they like crafty and deceptive humor. If you're more for slapstick, it's best to just stick to I LOVE LUCY and other sitcoms. Phil's humor was much more complex and often times there weren't many snappy one-liners, whereas some of my other favorites such as ILL and THE HONEYMOONERS often relied on broader laughs with more one-liners. I just happen to be the person who loves BILKO because I can appreciate that kind of comedy just as much as the standard traditional sitcom's comedy or the deadpan stylings of Bob Newhart, or the sarcastic humor of FAMILY GUY or SEINFELD.

PLEATS!! · 10-27-2011, 06:08 PM

I enjoyed both Bilko and top cat in my youth. the similarities are clear

MrCleveland · 10-27-2011, 08:45 PM

Of Course Sgt. Bilko was the origin of Top Cat, like The Honeymooners were the origin of The Flinstones.

I never saw Sgt. Bilko, but I know who Phil Silvers is (He was on "The Dick van Dyke Show").

06-10-2007, 11:17 PM	#1
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	Was TOP CAT based on Phil Silvers? I just purchased TOP CAT- The Complete Series (I still haven't received it yet and it's basically a blind buy because I've only seen one episode on a previously purchased CARTOON CRACK-UPS disc (I liked what I saw)). From what I have seen of TC, it seems to me like the title character has a bit of Bilko in him: same kind of voice and attitude that could make a nail-eating prize-fighter into a scared sissy schoolgirl, and all of his basic mannerisms. The conniving nature, the cunning, the smarts--- anybody else second this?
	__________________ Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Sarah Connor: Maybe if you spend your life hiding who you are, you might finally end up fooling yourself. - From the episode "Gnothi Seauton."

06-11-2007, 12:06 AM	#2
caladon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Massachusetts state home for the bewildered Posts: 1,151	You're absolutely right. Top Cat was greatly influenced by the Bilko Show and is actually considered a parody of the show. And probably the most unique Top Cat/Bilko connection is the fact that the character Benny the Ball was voiced by Bilko regular Maurice Gosfield; who played private Duane Doberman.
	Last edited by caladon; 07-02-2007 at 02:14 PM.

07-02-2007, 04:38 PM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Yes, "TOP CAT" IS a "variation" of "Bilko".... ....and, according to Joe Barbera's autobiography, Michael O'Shea was originally supposed to be "T.C.'s" voice. But he didn't perform "well enough" in front of the recording mike, so Barbera (who directed the voice talent in those recording sessions) had to bring in Arnold Stang, who could sound a bit like Phil Silvers when he had to.

10-27-2011, 08:45 PM	#9
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	Of Course Sgt. Bilko was the origin of Top Cat, like The Honeymooners were the origin of The Flinstones. I never saw Sgt. Bilko, but I know who Phil Silvers is (He was on "The Dick van Dyke Show").
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

07-02-2007, 01:48 PM	#3
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	Yeah I realized that. Actually I ended up answering my own question when I bought the show's DVD (TOP CAT) and one of the fun facts included was that the show was based greatly on Nat Hiken's brainchild.

07-05-2007, 01:50 PM	#6
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	I dislike the Bilko show, but I bought the Top Cat DVD's because I like many of the Hanna Barbera cartoons (Flintstones, Jetsons, etc.) But after watching some Top Cat episodes, I dislike those almost as much as the Bilko episodes. But that's alright. It's not like the DVD's cost a fortune. They're good for a few chuckles, but not much more.

10-13-2007, 09:22 PM	#7
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	Bilko is the kind of show where there can only be two types of views on the show: either you love it or you hate it. It's kind of humor is only pleasing to most people if they like crafty and deceptive humor. If you're more for slapstick, it's best to just stick to I LOVE LUCY and other sitcoms. Phil's humor was much more complex and often times there weren't many snappy one-liners, whereas some of my other favorites such as ILL and THE HONEYMOONERS often relied on broader laughs with more one-liners. I just happen to be the person who loves BILKO because I can appreciate that kind of comedy just as much as the standard traditional sitcom's comedy or the deadpan stylings of Bob Newhart, or the sarcastic humor of FAMILY GUY or SEINFELD.

10-27-2011, 06:08 PM	#8
PLEATS!! Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 4	I enjoyed both Bilko and top cat in my youth. the similarities are clear