Bickersons 1948 05 07 (33) The Cat Is Going To Have Kittens

# The Bickersons: "The Cat Is Going To Have Kittens"

Picture this: it's a humid May evening in 1948, and millions of Americans are settling in with their radios as the familiar theme music crackles to life. Tonight, John and Margie Bickerson face a domestic crisis that only they could turn into comedy gold—their cat is expecting kittens. What begins as a simple announcement spirals into a magnificent battle of wills, with John insisting the cat must go, while Margie transforms into a passionate animal rights crusader. Their rapid-fire exchanges—pitched perfectly between genuine exasperation and infectious affection—will have you laughing at the absurdity of married life, where even household pets become ammunition in an endless volley of witty accusations and defensive counterattacks.

Don Ameche and Frances Langford's chemistry was legendary, and by 1948, they had perfected their craft as America's favorite bickering couple. The Bickersons occupied a unique space in radio comedy—neither sentimental nor mean-spirited, but rather a mirror held up to real marriage, complete with petty grievances and unresolved tensions that somehow coexist with obvious devotion. This era, just after World War II, saw audiences eager for comedic relief from the anxieties of postwar adjustment, and the show's domestic sparring offered both escapism and recognition. The cat episode exemplifies the show's brilliance: taking the mundane reality of household life and spinning it into comedic theater.

Don't miss this gem from radio's golden age. Whether you're a longtime devotee of The Bickersons or discovering them for the first time, this episode captures everything that made the show essential listening—sharp writing, impeccable timing, and two performers who understood that the greatest comedy comes from truth. Tune in to hear how the Bickersons navigate the coming of new life in their household, one perfectly-timed insult at a time.