Life of Riley

The Life of Riley  -  Listen to Episodes, Below

William Bendix became typecast as Chester A. Riley, based on the popularity of the television show The Life of Riley.  However, like most good TV shows from the early 1950s, Riley had its origins in radio.

Riley was a typical blue-collar American factory worker.  His family consisted of wife, Peg; their son, Junior, and their daughter, Babs.  

The show was one of the few radio programs that dealt with domestic crises -- quite often financial difficulties were discussed -- but did so in a comedic format.  

The show became iconic in that it coined a couple of running gags that the American radio audience loved:  For instance, John Brown became wildly popular as a rather amusing character by the name of Digby (Digger) O'Dell, a friendly undertaker who, while an advisor to Riley, also seemed to be continually sizing him up as a future client.  "You're looking well, Riley.  Very natural!"

Also, Riley's catchphrase when things weren't going his way: "What a revoltin' predicament this turned out to be" turned into an oft-repeated phrase uttered across the continent.

Come and enjoy visiting with the Riley Family -- they are, after all, living the Life of Riley!