G.I. Journal

G.I. Journal was an Armed Forces Radio Service program distributed via transcription for the entertainment of American forces during World War II. The show was set in the editorial offices of the G. I. Journal, a fictional newspaper for soldiers, Each week, different celebrities appeared playing the roles of editor and various staffers, such as reporters, editorial assistants, and so on. Comedy skits often had a newspaper related theme, as when Louella Parsons applied for a job as the Journal's gossip columnist.

Celebrities as diverse as Robert Benchley, Orson Welles, and Connie Haines appeared on the show. Various bands provided the music; often they were armed services bands, such as Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Training Command Orchestra, but civilian bands, such as Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge also appeared.

Mel Blanc had a recurring role as Private Sad Sack, based on the comic of the same name. In addition, the performers would sing songs and read letters and jokes submitted by the listeners, soldiers in the field, while recognizing their APO addresses or stations.

For more information, see the Old Time Radio Catalog.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.