THE BICKERSONS

For five years they fought, picked on each other, squabbled, and squawked. They were “The Bickersons,” America's most famous radio couple of the 1940s, portrayed by Don Ameche and Frances Langford. This digitally remastered reissue of six episodes ably demonstrates why. Listening to Ameche and Langford work their way through the tightly written scripts makes you understand why listeners flocked to hear their scathing sessions. The premise is always the same. John is victim of “contagious insomnia,” or “Schmoo's disease,” and many plots center on his snoring. Then they fight about everything from relatives to sexy friend Gloria Gooseby. It’s as funny today as it surely was 60 years ago. M.R.E. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 06]