Vic and Sade on the Radio

Book excerpt: Vic and Sade, an often absurd situation comedy written by the prolific Paul Rhymer, aired on America's radios from 1932 to 1944 (with short-lived revivals afterward). The title characters, known as "radio's home folks," were a married couple exploring the comedic side of ordinary life along with their adopted son and an eccentric uncle. This book examines the program's depiction of many aspects of American culture--leisure activities, community groups, education, films--in light of the critiques put forward by the era's critics such as William Orton. Vic and Sade offered its own subtle cultural critique that reflected how ordinary people experienced mass culture of the time.