Radio: New Shows, Dec. 10, 1951

Most people would assume that singers were born to sing. But TVmen are likely to see things a little differently. In two of three new television shows, the singers are almost buried under plot and counterplot, characterization and attempted comedy.

The RCA Victor Show (Fri. 8 p.m., NBC) is a 30-minute showcase for Ezio Pinza, dedicated to "elegance, romance and urbane living." Pinza is occasionally permitted to burst into song, but mostly performs as a monologuist, a timorous lover, and a straight man for visiting comics, e.g., Lew Parker, Bert Lahr.

Those Two (Mon., Wed., Fri., 7:30 p.m., NBC) employs six writers to help Singer Vivian (Guys and Dolls) Blaine get through a 15-minute show. In the long, arid stretches between songs, Vivian exchanges feeble, Runyonesque banter with Comic Pinky Lee, a pint-sized amalgam of Buster Keaton, Ed Wynn and Eddie Cantor.

The Dinah Shore Show (Tues. & Thurs., 7:30 p.m., NBC), through some happy oversight, lets Dinah sing almost without interruption. There was one skit on the opening show, but it was a musical parody on the different techniques for putting over a song on radio and on TV. Supporting Dinah Shore's engaging performance are the Rhythmaires.