The Life of Riley featured the comic misadventures of Chester A. Riley, America’s favorite riveter. Riley was a devoted family man with a talent for turning any little problem into a grade-A disaster. His family members, including the ever-present Uncle Baxter, his patient wife Peg, and his kids Junior and Babs, were continually flabbergasted by his frustrating tendencies. He found trouble everywhere he turned: at work, at home, with his neighbor Gillis and with his own conscience. Unreliable advice on how to handle these situations came from Riley’s pal Digger O'Dell, the friendly undertaker, who would sneak in a string of dark-humored jokes before he had to be “shoveling off”. Riley’s usual reply to the messes he would get in to became a catch phrase that swept the nation: What a revoltin’ development this is! Originally Performed on 11/11/1949 Starring Jackie Gleason
