Danny Thomas will be the first of a series of guest stars to appear on "The Red Skelton Show," pinch-hitting for Skelton during his period of recuperation after his radical surgery. Skelton, who underwent surgery on Dec. 12 for a diaphragmatic hernia, is reportedly progressing satisfactorily at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. Thomas, with his two-television children - Rusty Hamer and Angela Cartwright - will appear on "The Red Skelton Show With Danny Thomas." His appearance will feature songs, dances and several of the night-club routines he has made famous. Angela Cartwright sings a few songs and Rusty Hamer performs a drum solo.
During his recovery, "The Red Skelton Show" will feature other stars among Skelton's many friends in show business. In a surprise at the end, a Skelton marionette comes out with a few words from Red.