The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.

Thus did CBS reap the benefits when Burns and Allen moved to television in 1950. The entire concept of the Burns and Allen characters however was one created and developed by Burns. A total of 291 episodes were created.

He continued to work until shortly before his death in 1996 at the age of 100. George Burns (January 20 1896 – March 9 1996) born Nathan Birnbaum was an American comedian actor and writer.