Beginning on July 6, 1947, the NBC network, in cooperation with U.S. Army recruit-ing, filled the time left vacant when Fred Allen went on vacation with a music and comedy series titled Front and Center.

Al Jolson was offered the job as emcee of the show, but he refused on the grounds he considered it inappropriate to accept pay for a patriotic show. As a result, Dorothy Lamour was assigned to host the program. Henry Russell conducted the orchestra, weekly guest stars came "front and center" to perform their specialties, and announcer Hal Gibney pitched the idea of an army career to recent high school graduates.

The final Front and Center show aired on September 28, 1947.