Bill Kemp was an up and coming comic performer in the 1950s. His daily radio show was expected to be his launch into television, following a similar path to that of Merv Griffin. The Bill Kemp Show was the final show of a 12 hour daily live broadcast. The project, "ABC, the Live and Lively Radio Network," was intended to raise the ratings and the reputation of the ABC Radio. There were several shows, all done live with no taping, Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm, all featuring their own star, announcer, vocalist, and large orchestra. High powered guests on the Bill Kemp Show included Jonathon Winters, Ava Gardner, Will Jordan, and Robert Mitchum.