Berle collapsed later this evening at a restaurant and was ordered to take several days bed rest. His doctor blamed fatigue, tension and indigestion. Newspapers reported there was stress caused by the departure of Ruth Gilbert due to pregnancy.
Ruth Gilbert, who was going on pregnancy leave, had voiced concern because she was not guaranteed her role would continue after giving birth. Berle's executive producer Irving Gray told the press that "we have never planned not to have her back" though Gilbert said she could not get that promise in writing. She also complained about the lines she had in tonight's show (her character quits) because it gave the impression her departure was her idea.