<P> The storylines during the first season typically revolve around Joey's misadventures concerning his job . Problems also arise when family members, who often think he has more influence in Hollywood than he actually has, attempt to take advantage of his nonexistent influence . As the series was a spin - off of The Danny Thomas Show, Danny Thomas and Marjorie Lord appeared as their Danny Thomas characters in the first season's fourth episode entitled "This Is Your Life". Sid Melton, who appeared as Uncle Charley Halper on Danny Thomas, also appeared . </P> <P> After its September 1961 premiere, the series struggled in the ratings . In an effort to improve viewership, NBC decided to "readjust" the series in the second season, beginning with several characters dropped (Joey's mother, sister Stella, brother Larry, brother - in - law Frank, and girlfriend Barbara Simpson . Several crew members were also dismissed), and a new context for the series in which Joey becomes a TV personality . The changes helped the series' ratings in the second season . </P> <P> After the first season, Bishop decided to fully change the format of the series . In addition to the format changing, The Joey Bishop Show began filming in front of a live audience and also featured an entirely different supporting cast . In the second incarnation, Joey Barnes is the host of a New York City talk / variety television show . Abby Dalton joined the cast as Joey's new wife Ellie (whom Joey called "Texas" because she hailed from Texas) and the two live at the Carlton Arms, a posh Manhattan apartment building . Towards the end of season two, Ellie discovers she is pregnant with the couple's first child . Their son, Joey Barnes, Jr. (played by Dalton's real son Matthew David Smith), was born in the season - two finale "The Baby Cometh". Also joining the cast was Guy Marks, who portrayed Freddie, Joey's manager . Marks left the series after 19 episodes and Corbett Monica joined the cast as Larry Corbett, Joey's head writer . The supporting cast also includes Mary Treen as Hilda, the Barnes' maid and baby nurse, with whom Joey frequently trades insults . Joe Besser portrayed Mr. Jillson, the building's henpecked super who lives in fear of his wife, Tantalia (who is never seen but often heard). </P> <P> Storylines for the remainder of the series' run mainly focus on Joey's home life, but also feature storylines involving Joey's job as a television host . As such, various celebrities (who typically appeared as themselves) who were guests on Joey Barnes' talk show appeared throughout the series' run . Although the second incarnation of the series was seemingly unrelated to the first incarnation, the series featured Danny Thomas in two season - three episodes: "Danny Gives Joey Advice" and "Andy Williams Visits Joey". </P>

Who played the wife on the joey bishop show