Spoiler : Seems like early Rochester has a pronounced 'Step and Fetchit' type characterization that isn't present in later broadcasts that I have heard dating from at least October 1943 when George Balzer joined the writing staff. Not to infer that Balzer had anything to do with it, only that I've listened to every program from that season on and Rochester always had his snappy, wisecracking, sidekick to Jack character in those episodes. Have to listen to see exactly when and how he turns from the more minstrel show character to the beloved Rochester Van Jones. PS, I want to thank whoever it is that created and maintains this website. I appreciate the enormous amount of work and care you've put into not only downloading and making available all these great old shows that would otherwise be lost to time, but for the descriptions, details, links, and more that accompany each of these tens of thousands of programs. Absolutely amazing, and I don't know how you did it.