Instead, they proposed a series about "a couple of colored characters", which, nevertheless, borrowed certain elements from "The Gumps". Their new show, "Sam 'n' Henry", began on January 12, 1926, and fascinated radio listeners throughout the Midwest. It became so popular that in 1927 Gosden and Correll requested that it be distributed to other stations on phonograph records in a "chainless chain" concept that would have been the first radio syndication. When WGN rejected the proposal, Gosden and Correll quit the show and the station; their last musical program for WGN was announced in the "Chicago Daily Tribune" on January 29, 1928. Episodes of "Sam 'n' Henry" continued to be aired until July 14, 1928. Correll's and Gosden's characters contractually belonged to WGN, so the pair was unable to use the character names when performing in personal appearances after leaving the station.