Tuesday, June 27, 2000

R&M LAUGH IN: Sampler #1 (News)



Here's the news of the future, New York City, 1989. Little hope is held out for world harmony. The latest reports show the Arabs are still fighting the Jews, the Catholics are still fighting the protestants, the blacks are still fighting the whites, and this morning the United Nations declared war on the Peace Corps.

R&M LAUGH IN: Cocktail Party 2



My church welcomes all denominations. But my favorite is the five dollar bill.

R&M LAUGH IN: The Monkees


The Joke Wall- October 6, 1969 episode of Laugh-In, featuring The Monkees: Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz & Michael Nesmith

Pamela: Alan.
Alan: What is it, Pammy baby booty?
Pamela: I fell asleep in the sun and burned my whole left side. What should I do?
Alan: Well, I'd turn the other cheek.

Byron: Hey Davey.
Davey: Yeah, Byron?
Byron: What's full of straw and wears a mask?
Davey: Uh, that's the Lone Manger.

R&M LAUGH IN: Holiday Show




However liberal the church becomes, I seriously doubt the Pope will allow cheerleaders in the college of cardinals.


Tonight, Rowan and Martin's Laugh In salutes the spirit of Christmas.
It's a great time of the year to do that. It would sure look strange seeing a Christmas show in spring reruns.
Never mind about that, that's the whole point. Christmas shouldn't just be in December but it should be all year long.
Wow, we couldn't afford that.
You see, too many people forget what Christmas spirit is really about.
Oh tell me about it, won't you?
I fully intend to.
I thought you would.
Yes.
Well it all started in a little town of Bethlehem—
(snores)
It all started in a little town of Bethlehem.
Little town of Bethlehem. Good name for a song.
Alright, now many years ago the world was troubled with many pressing problems.
Well no wonder, they didn't have drip dry suits then.
Now this is serious, Dick. People were rioting in the streets, there was civil disorder, injustice, oppression of minority groups—
Well I'm certainly glad they cleared all that up.
Now what does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas means to me many things. Decorating the Christmas tree with popcorn, going around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols, tiny little tots with their face all aglow.
Why that's beautiful! And that's what Christmas means to you.
No, that's what Christmas means to the cuckoo holding my cue card.
I don't want to hear about it....

I've often wondered. Is it proper to send a get well card to a Christian Scientist?

Friday, June 02, 2000

R&M LAUGH IN: History

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In is an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968 to May 14, 1973. It was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and was broadcast over NBC. It originally aired as a one-time special on September 9, 1967 and was such a success that it was brought back as a series, replacing The Man from U.N.C.L.E. on Mondays at 8pm on NBC.

The title, Laugh-In, came out of events of the 1960s hippie culture, such as "love-ins" or "be-ins." These were terms that were, in turn, derived from "sit-ins," common in protests associated with civil rights and anti-war demonstrations of the time.
The show was characterized by a rapid-fire series of gags and sketches, many of which conveyed sexual innuendo or were politically charged. Rowan and Martin continued the exasperated straight man (Dan Rowan) and "dumb" guy (Dick Martin) act which they had established as nightclub comics.

Laugh-In had its roots in the humor of vaudeville and burlesque, but its most direct influences were from the comedy of Olsen and Johnson (specifically, their free-form Broadway revue Hellzapoppin'), the innovative television works of Ernie Kovacs, and the topical satire of That Was The Week That Was.

R&M LAUGH IN: Catch Phrases

Memorable cast members/guests and their running gags

Arte Johnson portrayed a number of recurring characters, including:
Wolfgang the German soldier - Wolfgang would comment on the previous gag by saying "Verrry interesting", sometimes with comments such as "...but shtupid!" He eventually would close each show by talking to Lucille Ball as well as the cast of Gunsmoke — both airing opposite Laugh-In on CBS; as well as whatever was on ABC. Johnson would later repeat the line while playing Nazi-themed supervillain Virman Vundabar on an episode of Justice League Unlimited.
Tyrone F. Horneigh (pronounced "hor-NIGH," presumably to satisfy the censors) - A dirty old man coming on to Gladys Ormphby (Ruth Buzzi) seated on a park bench, who almost invariably clobbered him with her purse. Sample exchange:
Tyrone: Do you believe in the hereafter?
Gladys: Of course I do!
Tyrone: Good. Then you know what I'm here after!
(Both the Tyrone and Gladys characters went into animated form in the "Nitwits" segments of the 1977 animated television show "Baggy Pants and the Nitwits")
Piotr Rosmenko, the Eastern European Man - Piotr stood stiffly and nervously in an ill-fitting suit while commenting on differences between America and "the old country," such as "Here in America, is very good, everyone watch television. In old country, television watches you!" This predated a similar schtick by Yakov Smirnoff. Occasionally guest star Sammy Davis, Jr. teamed with Johnson as "The Rosmenko Twins."
Rabbi Shankar (a pun on Ravi Shankar), an Indian guru - Dressed in a Nehru jacket dispensing pseudo-mystical Eastern wisdom laden with bad puns. He held up two fingers in a peace sign whenever he spoke.
An unnamed man in a yellow raincoat and hat, riding a tricycle. The image of him pedaling, then tipping over and falling, was frequently used between sketches. (Judy Carne was once reported to have said that every member of the cast took turns riding the tricycle at one time or another.)
Announcer Gary Owens standing in an old-time radio studio with his hand cupped over his ear, making announcements, often with little relation to the rest of the show, such as (in an overly-dramatic voice), "Earlier that evening..."
Ruth Buzzi in many roles, including:
Gladys Ormphby - A drab, though relatively young spinster who was the eternal target of Arte Johnson's Tyrone; when Johnson left the series, Gladys retreated into recurring daydreams, often involving marriages to historical figures, including Christopher Columbus and Benjamin Franklin (both played by Alan Sues).
Doris Swizzle - A seedy barfly paired with her husband, Leonard Swizzle, played by Dick Martin.
Busy Buzzi - A Hedda Hopper/Louella Parsons-style gossip columnist.
Henry Gibson as:
The Poet - The Poet would hold an oversized flower and read offbeat poems. He pronounced his name "Henrik Ibsen".
The Parson - A character who made ecclesiastical quips and, in 1970, officiated at a near-marriage for Tyrone and Gladys.


Lily Tomlin in a Laugh-In publicity photo.
Lily Tomlin as:
Ernestine/Miss Tomlin - The obnoxious telephone operator with no concern for her customers ("'Fair'? Sir, we don't have to be fair. We're the phone company.").
Edith Ann - A child who frequently said, "And that's the truth", followed by "Pbbbt!" . Tomlin performed her skits in an oversized rocking chair that made her appear small.
"Tasteful" society matron Mrs. Earbore. Mrs. Earbore would express quiet disapproval about a tasteless joke or remark, and then rise from her chair with her legs spread, and sometimes got doused with a bucket of water.
Lily Tomlin later performed Ernestine for Saturday Night Live, and Edith Ann on children's shows such as Sesame Street.
Judy Carne in two robotic speech and movement roles:
Mrs. Robot in "Robot Theater" -- The female companion to Arte Johnson's "Mr. Robot", both equally inept
The talking Judy Doll, usually played with Arte Johnson who never heeded her warning: "Touch my little body, and I hit!"
Henny Youngman telling one-liner jokes for no reason. Often, corny one-liners would be followed by the line, "Oh, that Henny Youngman!"
Alan Sues as Big Al - A clueless and fey sports anchor who loved ringing his bell, which he called his "tinkle", and as hungover children's show host "Uncle Al, The Kiddies' Pal"
Goldie Hawn was the giggling dumb blonde stumbling over her lines, especially when she introduced Dan's "News of the Future".
Jo Anne Worley sometimes sang off-the-wall songs using her loud operatic voice, but is better remembered for her mock outrage at "chicken jokes." Many times, during the Cocktail Parties, she talked about her boyfriend Boris (a married man).
Barbara Sharma as the dancing meter-maid who ticketed anything from trees to baby carriages, and often praised vice president Spiro Agnew, calling him 'Pres-ee-dent Agnew.'
Flip Wilson, whose character, the cross-dressing Geraldine, originated the phrase "What you see is what you get". Another catchphrase was "The devil made me do it". Wilson and his alter ego had their own variety show in the early '70s.
Dan Rowan as General Bull Right - A far-right-wing representative of the military establishment and outlet for political humor.
Richard Dawson as Hawkins the Butler - Would always start his piece by asking "Permission to...?" and proceed to fall over.
The Judge. Originally portrayed by British comic Roddy Maude-Roxby as a stuffy magistrate with black robe and powdered wig. Each "Judge" sketch would feature an unfortunate defendant brought before the court. Guest star Flip Wilson introduced the sketch with "Here come de judge!," the venerable catchphrase of black nightclub comedian Pigmeat Markham. Markham was surprised that his trademark had been appropriated, and he petitioned producer George Schlatter to let him play The Judge himself. Schlatter complied and Markham sat atop the bench for one season. The sketches were briefly retired until another guest star, Sammy Davis, Jr., donned the judicial robe and wig. Davis immediately made The Judge his own, using a drawling dialect reminiscent of "Kingfish" Tim Moore, and enthusiastically playing every courtroom scene broadly. Davis even introduced his own sketches, strutting across a bare stage in Judge regalia and chanting in couplets ("If your lawyer's sleepin', better give him a nudge! Everybody look alive, 'cause here come de judge! Here come de judge! Here come de judge!").
"Verrry Eeen-ter-es-ting!" (said by Arte Johnson as Nazi soldier Wolfgang spying from behind a potted plant)
A six-note pattern preceding a code-word or punchline to an off-color joke, such as "do-doo-doo-da-do-doo ... smack!" or "... family jewels!" (sometimes extended to 18 notes by repeating the GGGDEC pattern two more times before the code-word). This same musical phrase had been used as a "signature" at the end of many pieces played by Spike Jones and his City Slickers.
"I didn't know that." (Dick Martin's occasional response to what happened on an episode)
"Easy for you to say!' (Dan Rowan's reply whenever Dick Martin tripped on his tongue during a joke)
"Ohhh, I'll drink to that." (Martin's response to something Rowan said that he liked.)
"I was wondering if you'd mind if I said something my aunt once said to me." A phrase that Dick Martin would always say to interrupt Dan Rowan's announcements on what would happen during their next show; this phrase was followed by a story about a bizarre situation that his aunt went through.
"Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!"
"Go to your room."
"Uncle Al had to take a lot of medicine last night" (line by Uncle Al, the Kiddies' Pal, played by Alan Sues)
"You bet your sweet bippy!"
"Here come de' judge!" (reprising comedian Pigmeat Markham and further popularized by guest stars Flip Wilson and especially Sammy Davis Jr.)
"'Ello, 'ello! NBC, beautiful downtown Burbank" (the response to calls received by a switchboard operator played by Judy Carne). When the series was syndicated in 1983, the NBC logo and the network's name were edited out.
"And that's the truth." (Edith Ann, summarizing whatever she just said, and capping it with a juicy razzberry)
"One ringy-dingy...two ringy-dingies..." (Ernestine's mimicking of the rings while she was waiting for someone to pick up the receiver on the other end of the telephone lines)
"A gracious good afternoon. This is Miss Tomlin of the telephone company. Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?" Ernestine's greeting to people whom she would call
"I just wanna swing!" Gladys Ormphby's catchphrase
"Is that a chicken joke?" Jo Anne Worley's outraged cry, a takeoff on Polish jokes
"Here comes the big finish, folk!" (usually before the last of a series of a star's bad puns)
"Sock it to me!" experienced its greatest exposure on Laugh-In although the phrase had been featured in songs like Aretha Franklin's 1967 "Respect" and Mitch Ryder's 1966 "Sock It To Me, Baby!"
"Oh, that Henny Youngman"
"Marshall McLuhan...what're you doin'?" (Henry Gibson)
"I don't know. I've never been out with one!" (First introduced by guest star Marcel Marceau, this catch-all punchline would be uttered by any guest star. Goldie: "Are you of the opposite sex?"
Tiny Tim: "I don't know, Miss Goldie, I've never been out with one.")
"Blow in my ear and I'll follow you anywhere."
"Now, that's a no-no!"
"Tune in next week when Henny Youngman's wife burns Jell-o!"
"If [so-and-so] married [what's-his-name], divorced him and married {etc.}" The purpose being to try to set up a tongue-twister, involving the last names of celebrities. Example: "If Rosemary Clooney married Regis Toomey. divorced him and married Mickey Rooney, divorced him and married Paul Muni, divorced him and re-married Regis Toomey, she'd be Rosemary Clooney Toomey Rooney Muni Toomey!"
"Morgul the Friendly Drelb" (a pink Abominable Snowman-like character that appeared in the first episode and bombed so badly that his name was used in various announcements by Gary Owens for the rest of the series (usually at the end of the opening cast list, right after Owens himself: "Yours truly, Gary Owens, and Morgul as the Friendly Drelb!") and credited as the author of a paperback collection of the show's sketches)
"That's the most beautiful thing I ever heard."
"Ring my chimes!"
"Want a Walnetto?", was a pick-up line Tyrone would try on Gladys, which always resulted in a purse drubbing.

R&M LAUGH IN: Format

A typical episode's format

Shortly after the beginning of the show, after a minute or two of Rowan/Martin standup, Rowan would intone: "C'mon Dick, let's go to the party". This live-to-tape segment comprised all cast members and occasional surprise celebrities dancing before a 1960s "Mod" party backdrop, delivering one- and two-line jokes interspersed with a few bars of dance music (later adopted on The Muppet Show, has an end-credits scene that is similar to "The Cocktail Party" with absurd moments from characters).
"The Mod, Mod World" segment, with its own signature tune, comprised brief sketches on a theme interspersed with film footage of female cast members go-go dancing in bikinis, their bodies painted with punchy phrases and pithy wordplay. The dancers were usually Goldie Hawn, Judy Carne and Chelsea Brown; Ruth Buzzi and Jo Anne Worley popped up rarely, as did frequent guest Pamela Austin. In the 1969/1970 season, the chore was handled briefly by new cast members Teresa Graves and Pamela Rodgers before the go-go dancing became the domain of uncredited extras.)
The Farkel Family, a couple with many kids —all of whom had flaming red hair and freckles like neighbor Ferd Berfel (played by Dick Martin). Head of the family Frank Farkel never questioned this fact when Ferd visited. Most plots were excuses to force the cast into tongue-twisters ("That's a fine-looking Farkel flinger you found there, Frank"). Bespectacled baby daughter Flicker Farkel (played by Buzzi) had no lines except screaming "Hiiii!!!" Two of the kids were twins named Simon and Gar Farkel (played by cast members of different races; originally Goldie Hawn and Chelsea Brown, later Pamela Rodgers and Teresa Graves).
"Laugh-In Looks at the News," a parody of network news (introduced by an unnews-like song and dance in varying motifs) commenting on current events. The segment often included "News of the Past" which lampooned historical events, and "News of the Future", predicting unlikely or bizarre future stories to comic effect. Rowan actually nailed some, mentioning "President Ronald Reagan" in a story from "1988, 20 years from now", eliciting laughter. Another prediction, that the Berlin Wall would be destroyed in 1989, also came true, although the follow-up gag that it would be "quickly replaced by a moat full of alligators" obviously did not. The news segment was reminiscent of BBC's earlier That Was the Week That Was and in turn, was echoed a few years later by Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" segments. Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels was a Laugh-In writer early in his career.
New Talent Time, introducing oddball variety acts. The most famous of these performers was Tiny Tim. Comedian Paul Gilbert, father of actress Melissa Gilbert, appeared as inept "French" juggler "Paul Gilbert" (pronounced "jheel-bare" in the French manner). Comic Art Metrano appeared as "The Great Metrano," a so-called magician who had no skill at all. Laugh-In writer Chris Beard liked the "New Talent" concept and later developed it into The Gong Show.
The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award, saluting actual dubious achievements by the government or famous people. The trophy was a gilt, outstretched finger atop a square base. "The flying, fickle finger of fate" was already a familiar catchphrase on the show (Dan Rowan would use the phrase when ushering "new talent" like Tiny Tim on stage).
Judy Carne was often tricked into saying "Sock it to me", which led to her being doused with water or otherwise assaulted. "Sock it to me" also became a catchphrase. During the September 16, 1968 episode, Richard Nixon, running for president, appeared for a few seconds with a disbelieving vocal inflection, asking "Sock it to me?" Nixon was not doused or assaulted. An invitation was extended to Nixon's opponent, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, but he declined. According to George Schlatter, the show's creator, "Humphrey later said that not doing it may have cost him the election."
At the end of every show, Dan Rowan turned to his co-host and said, "Say good night, Dick", to which Martin replied, "Good night, Dick!" (varying a bit from the old George Burns and Gracie Allen radio show). The show then featured cast members opening panels in a psychedelically painted 'joke wall' and telling jokes. As the show drew to a close and the applause died, executive producer George Schlatter's clapping continued even as the screen turned blank and the production logo, network chimes, and NBC logo appeared.

R&M LAUGH IN: Cast

Regular performers (with season numbers, where known)

All seasons: Dan Rowan, host
All seasons: Dick Martin, host
All seasons: Gary Owens, announcer
All seasons: Ruth Buzzi
Season 1: Eileen Brennan (1968)
Season 1, 2, 3: Judy Carne (1968-1970)
Season 1, 2, 3, 4: Henry Gibson (1968-1971)
Season 1, 2, 3: Goldie Hawn (1968-1970)
Season 1, 5: Larry Hovis (1968, 1971-1972)
Season 1, 2, 3, 4: Arte Johnson (1968-1971)
Season 1: Roddy Maude-Roxby (1968)
Season 1, 2, 3: Jo Anne Worley (1968-1970)
Season 2, 3, 4, 5: Alan Sues (1968-1972)
Season 2: "The Fun Couple" Charlie Brill and Mitzi McCall (1968-1969)
Season 2: Chelsea Brown (1968-1969)
Season 2: Dave Madden (1968-1969)
Season 2: Pigmeat Markham (1968-1969)
Season 2: Dick "Sweet Brother" Whittington (actor/disc jockey) (1968-1969)
Season 2, 3: Byron Gilliam (1969-1970; uncredited in season 2, returned as dancer only in 5)
Season 3: Teresa Graves (1969-1970)
Season 3: Jeremy Lloyd (1969-1970)
Season 3: Pamela Rodgers (1969-1970)
Season 3: Stu Gilliam (1970)
Season 3, 4, 5, 6: Lily Tomlin (1969-1973)
Season 3, 4, 5 Johnny Brown (1970-1972)
Season 4, 5: Dennis Allen (1970-1973)
Season 4, 5: Ann Elder (1970-1972)
Season 4: Nancie Phillips (1970-1971)
Season 4, 5: Barbara Sharma (1970-1972)
Season 4: Harvey Jason (1970-1971)
Season 4, 5, 6: Richard Dawson (1971-1973; also one appearance in Season 1)
Season 6: Moosie Drier (1971-1973)
Season 6: Tod Bass (1972-1973)
Season 6: Brian Bressler (1972-1973)
Season 6: Patti Deutsch (1972-1973)
Season 6: Lisa Farringer (1972-1973)
Season 6: Sarah Kennedy (1972-1973)
Season 6: Jud Strunk (1972-1973)
Season 6: Willie Tyler (1972-1973)
Season 6: Donna Jean Young (1972-1973)
[edit]Regular Guest Performers

Jack Benny (1968-1970, 1972)
Johnny Carson (1968-1970, 1971, 1973)
Sammy Davis Jr. (1968-1970, 1971, 1973)
Zsa Zsa Gabor (1968-1970)
Peter Lawford (1968-1971)
Tiny Tim (1968-1970, 1971-1972)
John Wayne (1968, 1971-1973)
Flip Wilson (1968-1970)
Henny Youngman (1968-1969, 1971-1973)
[edit]Full list of celebrity guest performers

[edit]1968
Leo G. Carroll
Barbara Feldon
Lorne Greene
Buddy Hackett
Sheldon Leonard
The Strawberry Alarm Clock
Robert Culp
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
Tom Smothers
Tim Conway
Sonny & Cher
Paul Gilbert
Don Adams
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Walter Slezak
Kaye Ballard
Richard Dawson
Dinah Shore
The Temptations
Jerry Lewis
Leonard Nimoy
Edward Platt
Connie Stevens
Larry Storch
Paul Williams
Sally Field
Terry-Thomas
Joby Baker
Godfrey Cambridge
Anissa Jones
Pat Morita
Paul Winchell
Elgin Baylor
Harry Belafonte
Joey Bishop
Regis Philbin
The Bee Gees
Ed McMahon
John Byner
Hugh Downs
James Garner
Shelley Berman
Milton Berle
Jill St. John
Hugh Hefner
Bob Hope
Jack Lemmon
Richard Nixon
Sonny Tufts
Herb Alpert
Eve Arden
Arlene Dahl
George Kirby
Patrick Wayne
Nick Castle
Greer Garson
Abbe Lane
Greg Morris
Otto Preminger
Michael Wayne
Kirk Douglas
Lena Horne
Liberace
France Nuyen
Bobby Darin
Rosemary Clooney
Mitzi Gaynor
The Holy Modal Rounders
Colonel Sanders
Van Johnson
Werner Klemperer
Bill Dana
Jimmy Dean
Marcel Marceau
George Gobel
Dick Gregory
Rock Hudson
Rod Serling
Victor Borge
Phil Harris
Perry Como
Joseph Cotten
Phyllis Diller
Vincent Price
Tony Curtis
Cliff Robertson
Barbara Bain
Billy Barty
Martin Landau
Guy Lombardo
Nanette Fabray
George Jessel
Bob Newhart
Rich Little
Kate Smith
[edit]1969
Peter Falk
Marcel Marceau
Garry Moore
Paul Winchell
Perry Como
David Janssen
Van Johnson
George Gobel
Guy Lombardo
Richard and Pat Nixon
Nancy Sinatra
The Smothers Brothers
Tony Curtis
Frank Gorshin
George Jessel
Janos Prohaska
Tom Kennedy
Liberace
Rich Little
Don Rickles
Cliff Robertson
Greer Garson
The Monkees (Without Peter Tork)
Nipsey Russell
Robert Wagner
James Drury
James Garner
Gina Lollobrigida
Doug McClure
Mel Brooks
Lena Horne
Rock Hudson
Bob Newhart
Connie Stevens
Ann Miller
Shelley Winters
Forrest Tucker
Werner Klemperer
Laurence Harvey
Billy Graham
Debbie Reynolds
Peter Sellers
Michael Caine
Bob Hope
Sonny & Cher
Mitzi Gaynor
Jack E. Leonard
Lana Wood
Anne Jackson
Romy Schneider
Eli Wallach
Buddy Hackett
Carol Channing
Diana Ross
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Sid Caesar
Engelbert Humperdinck
Jill St. John
Roger Moore
Jacqueline Susann
Lorne Greene
Ed McMahon
Frank Sinatra, Jr.