Dick Martin was the blissfully self-assured doofus to Dan Rowan's bemusedly incredulous straight man as the dapper duo hosted Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968-73). And if you're old enough to remember phrases like "You bet your sweet bippy!" and "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall's!" -- and, of course, "Sock it to me!" -- you'll remember what a full-blown, 24-karat phenomenon that series was in its heyday. The fast-paced, hour-long comedy revue -- launched on Jan. 22, 1968 by NBC as a midseason replacement for a burnt-out Man from U.N.C.L.E. -- was considered rather risque in its time (a very young Goldie Hawn, clad in a bikini and splattered with graffiti, danced provocatively in many early episodes) and often trafficked in political humor that veered leftward. (Even so, Richard Nixon dropped by for a memorably self-mocking cameo during the 1968 Presidential election.) If I viewed a rerun today, I quite possibly would find it more antiquated than edgy, and not nearly as audacious as a contemporary show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-69). On the other hand: For a variety of reasons, I can't imagine any broadcast TV network daring to air anything like Laugh-In in prime time right now. Yes, not even in an election year. Especially not in an election year.
Showing posts with label Dick Martin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dick Martin. Show all posts
Sunday, May 25, 2008
R.I.P.: Dick Martin (1922-2008)
Dick Martin was the blissfully self-assured doofus to Dan Rowan's bemusedly incredulous straight man as the dapper duo hosted Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968-73). And if you're old enough to remember phrases like "You bet your sweet bippy!" and "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall's!" -- and, of course, "Sock it to me!" -- you'll remember what a full-blown, 24-karat phenomenon that series was in its heyday. The fast-paced, hour-long comedy revue -- launched on Jan. 22, 1968 by NBC as a midseason replacement for a burnt-out Man from U.N.C.L.E. -- was considered rather risque in its time (a very young Goldie Hawn, clad in a bikini and splattered with graffiti, danced provocatively in many early episodes) and often trafficked in political humor that veered leftward. (Even so, Richard Nixon dropped by for a memorably self-mocking cameo during the 1968 Presidential election.) If I viewed a rerun today, I quite possibly would find it more antiquated than edgy, and not nearly as audacious as a contemporary show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-69). On the other hand: For a variety of reasons, I can't imagine any broadcast TV network daring to air anything like Laugh-In in prime time right now. Yes, not even in an election year. Especially not in an election year.
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