Great stuff. I miss that kind of humor. There were some aspects of George Carlin that made me laugh, but he was just too profane for me. I'm not sure where all that filth started, but it surely did mess up America's sense of humor.
If I remember rightly the tidal wave of FILTH and DEGENERACY started with LENNY BRUCE and MORT SAHL.
CARLIN always made me cringe.
Human beings do much better wen they are required to work within boundaries or a particular set of specific limitations.
Michelangelo's PIETA started our as a single block of marble. Given today's complete lack of STANDARDS, that block of stone would have ended up as nothing more than a heap of Stonedust and Marble Chips.
Decent times, optimistic times, good men, funny, America-loving........I want it BACK. Honestly, it's like Johnny left and off to hell we went! HA!! Although Jay Leno did a pretty good job, too!
Red had a greater wit than Will Rogers, because Red was always KIND and WHOLESOME while Rogers' humor was too often predicated on mockery and derision.
This Carson segment aired very late in Red Skelton's career shows Red at his absolute best. Being funny without a trace of nastiness is a great art. Red may have been the greatest master of that art –– at last among standup comics too many of whim have ha a corruptive influence on our popular culture.
Loved both of those gentlemen. So much laugh. They were at the tail end of the golden age for entertainment. Just glad I had a chair in front of the 3 ton 19" crt. Nothing on late night past 10pm worth staying up any more, or for a long time. aerobic naps!
Watched comedy central well over a decade ago when it first came on. If they didn't say MF twice a second, I'll eat the internet. And they've only gotten worse from what I hear.
Anyone remember Jonny Carson? Something worthwhile staying up for... I cannot believe anyone finds spending one second on the filth and trash of late night a reasonable endeavor.
I remember when the late nght TV genre was INVENTED by Steve Allen and Jack Paar. Late night TV was even BETTER before Carson about whom I was never crazy..
Someone ought to do a bona fide "scientific study" on why things always seem to get steadily WORSE as time goes on.
Having lived close to 78 years, I can tell you there is MUCH truth in that assertion, because I've SEEN the steady degeneration we've experienced since the '50's FOR MYSELF with my own two eyes and HEARD it with my own two ears.
Franco, I enjoyed Jack Paar and there was another guy on around the same time whose name escapes me but also did a good job. Looked a little like a smiling frog. I'm too lazy to try to find it.
Echoing Bunkerville. I recall a qoute about Parr: there are only two eras of TV late night comedy - before Parr and sub-par. Maybe Kid is thinking about Jack Benny, one of my favorites.
Many years ago -- more than I care to remember -- and after his weekly show was no longer on the air, I wrote him a letter upon my seeing The Clown on a matinee movie on one of our local channels. Not long after I wrote him, I got a handwritten reply from him! I should dig through my box of keepsakes and dig out that letter.
AOW, Neat ! I wrote to Chet Atkins around 12 yrs old and got also a hand written letter and an autographed picture. I don't have them anymore. I was too irresponsible at those early ages. Dang. Glad you still have yours. I would have guessed Red would be that kind of guy too.
Great stuff. I miss that kind of humor. There were some aspects of George Carlin that made me laugh, but he was just too profane for me. I'm not sure where all that filth started, but it surely did mess up America's sense of humor.
ReplyDelete~Mustang
Mustang, SO much good - Great - humor without any profanity. I find it seriously lacking now that it is infested with profanity.
DeleteIf I remember rightly the tidal wave of FILTH and DEGENERACY started with LENNY BRUCE and MORT SAHL.
DeleteCARLIN always made me cringe.
Human beings do much better wen they are required to work within boundaries or a particular set of specific limitations.
Michelangelo's PIETA started our as a single block of marble. Given today's complete lack of STANDARDS, that block of stone would have ended up as nothing more than a heap of Stonedust and Marble Chips.
Decent times, optimistic times, good men, funny, America-loving........I want it BACK.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it's like Johnny left and off to hell we went! HA!! Although Jay Leno did a pretty good job, too!
Yes Z. Leno did do a good job of hammering both sides.
DeleteI loved Red.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Andy Woodhull. He's pretty funny...
Will do Adrienne.
DeleteRed had a greater wit than Will Rogers, because Red was always KIND and WHOLESOME while Rogers' humor was too often predicated on mockery and derision.
ReplyDeleteThis Carson segment aired very late in Red Skelton's career shows Red at his absolute best. Being funny without a trace of nastiness is a great art. Red may have been the greatest master of that art –– at last among standup comics too many of whim have ha a corruptive influence on our popular culture.
Franco, well he did swear a lot. Wait, I'm thinking of someone else.
DeleteLoved both of those gentlemen. So much laugh. They were at the tail end of the golden age for entertainment. Just glad I had a chair in front of the 3 ton 19" crt. Nothing on late night past 10pm worth staying up any more, or for a long time. aerobic naps!
ReplyDeleteWatched comedy central well over a decade ago when it first came on. If they didn't say MF
Deletetwice a second, I'll eat the internet. And they've only gotten worse from what I hear.
Anyone remember Jonny Carson? Something worthwhile staying up for... I cannot believe anyone finds spending one second on the filth and trash of late night a reasonable endeavor.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the late nght TV genre was INVENTED by Steve Allen and Jack Paar. Late night TV was even BETTER before Carson about whom I was never crazy..
DeleteSomeone ought to do a bona fide "scientific study" on why things always seem to get steadily WORSE as time goes on.
Having lived close to 78 years, I can tell you there is MUCH truth in that assertion, because I've SEEN the steady degeneration we've experienced since the '50's FOR MYSELF with my own two eyes and HEARD it with my own two ears.
I will just 2nd your comment Bunk with enthusiasm.
DeleteFranco, I enjoyed Jack Paar and there was another guy on around the same time whose name escapes me but also did a good job. Looked a little like a smiling frog. I'm too lazy to try to find it.
DeleteEchoing Bunkerville. I recall a qoute about Parr: there are only two eras of TV late night comedy - before Parr and sub-par. Maybe Kid is thinking about Jack Benny, one of my favorites.
DeleteA'Aight Mustang. You made me look. Dick Cavett.
Delete@ Kid ... :-)
DeleteWhat a sweet blast from the past. I miss those days.
ReplyDeleteCube, I damn sure miss those days. The comedy was SO much more entertaining.
DeleteI adore Red Skelton!
ReplyDeleteMany years ago -- more than I care to remember -- and after his weekly show was no longer on the air, I wrote him a letter upon my seeing The Clown on a matinee movie on one of our local channels. Not long after I wrote him, I got a handwritten reply from him! I should dig through my box of keepsakes and dig out that letter.
AOW, Neat ! I wrote to Chet Atkins around 12 yrs old and got also a hand written letter and an autographed picture. I don't have them anymore. I was too irresponsible at those early ages. Dang. Glad you still have yours. I would have guessed Red would be that kind of guy too.
Delete