Laugh-In Lands On America

Looking back on this day in history, the original Roe v. Wade decision was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973, the Unibomber pleaded guilty in 1998, the Boeing 747 began service in 1970---and, of course there were a ton of other serious and momentous news events that could-and should warrant their own blog here.

So, what do I focus on today?

Rowan & Martin’s “Laugh-In”, which debuted on this date in 1968.

Hey, I learned a lesson from yesterday’s blog –featuring Frostie the Dancing Bird. In a world of SERIOUS (which includes “grave”, “disastrous”, “tragic” and more)—there is a real appetite for FRIVOLOUS (which includes “funny”, “stupid”, “trivial” and more)

Today-like yesterday, I choose the latter.

No one will likely call “Laugh-In” “great” television, but it WAS influential—and its impact on pop culture was undeniable.

An instant smash that ran for five years on NBC, the show began as a one-hour special, but its huge popularity prompted NBC to create a series just months later.

This comedy/variety show was populated by a zany cast of previously unknown characters—many of whom became household names—and superstars in the process.
Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzee, Arte Johnson, Eileen Brennan--and MANY more.

Here’s a clip of highlights—and although much of the humor that had people on the floor back in ’68 seems to have lost its punch—at the time, it was “cutting edge”—even if SILLY was the overriding effect:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDjOQuckjpg



Here is a short clip of “Laugh-In” bloopers---WARNING-language gets a little PG-13:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFksUB9gWyk


Regular features included “Laugh-In Looks At The News”, “The Fickle Finger Of Fate Award”, and “Letters To Laugh-In”

The fast-paced, almost schizophrenic format poked fun at politics, social issues and people—both famous and infamous. Many of the jokes were sexually oriented, yet managed to get by the censors. Known for catchphrases such as “Here Come Da Judge!”, “Verrrry Interesting!”, “You Bet Your Bippy” and “Sock It To Me!” (delivered weekly by even famous people-including President Richard Nixon), “Laugh-In”’s infiltration of our day-to-day language was significant.

The show ended in 1973 after many of the cast members left to pursue careers launched by the program’s success. “Laugh-In” was revived in 1977-78 with a cast of lesser known comics—and fell flat. That failed edition did produce a future superstar, though. Robin Williams used it to spring to the hit TV series “Mork & Mindy”.

It’s hard to imagine a similar show being able to make it today—as the variety genre has a poor recent track record (just ask Jay Leno!)

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