Howdy y'all from Dallas.
Thought I'd show one of my favorite all-time comedy scenes. This is from THE HONEYMOONERS starring Jackie Gleason (Ralph)and Art Carney(Norton)from the mid 50's. In this classic scene they're about to go on live television and advertise a kitchen utensil they're selling -- their latest get rich quick scheme. Judging by today's informercials not much has changed.
We pick them up rehearsing.
My love of sitcoms started with Ralph and Norton.
ReplyDeleteI used to watch this show when I was a kid. I forgot how funny it was... You could put the Two and a Half Men guys in this scene and it wouldn't seem dated at a all.
ReplyDeleteThis bit brought tears of laughter and rekindled wonderful memories on this early Sunday morning.
ReplyDelete"Ha-Ha."
Priceless and so appreciated...
Thanks.
You're not kidding about the infomercial thing.
ReplyDeleteThe only difference is that the presenters shout just a little louder. But not much louder.
Two old pros at their peak. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant stuff, "core A apple," hilarious.
ReplyDeleteYou look at these guys doing that and you figure that's all they do, comic routines and silly skits, and then you see something completely different, and they are just as good. Art Carney was great with Lily Tomlin in The Late Show, and Jackie could have had a career doing nothing but serious movie roles. What a range these guys had.
My favorite was when Ralph was on a Name That Tune type gameshow and Norton was helping Ralph study songs in the kitchen. Every time Norton starts to play the piano he always "warms up" by playing Swany River which infuriated Ralph to no end.
ReplyDeleteFlash forward to the gameshow and those same familiar notes are played and Ralph is asked "Who composed Swany River?" Ralph stammers in his usual way and answers "Ed Norton."
I'm surprised Ron Popeil hasn't made one of those and used the Honeymooner footage to sell it...
ReplyDeleteYou could put the Two and a Half Men guys in this scene and it wouldn't seem dated at all.
ReplyDeleteAnd some have referred to "The King Of Queens" as "The Honeymooners" for a new generation. It wasn't anywhere as good a series, of course, but it came far closer to reaching that lofty goal than, pardon the phrase, "According To Jim."
The Great One
ReplyDeleteArt Carney and Jackie Gleason had better comic timing in their sweat glands than Kevin James, Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Jim Belushi have in their entire bodies.
ReplyDeleteLegend has it that it was not in the script for Jackie Gleason to knock down the wall at the end of the scene. But it happened, and Art Carney just went with it. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is, no matter how many kudos and awards Edward Norton receives - and there should be many because he is a truly gifted actor - I still think of Art Carney when I hear Edward Norton. Doesn't have to be "Ed" Norton, the connection is that overpowering. I half expect a guy in a t-shirt and rumpled hat to show up on screen
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest, if not the greatest 10-minute scene in the history of TV sitcoms (and it also wasn't in the script for the piece to come flying off, leading to Gleason's walk towards the camera and comment on spear fishing).
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI still think of Art Carney when I hear Edward Norton.
Me, too!
I wasn't born until the Honeymooners were already off the air save for late night reruns on USA Network, but the Honeymooner's DVD box set is about the only box set we ever watch. And every time we watch an episode or two, my wife and are constantly amazed at how funny they still are after so many decades gone by.
ReplyDeleteThe only sitcom I ever thought to truly approach it in comic value was Married With Children.
Having struggled with stage
ReplyDeletefright my entire life, this
is a perfect illustration of
the terror I suffered delivering countless presentations before small and large groups of people.
One of these days Levine...Pow!
PS Thanx, I think I'll use this
YT on my blog.