"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1967) TV series 1967-1973

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Creator:

Digby Wolfe

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

9 September 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Music

Plot:

The original rapid fire sketch comedy show.

Plot Keywords:

Sketch Comedy | Sketch | Racial Stereotype | Ad Lib | Absent Minded

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 7 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Dan Rowan	...	Himself - Host / ... (63 episodes, 1967-1973)
Dick Martin	...	Himself - Host / ... (63 episodes, 1967-1973)
Gary Owens	...	Announcer / ... (29 episodes, 1968-1973)
Ruth Buzzi	...	Regular Performer / ... (28 episodes, 1967-1973)

Also Known As:

Laugh-In

Runtime:

60 min (124 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

George Schlatter-Ed Friendly Productions

Trivia:

The show provided a much-needed source of comic relief for a country torn apart when it premiered. Among the segments featured on the show were the Cocktail Party; New Talent (early shows only); Letters to Laugh-in; Laugh-in Looks at the News: Past, Present, and Future; the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award; and the Joke Wall at the end of each show. Other segments included the drunk couple sitting in a bar; the dirty old man hitting on the old woman on a park bench; the telephone operator (Judy Carne, later Lily Tomlin); the resident poet (by Henry Gibson); and the man in a yellow raincoat falling off his tricycle (Arte Johnson)). The main element used each week was schtick, a word or phrase repeated over and over until it became associated with a certain performer. Thus Judy Carne was best known for getting drenched every time she would say, "Sock it to me!" Other catch phrases included Dick Martin's "You bet your sweet bippy"; Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Here come the judge"; "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls"; and "Is that another chicken joke?" which Jo Anne Worley would say any time poultry came up during the Joke Wall segment.

Quotes:

Tyrone F. Horneigh: Do you believe in love at first sight?
[Gladys hits him]
Tyrone F. Horneigh: Do you believe in two hearts intertwining to become one?
[Gladys hits him]
Tyrone F. Horneigh: Do you believe in mouth-to-mouth resucitation?
[He falls over]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Seinfeld: The Shoes (#4.16)" (1993)

One Ringy Dingy, Two Ringy Dingy

"Laugh-In" was a solid mix of one liners, sight gags, and other forms of sketch comedy. Designed to be a satire of its times, "Laugh-In" is probably better remembered for its catch phrases, including "Sock it to me," "Very interesting," and "Here come da judge, here come da judge." And let's not forget The Groaning Wall. The variety series was hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, and launched the careers of Goldie Hawn, Richard Dawson, and Steve Martin. After six years on the air, "Laugh-In" bowed out of the prime time spotlight. Now if only Some Newer Latenight variety show had the same common sense to quit while it was ahead.