P U ZZ LE S plus N O S TA A LG IA !
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Of the ’50s and ’60s
Mary Tyler Moore By Lori Acken
hy are classic comedies still so appealing decades after they stopped filming? Simple: simpler days. Series like The Andy Griffith Show, Leave It to Beaver and Rowan & Martin’s LaughIn take us back to easier times when we could turn on the Magnavox and learn every word of “The Crawdad Song” from Andy, get a laugh and some gentle parenting advice from Ward and June Cleaver, and — if we we’re feeling groovy — frug away in the living room while learning a few kneeslappers from the titular Rowan and Martin and their who’s who of Hollywood guests. Peruse the treasure trove from the golden age of TV sitcoms, and a few trends emerge. There were shows about traditional families, shows about nontraditional families, shows that put the country in the city or the city in the country (or everyone on a deserted isle), and shows that simply let funny men and ladies run loose with other funny men and ladies and (well, mostly) let the whole family laugh along.
TOP 25 COMEDIANS They came from the golden age of television and standup gigs, fromVegas to Hollywood to the comedy albums we played on our record players. In no particular order, here are our faves from the ’50s and ’60s who made us laugh until we cried.
MORE LUCY INSIDE!
See page 2 for more ReMIND favorites, most of which you can still find on your TV today.
Fred Allen Lucille Ball Jack Benny Shelley Berman Mel Brooks Lenny Bruce George Carlin Johnny Carson Sid Caesar Imogene Coca Bill Cosby Dick Gregory Bob Hope Jerry Lewis Alan King Don Knotts Dean Martin MaryTyler Moore Bob Newhart Don Rickles Joan Rivers Mort Sahl Allan Sherman Dick Van Dyke Jonathan Winters
GILDA
RADNER
Comedian Gilda Susan Radner was one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and her parodies of advice specialists (“Rosanne Rosannadanna”) and news anchors (“Baba Wawa”) made her one of the show’s most popular cast members. She met second husband Gene Wilder on the set of the movie Hanky Panky (1982), and they married in 1984. Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986, passing away in 1989. Gilda Radner: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Inside
Don Rickles
RICHARD PRYOR
The actor and comedian, who succumbed to heart failure, had a way of teasing and roasting famous people.Those being teased enjoyed it — though Rickles’ jokes often busted the boundaries of polite and politically correct society. Rickles — often called the “Sultan of Insult” and the “Merchant ofVenom” — made regular appearances on shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Late Show With David Letterman and others. He brought his acerbic wit to these programs, popping out one-liners with his native NewYork accent.
Richard Pryor: NBCU Photo Bank
Don Rickles: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
SUMMERFLINGSAHIT
Hollywood loves to feature ‘love’ stories that blossom in the hot weather. Page 8
Richard Pryor is considered one of the greatest and most influential standup comedians of all time. He began performing in NewYork City nightclubs. He soon became a regular onTV shows ranging from The Ed Sullivan Show to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Later in the ’60s, Pryor began working a rougher style of delivery, lacing his delivery with profanities. His comedy albums took off, and he picked up three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Recording.The comedian died in 2005 at age 65.
HAPPY50th,1968!
TV, movies, and music were a hit in 1968, and they continue to influence audiences today. Page 13-15
CARSARETHESTARS Iconic vehicles are featured on the small screen, in movies and in pop music. Page 20