Last of “The Honeymooners” By Nick Thomas
show was filmed with a live audience at the Adelphi Theater in Manhattan, and rom “I Love Lucy” and “All in the generally without full rehearsals. “Jackie hated to rehearse and wanted Family” to “Married with Children” and “Seinfeld,” structuring a sitcom shows to be spontaneous, so Art, Audrey around four lead characters often proved and me would go over the script together on Saturday mornings,” said Randolph. a successful formula. “It was the perfect format for ‘The “Jackie ran everything and nobody Honeymooners,’” said Joyce Randolph, told him what to do. He was extremely who starred as Trixie in the popular 1950s talented, and for a big guy was incredibly series based on two tenement-dwelling light on his feet doing physical comedy. couples—the Kramdens and the Nortons. For one roller-skating skit, I went with Art and Audrey to practice at a roller-skating palace here in New York. But we never saw Jackie practice. He just came out on the skates and amazed us.” “Audrey was very professional and would have the whole script memorized. If Jackie forgot a line, she got him back on track. Art was quiet and it was well-known he had a long history of problems with alcohol, but was a wonderful and Jackie Gleason, Art talented guy.” Carney, Audrey Meadows Randolph continued in and Joyce Randolph in the role when it once again “The Honeymooners.” became part of a new Jackie Gleason show. But As the sole surviving when Gleason moved to member of the original Florida and revived “The series cast—which included Honeymooners” in several Jackie Gleason, Art Carney TV movies and in another and Audrey Meadows— show from 1966 - 1970, Randolph, who turned 90 Randolph wasn’t invited. last year, continues to be “Years later I saw Audrey identified with the show. Joyce Randolph today. and she said Jackie had “I worked mostly in theater and early TV, but people still recognize looked for me, but couldn’t find me,” me as Trixie,” said Randolph. “I’m Randolph recalled. “Well, that was a lot of nonsense. Jackie wanted to use his longamazed by the show’s longevity.” “The Honeymooners” was originally a time friend Jane Kean to play Trixie, and series of short sketches on the DuMont that’s what he did. But that was fine with Network’s “Cavalcade of Stars,” and me because I wasn’t going to move from later featured regularly on “The Jackie New York where my husband had his job and I was happily raising my son.” Gleason Show” at CBS. Today, when she ventures from her “I had done a breath mint commercial and got a call that Jackie wanted ‘that New York apartment of 55 years, serious actor’ to audition for a skit called Randolph happily greets devoted ‘The Honeymooners’ and to play the Honeymooners’ fans. “Strangers still come up and want to hug sewer worker’s wife,” recalled Randolph. “It didn’t pay much and my character and kiss me and tell me how much they was less developed than the other three, love the show,” she said. “You learn to accept it, but it’s fun and people are nice. but I was happy to have a job.” Gleason recognized that the chemistry The show continues to influence my life.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn between himself, Carney, Meadows and Randolph had sitcom potential, and University at Montgomery, Ala., and has expanded “The Honeymooners” into written features, columns, and interviews a half-hour series that ran initially for for over 600 magazines and newspapers. 39 episodes during 1955 – 1956. The Follow on Twitter @TinseltownTalks.
BRIDGE BITES
A Joy To Behold
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By Brian Gunnell and the American Contract Bridge League
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his deal was played in a team-offour game. At both tables South opened 2NT, showing a balanced hand and 20-21 HCP, and North raised to game. West’s opening lead was the ♦K. Do you see how to make 9 tricks? Clue: There is some trickery involved! At the first table, Declarer counted eight top tricks and the only prospect for a ninth was to score a second Diamond. One possibility was to let the ♦K win the first trick, in the hope that West would be lured into continuing Diamonds, allowing Declarer’s Jack to score (the so-called Bath Coup). But that was
unlikely to work, as West (who had not been born the day before) would surely shift at Trick 2, presumably to a Club. Another chance for the ninth trick was to establish a second Diamond winner by force, eventually setting up Dummy’s Eight. So, Declarer took the ♦A on the first trick and returned the ♦J, won by West’s Queen. However, that line of play was also doomed to failure when West promptly shifted to a Club and the defense got their five tricks before Declarer could rustle up his nine tricks. Down one. At the other table, West also led the ♦K, but this time Declarer found a rather surprising play. She smoothly dropped the Jack! Playing Declarer to have started with doubleton AJ, West confidently led a low Diamond to East’s presumed Nine. It was a joy to behold the look of astonishment on West’s face when it was Declarer who produced the Nine and claimed her nine tricks. Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org /D9Clubsmap.htm. Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: stpetebridge.org.
Oct. Horoscope: Libra and Scorpio Libra: (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) You need to decide on your own goals and follow your own course in life. There is no need to seek the assistance of others or adapt to situations. Domestic issues and psychological health will dominate over career this month. Professionally, even otherwise you are on the right course and will be happy. Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 22) Balance your personal ambitions with the interests of other
people this month. If you have your way sometimes, during other times you will need to depend on the guidance of others. Career becomes important this month. Home and family issues along with emotional matters can be de-emphasised for the time being. You will indulge in religious activities and charitable work. You can review the happenings in your life so far and take corrective actions for the future. (From sunsigns.org) More horoscopes: lifestylesafter50.com. Lifestyles After 50 • October 2015 • page 25