Thursday, May 29, 2008

Harvey Korman

I am truly shocked. Earlier this week we lost Dick Martin and now I just learned about the death of Harvey Korman. He was 81. Harvey Korman was a truly special talent. He could be the comic relief on an episode of The Munsters and the play straight man to Carol Burnett and Tim Conway on the The Carol Burnett Show (He was both comic relief and straight man as Hedley Lamarr in the in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles).

As a Child of Television, every Saturday night (Before SNL) ended with The Carol Burnett Show. Mr. Korman was a great utility man. He played the husband, the boss the father and the buddy. As an audience we loved to watch Tom Conway crack Mr. Korman up.



Of course I have to mention that Mr. Korman was also the voice of The Great Gazoo on The Flintstones.

Mr. Korman discusses his life and career in a series of interviews for the Archive of American Television.

To Quote Harvey Korman, "You asked what is the secret of a really good sketch. And it is a sketch is a small play. It's got a beginning, and a middle and an end. It should have a plot; it should have the characters, conflict. It is a little play. And in it, will be funny stuff".

Good Night Mr. Korman and thank you for all those funny Saturday nights.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Dick Martin

This is going to sound very strange. A few days ago I was in contact with Dave White (Talking Television With Dave White) and we were talking about me being on his June 3rd show to discuss Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

Laugh In is was one of my earliest television memories and I am sure the shows fast pace was so appealing to my young attention and nonexistent span.

Last night I was doing some research on the show and was especially enjoying the following interview for the Archive of American Television Archive of American Television: Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls -- "Laugh-In" is forty!

You can imagine my shock and surprise when I wake up this morning to learn that Dick Martin died last night. He was an amazing comedian, actor, writer and director. I will be talking about Mr. Martin very soon, but for right now it is just comforting to know that Dan & Dick are back together again.

Dan Rowan: "Say good night, Dick."

Dick Martin: "Good night, Dick!"

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa