Today when I was checking the headlines I saw that Dick Martin had died. Anyone who remembers the '60's and had a TV knows that Dick Martin was half of the team of Rowan and Martin.
They introduced us to LAUGH-IN. It was a topical comedy show that introduced us to Ernestine the telephone operator, the verrrrrry interesting German Spy, the flower carrying poet and of course, the dancers (Goldie Hawn) and cocktail party guests. The show had a series of quick spots, usually just a line or two. At the end of the show, they had the joke wall where the members of the cast would open a door and tell a joke, ask a riddle or give some thought for the day.
They also started the practice of having a presidential candidate appear and show his lighter side. In 1968 on the first show of the fall season, Richard Nixon gave us one of their catch phrases - "Sock it to me!"
I guess you could say that SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE was the '80's follow-up to LAUGH-IN.
After LAUGH-IN ended and the team broke up, Dick Martin went on to directing shows such as NEWHART, ARCHIE'S PLACE, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT and FAMILY TIES.
He was such a talent and will be missed, but we have our memories of LAUGH-IN on Monday nights and all those wonderful characters.
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