Given what often passes for comedy these days it’s sometimes hard to imagine that there was a time when comedians did not resort to the f… bomb as a source of amusement. I say that not with any sense of snobbery as heaven knows that sort of language has been oft been known to pass my lips. But in the past week I’ve been watching a host of sketches from Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour I couldn’t find so much as a “damn” let alone anything stronger. Oh yes there was innuendo – boy was there innuendo verbal and physical – but it was never gratuitous. And there was wit, word play, slapstick, physical comedy, and a wonderful sense of the ridiculous in life’s little events.
I was reminded of this little sketch when a FB friend got into a tizzy about Kombucha which would have been fine if he hadn’t insisted on showing the culture used in brewing it. I guess I’m with Sid all the way on this.
Caesar was the undoubted star of television but he had incredible people around him as writers and performers. Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Michael Stewart, Selma Diamond, Larry Gelbart and Woody Alan all worked creating the sketches and situations that Sid and his talented cohorts brought to live television weekly. Yes it was all live – no second chances and apparently producer Max Liebman would not allow ad-libs.
After Imogene Coca left Show of Shows Nanette Fabray joined Caesar’s little rep company of Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, and Janet Blair. I love the interplay between Fabray and Caesar as the “loving” couple in this sketch from The Commuters – an ongoing series on Caesar’s Hour that at times almost qualified as one of the half-hour sit coms that were to become the norm in American television of the late 50s and onward.
That kissing scene is a prime example of the genius of Sid Caesar and the talent of Nanette Fabray.
On this day in 1484: William Caxton prints his translation of Aesop’s Fables.
Willy Or Won't He 
That health food one is as funny today as it was 60 years ago! And it made me think of my fashion-conscious Auntie Chic, who wanted a mink stole above all else in this world. Far, far beyond her financial reach, of course. But how she coveted one!
Plus, I love that Destination Art at the top of your blog page — I went to the website and was not disappointed! Beautiful graphics.
I love the older comedians, comedies, they had to think. I find anyone who has to rely on f bombs etc, are usually not that funny, they are often counting on the audience being a little drunk. I have no interest in paying to hear someone who sounds like that drunk obnoxious neighbour.
Some wonderful memories of my childhood.