Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

:"Here Comes The Judge redirects here, for the 1968 song see Shorty Long."Infobox Television
show_name = Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In


imagesize =
caption = Caricatures of Dan Rowan and Dick Martin by Sam Berman
show_name_2 = "Laugh-In"
genre = Sketch comedy
creator = Ed Friendly
George Schlatter
director = Gordon Wiles
Mark Warren
starring = Dan Rowan
Dick Martin
Gary Owens
Goldie Hawn
Ruth Buzzi
Henry Gibson
Arte Johnson
Alan Sues
Jo Anne Worley
Lily Tomlin
Judy Carne
country = USA
num_seasons = 6
num_episodes = 140
list_episodes = List of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In episodes
runtime = 60 minutes
network = NBC
first_aired = Start date|1968|01|22
last_aired = end date|1973|03|12
preceded_by = "Pilot" 1967-09-09
followed_by = "Laugh-In's 25th Anniversary" 1993-02-07 "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Christmas Present" 1993-12-02 "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: A Valentine's Day Special" 1994-02-14 [cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/rowan-and-martins-laugh-in/show/1351/episode.html|title=Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: Episode Guide|accessdate=2008-09-26 |work=TV.com |publisher= |date= ]
imdb_id = 0062601
tv_com_id = 1351

"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" was an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968 to May 14, 1973. It was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and was broadcast over NBC. It originally aired as a one-time special on September 9, 1967 and was such a success that it was brought back as a series, replacing "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." on Mondays at 8pm on NBC.

The title, "Laugh-In," came out of events of the 1960s hippie culture, such as "love-ins" or "be-ins." These were terms that were, in turn, derived from "sit-ins," common in protests associated with civil rights and anti-war demonstrations of the time.

The show was characterized by a rapid-fire series of gags and sketches, many of which conveyed sexual innuendo or were politically charged. Rowan and Martin continued the exasperated straight man (Dan Rowan) and "dumb" guy (Dick Martin) act which they had established as nightclub comics.

"Laugh-In" had its roots in the humor of vaudeville and burlesque, but its most direct influences were from the comedy of Olsen and Johnson (specifically, their free-form Broadway revue "Hellzapoppin'"), the innovative television works of Ernie Kovacs, and the topical satire of "That Was The Week That Was".

A typical episode's format

* Shortly after the beginning of the show, after a minute or two of Rowan/Martin standup, Rowan would intone: "C'mon Dick, let's go to the party". This live-to-tape segment comprised all cast members and occasional surprise celebrities dancing before a 1960s "Mod" party backdrop, delivering one- and two-line jokes interspersed with a few bars of dance music (later adopted on "The Muppet Show", has an end-credits scene that is similar to "The Cocktail Party" with absurd moments from characters).
* "The Mod, Mod World" segment, with its own signature tune, comprised brief sketches on a theme interspersed with film footage of female cast members go-go dancing in bikinis, their bodies painted with punchy phrases and pithy wordplay. The dancers were usually Goldie Hawn, Judy Carne and Chelsea Brown; Ruth Buzzi and Jo Anne Worley popped up rarely, as did frequent guest Pamela Austin. In the 1969/1970 season, the chore was handled briefly by new cast members Teresa Graves and Pamela Rodgers before the go-go dancing became the domain of uncredited extras.)
* The Farkel Family, a couple with "many" kids —all of whom had flaming red hair and freckles like neighbor Ferd Berfel (played by Dick Martin). Head of the family Frank Farkel never questioned this fact when Ferd visited. Most plots were excuses to force the cast into tongue-twisters ("That's a fine-looking Farkel flinger you found there, Frank"). Bespectacled baby daughter Flicker Farkel (played by Buzzi) had no lines except screaming "Hiiii!!!" Two of the kids were twins named Simon and Gar Farkel (played by cast members of different races, Pamela Rodgers and Teresa Graves).
* "Laugh-In Looks at the News," a parody of network news (introduced by an unnews-like song and dance in varying motifs) commenting on current events. The segment often included "News of the Past" which lampooned historical events, and "News of the Future", predicting unlikely or bizarre future stories to comic effect. Rowan nailed some, mentioning "President Ronald Reagan" in a story from "1988, 20 years from now", eliciting laughter. Another prediction, that the Berlin Wall would be destroyed in 1989, also came true, although the follow-up gag that it would be "quickly replaced by a moat full of alligators" obviously did not. The news segment was reminiscent of BBC's earlier "That Was the Week That Was" and in turn, was echoed a few years later by "Saturday Night Live's" "Weekend Update" segments. "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels was a Laugh-In writer early in his career.
* New Talent Time, introducing oddball variety acts. The most famous of these performers was Tiny Tim. Comedian Paul Gilbert, father of actress Melissa Gilbert, appeared as inept "French" juggler "Paul Gilbert" (pronounced "jheel-bare" in the French manner). Comic Art Metrano appeared as "The Great Metrano," a so-called magician who had no skill at all. "Laugh-In" writer Chris Beard liked the "New Talent" concept and later developed it into "The Gong Show".
* The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award, saluting actual dubious achievements by the government or famous people. The trophy was a gilt, outstretched finger atop a square base. "The flying, fickle finger of fate" was already a familiar catchphrase on the show (Dan Rowan would use the phrase when ushering "new talent" like Tiny Tim on stage).
* Judy Carne was often tricked into saying "Sock it to me", which led to her being doused with water or otherwise assaulted. "Sock it to me" also became a catchphrase. During the September 16, 1968 episode, Richard Nixon, running for president, appeared for a few seconds with a disbelieving vocal inflection, asking "Sock it to "me"?" Nixon was not doused or assaulted. An invitation was extended to Nixon's opponent, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, but he declined. According to George Schlatter, the show's creator, "Humphrey later said that not doing it may have cost him the election."
* At the end of every show, Dan Rowan turned to his co-host and said, "Say good night, Dick", to which Martin replied, "Good night, Dick!" (varying a bit from the old George Burns and Gracie Allen radio show). The show then featured cast members opening panels in a psychedelically painted 'joke wall' and telling jokes. As the show drew to a close and the applause died, executive producer George Schlatter's clapping continued even as the screen turned blank and the production logo, network chimes, and NBC logo appeared.

Memorable cast members/guests and their running gags

*Arte Johnson portrayed a number of recurring characters, including:
** Wolfgang the German soldier - Wolfgang would comment on the previous gag by saying "Verrry interesting", sometimes with comments such as "...but "shtupid"!" He eventually would close each show by talking to Lucille Ball as well as the cast of "Gunsmoke" — both airing opposite "Laugh-In" on CBS; as well as whatever was on ABC. Johnson would later repeat the line while playing Nazi-themed supervillain Virman Vundabar on an episode of "Justice League Unlimited".
** Tyrone F. Horneigh (pronounced "hor-NIGH," presumably to satisfy the censors) - A dirty old man coming on to Gladys Ormphby (Ruth Buzzi) seated on a park bench, who inevitably clobbered him with her purse. Sample exchange:
**:"Tyrone:" Do you believe in the hereafter?
**:"Gladys:" Of course I do!
**:"Tyrone:" Then you know what I'm "here" after!
**"(Both the Tyrone and Gladys characters went into animated form in the "Nitwits" segments of the 1977 animated television show "Baggy Pants and the Nitwits")"
** Piotr Rosmenko, the Eastern European Man - Piotr stood stiffly and nervously in an ill-fitting suit while commenting on differences between America and "the old country," such as "Here in America, is very good, everyone watch television. In old country, television watches you!" This predated a similar schtick by Yakov Smirnoff. Occasionally guest star Sammy Davis, Jr. teamed with Johnson as "The Rosmenko Twins."
** Rabbi Shankar (a pun on Ravi Shankar), an Indian guru - Dressed in a Nehru jacket dispensing pseudo-mystical Eastern wisdom laden with bad puns. He held up two fingers in a peace sign whenever he spoke.
** The Judge. Originally portrayed by British comic Roddy Maude-Roxby as a stuffy magistrate with black robe and powdered wig. Each "Judge" sketch would feature an unfortunate defendant brought before the court. Guest star Flip Wilson introduced the sketch with "Here come de judge!," the venerable catchphrase of black nightclub comedian Pigmeat Markham. Markham was surprised that his trademark had been appropriated, and he petitioned producer George Schlatter to let him play The Judge himself. Schlatter complied and Markham sat atop the bench for one season. The sketches were briefly retired until another guest star, Sammy Davis, Jr., donned the judicial robe and wig. Davis immediately made The Judge his own, using a drawling dialect reminiscent of "Kingfish" Tim Moore, and enthusiastically playing every courtroom scene broadly. Davis even introduced his own sketches, strutting across a bare stage in Judge regalia and chanting in couplets ("If your lawyer's sleepin', better give him a nudge! Everybody look alive, 'cause here come de judge! Here come de judge! Here come de judge!").
** An unnamed man in a yellow raincoat and hat, riding a tricycle. The image of him pedaling, then tipping over and falling, was frequently used between sketches. (Judy Carne was once reported to have said that every member of the cast took turns riding the tricycle at one time or another.)
* Announcer Gary Owens standing in an old-time radio studio with his hand cupped over his ear, making announcements, often with little relation to the rest of the show, such as (in an overly-dramatic voice), "Earlier that evening..."
* Ruth Buzzi in many roles, including:
** Gladys Ormphby - A drab, though relatively young spinster who was the eternal target of Arte Johnson's Tyrone; when Johnson left the series, Gladys retreated into recurring daydreams, often involving marriages to historical figures, including Christopher Columbus and Benjamin Franklin (both played by Alan Sues).
** Doris Swizzle - A seedy barfly paired with her husband, Leonard Swizzle, played by Dick Martin.
** Busy Buzzi - A Hedda Hopper/Louella Parsons-style gossip columnist.
* Henry Gibson as:
** The Poet - The Poet would hold an oversized flower and read offbeat poems. He pronounced his name "Henrik Ibsen".
** The Parson - A character who made ecclesiastical quips and, in 1970, officiated at a near-marriage for Tyrone and Gladys.
* Lily Tomlin as:
** Ernestine/Miss Tomlin - The obnoxious telephone operator with no concern for her customers ("'Fair'? Sir, we don't have to be fair. We're the phone company.").
** Edith Ann - A child who frequently said, "And that's the truth", followed by "Pbbbt!" . Tomlin performed her skits in an oversized rocking chair that made her appear small.
** "Tasteful" society matron Mrs. Earbore. Mrs. Earbore would express quiet disapproval about a tasteless joke or remark, and then rise from her chair with her legs spread.Lily Tomlin later performed Ernestine for "Saturday Night Live", and Edith Ann on children's shows such as "Sesame Street".
* Judy Carne in "Robot Theater." Judy would adopt robotic speech and movements, as a talking "Judy Doll", usually played with Arte Johnson who never heeded her warning: "Touch my little body, and I hit!"
* Henny Youngman telling one-liner jokes for no reason. Often, corny one-liners would be followed by the line, "Oh, "that" Henny Youngman!"
* Alan Sues as Big Al - A clueless and fey sports anchor who loved ringing his bell, which he called his "tinkle", and as hungover children's show host "Uncle Al, The Kiddies' Pal"
* Goldie Hawn was the giggling dumb blonde stumbling over her lines, especially when she introduced Dan's "News of the Future".
* Jo Anne Worley sometimes sang off-the-wall songs using her loud operatic voice, but is better remembered for her mock outrage at "chicken jokes." Many times, during the Cocktail Parties, she talked about her boyfriend Boris (a married man).
* Barbara Sharma as the dancing meter-maid who ticketed anything from trees to baby carriages, and often praised vice president Spiro Agnew, calling him 'Pres-ee-dent Agnew.'
* Flip Wilson, whose character, the cross-dressing Geraldine, originated the phrase "What you see is what you get". Another catchphrase was "The devil made me do it". Wilson and his alter ego had their own variety show in the early '70s.
* Dan Rowan as General Bull Right - A far-right-wing representative of the military establishment and outlet for political humor.
* Richard Dawson as Hawkins the Butler - Would always start his piece by asking "Permission to...?" and proceed to fall over.

Memorable moments and catchphrases

The show gave publicity to singer Tiny Tim, an unusual man with long dark hair, a prominent nose and a cheap suit. He sang in falsetto while accompanying himself on ukulele. Tiny Tim was Herbert Khaury, a serious scholar of Tin Pan Alley tunes who hit upon this strangely humorous characterization. Thanks to appearances on the show, he recorded a piercing version of the 1920s song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" which became a Top-40 hit. Tiny Tim was later married on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" to Victoria Budinger, who was known as Miss Vicki. Martin would often refer to Tim's appearances by asking Rowan with some concern, "You're not gonna bring back Tiny Tim, are you?"

Other musical moments came in the first season with some of the first music videos seen on network TV, with cast members appearing in films set to the music of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Bee Gees, The Temptations, the Strawberry Alarm Clock and The First Edition.

Lily Tomlin and Goldie Hawn later became noted film stars (Hawn won an Academy Award while still a member of the cast; Tomlin was later nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1975 for "Nashville"). Henry Gibson later co-starred in the Robert Altman film "Nashville". Ruth Buzzi became a regular on children's television series. Dave Madden, whose trademark was to throw confetti (representing an unspoken impure thought) while keeping a dour expression at the punchline of a joke, played Reuben Kincaid on the television sitcom "The Partridge Family". Richard Dawson, who previously had a regular supporting role on the sitcom "Hogan's Heroes", went on to success on the game shows "Match Game" and "Family Feud". Larry Hovis, also a regular on "Hogan's Heroes", appeared on "Laugh-In" during the first and the fifth seasons. Teresa Graves parlayed her season on the show into the title role of the police drama "Get Christie Love!" Flip Wilson took Geraldine and his other characters to his own variety show from 1970 through 1974.

In addition to those mentioned, the show created numerous catchphrases:

* "Verrry Eeen-ter-es-ting!" (said by Arte Johnson as Nazi soldier Wolfgang spying from behind a potted plant)
* A six-note pattern preceding a code-word or punchline to an off-color joke, such as "do-doo-doo-da-do-doo ... smack!" or "... family jewels!" (sometimes extended to 18 notes by repeating the GGGDEC pattern two more times before the code-word). This same musical phrase had been used as a "signature" at the end of many pieces played by Spike Jones and his City Slickers.
* "I didn't know that." (Dick Martin's occasional response to what happened on an episode)
* "Easy for you to say!' (Dan Rowan's reply whenever Dick Martin tripped on his tongue during a joke)
* "Ohhh, I'll drink to that." (Martin's response to something Rowan said that he liked.)
* "I was wondering if you'd mind if I said something my aunt once said to me." A phrase that Dick Martin would always say to interrupt Dan Rowan's announcements on what would happen during their next show; this phrase was followed by a story about a bizarre situation that his aunt went through.
* "Look "that" up in your "Funk and Wagnalls"!"
* "Go to your room."
* "Uncle Al had to take a lot of medicine last night" (line by Uncle Al, the Kiddies' Pal, played by Alan Sues)
* "You bet your sweet bippy!"
* "Here come de' judge!" (reprising comedian Pigmeat Markham and further popularized by guest stars Flip Wilson and especially Sammy Davis Jr.)
* "'Ello, 'ello! NBC, beautiful downtown Burbank" (the response to calls received by a switchboard operator played by Judy Carne). When the series was syndicated in 1983, the NBC logo and the network's name were edited out.
* "And that's the truth." (Edith Ann, summarizing whatever she just said, and capping it with a juicy razzberry)
* "One ringy-dingy...two ringy-dingies..." (Ernestine's mimicking of the rings while she was waiting for someone to pick up the receiver on the other end of the telephone lines)
* "A gracious good afternoon. This is Miss Tomlin of the telephone company. Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?" Ernestine's greeting to people whom she would call
* "I just wanna swing!" Gladys Ormphby's catchphrase
* "Is that a chicken joke?" Jo Anne Worley's outraged cry, a takeoff on Polish jokes
* "Here comes the big finish, folks!" (usually before the last of a series of a star's bad puns)
* "Sock it to me!" experienced its greatest exposure on "Laugh-In" although the phrase had been featured in songs like Aretha Franklin's 1967 "Respect" and Mitch Ryder's 1966 "Sock It To Me, Baby!"
* "Oh, "that" Henny Youngman"
* "Marshall McLuhan...what're you doin'?" (Henry Gibson)
* "I don't know. I've never been out with one!" (First introduced by guest star Marcel Marceau, this catch-all punchline would be uttered by any guest star. Goldie: "Are you of the opposite sex?"/Tiny Tim: "I don't know, Miss Goldie, I've never been out with one.")
* "Blow in my ear and I'll follow you anywhere."
* "Now, that's a no-no!"
* "Tune in next week when Henny Youngman's wife burns Jell-o!"
* "Morgul the Friendly Drelb" (a pink Abominable Snowman-like character that appeared in the first episode and bombed so badly that his name was used in various announcements by Gary Owens for the rest of the series and credited as the author of a paperback collection of the show's sketches)

Merchandise tie-ins and spin-offs

A humor magazine tie-in, "Laugh-In Magazine", was published for two years, and a syndicated newspaper comic strip was collected for a paperback reprint. The show had its own Topps trading-card set, including "Joke Wall" cards which had perforations to allow a 'door' to open, displaying a punchline on the reverse.

There was also a short-lived spin-off daytime program hosted by Gary Owens called "Letters to Laugh-In", in which cast members read jokes sent in by the public.

The comedy film "The Maltese Bippy" featured several actors from the series.

The Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors Corporation produced a GTO special modification called "The Judge" to capitalize on the phrase's popularity. "The Judge" was available in 1969, 1970 and 1971.

In 1969, Sears, Roebuck and Company produced a 15 minute short called "Freeze-In", which starred series regulars Judy Carne and Arte Johnson. Made to capitalize on the popularity of the series, the short was made for Sears salesmen to introduce the new Kenmore freezer campaign. A dancing, bikini-clad Carne provided the opening titles with tatoos on her body (ala Goldie Hawn). [cite web |url=http://www.archive.org/details/freeze_in |title=Internet Archive: Details: Freeze-In|accessdate=2008-09-26 |work=Archive.org]

Cast comings and goings

Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Henry Gibson, Larry Hovis, Arte Johnson, and Jo Anne Worley were originally in the pilot special from 1967. Gary Owens (announcer), Eileen Brennan, Roddy Maude-Roxby, and Goldie Hawn came on in the show. Most of the cast members weren't in all 14 episodes from the season. Only the two hosts, announcer, and Judy, Henry, and Arte were in all 14 episodes. One cast member, Eileen , only appear in half of the episodes. She and Larry and Roddy left after the first season.

The second season saw a handful of new people, including Alan Sues, Dave Madden, and Chelsea Brown. All of the new cast members from the second season left, except Alan Sues who stayed on until 1972.

The show was #1 in the ratings for the 1968–69 and 1969–70 seasons. At the end of '68–69, Judy Carne chose not to renew her contract, though she did make appearances during '69–70; producer George Schlatter blamed her for breaking up the "family." The show also survived the departures of Goldie Hawn and Jo Anne Worley to remain a top-20 show in '70–71. Schlatter tried to replace Hawn with other wide-eyed starlets acting dumb: first Pamela Rodgers, then Sarah Kennedy, and finally Donna Jean Young, but Hawn's dizzy characterization proved inimitable.

The third season saw several new people who only stayed on for that season, Teresa Graves, Jeremy Lloyd, Pamela Rodgers, and Stu Gilliam. Lily Tomlin joined in the middle of the season and stayed on for awhile. Jo Anne Worley, Goldie Hawn, and Judy Carne left after the season.

New faces in the 1970–71 season included tall, sad-eyed Dennis Allen, who alternately played quietly zany characters and straight man for anybody's jokes; comic actress Ann Elder, who also contributed to scripts, tap dancer Barbara Sharma, who would later appear on "Rhoda", and beefy Johnny Brown, who played the superintendent Nathan "Buffalo Butt" Bookman on "Good Times".

Arte Johnson, who created many characters, insisted on star billing, apart from the rest of the cast. The producer mollified him, but had announcer Gary Owens read Johnson's credit as a separate sentence: "Starring Dan Rowan and Dick Martin! And Arte Johnson! With Ruth Buzzi..." This maneuver gave Johnson star billing, but made it sound like he was still part of the ensemble cast. Johnson left the show after the 1970-71 season. NBC aired the pilot for his situation comedy "Call Holme", but it never became a series.

Henry Gibson also departed after the 1970–71 season. He and Johnson were replaced by Richard Dawson and Larry Hovis, both of whom had appeared occasionally in the first season. Both of them were on Hogan's Hero. However, the loss of Johnson's many characters caused ratings to drop farther.

The show celebrated its 100th episode during the '71–72 season, and Carne, Worley, Johnson, Gibson, Graves, and Tiny Tim all returned for the festivities. John Wayne was also on hand for his first cameo appearance since 1968.

For the show's final season (1972-73), Rowan and Martin assumed the executive producer roles from George Schlatter (known on-air as "CFG", which stood for "Crazy Fucking George") and Ed Friendly.

Except for holdovers Dawson, Owens, Buzzi, and only occasional appearances from Tomlin, a new cast was brought in. This final season featured future "Match Game" panelist Patti Deutsch, folksy singer-comedian Jud Strunk, and ventriloquist act Willie Tyler and Lester. Deutsch, Strunk, and Tyler caught on to the spirit of the show and made valuable contributions (Deutsch did celebrity impressions -- in the presence of the celebrity -- and took over Worley's role in "The Farkel Family"). The shows were still amusing, but without the usual gang viewers didn't respond as they once had.

These last shows never aired in the edited half-hour rerun syndicated to local stations in 1983 and later aired on Nick at Nite. The cable network Trio started airing the show in its original one-hour form in the early 2000s, but only the pilot and the first 69 episodes (extending to the fourth episode of the 1970–71 season) were included in Trio's package. Two "Best-of" DVD packages are also available; they only contain six episodes each.

Of over three dozen entertainers to grace the cast, only Rowan, Martin, Owens and Buzzi were there from beginning to end. Owens wasn't in the 1967 pilot and Buzzi missed two first-season episodes.

The show has passed its 40th anniversary and there hasn't been any talk about the show being released on DVD for each season.

Ratings

*1968-1969:#1 [http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1968.htm]
*1969-1970:#1 [http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1969.htm]
*1970-1971:#13 [http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1970.htm]
*1971-1972:#22 [http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1971.htm]

Revival

In 1977, Schlatter and NBC briefly revived the property as a series of specials - entitled simply "Laugh-In" - with a new cast, including former child evangelist Marjoe Gortner. The standout was a then-unknown Robin Williams; whose starring role on ABC's "Mork & Mindy" one year later prompted NBC to rerun the specials as a summer series in 1979.

Regular performers (with season numbers, where known)

* All seasons: Dan Rowan, host
* All seasons: Dick Martin, host
* All seasons: Gary Owens, announcer
* All seasons: Ruth Buzzi
* Season 1: Eileen Brennan (1968)
* Season 1, 2, 3: Judy Carne (1968-1970)
* Season 1, 2, 3, 4: Henry Gibson (1968-1971)
* Season 1, 2, 3: Goldie Hawn (1968-1970)
* Season 1, 5: Larry Hovis (1968, 1971-1972)
* Season 1, 2, 3, 4: Arte Johnson (1968-1971)
* Season 1: Roddy Maude-Roxby (1968)
* Season 1, 2, 3: Jo Anne Worley (1968-1970)
* Season 2, 3, 4, 5: Alan Sues (1968-1972)
* Season 2: "The Fun Couple" Charlie Brill and Mitzi McCall (1968-1969)
* Season 2: Chelsea Brown (1968-1969)
* Season 2: Dave Madden (1968-1969)
* Season 2: Pigmeat Markham (1968-1969)
* Season 2: Dick "Sweet Brother" Whittington (actor/disc jockey) (1968-1969)
* Season 2, 3: Byron Gilliam (1969-1970; uncredited in season 2, returned as dancer only in 5)
* Season 3: Teresa Graves (1969-1970)
* Season 3: Jeremy Lloyd (1969-1970)
* Season 3: Pamela Rodgers (1969-1970)
* Season 3: Stu Gilliam (1970)
* Season 3, 4, 5, 6: Lily Tomlin (1969-1973)
* Season 3, 4, 5 Johnny Brown (1970-1972)
* Season 4, 5: Dennis Allen (1970-1973)
* Season 4, 5: Ann Elder (1970-1972)
* Season 4: Nancie Phillips (1970-1971)
* Season 4, 5: Barbara Sharma (1970-1972)
* Season 4: Harvey Jason (1970-1971)
* Season 4, 5, 6: Richard Dawson (1971-1973; also one appearance in Season 1)
* Season 6: Moosie Drier (1971-1973)
* Season 6: Tod Bass (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Brian Bressler (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Patti Deutsch (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Lisa Farringer (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Sarah Kennedy (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Jud Strunk (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Willie Tyler (1972-1973)
* Season 6: Donna Jean Young (1972-1973)

Regular Guest Performers

* Jack Benny (1968-1970, 1972)
* Johnny Carson (1968-1970, 1971, 1973)
* Sammy Davis Jr. (1968-1970, 1971, 1973)
* Zsa Zsa Gabor (1968-1970)
* Peter Lawford (1968-1971)
* Tiny Tim (1968-1970, 1971-1972)
* John Wayne (1968, 1971-1973)
* Flip Wilson (1968-1970)
* Henny Youngman (1968-1969, 1971-1973)

Full List of Celebrity Guest Performers

1968

*Leo G. Carroll
*Barbara Feldon
*Lorne Greene
*Buddy Hackett
*Sheldon Leonard
*The Strawberry Alarm Clock
*Robert Culp
*Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
*Tom Smothers
*Tim Conway
*Sonny & Cher
*Paul Gilbert
*Don Adams
*The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
*Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
*Walter Slezak
*Kaye Ballard
*Richard Dawson
*Dinah Shore
*The Temptations
*Jerry Lewis
*Leonard Nimoy
*Edward Platt
*Connie Stevens
*Larry Storch
*Paul Williams
*Sally Field
*Terry-Thomas
*Joby Baker
*Godfrey Cambridge
*Anissa Jones
*Pat Morita
*Paul Winchell
*Elgin Baylor
*Harry Belafonte
*Joey Bishop
*Regis Philbin
*The Bee Gees
*Ed McMahon
*John Byner
*Hugh Downs
*James Garner
*Shelley Berman
*Milton Berle
*Jill St. John
*Hugh Hefner
*Bob Hope
*Jack Lemmon
*Richard Nixon
*Sonny Tufts
*Herb Alpert
*Eve Arden
*Arlene Dahl
*George Kirby
*Patrick Wayne
*Nick Castle
*Greer Garson
*Abbe Lane
*Greg Morris
*Otto Preminger
*Michael Wayne
*Kirk Douglas
*Lena Horne
*Liberace
*France Nuyen
*Bobby Darin
*Rosemary Clooney
*Mitzi Gaynor
*The Holy Modal Rounders
*Colonel Sanders
*Van Johnson
*Werner Klemperer
*Bill Dana
*Jimmy Dean
*Marcel Marceau
*George Gobel
*Dick Gregory
*Rock Hudson
*Rod Serling
*Victor Borge
*Phil Harris
*Perry Como
*Joseph Cotten
*Phyllis Diller
*Vincent Price
*Tony Curtis
*Cliff Robertson
*Barbara Bain
*Billy Barty
*Martin Landau
*Guy Lombardo
*Nanette Fabray
*George Jessel
*Bob Newhart
*Rich Little
*Kate Smith

1969

*Peter Falk
*Marcel Marceau
*Garry Moore
*Paul Winchell
*Perry Como
*David Janssen
*Van Johnson
*George Gobel
*Guy Lombardo
*Richard and Pat Nixon
*Nancy Sinatra
*The Smothers Brothers
*Tony Curtis
*Frank Gorshin
*George Jessel
*Janos Prohaska
*Tom Kennedy
*Liberace
*Rich Little
*Don Rickles
*Cliff Robertson
*Greer Garson
*The Monkees (Without Peter Tork)
*Nipsey Russell
*Robert Wagner
*James Drury
*James Garner
*Gina Lollobrigida
*Doug McClure
*Mel Brooks
*Lena Horne
*Rock Hudson
*Bob Newhart
*Connie Stevens
*Ann Miller
*Shelley Winters
*Forrest Tucker
*Werner Klemperer
*Laurence Harvey
*Billy Graham
*Debbie Reynolds
*Peter Sellers
*Michael Caine
*Bob Hope
*Sonny & Cher
*Mitzi Gaynor
*Jack E. Leonard
*Lana Wood
*Anne Jackson
*Romy Schneider
*Eli Wallach
*Buddy Hackett
*Carol Channing
*Diana Ross
*Tennessee Ernie Ford
*Sid Caesar
*Engelbert Humperdinck
*Jill St. John
*Roger Moore
*Jacqueline Susann
*Lorne Greene
*Ed McMahon
*Frank Sinatra Jr.

1970

Series writers

George Schlatter, Lorne Michaels, Phil Hahn, Jim Mulligan, Jack Hanrahan, Gene Farmer, Jim Abell, Bill Richmond, Don Reo, Allan Katz, Jack Wohl, Larry Siegel, John Rappaport, Allan Manings, Jack Margolis, Bob Howard, John Jay Carsey, Richard Goren (also credited as Rowby Greeber and Rowby Goren), Chris Bearde (credited as Chris Beard), Chet Dowling, David Panich, Marc London, Paul Keyes, Dave Cox, Jack Kaplan, Stephen Spears, Hugh Wedlock Jr., Coslough Johnson (Arte Johnson's twin brother), Hart Pomerantz, Barry Took, Digby Wolfe, Jeremy Lloyd.

Musical direction and production numbers

The musical director for "Laugh-In" was composer-lyricist Billy Barnes, who wrote all of the original musical production numbers in the show. Barnes is the creator of the famous Billy Barnes Revues of the 1950s and 1960s, and composed such popular hits as "(Have I Stayed) Too Long at the Fair" recorded by Barbra Streisand and the jazz standard "Something Cool" recorded by June Christy.

Episodes

Production technique

The show was pre-recorded at NBC's Burbank Facility. Since timecode-controlled videotape editing had not been invented at the time, montage was achieved by the error-prone method of physical splicing of the two-inch quadraplex tape. This had the incidental benefit of ensuring that the master tape would be preserved, since a spliced tape could not be recycled for further use.

hows similar to "Laugh-In"

* NBC's "Laugh-In" inspired CBS's "Hee Haw", which debuted in 1969.
* ABC's "Turn-On" is perhaps the most infamous imitator of Laugh-In. Produced by Friendly and Schlatter, "Turn-On" was even faster paced and more raunchy than "Laugh-In", to the point where ABC cancelled the series after only one episode (in fact, some stations pulled it from the air halfway through).
*"You Can't Do That On Television" was heavily influenced by "Laugh-In" for having the use of slime poured on people's heads when they say "I don't know" (like "sock it to me" on Laugh-In), as well as using school lockers as a device similar to Laugh-In's joke wall. Ruth Buzzi was also a regular on its short-lived prime-time spinoff, "Whatever Turns You On" (which in itself is one of the many recurring comedy taglines of Laugh-In fame).

Awards and nominations

TV Land Awards

*Nominated: Favorite Variety Show (2003)

Logie Award

*Won: Best Overseas Show (1969)

Golden Globe Award

*Won: Best Supporting Actress - Television, Ruth Buzzi (1973)
*Nominated: Best Supporting Actress - Television, Lily Tomlin (1972)
*Nominated: Best Supporting Actor - Television, Henry Gibson (1971)
*Nominated: Best TV Show - Musical/Comedy (1970)
*Won: Best TV Show (1969)
*Nominated: Best TV Show (1968)

Emmy Awards

*Nominated: Outstanding Achievement by a Performer in Music or Variety, Ruth Buzzi (1972)
*Nominated: Outstanding Achievement by a Performer in Music or Variety, Lily Tomlin (1972)
*Won: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety or Music, Mark Warren (For episode #4.7, 1971)
*Nominated: Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement - Individuals, Goldie Hawn (1970)
*Won: Special Classification Achievements - Individuals (Variety Performances), Arte Johnson (1969)
*Nominated: Special Classification Achievements - Individuals (Variety Performances), Ruth Buzzi (1969)
*Nominated: Special Classification Achievements - Individuals (Variety Performances), Goldie Hawn (1969)
*Won: Outstanding Musical or Variety Program, George Shlatter (For the September 9, 1967 special, 1968)
*Won: Outstanding Musical or Variety Series, George Shlatter (1968)
*Won: Outstanding Writing Achievement in Music or Variety, Chris Bearde, Phil Hahn, Jack Hanrahan, Coslough Johnson, Paul Keyes, Marc London, Allan Manings, David Panich, Hugh Wedlock, Jr., Digby Wolfe (1968)

ee also

* Turn-On

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.rowanandmartinslaughin.com "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.com"]
*imdb title|0062601
*tv.com |1351
* [http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/040419fa_fact1 References the effect of Nixon's appearance on "Laugh-In" on the US presidential election of 1968]
* [http://www.harpers.org/LaughTrackers.html FBI review of an episode devoted to the agency, quoted by "Harper's Magazine" in 2006]