Ticket 2 Ride

Everyone knows the names Berle, Hope, Benny, Burns, Newhart, Rickles, Allen, Smothers Brothers, Bruce, Foxx, Cosby, Conway, Burnett, Winters, Carlin, Pryor, Caesar, Brooks & Reiner, Nichols & May, from the 1950s-1960s. In the heyday of the television variety show, comedy acts were a key ingredient to the mix of entertainment.

Some of the names below might be familiar, others not. Some of those performers are considered generational stars, others might have found their comedy niche, or were personalities that found work as actors more than being stand-up comedians. Others were revered nightclub comedians who did not really find a place on television or films, but worked steadily and might land gigs opening for major singers.

I remember each of these performers, although some more than others. Some of these folks were funny, others just comedians of a different generation from me, or their style was unappealing to my comedy sensitivities and subjects not relatable to me. Still, they are worthy of being on the list and being recognized for their success.

The wife and I were watching a television variety show from the early 1970s recently, and during the opening monologue she said he wasn’t funny. It was a very long comedy bit, with what I took as exposition as the performer was creating basis of the routine and mixing in different voices. I immediately thought that he was performing something from his nightclub act, not something specifically written for the pacing of television. The bit didn’t contain jokes or funny observations, it was like acting out a witty story. Was it funny? Not to my wife, and I certainly found it hard to follow and not sure where the laughs might be. This was a very talented and successful comedian, just one who I felt hadn’t made the successful transition to the quicker pace of television audiences. What’s funny to one person may not be funny to another. Even two performers doing the same bit, approach it and deliver the material differently. On television, some comedians are not funny, even when language and subject matter limitations aren’t a factor. The nightclub or supper club is not The Ed Sullivan Show or The Dean Martin Show, two of the springboards for comedians in those days.

Here’s my list of comedians from the old days. Most of these folks did standup or nightclub routines along the way. Many were big stars, but not superstars like I listed above. How many of these comedians do you remember?

Burns & Schreiber – Jack Burns and Avery Schreiber met while members of Chicago’s Second City and formed a duo that was very popular in the 1970s. Each went on to successful solo careers. Burns had previously teamed with George Carlin.

Victor Borge – An accomplished pianist, he mixed music and comedy. Popular all over the world, often appeared with orchestras. Well-respected member of old-guard comedians.

Shecky Greene – Found nightclub success at the casinos, a top headliner in the 1950s and 1960s, found his way into a successful acting career. Credited with helping make Vegas a popular place to see entertainment.

Buddy Hackett – Actor and comic, he had an odd, goofy delivery that made his shtick even funnier. Popular talk show guest because you were never sure that he was going to say or do.

Red Buttons – Carved out a long and successful acting career, but was a nightclub performer for many years. Found TV success in the early 1950s, won an Academy Award for the movie Sayonara.

Robert Klein – A Second City alum, Klein immediately started working on TV, and then Broadway. His comedy was observational and very political in the early 1970s. One of the first hosts of SNL. He has a long list of stage, film and TV credits. In 1970, I saw a TV show he was hosting that was quite hip in the visuals and edgy humor. I’ve always remembered that.

Harvey Korman – Wanting to be a serious actor, it was comedy where he excelled, particularly in sketch comedy, first with Danny Kaye, the Carol Burnett, then Mel Brooks and always with Tim Conway. Usually the straight man, he donned wigs, bearded, costumes and funny voices where he became characters you couldn’t stop watching and laughing at.

Mort Saul – Popularized edgy, satirical social commentary and politics. Influenced a generation of comedians who incorporated current events and political thought into their acts. Popularity waned, as his targets pushed back, but his career made a resurgence later in his life.

Jackie Mason – I never got this guy. Controversies seemed to follow him. Some of his material and delivery seemed insulting.

Joey Bishop – A member of the Rat Pack, performed in nightclubs, films and TV. Hosted his own talk show opposite Carson, later was a Carson guest host, had several TV sitcoms.

Dick Gregory – Political and social commentary formed his comedy, a trailblazer, not just for Black comics. He became an author, political candidate, speaker, radio personality and activist, work that eclipsed his comedy career.

Slappy White – Began as a dancer and didn’t do stand-up until later. Travelled the same circuit as his friend Redd Foxx. Gradually got into stand-up as part of team and later ventured out on his own, playing Vegas for years, his material later incorporated civil rights and current events. Acting opportunities arose with Foxx and performances on Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. A former husband of Pearl Bailey and LaVern Baker.

Nipsey Russell – There weren’t many black faces on TV, and Nipsey started showing up in variety shows like Ed Sullivan and the Tonight Show, leading to a reoccurring role on Car 54, Where Are You? Known for his amazing poetry, he was featured on Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.

Shelley Berman – Here’s a guy who was around for a long time, a major comedian in the 1950s, but seemed to fly under the radar after that.

Norm Crosby – Known for his frequent use of malaprops. Very popular on TV talk and variety shows because of how he mixed up words. A favorite of Dean Martin Roasts.

Alan King – An observational humorist, drawing on his Jewish background and everyday annoyances. Became an actor, appearing in many films and television roles. He was part of the establishment, frequent guest of Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson and opened for big name singers. King was edgy, without being offensive.

Larry Storch – More than Corporal Agarn, Storch started in nightclubs telling jokes and doing impressions. He went to work in TV and film roles, and as a cartoon voice artist. He appeared in many small film roles and TV variety shows doing sketch comedy. He was a gifted impressionist, turning this talent into a thriving voiceover career and portraying zany characters with accents and outrageous mannerisms.

Frank Gorshin – A gifted impressionist, he was successful in Vegas and nightclubs. Not only a good voice impressionist, he also had the facial and other mannerisms of the people he portrayed. He made a lot of TV appearances where he did impressions as part of his comedy act. Also very successful as an actor, portrayed the Riddler on Batman. Gorshin also sang and performed in many dramatic acting roles.

John Byner – Impressionist, voice actor and comedic actor, who got his break on the Ed Sullivan Show. Impressionists were popular then, Byner turned it into a career of acting and voice roles, hosting and game shows.

Charlie Callis – Rubber faced Callis did impressions, contorted his face, and did a nervous chatter as his shtick. Fifty Tonight Show appearances, a Merv Griffin Show appearance where Jerry Lewis saw him, opening for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Roast appearances, and acting roles gave Callis a long acting and voice work career.

David Brenner – An observational comedian, Brenner was the most frequent guest of Johnny Carson, and often guest host. He wrote books, had a radio show, directed over 100 documentaries and was the occasional actor.

Rich Little – He made a career out of doing impressions. A sometimes actor, he was a favorite guest of Johnny Carson.

Rip Taylor – A flamboyant and manic personality, he threw confetti at the audience and worked with a lot of props. He could get very emotional. His popularity grew from working the East Coast hotels and clubs to many Ed Sullivan Show appearances. He had a big mustache and bad toupee. Besides opening for big stars on the road and TV variety shows, he was a regular on game shows.

Morey Amsterdam – Long before he co-starred on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Amsterdam worked in vaudeville and was a star on radio and hosted his on talk/variety show in the early days of TV. The human joke machine, the master of the one-liners, he actually played the cello in his nightclub act, wrote songs and provided jokes for others.

Foster Brooks – “The Lovable Lush” back when drunkenness was semi fashionable. Brooks made a career of portraying boozers, although many of his TV and film appearances are of a straight nature.

Corbett Monica – From the Borscht Belt to the Copa to junior member of the Rat Pack. He appeared on Ed Sullivan 18 times, many Tonight Show appearances, co-starring on The Joey Bishop Show, he also opened for Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Dean Martin, Steve & Edie, and many others.

Dick Cavett – Started as a comedy writer, supplying material for Jack Parr and Johnny Carson. Transitioned to stand-up, acting and hosting his own talk shows. Urbane and witty, his interviews were often with intellectuals and controversial figures.

Bill Dana – A stand-up comedian and comedy writer, Dana frequently appeared on Ed Sullivan, Tonight Show and Danny Thomas Show, often portraying his goofy José Jiménez character. He wrote comedy acts, TV and film scripts in addition to some acting gigs. Had his own TV sitcom where his character was José Jiménez.

Wally Cox – Voice of cartoon character Underdog, portrayed Mr. Peepers on TV, regular on Hollywood Squares, actor and frequent talk show guest. Played off of his slight physical appearance, nerdy manner and gentle attitude in his comedy act.

Dom DeLuise – A failed acting career at first, turned into a comedy performer on stage and TV variety shows, led to film roles and his own summer musical-variety shows where. He was excellent at physical comedy, and portraying outrageous character. He stole every scene he appeared in for The Glass Bottom Boat.

Dick Shawn – Also known for portraying eccentric characters on TV and film, he never stopped doing his nightclub act, in act, he actually had a heart attack and died on stage. Funniest role: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Bob & Ray – Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding specialized in parodies and satire, often as one interviewing the other with crazy exchanges in a very serious, deadpan manner. TV appearances, game shows, recordings, Broadway, commercials and voiceovers, these guys found a way to incorporate their unique comedic perspective into so many different media.

Phyllis Diller – Phyllis Diller belongs on the list of the best comedians, I shouldn’t have to remind any one of her name or her act. She worked harder and more often than most of her colleagues. Her shtick was her self-depreciation of her appearance, her goofy laugh and jokes her “husband” Fang and her awful cooking. She was a force of nature.

Minnie Pearl – Sarah Colley portrayed the country personality Minnie Pearl, whose act was based on quirky characters from her Tennessee hometown.

Moms Mabley – Born Loretta Mary Aiken, she adopted the Moms Mabley stage name. Performed on the Chitlin’ Circuit for years, the first female comic to perform at the Apollo Theatre, played Carnegie Hall and became a favorite on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Totie Fields – Born Sophie Feldman, became Totie Fields on stage. Very popular in the 1960s and 1970s with her self-deprecating style of humor, she made fun of her weight. Ed Sullivan gave her the first national exposure. She kept performing despite numerous major health challenges.

Lily Tomlin – She was doing stand-up before Laugh-In, but TV gave her a huge platform. She worked Broadway, recorded comedy albums, performed concerts and became popular in feature films. Hugely influential on women breaking through as stand-up and sketch comedians.

George Gobel – Lonesome George Gobel was a very sedate storyteller, with his homespun humor and funny songs. He had his own TV show in the 1950s, was a on Hollywood Squares, appeared in movies and TV shows. He had a trademark flattop haircut. His production company produced Leave it to Beaver.

Jack E. Leonard – Vaudeville performer who is noted as helping create the “insult comedy” genre, popular with Don Rickles. Very busy working Vegas and TV variety shows.

Rowan & Martin – Dan Rowan and Dick Martin did a stand-up act prior to Laugh In. They worked together after WWII in nightclubs and TV appearances. Rowan was the straight-man in the act.

George Kirby – Toured with Count Basie, headlined Vegas, appeared on Ed Sullivan, Tonight Show and many others. An impressionist.

Freddie Prinze – A rising star, Prinze died at age 22, after attaining success on his first Tonight Show appearance, the Chico and the Man television show, and was in great demand for television guest appearances and future projects. Prinze quickly developed a big following and made a big cultural impact before his tragic death.

Louis Nye – Character actor who worked radio, stage and early days of TV doing eccentric characters. A regular on Steve Allen’s TV shows. Continued to perform at clubs and theaters into his later years. Portrayed the spoiled, rich kid on The Beverly Hillbillies, Sonny Drysdale.

Mark Russell – A regular on PBS featuring his song parodies and political satire.

Pat Paulsen – His quirky portrayals on The Smothers Brothers Show put Paulsen in the spotlight. One of his bits was a fake campaign for president. He wrote satirical songs and his forte was playing inept characters.

Soupy Sales – Known for hosting children’s shows, he started as a radio DJ and working in nightclubs. A major personality in the early days of television. Appeared on game shows, variety shows, working up characters and physical comedy bits. His trademark was a pie in the face.

Ronnie Schell – From stand-up comedy, he parlayed that into acting. Duke Slater on Gomer Pyle, and a morning DJ on Good Morning World. Schell continued performing stand-up, sometimes opening for Jim Nabors on tour.

David Steinberg – Religious satire got Steinberg and the Smothers Brothers in trouble with CBS. Appeared on Johnny Carson over 100 times. He’s hosted TV and radio shows, directed TV shows and films, written books and recorded comedy albums.

Jack Carter – A big comic in the 1950s, performed on TV, hotels, nightclubs, also took a lot of acting jobs, TV game shows, and hosted his own TV show. In his later career known more for his dramatic acting roles, often a tough guy, troubled performer, man in a jam kind of stories.

Jan Murray – Started in vaudeville, worked the Catskills resorts, and worked his way to Vegas. Appeared regularly on TV talk shows, hosted and appeared on game show, did quite a bit of acting. The guy was everywhere as an actor and personality, but I don’t recall his stand-up.

Skiles and Henderson – Bill Skiles and Pete Henderson began their act in 1958 and continued till 2010. Much like the Smothers Brothers and Rowan & Martin, one was a straight man who was constantly interrupted by the zany partner. They toured with musical acts like The Carpenters and The New Christie Minstrels, and in the 1960s and 1970s appeared on just about every variety and talk show.

Pat Henry – Occasional TV appearances, but was primarily a nightclub comic. Often opened for Frank Sinatra, which made him a favorite of other big celebrities. His humor never impressed me, but seemed to appeal to an older crowd.

Milt Kamen – A classically trained French horn player, he became a stand-up comic and found his way from to musician to performer on the TV comedy shows of the 1950s. He did game shows, variety show and a lot of bit parts in TV shows.

Henry Gibson – Born James Bateman, he became an actor at a young age. Known for his satirical, but thoughtful poetry that was incorporated into Laugh In. He had a very understated delivery that exemplified many of his characters.

Stiller & Meara – Most popular in the 1960s, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara teamed up for stand-up in nightclubs, recordings, TV and commercials. They were opposites that incorporated those differences into their comedy.

Henny Youngman – The violin and the one-liner, that was how Youngman was known. “Take my wife…please.”

Ernie Kovacs – Trailblazing visual comedian on television with optics, editing and superimposing images. Hosted numerous TV shows where he experimented with the camera and non traditional comedy, he would influence improv and sketch comedy for decades.

Jackie Vernon – More people remember him as the voice of the Frosty the Snowman Christmas cartoon than for his comedy. His shtick was his deadpan delivery and self-deprecating humor. Popular on talk shows in the 1960s and the Dean Martin Roasts.

Allen & Rossi – Marty Allen and Steve Rossi supported singer Nat King Cole’s show for several years before broadening their act. Rossi was a singer, who had worked with Mae West, so they combined music and comedy like Martin & Lewis. A reliable act, they reportedly did over 700 TV shows, including 44 Ed Sullivan Shows.