Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1973)

The original rapid fire sketch comedy show.

Creator:

Digby Wolfe

Stars:

Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Ruth Buzzi

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 8 wins & 34 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Dan Rowan	...	Himself - Host (141 episodes, 1967-1973)
Dick Martin	...	Himself - Host (141 episodes, 1967-1973)
Ruth Buzzi	...	Regular Performer (141 episodes, 1967-1973)
Gary Owens	...	Announcer (139 episodes, 1968-1973)
Alan Sues	...	Regular Performer (102 episodes, 1968-1972)
Arte Johnson	...	Regular Performer (93 episodes, 1967-1971)
Henry Gibson	...	Regular Performer (92 episodes, 1967-1971)
Lily Tomlin	...	Regular Performer (85 episodes, 1970-1973)
Richard Dawson	...	Regular Performer (74 episodes, 1968-1973)
Jo Anne Worley	...	Regular Performer (70 episodes, 1967-1973)
Goldie Hawn	...	Regular Performer (67 episodes, 1968-1970)

Storyline

This show popularized a rapid style of vignette comedy show where comedy sketches, punch-lines and gags are edited together in a rapid and almost random format. Regular trademark elements included the joke wall, the dancing woman tattooed with one-liners and the fickle finger of fate award. This series would inspire such shows as Monty Python's Flying Circus and Sesame Street.

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Plot Keywords:

joke | sketch comedy | racist joke | spoof | social satire | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Music

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Laugh-In

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

George Schlatter-Ed Friendly Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Romart Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (124 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The catch phrase 'Beautiful Downtown Burbank' was originated by 'Gary Owens' around 1961 as one of a number of descriptive phrases he would use for his radio show weather reports.

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Quotes

[catchphrase]
Jo Anne: IS THAT A CHICKEN JOKE?

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Crazy Credits

In the Pilot Special, the ending credits show the cast playing with huge beach balls.

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Connections

Referenced in Sesame Street Stays Up Late! (1993)

User Reviews

Well It's Time To Say Goodnight, Dick ...Very interesting

Actually, even though you'd think this was an original idea, the folks who created this updated Olsen & Johnson's HELLAZPOPPIN (film version 1941) Broadway show. The show ran during the height of the Vietnam war & even though it ran pieces protesting the war, it also ran cameos on Nixon & all the famous politics's who were supporting it too. The show is often a bunch of disjointed sketches with the only thing in common the fact that it followed a framework every week. The opening would feature Gary Owens & Morgel the Friendly Drelb and a few sketches. Then Rowan & Martin would come out & do some quickie stand up comedy. Next would be the party where all kinds of characters would show up including the great flesh painted dancing of Judy Carne, Goldie Hawn, Terri Garr & others. After the party, the Laugh-In Dancers & Goldie would blow an introduction to the News. Martin would do the news of the Present, Rowan would do the news of the Future, Alan Sues would do sports with BIG AL & his tinkle, then Rowan would intro a sketch to news of the past. Once this part of the framework was over, a special musical guest would appear (I remember Strawberry Alarm Clock doing TOMORROW in one early episode). Eventually another rotating feature would be put in like THE FICKLE FINGER OF FATE, or Lily Tomlin doing an Operator routine or spoiled girl in giant rocking chair. Then finally we'd get to the joke wall (say Goodnight Dick) where almost anything would get thrown in. The credits would roll with the wall & then the end would be Arte Johnson as the German Soldier (sometimes with help) saying Very Interesting but... enjoyable but dated with the dippy sets now days. Fast paced too