The Dean Martin Show (TV Series) Celebrity Roast: Redd Foxx (1974) User Reviews

First Redd Foxx roast from 1974

[kevinolzak · 8/10 · 26 September 2022]

The first Redd Foxx roast lacks LaWanda Page but makes up for it with Demond Wilson, during the third season of SANFORD AND SON. Present on both occasions is Redd's former comedy partner Slappy White, reminiscing about their patriotic act: "I was Redd, he was White, and our jokes were very blue!" When Johnny Carson isn't available, there's always Joey Bishop: "for 6 years this man's been working his head off with his own money to build a home for unwed pimps!" Comedian John Barbour, later to play the game show host in SANFORD AND SON's "The Masquerade Party," offers some choice barbs: "Redd Foxx's nightclub act is the only thing in show business dirtier than Peter Falk's trenchcoat!" Nipsey Russell praises the star's spouse: "Redd Foxx is married to a belly dancer and she's great at cookin' a cake, we all like to sit around Redd's house just to see her shake 'n' bake!" Best of all is hearing Demond Wilson discuss how success has not changed his costar's way of thinking: "Redd has the same simple philosophy today that has guided him throughout his many years in show business, the Lord giveth so grab ith and runneth!"

"Redd over here is a very patriotic guy. His name is Redd, his hair is white, and his material is blue." - Jimmie J.J. Walker

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 22 July 2012]

This 'Man of the Hour' episode honoring Redd Foxx is probably dated correctly in the IMDb listings for Dean Martin's Comedy Hour, but the lineup shown varies quite a bit from the program I just watched. Only Nipsey Russell and Slappy White appeared from the cast as shown, with Demond Wilson, Redd's co-star on 'Sanford and Son' notably absent. The guest dais was quite well varied, with more black entertainers on hand than was usual, but that only made sense. As would be expected, TV headliners of the day who were Redd's contemporaries showed up to throw good natured barbs his way, including Lawanda Page (Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son), Jimmie J.J. Walker (from Good Times), Isabel Sanford (from All In The Family and later The Jeffersons) and Abe Vigoda (Barney Miller).

One entertainer on hand that I remember from back in the day was George Kirby, a black comedian and impressionist who did a fine job mimicking the voices of John Wayne, Edgar Buchanan and Pearl Bailey. A lot of folks do Wayne, but I've never heard the other two done by anyone else, and they were very close to the mark. Anyone reading this will probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but if you're around my age (early 60's), you'll appreciate the remarks.

Other celebrities on hand included Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Orson Welles (I've never seen him so huge), Marty Allen, baseball player and TV personality Joe Garagiola, the Master of Menace Don Rickles, and singer Isaac Hayes. As host for the festivities, Dean Martin got off quite a few zingers as the other celebrities fired off their best shots at Redd. When it came time for the guest of honor to close out the evening, he picked off each of the presenters in succession, proving that he could dish it out just as well as the next guy.