Here’s the genius of Foster Brooks: Every other comedian who did a “drunk act” overplayed it. They would stagger wildly, really slur their words, and then start singing “Sweet Adeline.” Foster Brooks did the opposite. He played a guy who was obviously drunk, but was trying very hard to hold it together. He would walk across the stage taking slow, measured steps trying not to stagger. When he spoke, there was some slurring of his words, but when he reached a word that was difficult to pronounce, he would try a couple of times, then use a different word in its place.
He was so good I’ve always wondered if he wasn’t actually a little drunk and not acting? Have heard Dean was not adverse to tipping a few when doing a show.