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TV's "Laugh-in" comic Dick Martin dies in Calif
npr.org ^ | May 24, 2008

Posted on 05/24/2008 9:02:59 PM PDT by lunarbicep

Dick Martin, the zany half of the comedy team whose "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" took television by storm in the 1960s, making stars of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin and creating such national catch-phrases as "Sock it to me!" has died. He was 86.

Martin, who went on to become one of television's busiest directors after splitting with Rowan in the late 1970s, died Saturday night of respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, family spokesman Barry Greenberg said.

"He had had some pretty severe respiratory problems for many years, and he had pretty much stopped breathing a week ago," Greenberg said.

Martin was surrounded by family and friends when he died just after 6 p.m., Greenberg said.

"Laugh-in," which debuted in January 1968, was unlike any comedy-variety show before it. Rather than relying on a series of tightly scripted song-and-dance segments, it offered up a steady, almost stream-of-consciousness run of non-sequitur jokes, political satire and madhouse antics from a cast of talented young actors and comedians that also included Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley and announcer Gary Owens.

Presiding over it all were Rowan and Martin, the veteran nightclub comics whose standup banter put their own distinct spin on the show.

Like all straight men, Rowan provided the voice of reason, striving to correct his partner's absurdities. Martin, meanwhile, was full of bogus, often risque theories about life, which he appeared to hold with unwavering certainty.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: danrowan; dickmartin; hollywood; laughin; obituary; rowanandmartin
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To: Coleus
that was a funny show, my father loved it.

that was a funny line. my friend laughed.

41 posted on 05/24/2008 10:00:38 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (The road to hell is paved with euphemisms.)
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To: lunarbicep

I think the other died a few years ago. I remember as a kid watching that show every monday night at 8PM as I recall. I was too young to know if was controversial. I just thought it was kinda funny. Wow, didn’t know he was 86. My how the years go by.


42 posted on 05/24/2008 10:01:01 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule (I'm in love with Marina!!!!!!)
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To: lunarbicep

Youtube

Goldie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b7BGBa6MTI

Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in 1968 holiday show pt. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdXmwaZfdNA


43 posted on 05/24/2008 10:08:48 PM PDT by restornu ( Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 11)
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To: lunarbicep

Here’s a clip... to bring back the memories.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8iGvzmOoh3Y


44 posted on 05/24/2008 10:09:20 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: lunarbicep

Funny guy. Good long run. RIP, Mr. Martin !


45 posted on 05/24/2008 10:13:22 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: lunarbicep

You bet your sweet bippy. RIP Dick.


46 posted on 05/24/2008 10:13:53 PM PDT by A message
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To: Travis McGee

“Ladies and Gents, Laugh-In looks at the news....Here’s Dan!”

Yeah, we’re contemporaries.


47 posted on 05/24/2008 10:14:44 PM PDT by exit82 (People get the government they deserve. And they are about to get it--in spades.)
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To: lunarbicep
Good clean (if suggestive) fun, is what Rowan & Martin's Laugh In was, I remember watching Judy Carne dressed up like a Japanese geisha, looking into the teleprompter (or maybe it was cards, I don't know!) and saying "It may be rice wine to you, but it's saki to me!" and then *WHAM* there was the long awaited "sock-it-to-me", LOL

Rest in Peace Dick, you were a funny guy!
48 posted on 05/24/2008 10:16:24 PM PDT by mkjessup
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To: aquila48
Circa 2006. Newhart Cast. Dick is lower right.

49 posted on 05/24/2008 10:19:01 PM PDT by Kirkwood (Ask me again tomorrow.)
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To: Travis McGee; glock rocks; SouthTexas; B4Ranch; NormsRevenge

The fickle Finger of Fate has caught up with Dick Martin. Thanks for the memories. Now say goodnight Dick...


50 posted on 05/24/2008 10:21:46 PM PDT by tubebender ( Junk is something you throw away two days before you need it...)
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To: Travis McGee

RIP Dick, my prayers to you, thanks for the laughs.

I’m there Travis.


51 posted on 05/24/2008 10:22:15 PM PDT by Atchafalaya
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To: Travis McGee; lunarbicep; potlatch; devolve
Laugh-In intro
52 posted on 05/24/2008 10:22:50 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: tubebender

Good night Dick, it was fun.


53 posted on 05/24/2008 10:24:03 PM PDT by SouthTexas (If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!)
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To: restornu

Thanks for those links. What was risque back then is nothing now.

It makes me long for simpler times.


54 posted on 05/24/2008 10:31:11 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: Travis McGee

You bet your bippy.


55 posted on 05/24/2008 10:32:28 PM PDT by eldoradude (Let's water the tree of liberty with THEIR blood...)
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To: lunarbicep

He always reminded me of my oldest brother, though he was older than my brother. Sadly, we lost him a couple of years ago, too.


56 posted on 05/24/2008 10:36:30 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: lunarbicep

I remember the first time the show was on. My sisters and I were watching it, and it was novel enough that I remember the event.

It was a funny show.


57 posted on 05/24/2008 10:37:40 PM PDT by bannie (clintons CHEAT! It's their only weapon.; & Barry/Barack has two faces.)
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To: bannie

Remember watching this show when I was growing up back in the UK. Wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

RIP.


58 posted on 05/24/2008 10:40:47 PM PDT by Never2baCrat
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To: Never2baCrat
(We're even on both sides of the ocean...I've seen all of the Red Dwarf shows, and love them.)
59 posted on 05/24/2008 10:43:03 PM PDT by bannie (clintons CHEAT! It's their only weapon.; & Barry/Barack has two faces.)
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To: Kirkwood

WOW!! But I guess I’ve gotten older too!


60 posted on 05/24/2008 10:45:25 PM PDT by aquila48
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