'Laugh-In's Dick Martin, TV Comedy Pioneer
Dick Martin, co-host of Rowan and Martin's Laugh In, a TV comedy staple of the 1960s, died Saturday. Zany, frenetic, and daring in its references to sex and drugs, Laugh-In challenged the more tame TV sitcoms of the era with a fast-paced sketches, monologues and catch phrases, like "sock it to me."
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RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
Our last word in business is "Laugh-In."
(Soundbite of music)
The 1960s television program changed the business of television comedy.
(Soundbite of TV show "Laugh-In")
Mr. DICK MARTIN (Comedian): Sock it to me. Sock it to me.
(Soundbite of laughter)
Sock it to me became a national catch-phrase thanks to Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In." Over the weekend, Dick Martin died at a hospital in Santa Monica. He was 86. But he left behind plenty of episodes.
Zany, frenetic and daring its references to sex and drugs, "Laugh-In" challenged the more tame TV sit-coms of the era with fast-paced sketches, monologues and set pieces. Think "Saturday Night Live" set in the 1960s and broadcast in prime time, filmed on a psychedelic set with a penchant for sight gags, go-go dancers and physical comedy.
"Laugh-In" helped to launch the careers of Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and Tiny Tim.
(Soundbite of TV show, "Laugh-In")
TINY TIM (Musician): (Singing) Oh, tiptoe through the window, by the window that is where I'll be.
One of its early writers - Lorne Michaels- went on to create "Saturday Night Live."
The next time you see a politician trying to win points on a late night comedy show you can say Richard Nixon tried that first on "Laugh-In."
(Soundbite of TV show, "Laugh-In")
President RICHARD NIXON: Sock it to me.
MONTAGNE: Whoa. This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
ROBERT SMITH, host:
And I'm Robert Smith.
(Soundbite of music)
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