Sock it to me?

March 12, 2011 Erik Ernst Leave a Comment

Watch The Best of Laugh In at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 12 on Wisconsin Public Television.

With top-of-the-line programs like The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Conan, 30 Rock, and even the ongoing work of Saturday Night Live, it might seem like today is the hey-day of laughs on television. But, long before all of those shows, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In was blazing comedy trails with eclectic material that wasn’t afraid to tackle political and social issues. The talented cast that included Lily Tomlin, Gary Owen, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn and others were often complemented by guests that included Jack Lemmon, John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr. and even Richard Nixon.

This program offers a look back at the lasting laughs that Laugh-In created. It is also a great opportunity to share the origins of today’s politically charged comedy with a younger generation that hasn’t experienced these unique characters and the show’s regular segments.

Watch cast members talk about one of those iconic segments — the joke wall — in the video below.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8d7XjctWsc]

Wisconsin Public Television youtube Comedy funny Richard Nixon Sammy Davis Jr. membership PBS public television Wisconsin Public Television

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