Nose-Talgia and "Laugh-In"; You Bet Your Sweet Bippy!

I was all set to do a Top 5 Most Memorable Moments from John Adams post, when I saw Scott's wonderful piece on the Mod Squad. I got pulled into a big bubbling vat of Nose-Talgia and the result is this short ode to another unforgettable 60's show, Laugh-In. Most television comedies are lucky to spawn one or two catch-phrases during their run. Laugh-In had over a dozen. It connected instantly with the American viewing public, and everybody from little kids in Keds to their Grandparents were running around squealing, "Say Good night Dick" and "Sock it to Me" and "You Bet Your Sweet Bippy". It was a more innocent time, so most folks probably didn't even get the racy double entendres. Thank heavens, otherwise I would not have been allowed to watch it week after week at the age of 12!

I've posted a clip above for a little psychedelic trip down memory lane. This one also features a couple of the Monkees, 60's TV icons in their own right. Just watch a few seconds of it and you'll be magically transported to the loopy world of Dan Rowen (the straight man) and Dick Martin (the zany guy with the zingers). Remember when they used to smoke on stage? This show was chock full of stars. Goldie Hawn probably went on to the biggest film career. But we also loved Lily Tomlin, Arte Johnson, Alan Sues, Ruth Buzzi and JoAnn Worely. And let us not forget Gary Owens the announcer and Henry Gibson with his poems and big flower.

Most folks remember the absolutely stunning and unprecedented blip of an appearance from Richard Nixon when he said, "Sock it to Me?". How many of you remember that John Wayne himself actually appeared in 14 episodes. Who says the old cowboy didn't have a sense of humor?