The great Jonathan Winters, aka Elwood P. Suggins, treks into the lighter side of life with a virtuoso performance on this vintage clip from The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast in 1978.
Ground zero for Winters’ comedic abuse is none other than the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. The performance not only had the audience in stitches, but also the star-studded celebrities on the dais. Video courtesy of Starlights.
Iconic filmmaker and actor Orson Welles displays his comedic side with a hilarious performance in “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts,” which aired on NBC in the 1970s and ’80s.
Welles’ target was the man of the hour himself, Dean Martin. Video courtesy of Starlights.
The unflappable Don Rickles shows no mercy for Don Adams, aka Maxwell Smart, Agent 86 of “Get Smart” fame, the hit TV sitcom of the late 1960s. Paying tribute to Adams on his 75th birthday, Rickles unleashes his usual barrage of insults on Agent 86 and other celebrities in the audience in this memorable journey into the lighter side of life.
Comedian Don Rickles, aka The Merchant of Venom, invades the NBC Today studio to discuss legendary talk show host Johnny Carson, but ends up sending anchor Katie Couric into a frenzy on this edition of the lighter side of life.
The inimitable Don Rickles visits the lighter side of life with a dazzling display of insult comedy in this 1993 episode of NBC’s “Late Show with David Letterman.” Rickles, whom the media tabbed the Merchant of Venom, works over David Letterman and bandleader Paul Shaffer like only he can.
Adam Sandler shares stories about Don Rickles, talks about family trips to Hawaii with David Spade and reveals why his Mom can’t see his movies any more. H/T Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Don Rickles dies, aged 90. We salute the King of Zing. Here he is roasting his friend Frank Sinatra.
The lighter side of life makes a return on LOL in this hilarious roast of then Governor Ronald Reagan. Doing the honors was the Merchant of Venom himself, Don Rickles, as part of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast series in September 1973.
The incomparable Don Rickles rocks the studio audience in this priceless visit to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1980. The Master of Insults touches on a variety of topics as he joins host Carson and his sidekick, Ed McMahon. Hope to see you next Tuesday here on LOL for another glance at the lighter side of life. — The Wickel
Johnny Carson delivers a classic performance as a host of celebrities celebrate the career of Don Rickles at the Friars Roast Club in New York City. Among Carson’s stinging statements: “I remember with fond memories the many quiet evenings we spent together. I only wish they hadn’t been on my show.” Check back with LOL next Tuesday afternoon for another dose of the lighter side of life. — The Wickel
