IMHO, the best female comedian of the 50s. Her range was extraordinary. What you don't see on compilations of individual sketches, but can on complete episodes, is that she did a comedy dance routine or parody every week! ---kjh
First remembering seeing Mr. Caesar as "Melville" in "Mad Mad Mad Mad World" at a drive-in theatre. It was such a fabulous film w/ a legendary cast . . . but I couldn't take my eyes off Melville as he was just so gorgeous!! Indeed, Mr. Caesar was not only one of the funniest actors of his generation (if not of all time), but he was also stunningly handsome & incredibly sexy. And part of his appeal was that he didn't seem to realize that (and so could convincingly play a schlemiel, as in this wonderful clip)! So wish he could have had more roles as a leading man -- but am grateful that we at least have these reminders of his greatness (and Imogene's). Thanks so much for posting!!! :)
What a wonderful way to end my day! In one way or another, we’ve all been at least one of these characters in real life. Their skill in making themselves look clumsy when in reality only someone who is perfectly graceful can pull this whole thing off, is pure genius! Great comedy at its very best. I love them all! Thanks so much for sharing!
The great Carl Reiner passed last night. Such a loss for our world, but a wonderful gain for the heavens above. Ican hear the laughter filtering down as he is reunited with the rest of the YSOS cast. I had to watch this tonight to remind myself of his endless talents. And yes, that last line blows me away every time. Thank you for everything sir!❤️
Oh my gosh -- this was *_great!!_* My heart was in my mouth worrying about poor Wilmont, but I kept "spitting it out" every time I exploded with laughter! :D
This has become one of my all time favorite sketches-- not a well-remembered classic like the ones included in "Ten from Your Show of Shows," but it's every bit as great. Any sketch that reliably makes me laugh out loud, literally, after seeing it 5 times already, that's a real rarity and a true classic. I LOVE this sketch.
The comic genius of Sid Caesar never grows old or dated He had a superb cast of supporting players including Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris. Mel Brooks, one of his writers at the time, called Sid Caesar the best sketch comic of them all.
It appears this sketch was broadcast on February 20th, 1954 (ep. # 149). I happen to know this because for some years I've been producing a documentary about three shamefully neglected comedians from the first decade of television-- Martha Raye, George Gobel and... Imogene Coca. (In connection with this project we've had scores of YSOS episodes from UCLA.) Thank you for spreading the good word about this program....
In the serendipity department: I'm completing a book about Sid Caesar and Your Show of Shows, and have seen almost all the episodes at the Paley Center in NYC. Needless to say, Imogene figures prominently in the book. An absolutely brilliant comedian. And there was no better duo at pantomime than she and Sid. Best of luck with your documentary! --kjh
Thanks very much for that date info...I would have thought by the quality of the kinescope it would have been from one of the very early shows (50-51), but the explanation of the film coming off the beta/vhs tape likely explains the quality of the video)
Hi! Mel Tolkin’s granddaughter here :) I looked through the original programs in our family files and found this sketch listed for the January 27th, 1951 show with Nanette Fabray hosting. But they could have done different versions of it!
@@ShartinScorsese What a pleasant surprise to see your name! Actually, both you and @Karl Tiedemann are correct. This version of the sketch is from 2/20/54; as you note, another version was indeed on the 1/27/51 episode which Nanette Fabray hosted. There was yet another--the earliest--version in the show's first season on 5/20/50. Your instincts are absolutely right--when a sketch was a hit, they frequently would perform it again, almost always however with some variation. I recently published a book on Sid and Your Show of Shows and included an episode guide based on the Paley Center collection as well as a few other sources, which is where I got the episode dates. One thing, among many, I took away from viewing all those episodes was a profound respect for your grandfather's writing abilities. He was, of course, the head writer and he and Lucille Kallen were the real workhorses on the writing staff. (And Sid always lauded him as a great structure writer.) Thanks so much for your comment. Hope to see you back here for more! ---kjh
I only just noticed the framing of the coat rack at the start, coupled with the joke of her "clothing" him, it makes the later disrobing of him by her, and the coat rack callback at the end even sweeter. I wonder if Jacques Tati ever saw any shows such as this, he is famous for having many other things going on in the background and foreground of scenes, in parallel with the plot. I wonder how many other things I may have missed from other sketches, I guess I have an excuse to watch them all again ha ha, I wish there were more sketches to see.
My general rule is never to watch any video of Sid from Your Show of Shows while drinking coffee--it's too hard on the computer screen! Glad you enjoyed the sketch!
![SID CAESAR: The Boarder [THE HICKENLOOPERS] (YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - VERY rare sketch)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/p-FK7IX9euk/mqdefault.jpg)
![SID CAESAR: The Boarder [THE HICKENLOOPERS] (YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - VERY rare sketch)](/img/tr.png)
![SID CAESAR: The Good Investment [THE HICKENLOOPERS] (YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS - VERY rare sketch)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Js4eLcMOPnc/mqdefault.jpg)
![SID CAESAR: The English Courtroom [Part 2/2] (CAESAR'S HOUR, Mar 26, 1956)](/img/n.gif)
Imogene had the absolute best smile, I love her she was sooo funny!
IMHO, the best female comedian of the 50s. Her range was extraordinary. What you don't see on compilations of individual sketches, but can on complete episodes, is that she did a comedy dance routine or parody every week! ---kjh
"I almost did it again" followed by kicking the table over was such a brilliant bait-and-switch. Hilarious.
I was 7 when this was on. I think it was live..good clean hilarious even for a little kid. ,I was madly in love with Imogene!
First remembering seeing Mr. Caesar as "Melville" in "Mad Mad Mad Mad World" at a drive-in theatre. It was such a fabulous film w/ a legendary cast . . . but I couldn't take my eyes off Melville as he was just so gorgeous!! Indeed, Mr. Caesar was not only one of the funniest actors of his generation (if not of all time), but he was also stunningly handsome & incredibly sexy. And part of his appeal was that he didn't seem to realize that (and so could convincingly play a schlemiel, as in this wonderful clip)! So wish he could have had more roles as a leading man -- but am grateful that we at least have these reminders of his greatness (and Imogene's). Thanks so much for posting!!! :)
This kind of humor is how I grew up...clean and funny! This is what this crazy world needs now! Sure do miss these folks!
Sid was one of the greats!!
Best sitcom ever
What a wonderful way to end my day! In one way or another, we’ve all been at least one of these characters in real life. Their skill in making themselves look clumsy when in reality only someone who is perfectly graceful can pull this whole thing off, is pure genius!
Great comedy at its very best. I love them all!
Thanks so much for sharing!
The great Carl Reiner passed last night. Such a loss for our world, but a wonderful gain for the heavens above. Ican hear the laughter filtering down as he is reunited with the rest of the YSOS cast. I had to watch this tonight to remind myself of his endless talents. And yes, that last line blows me away every time.
Thank you for everything sir!❤️
Oh my gosh -- this was *_great!!_* My heart was in my mouth worrying about poor
Wilmont, but I kept "spitting it out" every time I exploded with laughter! :D
This has become one of my all time favorite sketches-- not a well-remembered classic like the ones included in "Ten from Your Show of Shows," but it's every bit as great. Any sketch that reliably makes me laugh out loud, literally, after seeing it 5 times already, that's a real rarity and a true classic. I LOVE this sketch.
The comic genius of Sid Caesar never grows old or dated He had a superb cast of supporting players including Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris. Mel Brooks, one of his writers at the time, called Sid Caesar the best sketch comic of them all.
I was killed by the last line!
"A little glassy, but very good."
Ad lib or not, that is hilarious.
Tipsy-toesy.
It appears this sketch was broadcast on February 20th, 1954 (ep. # 149). I happen to know this because for some years I've been producing a documentary about three shamefully neglected comedians from the first decade of television-- Martha Raye, George Gobel and... Imogene Coca. (In connection with this project we've had scores of YSOS episodes from UCLA.) Thank you for spreading the good word about this program....
In the serendipity department: I'm completing a book about Sid Caesar and Your Show of Shows, and have seen almost all the episodes at the Paley Center in NYC. Needless to say, Imogene figures prominently in the book. An absolutely brilliant comedian. And there was no better duo at pantomime than she and Sid. Best of luck with your documentary! --kjh
Thanks very much for that date info...I would have thought by the quality of the kinescope it would have been from one of the very early shows (50-51), but the explanation of the film coming off the beta/vhs tape likely explains the quality of the video)
Hi! Mel Tolkin’s granddaughter here :) I looked through the original programs in our family files and found this sketch listed for the January 27th, 1951 show with Nanette Fabray hosting. But they could have done different versions of it!
@@ShartinScorsese What a pleasant surprise to see your name! Actually, both you and @Karl Tiedemann are correct. This version of the sketch is from 2/20/54; as you note, another version was indeed on the 1/27/51 episode which Nanette Fabray hosted. There was yet another--the earliest--version in the show's first season on 5/20/50. Your instincts are absolutely right--when a sketch was a hit, they frequently would perform it again, almost always however with some variation. I recently published a book on Sid and Your Show of Shows and included an episode guide based on the Paley Center collection as well as a few other sources, which is where I got the episode dates. One thing, among many, I took away from viewing all those episodes was a profound respect for your grandfather's writing abilities. He was, of course, the head writer and he and Lucille Kallen were the real workhorses on the writing staff. (And Sid always lauded him as a great structure writer.) Thanks so much for your comment. Hope to see you back here for more! ---kjh
I'm laughing my guts out.....this is hilarious! A genius cast.
I only just noticed the framing of the coat rack at the start, coupled with the joke of her "clothing" him, it makes the later disrobing of him by her, and the coat rack callback at the end even sweeter.
I wonder if Jacques Tati ever saw any shows such as this, he is famous for having many other things going on in the background and foreground of scenes, in parallel with the plot.
I wonder how many other things I may have missed from other sketches, I guess I have an excuse to watch them all again ha ha, I wish there were more sketches to see.
I don't know if it's safe to laugh this hard at my age!
My general rule is never to watch any video of Sid from Your Show of Shows while drinking coffee--it's too hard on the computer screen! Glad you enjoyed the sketch!
Never gets old!
This has become one of my favorite sketches.
in the top 5 of his skits.
I love slapstick humor. Very, very funny sketch.
HEY THIS GUY WAS CUTE
Great stuff.
I was really laughing at this, especially when he goes to her house.
LOL!
Omg...this is soooooo fanny 🍾🎉🎊🍩
😂
I was five when this was on. I loved sid Cesar.
Is it just me or does Sid's voice in this skit sound like Alec Baldwin?
Correction: costarring Howie Morris, too. 🤣🤣
Ahahahha!
Best sitcom ever
Best sitcom ever