Brother Theodore used to do a one-man show at The 13th Street Theatre (now the The Thirteenth Street Repertory Theatre) in Greenwich Village. It was the most original, caustic, hilarious act in New York at the time. He played the role of a genius madman in a controlled way that let you know it was a character and not to be taken seriously. The audience loved it. It was a midnight show--perfect for Brother Theodore's dark vision of life. The little black box theater with its ramshackle seats was the perfect venue. The act didn't quite hold up after repeated viewings because he used the same bits from show to show. But I was grateful for the mere fact of his existence. A true original.
The thing is that he probably was a literal genius. Biographical accounts state that he once played, and beat, simultaneously, 30 Stanford professors in chess.
Theodore vs Jack E. Leonard on Merv Griffin was one of the most bewildering things I ever saw in my teens. I wish someone had that video somewhere on youTube.
I think he was known as a lecturer in absurd subjects, but really only in NYC. He may have toured the U.S., I don't know. But like many wacky acts that were on Dave's old show, his talent crew found some doozies. I recall he had one topic he was fond of for a while. Why do we need to add a fourth leg to stools, chairs & tables. Three legs are plenty unless you can't resist being a show-off, etc. Br. Ted was a survivor of the Nazi death camps, moving to America after the war. He was Jewish.
To Nondescript: To answer your question, it may have to do with your daily habits: what tv stations you usually watch, what radio stations you usually listen, what internet websites you usually go to, what social media sites you usually use, who are the people you hang out with, and when you were born. I was born in 1950 and I remember seeing Brother Theodore on Merv Griffin. Wikipedia should have information about him...
Brother Theodore was a unique treasure. I remember loving every single one of his bizarre/hilarious tv appearances. A *brilliant* comedic persona. Jerry and Merv were pretty funny here too! What an unbelievable segment, thanks so much for posting it.👍😂👍
A RARE GEM INDEED one doesn't know if they were all in on the act or not my guess is not but one just doesn't know, the combination is INCREDIBLY FUNNY.
RobbiesVideoArchives- YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN, Brother Theodore was to some extent an acquired taste but definitely unique and totally unpredictable, ALL of his TV appearances are funny as heck and are to be treasured. Enough of us certainly got enough of a kick out of him to keep him going for some 60 odd years (that would be my guess), may God rest his soul.
I am just so glad that you put Brother Theodore at the forefront. While I was Jerry's biggest fan as a kid, it turns out that he was a bit of an occasionally quick-witted yet pretentious jerk who ended up making a lot of terrible movies for his own sake. Brother Theodore, on the other hand, was a clunky genius who was always himself.
"Brother Theodore (born Theodore Gottlieb; November 11, 1906 - April 5, 2001) was a German-born American actor and comedian known for rambling, stream-of-consciousness monologues which he called 'stand-up tragedy'. He was a man described as 'Boris Karloff, surrealist Salvador Dalí, Nijinsky and Red Skelton…simultaneously'." en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Theodore
In an ironic way, Jerry Lewis was playing the straight man like Dean Martin, and Brother Theodore was playing the crazy guy, which is normally the role of Jerry Lewis
Actually Lewis is totally upstaged and resorts to cheap shots ... he's not the straight man here, he's getting big laughs but for all the wrong reasons.
Kevin O'Driscoll, I don't agree! Jerry wasn't upstaged at all! LOL I think that they both played it as it was supposed to be! Theodore was over the top! He was always over the top because it was his character! Jerry was great at ad libbing during this! They were both amazing! It made me laugh so much because they were both perfect and complemented each other! Theodore was a wonderful artist and Jerry an amazing physical comedian! There was NOTHING that Jerry couldn't do or situations that Jerry didn't know how to handle! Great, great performers! Jerry didn't get laughs because of the "wrong reasons" what wrong reasons????I will never get Jerry's haters! Amusing! lol Why some people in this country "hate" an amazing performer as Jerry Lewis?? Shocking! Europeans love him. I know they understand about art and talent much more than some Americans, but...come on!
@@Chesterton7 He would dress all in black and sit behind a small table on a small stage with a cup of water and stark lighting complaining that he looked terrible because stage lighting was still in its infancy. He would ramble with long surreal philosophical diatribes that would have the audience either perplexed or laughing. If you find his appearances on the old David Letterman show, he does snippets of his stage act along with other impromptu antics.
@@Chesterton7 I saw Brother Theodore at a theatre on 13th Street in NYC in 1980/81 (I believe/right near where I lived at the time). He came out into a darkened theatre with a powerful flashlight and would shine it into an audience member's face, and talk about them/to them. When he shined it in my face I slunk out of my seat onto the floor. He was terrifying. I remember him talking about his 16 year old girlfriend and her "jiggling breasts" (also saw him on tv reminiscing about this). Brilliant comedian - when you can actually scare your audience, they will laugh much harder. The only other comedian I saw who radiated such fear producing charisma was Sam Kinison at the Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood in '88. People were literally "rolling in the isles" (that is, on the ground laughing). PC has destroyed comedy.
@@fatcloud8341 laughing so hard. Thanks for your hilarious memory. I'd never heard about the flashlight bit! I wish I could have seen his live show too. Thanks FC. Bless you!
Brother Theodore a Jewish German survivor of the holocaust whose brilliant and annihilated family guested some of the most famous names in European arts and letters. His 'darkness' was well earned and the humor came from a very deep place.
Gottlieb was born into a wealthy Jewish family in Düsseldorf, in the Rhine Province, where his father was a magazine publisher. He attended the University of Cologne. At age 32, under Nazi rule, he was imprisoned at the Dachau concentration camp until he signed over his family's fortune for one Reichsmark. After being deported for chess hustling from Switzerland, he went to Austria where Albert Einstein, a family friend and alleged lover of his mother, helped him escape to England, where he was interned; he subsequently was allowed to sail to New York in May 1940.[1][2]
This is absolutely amazing. A true treasure that you hold. Brother Theodore was and is a comic genius for all of us who can't stomach panned humor. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If anyone is interested please watch Jeff Summerells documentary on Theodore. It's really fascinating.
Like Andy Kaufman, Brother Theodore pushes the envelope so far past what is funny that you no longer know if he's serious, crazy, or trying to be funny, which is quite funny -- no doubt Theodore inspired Kauffman's bizarre comedy routines.
Absolutely! I am a huge fan of both, and there's no doubt Brother Theodore inspired Kaufman. I also wonder if Brother Theodore ever knew Professor Irwin Corey.
I remember Brother Theodore had a weekly show at a small theater in lower Manhattan. I got to see his one man show once and it was great. He came out and sat at a small table with a cup of water. As he was talking and lecturing to the audience on life and everything he got more and more angry and agitated. It was something else.I think he was originally was from Vienna.
Hi Michael, I think it was around the 1970’s. It was a small theater around 12th or 13th street in Manhattan off of 5 th Ave. The village Voice always had an small ad advertising Brother Theodore in this theater.every week.
I saw him sometime on the early 80's on 13th St.. I remember that Village Voice ad, with a Hirschfeld-like cartoon of Brother Theodore and seem to remember his act being advertised in the basement of an old church. He was perfect as the voice of Gollum in the 1970's animated TV version of The Hobbit.
Hi Paul, Yes it was that small tiny theater on 13th street that I saw him at. Maybe it was the early 80’s ,I’m not sure. I read about his background and knew he was Jewish from either Germany or Austria but I see he was from Germany from a well off family that were book publishers. I remember reading a interview with him many years ago that when he was in Dachau concentration camp he was in a room that men were lined up and getting bested to death by a young German Nazi.with a club, each man before him he said begged for their life and were then beaten. When it came time for Brother Theodore he screamed at the German Nazi something like he was worthless and no good! For some reason this made the Nazi thug surprised and he didn’t kill him. It’s true he was in Dachau and was able to get out and get to America in 1940. I can see that any survivor of the camps had of course lasting effects on them usually very dark, sad, and traumatic. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brother Theodore’s experience manifested itself in his dark humor of the human race.
Brother Theodore was one of the few slices of reality ever on television. Merv, Jerry and the rest were all firmly entrenched show biz personalities. It made for outrageous TV and perhaps an admission of truth amidst the non stop lie of MSM, then as now.
I didn't know that's who he is. I immediately thought of "The Burbs" when I saw him! Thanks for making the connection for me. That character must have been written for him.
Brother Theodore was the first of the new wave of Avant Garde underground comedians, whose bleak outlook was forged due to his experience in Nazi Germany. He was sent to a concentration camp until he was forced to signed over his families publishing fortune. He escaped with the help Albert Einstein and ended up as a janitor at Stanford. He eventually broke into theater, doing dramatic Poe poetry, before starting his one man "Stand up Tragedy" He was a great hit in Greenwich Village, eventually drawing sell out crowds and attracting the attention of Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson and other TV shows. He was a hit with intellectuals and those who appreciated dark humor. Comedians like Penn and Teller, Letterman, Dick Cavette and Woody Allen. He disappeared for a while and then had a comeback during the late 70s early 80s...where he did a lot of voice over, a midnight show and talk show gigs. It's pretty clear that Brother Theodore detested the way that Jerry Lewis was hogging the limelight and always trying to be the center of attention. (Not sure why Jerry was sitting at the desk next to Merv) When Merv suddenly realized that Brother Theodore was on the war path, Merv gave up his seat. Lewis was a known jack ass and highly disrespectful. This was basically if George Carlin and Jim Carry were on the shame show and Carlins monologue was interrupted by Carry's mugging.
First off Michael, thank you so much for this! I was just watching The Burbs last night and wondered who this "side" actor was. Come to find out, he IS a Treasure!! How do you know so much about him? I had no idea who Jerry Lewis was/is but he sounds like a dick!
ChristinaZ_Witchblade Fortunately I got to see Brother Theodore on David Letterman's old show. Before Dave became a huge hit, Letterman gave a spotlight to counter culture characters like Comic book author Harvey Pakar, comedians like Emo Philips and Andy Kaufman. I did what reading I could on him, I highly recommend looking up articles online about him as well as his old Letterman appearances. Also Brother Theodore would have loved that you were a fan of his and didn't know who Jerry Lewis was. Jerry Lewis was once part of the last nightclub act known as Martin and Lewis. Dean Martin was the singer/straight man, and Jerry Lewis would do crazy comedy bits. Lewis was much like Jim Carry/Robin Williams with rapid fire humor and did great physical comedy. However, Robin Williams and Jim Carry are actually talented and known as pretty nice people. Lewis and Martin did a lot of Movies and TV shows, but eventually Lewis and Martin clashed. Dean Martin went on to a very successful film career, singing career and television star. Lewis starred in some successful film, but by the late 60s he was more or less washed up. He did do the MDA telethon every Labor Day, but it always seemed like it was " Look at me! See what I'm doing for these kids?" Don't get me wrong, Lewis was considered a superstar during his life time and he was entertaining, but it's a very surface layered.
Michael Lukash I don't agree. Lewis had a wonderful career! In Europe he is more than a legend and in the States as well! He suffered from horrific physical pain, which got him addicted to drugs and that is the darker side of his career. However, he was the greatest clown even if some Americans won't recognize that! I don't know if Theodore knew him or not, but , but they were both great here and it was staged beautifully. It's appalling to learn about the dislike that some Americans have for a genius like Lewis! Not uncommon though! Geniuses were always misunderstood!
Brother Theodore was far ahead of his time. I first saw him on the Steve Allen show in the early 1960s. He wasn't crazy - this was a character. His act. And he truly was not intimidated by Jerry Lewis and Lewis was not used to having people stand up to his mean spirited rudeness.
Jerry was really bothered by Brother Theodore! When it comes to ''Crazy'' Dysfunction. Brother Theo took Jerry to the Hoop! Jerry became the Real ''Buddy Love''. People thought that Character Jerry did was based off Dean Martin. No, that Character was The true Asshole Of Jerry. Jerry is still My Hero. As A Child he did it for me. You have to be young at that time to understand The Love people had for Jerry. But for Viewership at that time, Brother Theodore had to scare the living Hell out of Home viewers. At that Time...1966
First saw bother Theodore on Letterman show early days and he cracked me up ..didint know he was preforming so many years before ..loved brother Theodore ..
Brother Theodore actually mentioned this when he was on Letterman.It was Merv Griffin that despised Jerry Lewis, and the producer actually told Theodore to go after Jerry Lewis. Check out the Brother Theodore interviews with Letterman, some of the time Theodore breaks character and actually talks with Letterman. Letterman and Theodore had a much better back and forth with Letterman, and letterman showed Theodore a lot more respect, and highlighted many of his theatrical pieces, including the 'Food Sermon", "Lizolotta Bindle", "Quadrupedism", and truly hilarious conversation about Theodores "Rats, and sons of rats" publication.
Watch the Letterman interview with Theodore, Theodore tells a story about going on the Merv Griffin show, Theodore goes on to say that Merv despised the "Big Comedian" that was on the show, and Theodore was told by the producer to go after the comedian, this is clearly what happened here. Theodore went directly after Jerry Lewis, exactly what he described in Theodores Letterman interview.
He probably wasn't serious when he said that! ( or maybe he wasn't talking about JL) It sounds extremely strange to me! Merv and Jer were friends. Moreover, Mervin invited Jerry many times on his show. It is pretty odd!
Jerry lewis was a bit of a screw to a lot of people, "the blowing smoke in peoples faces, ashing on people", etc, was considered disrespectful. There is a 3 hour Letterman/ Theodore tribute on you tube, if you watch it, Letterman goes into Theodores Merv Griffin days, Merv had Theodore on regularly. He describes to the letter this appearance, and the producer telling Theodore to "Go after" him. Even stating that while the audience in the theater hissed and booed, the postcards and mail received by the show were firmly behind Theodore. It didn't sound like a joke when he told it, and while Letterman was prodding Theodore to name the "Big Star", Theodore wouldn't name him. After seeing this I can't imagine how it wasn't Lewis he was speaking about.
I'm surprised that I never heard of this guy growing up in the '60's and early '70's. This is a pretty good routine, funny. I could see this as not being my father's cup of tea, probably why I never had a chance to watch him. I would have loved this.
uh, the thing is, Jerry Lewis wasn't playing a character... It might seem like that for a little while. But: watching Lewis _continually_ blowing smoke in Theodore's face, trying to knock him off his game... then, interrupting BT's speeches- not to interact with him improvisationally- but **just** to disrupt his flow. Lewis was a pig. Theodore actually refers to this appearance when he went on Letterman: ua-cam.com/video/kj5fVnHWUl4/v-deo.html
@@jimmymckay73 You have some pair of balls to be sure of your position which has no sources. He has at least _one_ source. Who the fuck are you to insult him?
@@skat1140 I think Brother Theodore may have confirmed the Jerry Lewis story in the Brother Theodore documentary. I have a theory about this event. Did you notice how Merv Griffin was provoking lightly each side? Watch him carefully. Was he doing this to increase viewership? Now on Brother Theodore's side of the story as shown in your link, the event was planned because Griffin absolutely "detested" Lewis. The backstage manager or whoever before Brother Theodore came out said "Give it to him good. Be nasty." Could have Griffin been jealous of Lewis and decided payback with this? I'm not saying Lewis is a saint either, and he, Carson, Danny Kaye, etc. are great examples of dysfunctional Hollywood. Its not uncommon for someone like Griffin to also be that way.
Brother Theodore gave Mr. Lewis the Next Level of his own ''Mental Comedy Madness''. Good Job Brother Theodore!! He used to come on David Lettermen. The Man is not Well....Love it
None of us can say conclusively, but it seems to me this was not set up beforehand. Watch Jerry's body language. I think at first he has no idea what to make of Brother Theodore, or how to react to him. He threatens violence. Lewis seems to decide to roll with it, using hacky insults. They go to commercial, and when they come back it's pretty clear Jerry's had a chat with the producer. Fascinating segment.
"My winter is hotter than your summer, my spring is your autumn..." -people who come to english as a second language see things natives don't, although German is overflowing with proverbs, beaten only by Latin. 'Grosse sielen dulden still' or the Roman motto 'The heavens are my home and the stars are my lamps.'
I don't remember Brother Theodore at all, and I was 11 in 1966 and watched Merv with Mom & Dad all the time. On the other hand, what I have learned about Jerry Lewis lately, I am horrified.
I love that. "Better use it, you ain't gettin' this one." That right there is Joey Levitch, the streetwise kid from Jersey, and Brother Theodore hasn't figured it out yet, but he's about two breaths away from catchin' a beatin'. This one of Jerry's personalities (part of who he really was) had been the basis for the character Buddy Love in "The Nutty Professor" and was later the basis for Andrew "Dice" Clay's entire fucking career.
This is Lewis at his best and most generous. Remember - he was a Vaudevillian through and through, but I think they are both being themselves through their own interpretation of humour, whilst working as a team. Just brilliant.
@@thememoryhole9355 If you think he's overrated it's because you haven't watched him. Nutty Professor, Lady's Man. He was a brilliant filmmaker. He INVENTED video assist.
@@greg55666 Didn't mean to upset you. I'm 52, and I well remember Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. I've never been much of a slapstick guy. My siblings loved him. I was odd man out.
Way ahead of it's time. Theodore deconstructs the very act of appearing on a talk show. I do not believe Lewis was in on it- Theodore's imitations of him are SAVAGE. It's a brilliant segment, though it's brought back down to earth with Jerry's hacky put downs. Anyway, thank you for posting this bit of television history.
Maybe for 1966. But, in 2019, it wasn't worth watching and wasn't funny at all (even in a comic sense). Latka was bizarre entertainment; this was really nothing but a fill of time
What a fascinating power-pIay between egos. Lewis is condescending and it's pushing Theodore to the edge. It takes Theodore a good 14 minutes to get into his "routine". No matter what he says, Lewis has a belittling comeback. Things change after the break... Just wow.
@David Roberts -Fwiw, I was surprised and impressed to learn that Theodore always planned his performances on talk shows. He wrote a detailed script of his bits that he would interject when asked. These scripts were handwritten and I believe a few still exist if you're interested. He was a very hard worker and always did his best to prepare for each appearance. While his humor was combative and perhaps not your cup of tea, it was my favorite, because he was a gentle guy underneath it all and it was all an act. Lewis was a natural performer and what you see is what you get, so they had different styles of performance. They may have planned the fight over who sits where, but somehow I think this one was all improv. Lewis was hilarious but didn't like sharing the limelight.
@David Roberts actually, if it weren't for Lewis's constant interruptions, Theodore could have turned the crowd from Jerry. Theodore takes his time setting up thought provoking monologues, Lewis was just a gag comic. Theodore is an intellectual black belt compared to Jerry Lewis, and Lewis knew it immediately.
@@pickolascage1283 Theodore was good, definitely, however, Jerry was amazing. If you want and have the ability to turn the crowd from another actor, you just do it! Nothing can stop you! He didn't because Jerry was very good too! Jerry also had a huge theatrical background and knew his vaudeville routine! Jerry was no amateur! He was a comedy genius, very creative and always ahead of his time!
When Jerry met Teddy....wow. I never knew that Brother Theodore's tv appearances went back to the 1960's. I always thought he started with the old Letterman NBC show. Brother Theodore might've been Andy Kaufman before Andy Kaufman because it's a little tough to tell if Brother Theodore, like Kaufman, was putting on an act or not.
As a child, Brother Theodore was dark, perplexing, yet fascinating. Over the years, Jerry Lewis has been exposed as a jerk. In this clip, Lewis’ ego cannot share the stage or attention with another guest.
. Brother missed a chance when Lewis said 'We'd like to send this boy to camp'. ...he should have replied, I was already sent to camp once, courtesy of the National Socialists.
I don't think I have seen Jerry genuinely having more fun...the 1st half was brilliant...if like me you haven't seen Theodore before watch it again in a while and you will understand the chemistry better...A couple of genuine grins from Jerry, very rare.Also read B.T's history, really interesting.
Jerry's brilliant ad-libs and asides made this whole thing cook. And in case you didn't know, Jerry and Theodore were working as a team, both working off each other. It was a brilliant act. You could see where Jerry was really appreciating Ted's brilliance as a totally unique entertainer. The ending was great when Ted pushed his head into Jerry's torso. Jerry didn't flinch because he knew what Ted was doing all along. Andy Kaufmann was a show business heir to Theodore, even though Andy did his own thing. But Ted, like Rickles, was sui generis.
I understand why people might think they were working as a team, but I was a friend of Theodore's during the last several years of his life, and believe me, his loathing for Jerry Lewis was quite real ("I despise him with ALL of my heart and ALL of my soul" were his exact words.) He told me about this incident many years before I saw the clip; apparently, a singer came out before Theodore's segment and Lewis mocked him with physical shtick while he was trying to do his number, and Theodore was appalled at his behavior. Looking at Lewis's demeanor here, I believe the contempt was mutual. I agree with your comparison of Theodore and Andy Kaufman, though; they both blurred the lines between comedy and performance art, and made you question whether what you were seeing was genuine or a put-on.
Im sorry that Theodore despised Jerry really! If that is actually true! He said that he hated him with all of his heart and soul because of that "incident" ?? Wow!! That's something! Jerry was great! So amazing and wonderful!
Back when the format wasn’t figured out yet. Merv had his guest sit right next to him at the desk. That looks strange now! The Host sits at the desk and the guest sits in the chair!
Theodore was actually born into a wealthy family, very well educated, then, being Jewish he was captured and imprisoned by the Nazis in WW2 and forced to sell his entire holdings, land and everything FOR 1 GERMAN MARK to be set free and allowed to leave the country. So his pessimistic attitude did have some validity, he lost everything except his life. He used to appear on David Letterman fairly often and each appearance is a classic, check them out. I actually have an original pressing of his 'comedy' album on the Coral label, it's great.
Brother Theodore used to do a one-man show at The 13th Street Theatre (now the The Thirteenth Street Repertory Theatre) in Greenwich Village. It was the most original, caustic, hilarious act in New York at the time. He played the role of a genius madman in a controlled way that let you know it was a character and not to be taken seriously. The audience loved it. It was a midnight show--perfect for Brother Theodore's dark vision of life. The little black box theater with its ramshackle seats was the perfect venue. The act didn't quite hold up after repeated viewings because he used the same bits from show to show. But I was grateful for the mere fact of his existence. A true original.
Yes! I went to that in 1989... I was 19. I loved it so much!
I had the poster for the show on my wall for many years.
Legend!
At one show, he asked me to be his Theodora.
..I never forgot 💖
The thing is that he probably was a literal genius. Biographical accounts state that he once played, and beat, simultaneously, 30 Stanford professors in chess.
When Brother Theodore was on TV, it was always an event. Brother Theodore and Andy Kaufman, RIP.
Here here!
You know, while watching, I was thinking of Kaufman as well.
Theodore was one strange fellow. An act? Crazy? Both? He sure was fun to watch.
Theodore vs Jack E. Leonard on Merv Griffin was one of the most bewildering things I ever saw in my teens. I wish someone had that video somewhere on youTube.
Brother Theodore, such a class act. “Please stop talking to me!”
Never watched this man before...what a different type of humour he has! Stand-up tragedy? That's new to me! Incredible!
Hilarious, decades later on Letterman's show too.
He used to be on Letterman alot...the only way I can explain what he does is weird performance art?
Same here. Never saw him before. Couldn't tell if it was comedy or he was serious.
Now's the time on Sprockets when we dance!
Touch my monkey, love him, make him yours
I think it was Dieter's dad.
Now I am as happy as a little girrrlll
Something about a guy with an Austrian accent that cracks me up
Ya.
Und we have all become tedious !
LOLOL Yes!
For those who don’t already know, Brother Theodore performed as the voice of “Gollum,” in the animated version of “The Hobbit.”
He was also in the movie called The Burbs with Tom Hanks.
@@thegoodelife8925 Yes he was. Good call.
My life is complete
Where he was billed as just Theodore
He was also in 70's art film "Apple Pie".
This is true TV greatness! Solid GOLD! Hysterical!
Brother Theodore apparently called his own act "stand up tragedy". That itself is gold. Why have I never heard of this guy before right now?
You must have not watched Letterman’s early NBC years! Lol
He was in a film with Tom Hanks called The Burbs
I think he was known as a lecturer in absurd subjects, but really only in NYC. He may have toured the U.S., I don't know. But like many wacky acts that were on Dave's old show, his talent crew found some doozies.
I recall he had one topic he was fond of for a while. Why do we need to add a fourth leg to stools, chairs & tables. Three legs are plenty unless you can't resist being a show-off, etc.
Br. Ted was a survivor of the Nazi death camps, moving to America after the war. He was Jewish.
To Nondescript: To answer your question, it may have to do with your daily habits: what tv stations you usually watch, what radio stations you usually listen, what internet websites you usually go to, what social media sites you usually use, who are the people you hang out with, and when you were born. I was born in 1950 and I remember seeing Brother Theodore on Merv Griffin. Wikipedia should have information about him...
The 'Burbs
Brother Theodore was a unique treasure. I remember loving every single one of his bizarre/hilarious tv appearances. A *brilliant* comedic persona. Jerry and Merv were pretty funny here too! What an unbelievable segment, thanks so much for posting it.👍😂👍
Brother Theodore
A RARE GEM INDEED one doesn't know if they were all in on the act or not my guess is not but one just doesn't know, the combination is INCREDIBLY FUNNY.
RobbiesVideoArchives- YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN, Brother Theodore was to some extent an acquired taste but definitely unique and totally unpredictable, ALL of his TV appearances are funny as heck and are to be treasured. Enough of us certainly got enough of a kick out of him to keep him going for some 60 odd years (that would be my guess), may God rest his soul.
I am just so glad that you put Brother Theodore at the forefront. While I was Jerry's biggest fan as a kid, it turns out that he was a bit of an occasionally quick-witted yet pretentious jerk who ended up making a lot of terrible movies for his own sake. Brother Theodore, on the other hand, was a clunky genius who was always himself.
@@armandocardona4478 they hated each other.
"Brother Theodore (born Theodore Gottlieb; November 11, 1906 - April 5, 2001) was a German-born American actor and comedian known for rambling, stream-of-consciousness monologues which he called 'stand-up tragedy'. He was a man described as 'Boris Karloff, surrealist Salvador Dalí, Nijinsky and Red Skelton…simultaneously'."
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Theodore
This was so ahead of its time.
He reminds me of a cross between Harpo Marx and Moe Howard, with a little Andy Kaufman tossed in.
I wonder if this is where Kaufman got the idea for his character... (Damn, What was his name)?
Very keen observation. Totally agree.
@@DNulrammah Tony Clifton
@@DNulrammah .....Latka? That's all I've got. ☺ OK, got it now: Latka Gravas. I never "got" Kaufman's " humor." He was a really weird dude.
you're not drinking enough
In an ironic way, Jerry Lewis was playing the straight man like Dean Martin, and Brother Theodore was playing the crazy guy, which is normally the role of Jerry Lewis
Actually Lewis is totally upstaged and resorts to cheap shots ... he's not the straight man here, he's getting big laughs but for all the wrong reasons.
Kevin O'Driscoll, I don't agree! Jerry wasn't upstaged at all! LOL
I think that they both played it as it was supposed to be! Theodore was over the top! He was always over the top because it was his character! Jerry was great at ad libbing during this! They were both amazing! It made me laugh so much because they were both perfect and complemented each other! Theodore was a wonderful artist and Jerry an amazing physical comedian! There was NOTHING that Jerry couldn't do or situations that Jerry didn't know how to handle! Great, great performers! Jerry didn't get laughs because of the "wrong reasons" what wrong reasons????I will never get Jerry's haters! Amusing! lol Why some people in this country "hate" an amazing performer as Jerry Lewis?? Shocking! Europeans love him. I know they understand about art and talent much more than some Americans, but...come on!
True, except there wasn't much playing by Theodore when it came to the _crazy guy_ part-- to a large extent, that's really him!
Galantski agreed
Kevin O'Driscoll I agree. Lewis was pissed off and being petty; cringee to watch him 😊
I saw Theodore live 3 times in the early 90's on 13th St. He was brilliant. One of a kind and a true professional.
can you write about his one man show and what it was like? Thanks!
@@Chesterton7 He would dress all in black and sit behind a small table on a small stage with a cup of water and stark lighting complaining that he looked terrible because stage lighting was still in its infancy. He would ramble with long surreal philosophical diatribes that would have the audience either perplexed or laughing. If you find his appearances on the old David Letterman show, he does snippets of his stage act along with other impromptu antics.
@@mayormc Wow, thanks Mayor! :)
@@Chesterton7 I saw Brother Theodore at a theatre on 13th Street in NYC in 1980/81 (I believe/right near where I lived at the time). He came out into a darkened theatre with a powerful flashlight and would shine it into an audience member's face, and talk about them/to them. When he shined it in my face I slunk out of my seat onto the floor. He was terrifying. I remember him talking about his 16 year old girlfriend and her "jiggling breasts" (also saw him on tv reminiscing about this). Brilliant comedian - when you can actually scare your audience, they will laugh much harder. The only other comedian I saw who radiated such fear producing charisma was Sam Kinison at the Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood in '88. People were literally "rolling in the isles" (that is, on the ground laughing). PC has destroyed comedy.
@@fatcloud8341 laughing so hard. Thanks for your hilarious memory. I'd never heard about the flashlight bit! I wish I could have seen his live show too. Thanks FC. Bless you!
God, that's fantastic! I've been wanting to see Theodore's 60s TV appearances for years! Thank you!
Same.
Brother Theodore was a chess genius and survived Dachau concentration camp. He had a fascinating life. He totally got the better of Jerry Lewis here.
I disagree. I think Jerry held his own in this little altercation.
he totally got Jerry's chair
Wow, I didn’t know that.
Brother Theodore was epic. Jerry Lewis although talented, was a despicable narcissist.
@@Pollyanna5421 👍
This was so brilliantly rehearsed and executed! These two really made the show interesting!
Brother Theodore a Jewish German survivor of the holocaust whose brilliant and annihilated family guested some of the most famous names in European arts and letters. His 'darkness' was well earned and the humor came from a very deep place.
Thank you for sharing that.
@@martinphilip8998 He was put in Dachau concentration camp until he agreed to sign over his family's large estate to the Nazi govt. for ONE mark.
Gottlieb was born into a wealthy Jewish family in Düsseldorf, in the Rhine Province, where his father was a magazine publisher. He attended the University of Cologne. At age 32, under Nazi rule, he was imprisoned at the Dachau concentration camp until he signed over his family's fortune for one Reichsmark. After being deported for chess hustling from Switzerland, he went to Austria where Albert Einstein, a family friend and alleged lover of his mother, helped him escape to England, where he was interned; he subsequently was allowed to sail to New York in May 1940.[1][2]
@@TheLionessjudah he was also the godfather of the Antifa movement
Aedan Cael, figures, the current Antifa follow Brother Theodore by dressing in black and acting like lunatics.
Ted was on letterman when that show was still fresh and funny on NBC. Guests like him and harvey pear made letterman must see viewing
Thankyou so, so much. BT is so sublime. There are few modern comics that are this brilliant.
This is absolutely amazing. A true treasure that you hold. Brother Theodore was and is a comic genius for all of us who can't stomach panned humor. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If anyone is interested please watch Jeff Summerells documentary on Theodore. It's really fascinating.
shannon Rice our pleasure I’m glad you enjoyed it. God knows it kills me every time I see it.
I have it. For a while, I was communicating with Jeff. I hear now the film is on Amazon to rent.
Like Andy Kaufman, Brother Theodore pushes the envelope so far past what is funny that you no longer know if he's serious, crazy, or trying to be funny, which is quite funny -- no doubt Theodore inspired Kauffman's bizarre comedy routines.
Very odd performance art that was entertaining.
Absolutely! I am a huge fan of both, and there's no doubt Brother Theodore inspired Kaufman. I also wonder if Brother Theodore ever knew Professor Irwin Corey.
I initially liked Andy, but his bizarre obnoxious routine got old very quickly! This guy looks like he escaped from an insane asylum.
yeah, spot on it's edgy comedy, a bit uncomfortable at times, but that's what life is like isn't it.
you could see Jerry Lewis trying not to laugh, brilliant.
My family was always intrigued by his role in The Burb's with Tom Hanks. What a guy.
'Sarrdeeen'
"Klopek... What is that, Slavik? NO!!! 'Bout a 9 on the tension scale, Reub."
"I don't understand it either. It was park outside ALL DAAAAY!!!"
"Ok hip cat, GET OFF MY CAR!!"
@@mustangmaniac1983 Dude, it's cool, you should hang with us! We called the Pizza Dude!
I thought this was so uncomfortably funny. You could see where both were almost cracking up at each other. But the straight face made it happen.
This is incredible. There wouldn't be an Andy Kaufman without Brother Theodore.
I wonder if Andy ever met Theodore? 🤔
Is it just me, or didn't Lewis actually turn into Buddy Love in real life?!
I think Jerry Lewis WAS Buddy Love in real-life.
tv is not real life
Lewis was an ass in real life.
@@in2food you met him?
@@MrStefanDittrich Yes, several times
I remember Bro. Theodore from David Letterman's show. I didn't realize he had been performing so long.
I remember Brother Theodore had a weekly show at a small theater in lower Manhattan. I got to see his one man show once and it was great.
He came out and sat at a small table with a cup of water. As he was talking and lecturing to the audience on life and everything he got more and more angry and agitated. It was something else.I think he was originally was from Vienna.
I saw it too; late ‘70s If I remember.
Thanks for that Philip,do you remember when that was?
Hi Michael,
I think it was around the 1970’s. It was a small theater around 12th or 13th street in Manhattan off of 5 th Ave. The village Voice always had an small ad advertising Brother Theodore in this theater.every week.
I saw him sometime on the early 80's on 13th St.. I remember that Village Voice ad, with a Hirschfeld-like cartoon of Brother Theodore and seem to remember his act being advertised in the basement of an old church. He was perfect as the voice of Gollum in the 1970's animated TV version of The Hobbit.
Hi Paul,
Yes it was that small tiny theater on 13th street that I saw him at. Maybe it was the early 80’s ,I’m not sure. I read about his background and knew he was Jewish from either Germany or Austria but I see he was from Germany from a well off family that were book publishers. I remember reading a interview with him many years ago that when he was in Dachau concentration camp he was in a room that men were lined up and getting bested to death by a young German Nazi.with a club, each man before him he said begged for their life and were then beaten. When it came time for Brother Theodore he screamed at the German Nazi something like he was worthless and no good! For some reason this made the Nazi thug surprised and he didn’t kill him. It’s true he was in Dachau and was able to get out and get to America in 1940. I can see that any survivor of the camps had of course lasting effects on them usually very dark, sad, and traumatic. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brother Theodore’s experience manifested itself in his dark humor of the human race.
Thanks! I've heard about this for years but never have seen the clip!
This had to be a work
I bet Jerry Lewis and Brother Theodore discussed before the show.
Guaranteed
No shit, Sherlock.
Jerry didn’t know, before he went on the producers told him to “give it to him good, be nasty to him”. That’s what Brother Theodore said on Letterman.
Gee....ya THINK??!! LOL!
I'll bet they didn't. People tend to outsmart themselves when they believe everything is a contrived, manipulated gameplan.
Brother Theodore is one of the finest human beings ever to draw breath!
You're sick!
Amen brother.
@@tomfisher9089 🤣
What a life story he had. Jeff Sumerel made a doc on him. I have it. It's amazing. TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN.
I'm squirming with delight to be in the presence of an intellectual colossus.
Brother Theodore was one of the few slices of reality ever on television. Merv, Jerry and the rest were all firmly entrenched show biz personalities. It made for outrageous TV and perhaps an admission of truth amidst the non stop lie of MSM, then as now.
This is amazing. I wish I could see more of Theodore.
I loved him in " The Burbs" sometimes silence is funnier. It just takes the character to lead you into your mind to tell a story with no words.
I didn't know that's who he is. I immediately thought of "The Burbs" when I saw him! Thanks for making the connection for me. That character must have been written for him.
The Burbs is a hidden gem most people have overlooked!
My brother...the doctor
Brother Theodore was the first of the new wave of Avant Garde underground comedians, whose bleak outlook was forged due to his experience in Nazi Germany. He was sent to a concentration camp until he was forced to signed over his families publishing fortune. He escaped with the help Albert Einstein and ended up as a janitor at Stanford. He eventually broke into theater, doing dramatic Poe poetry, before starting his one man "Stand up Tragedy" He was a great hit in Greenwich Village, eventually drawing sell out crowds and attracting the attention of Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson and other TV shows. He was a hit with intellectuals and those who appreciated dark humor. Comedians like Penn and Teller, Letterman, Dick Cavette and Woody Allen. He disappeared for a while and then had a comeback during the late 70s early 80s...where he did a lot of voice over, a midnight show and talk show gigs.
It's pretty clear that Brother Theodore detested the way that Jerry Lewis was hogging the limelight and always trying to be the center of attention. (Not sure why Jerry was sitting at the desk next to Merv) When Merv suddenly realized that Brother Theodore was on the war path, Merv gave up his seat.
Lewis was a known jack ass and highly disrespectful. This was basically if George Carlin and Jim Carry were on the shame show and Carlins monologue was interrupted by Carry's mugging.
First off Michael, thank you so much for this! I was just watching The Burbs last night and wondered who this "side" actor was. Come to find out, he IS a Treasure!! How do you know so much about him? I had no idea who Jerry Lewis was/is but he sounds like a dick!
It was Merv himself that thought Lewis was a douche bag.
ChristinaZ_Witchblade Fortunately I got to see Brother Theodore on David Letterman's old show. Before Dave became a huge hit, Letterman gave a spotlight to counter culture characters like Comic book author Harvey Pakar, comedians like Emo Philips and Andy Kaufman.
I did what reading I could on him, I highly recommend looking up articles online about him as well as his old Letterman appearances.
Also Brother Theodore would have loved that you were a fan of his and didn't know who Jerry Lewis was. Jerry Lewis was once part of the last nightclub act known as Martin and Lewis. Dean Martin was the singer/straight man, and Jerry Lewis would do crazy comedy bits. Lewis was much like Jim Carry/Robin Williams with rapid fire humor and did great physical comedy. However, Robin Williams and Jim Carry are actually talented and known as pretty nice people. Lewis and Martin did a lot of Movies and TV shows, but eventually Lewis and Martin clashed. Dean Martin went on to a very successful film career, singing career and television star. Lewis starred in some successful film, but by the late 60s he was more or less washed up. He did do the MDA telethon every Labor Day, but it always seemed like it was " Look at me! See what I'm doing for these kids?"
Don't get me wrong, Lewis was considered a superstar during his life time and he was entertaining, but it's a very surface layered.
Michael Lukash I don't agree. Lewis had a wonderful career! In Europe he is more than a legend and in the States as well! He suffered from horrific physical pain, which got him addicted to drugs and that is the darker side of his career. However, he was the greatest clown even if some Americans won't recognize that! I don't know if Theodore knew him or not, but , but they were both great here and it was staged beautifully. It's appalling to learn about the dislike that some Americans have for a genius like Lewis! Not uncommon though! Geniuses were always misunderstood!
The 14TH Street theater, he was great in person !
Oh, this guy influenced Kaufman. I now remember Br Theodore from when I was a kid, but forgot about him. Thanks for the video!
Brother Theodore was far ahead of his time. I first saw him on the Steve Allen show in the early 1960s. He wasn't crazy - this was a character. His act. And he truly was not intimidated by Jerry Lewis and Lewis was not used to having people stand up to his mean spirited rudeness.
People that think BT and JL are really fighting here must think wrestling's real too.
It is real
probably.... i can tell all ready the whole panel is in on it
L D...Brilliant.
I think we found the creator of the Antifa movement
@@acecarter1717 😂
This is a first; Brother Theodore out-crazied Jerry Lewis.
Jerry was really bothered by Brother Theodore! When it comes to ''Crazy'' Dysfunction. Brother Theo took Jerry to the Hoop! Jerry became the Real ''Buddy Love''. People thought that Character Jerry did was based off Dean Martin. No, that Character was The true Asshole Of Jerry. Jerry is still My Hero. As A Child he did it for me. You have to be young at that time to understand The Love people had for Jerry. But for Viewership at that time, Brother Theodore had to scare the living Hell out of Home viewers. At that Time...1966
Literally, one of the craziest and funniest things ever made.
This is an amazing clip. A true genius of comedy. And Jerry Lewis.
Brother Theodore's misanthropy was a great act. But Jerry Lewis' always seems to be all too real.
dennis, interesting comment and I think exactly right.
Yes, well put. I don't like Lewis.
@@giovanna8187 I do. He was terrific and this is pure comic pantomime and humour.
Fu*k you All, Jerry was AWESOME
@@mehermusic2154 Jerry Lewis was a douchebag.
How did I miss this? One of the funniest things I have ever seen.
First time I've seen it too!
First saw bother Theodore on Letterman show early days and he cracked me up ..didint know he was preforming so many years before ..loved brother Theodore ..
Brother Theodore & Jerry Lewis made a great team, very funny segment.
I’m not so sure… Jerry Lewis seemed a little miffed …
And then Theodore take the seat he wanted in the first place. Genius
Be careful Jerry, don't piss Dr. Octopus off!
Everyone,and most of all,Jerry Lewis, is in on the act. It was always a blast to see Brother Theodore....
I disagree with you. I don't think it was an act. Brother Theodore at his lunch.
I had absolutely no idea Brother Theodore was around this long. I thought he was some New York weirdo that David discovered.
I'm in that club 🕺🐢 What a gem on UA-cam 😬
Same
Ditto
Brother Theodore's exit where he buries his head into Jerry gives away conclusively that this wasn't really a conflict. Well done appearance though!
I REMEMBER THIS EPISODE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD IN FRONT TV. HAPPY TIMES FOR ME.
Brother Theodore's whole act was how to work through his PTSD, I think. (He was at Dachau concentration camp during the war.)
Wow!! Thank you for sharing that! Working through the PTSD...invaluable! Thank you again!
This is gold.. thanks so much for this.
Thank you very much for posting this. Any and all footage of the late great Brother Theodore Gottlieb is appreciated.
Same.
Brother Theodore actually mentioned this when he was on Letterman.It was Merv Griffin that despised Jerry Lewis, and the producer actually told Theodore to go after Jerry Lewis. Check out the Brother Theodore interviews with Letterman, some of the time Theodore breaks character and actually talks with Letterman. Letterman and Theodore had a much better back and forth with Letterman, and letterman showed Theodore a lot more respect, and highlighted many of his theatrical pieces, including the 'Food Sermon", "Lizolotta Bindle", "Quadrupedism", and truly hilarious conversation about Theodores "Rats, and sons of rats" publication.
Merv Griffin despised Lewis? They were friends!
Watch the Letterman interview with Theodore, Theodore tells a story about going on the Merv Griffin show, Theodore goes on to say that Merv despised the "Big Comedian" that was on the show, and Theodore was told by the producer to go after the comedian, this is clearly what happened here. Theodore went directly after Jerry Lewis, exactly what he described in Theodores Letterman interview.
He probably wasn't serious when he said that! ( or maybe he wasn't talking about JL) It sounds extremely strange to me! Merv and Jer were friends. Moreover, Mervin invited Jerry many times on his show. It is pretty odd!
Then it sounds really weird that the producers would ask Theodore to do that unless the producres were 5 years old ! I think that he was joking!
Jerry lewis was a bit of a screw to a lot of people, "the blowing smoke in peoples faces, ashing on people", etc, was considered disrespectful. There is a 3 hour Letterman/ Theodore tribute on you tube, if you watch it, Letterman goes into Theodores Merv Griffin days, Merv had Theodore on regularly. He describes to the letter this appearance, and the producer telling Theodore to "Go after" him. Even stating that while the audience in the theater hissed and booed, the postcards and mail received by the show were firmly behind Theodore. It didn't sound like a joke when he told it, and while Letterman was prodding Theodore to name the "Big Star", Theodore wouldn't name him. After seeing this I can't imagine how it wasn't Lewis he was speaking about.
I'm surprised that I never heard of this guy growing up in the '60's and early '70's. This is a pretty good routine, funny. I could see this as not being my father's cup of tea, probably why I never had a chance to watch him. I would have loved this.
Same , only ever seen him on the BURBS , which was just fantastic film , still one of my all time favorites
Jerry was a load, everyone knew it but him.
Oh, he knew it.
The man was truly a unique and outrageous talent. brilliant performance-artist.
I love how both Jerry and Brother Theodore had to fight not to break chacter a couple of times .
uh, the thing is, Jerry Lewis wasn't playing a character... It might seem like that for a little while.
But: watching Lewis _continually_ blowing smoke in Theodore's face, trying to knock him off his game... then, interrupting BT's speeches- not to interact with him improvisationally- but **just** to disrupt his flow. Lewis was a pig.
Theodore actually refers to this appearance when he went on Letterman:
ua-cam.com/video/kj5fVnHWUl4/v-deo.html
@@skat1140 oh cool you were there and knew Jerry personally, thats awesome . Did he have a lot of back pain even back then ?
@@jimmymckay73 You have some pair of balls to be sure of your position which has no sources. He has at least _one_ source. Who the fuck are you to insult him?
@@NoOne-kr4jc lmao 🤣
@@skat1140 I think Brother Theodore may have confirmed the Jerry Lewis story in the Brother Theodore documentary.
I have a theory about this event. Did you notice how Merv Griffin was provoking lightly each side? Watch him carefully. Was he doing this to increase viewership? Now on Brother Theodore's side of the story as shown in your link, the event was planned because Griffin absolutely "detested" Lewis. The backstage manager or whoever before Brother Theodore came out said "Give it to him good. Be nasty." Could have Griffin been jealous of Lewis and decided payback with this? I'm not saying Lewis is a saint either, and he, Carson, Danny Kaye, etc. are great examples of dysfunctional Hollywood. Its not uncommon for someone like Griffin to also be that way.
This is terrific! Thanks for sharing!
Brother Theodore gave Mr. Lewis the Next Level of his own ''Mental Comedy Madness''. Good Job Brother Theodore!! He used to come on David Lettermen. The Man is not Well....Love it
Brother Theodore was a genius.
His timing is impeccable! Jerry is brilliant too.
Wasn't this guy the old crazy dude on David Letterman?
Yes
No that was Sister Theodore
Dave always called him Brother Ted.
Yep
None of us can say conclusively, but it seems to me this was not set up beforehand. Watch Jerry's body language. I think at first he has no idea what to make of Brother Theodore, or how to react to him. He threatens violence. Lewis seems to decide to roll with it, using hacky insults. They go to commercial, and when they come back it's pretty clear Jerry's had a chat with the producer. Fascinating segment.
This is my first time hearing about Brother Theodore thank you UA-cam he was too much
"My winter is hotter than your summer, my spring is your autumn..." -people who come to english as a second language see things natives don't, although German is overflowing with proverbs, beaten only by Latin. 'Grosse sielen dulden still' or the Roman motto 'The heavens are my home and the stars are my lamps.'
That was really good TV. I miss this kind of Comedy.
I don't remember Brother Theodore at all, and I was 11 in 1966 and watched Merv with Mom & Dad all the time. On the other hand, what I have learned about Jerry Lewis lately, I am horrified.
The tension make his still funny today!
I have a theory...Mike Myers saw Mr. Theodore and came up with the "Sprockets" character from this episode especially him wearing the turtle neck...
Never heard of this guy!?! He's the only person that I have ever seen make 'show biz Jerry' look sympathetic.
I love that. "Better use it, you ain't gettin' this one." That right there is Joey Levitch, the streetwise kid from Jersey, and Brother Theodore hasn't figured it out yet, but he's about two breaths away from catchin' a beatin'. This one of Jerry's personalities (part of who he really was) had been the basis for the character Buddy Love in "The Nutty Professor" and was later the basis for Andrew "Dice" Clay's entire fucking career.
This is Lewis at his best and most generous. Remember - he was a Vaudevillian through and through, but I think they are both being themselves through their own interpretation of humour, whilst working as a team. Just brilliant.
I can't believe you all don't get that Jerry Lewis is part of the act here. He is one of the greatest comedians of all time.
Me thinks the crowd watching it is too young to understand comedy!
Nah...He was famous. Funny...nah!
He was extremely overrated.
@@thememoryhole9355 If you think he's overrated it's because you haven't watched him. Nutty Professor, Lady's Man. He was a brilliant filmmaker. He INVENTED video assist.
@@greg55666 Didn't mean to upset you. I'm 52, and I well remember Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. I've never been much of a slapstick guy. My siblings loved him. I was odd man out.
Way ahead of it's time. Theodore deconstructs the very act of appearing on a talk show. I do not believe Lewis was in on it- Theodore's imitations of him are SAVAGE. It's a brilliant segment, though it's brought back down to earth with Jerry's hacky put downs. Anyway, thank you for posting this bit of television history.
Brother is. Brilliant, great acting.
BRILLIANT!
Awesome. Thank you for that.
Now THAT’S entertainment!!
This was crazy-hysterical TV, ... and no: I don't think much of it was scripted at all.
he was a genius nutcase.
Maybe for 1966. But, in 2019, it wasn't worth watching and wasn't funny at all (even in a comic sense). Latka was bizarre entertainment; this was really nothing but a fill of time
All Scripted.
@@marioandreano1236 scripted ad lib :-)
@@jimmayors2315
There is nothing like it in 2018 -.
What a fascinating power-pIay between egos. Lewis is condescending and it's pushing Theodore to the edge. It takes Theodore a good 14 minutes to get into his "routine". No matter what he says, Lewis has a belittling comeback. Things change after the break... Just wow.
@David Roberts -Fwiw, I was surprised and impressed to learn that Theodore always planned his performances on talk shows. He wrote a detailed script of his bits that he would interject when asked. These scripts were handwritten and I believe a few still exist if you're interested. He was a very hard worker and always did his best to prepare for each appearance. While his humor was combative and perhaps not your cup of tea, it was my favorite, because he was a gentle guy underneath it all and it was all an act. Lewis was a natural performer and what you see is what you get, so they had different styles of performance. They may have planned the fight over who sits where, but somehow I think this one was all improv. Lewis was hilarious but didn't like sharing the limelight.
@David Roberts actually, if it weren't for Lewis's constant interruptions, Theodore could have turned the crowd from Jerry. Theodore takes his time setting up thought provoking monologues, Lewis was just a gag comic. Theodore is an intellectual black belt compared to Jerry Lewis, and Lewis knew it immediately.
@@pickolascage1283 Theodore was good, definitely, however, Jerry was amazing. If you want and have the ability to turn the crowd from another actor, you just do it! Nothing can stop you! He didn't because Jerry was very good too! Jerry also had a huge theatrical background and knew his vaudeville routine! Jerry was no amateur! He was a comedy genius, very creative and always ahead of his time!
When Jerry met Teddy....wow. I never knew that Brother Theodore's tv appearances went back to the 1960's. I always thought he started with the old Letterman NBC show. Brother Theodore might've been Andy Kaufman before Andy Kaufman because it's a little tough to tell if Brother Theodore, like Kaufman, was putting on an act or not.
As a child, Brother Theodore was dark, perplexing, yet fascinating. Over the years, Jerry Lewis has been exposed as a jerk. In this clip, Lewis’ ego cannot share the stage or attention with another guest.
Lewis was such a schmuck.
Jerry was soooo cute/handsome. Love Jerry. 💚💜💙💜💚
"You see, the trouble with me is the following...I am not...WILL YOU PLEASE STOP TALKING TO ME!!!" IDK why but that one line always cracks me up
. Brother missed a chance when Lewis said 'We'd like to send this boy to camp'.
...he should have replied, I was already sent to camp once, courtesy of the National Socialists.
This is what made Merv and Steve Allen, original and then Letterman's NBC show took elements of this.
As a small boy my first comedian was Jerry, i had no idea he was so fecking cool.
I don't think I have seen Jerry genuinely having more fun...the 1st half was brilliant...if like me you haven't seen Theodore before watch it again in a while and you will understand the chemistry better...A couple of genuine grins from Jerry, very rare.Also read B.T's history, really interesting.
Jerry's brilliant ad-libs and asides made this whole thing cook. And in case you didn't know, Jerry and Theodore were working as a team, both working off each other. It was a brilliant act. You could see where Jerry was really appreciating Ted's brilliance as a totally unique entertainer. The ending was great when Ted pushed his head into Jerry's torso. Jerry didn't flinch because he knew what Ted was doing all along. Andy Kaufmann was a show business heir to Theodore, even though Andy did his own thing. But Ted, like Rickles, was sui generis.
Suzy Florida, thank you! I didn't know that they were working as a team. Great comment! :)
I understand why people might think they were working as a team, but I was a friend of Theodore's during the last several years of his life, and believe me, his loathing for Jerry Lewis was quite real ("I despise him with ALL of my heart and ALL of my soul" were his exact words.) He told me about this incident many years before I saw the clip; apparently, a singer came out before Theodore's segment and Lewis mocked him with physical shtick while he was trying to do his number, and Theodore was appalled at his behavior. Looking at Lewis's demeanor here, I believe the contempt was mutual. I agree with your comparison of Theodore and Andy Kaufman, though; they both blurred the lines between comedy and performance art, and made you question whether what you were seeing was genuine or a put-on.
Im sorry that Theodore despised Jerry really! If that is actually true! He said that he hated him with all of his heart and soul because of that "incident" ?? Wow!! That's something!
Jerry was great! So amazing and wonderful!
Theo was a man of passionate likes and dislikes. I'm glad I was on his good side.
Good for you! ;)
Man I loved me some Theodore. He used to be gold on Letterman as well.
I only knew Brother Theodore from "The Burbs" prior to this. He was great in that. What an interesting person.
One upmanship. Fight for the spotlight. Lewis had benefit of the audience "Applause" signs.
Thank you for this, one can never have enough Brother Theodore.
Back when the format wasn’t figured out yet. Merv had his guest sit right next to him at the desk. That looks strange now!
The Host sits at the desk and the guest sits in the chair!
Such a balance of courage, madness and genius.
Around 11:11 when Theodore asks 'You know what?' you can see him smile a bit.
Theodore was actually born into a wealthy family, very well educated, then, being Jewish he was captured and imprisoned by the Nazis in WW2 and forced to sell his entire holdings, land and everything FOR 1 GERMAN MARK to be set free and allowed to leave the country. So his pessimistic attitude did have some validity, he lost everything except his life.
He used to appear on David Letterman fairly often and each appearance is a classic, check them out. I actually have an original pressing of his 'comedy' album on the Coral label, it's great.
I always thought that he'd have been perfect to play Doc Ock!
I love this clip.