Retrotalk : Lost and Found : Remember Make Me Laugh?

Author	Message
View previous topic \| View next topic \|
baby_doll Member Since: November 2006 Contributions: 124 Gold Stars: 38 View User Posts	Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:18 pm Central Time It was a game show and three funny people had to try to make someone sitting in a chair laugh in 60 minutes
Back to top
Tom1956 Member Since: December 2005 Contributions: 1343 Gold Stars: 34 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:51 am Central Time There may have been more than one version of this, but I seem to recall one hosted by Bobby Van. It was a half-hour show, and the comics had either 30 or 60 seconds each with the contestants. This would have been circa 1977-78, and it wasn't aired where I lived at the time, but I later saw it in reruns, probably on Game Show Network.
Back to top
baby_doll Member Since: November 2006 Contributions: 124 Gold Stars: 38 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:30 am Central Time Yes the host of the show was the late Bobby Van. He was great, funny and a great dancer too. He dead a few yrs ago of brain cancer. But yes he was the host of the show I think a few yrs ago they did a up to date version of the show but it didn't last long.
Back to top
-Alan D Hopewell Member Since: October 2006 Contributions: 7558 Gold Stars: 1210 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:00 pm Central Time baby_doll wrote: Yes the host of the show was the late Bobby Van. He was great, funny and a great dancer too. He dead a few yrs ago of brain cancer. But yes he was the host of the show I think a few yrs ago they did a up to date version of the show but it didn't last long. view The original version dates from the late 50's, and I don't recall who hosted. _________________ "I can do all things through CHRIST, Who strengthens me." -Phillipians 4:13, King James Bible
Back to top
Tom1956 Member Since: December 2005 Contributions: 1343 Gold Stars: 34 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:01 pm Central Time -Alan D Hopewell wrote: The original version dates from the late 50's, and I don't recall who hosted. view (Caution: questionable reference source ahead) According to Wikipedia, Robert Q. Lewis (known to Game Show Network viewers mainly as host of "The Name's The Same") hosted an the original version in 1958. Bobby Van's syndicated version was in 1979/80. Contestants faced 3 comics each for one minute, earning $1 for each second they kept from laughing. If they survived three minutes, their money was doubled to $360. Comedy Central revived the show in 1997 with Ken Ober of "Remote Control" fame hosting the first season, and Marc Cohen the second. The show was similar to Van's but with the addition of a bonus round for the day's big winner, which was worth up to $500, among other changes.
Back to top
Artytoons Member Since: November 2005 Contributions: 1241 Gold Stars: 381 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:19 pm Central Time baby_doll wrote: Yes the host of the show was the late Bobby Van. He was great, funny and a great dancer too. He dead a few yrs ago of brain cancer. But yes he was the host of the show I think a few yrs ago they did a up to date version of the show but it didn't last long. view Bobby Van was married to Elaine Joyce who frequently appeared on game show panels. She hosted an 80s revival of "The Dating Game". Bobby Van's first game show hosting stint was Goodson-Todman's "Show-Offs" which was a charades game that ran from 1975 to 1976 on ABC. Van was a quick replacement host after the original host Larry Blyden was killed in a car accident in 1975 a few weeks after taping the "Show-Offs" pilot. Elaine Joyce appeared as one of the celebrity guests in the pilot and appeared frequently as a guest during the show's run. The game would later be revived with a few rule changes on CBS in 1984 as "Body Language". Van later hosted the NBC game show "The Fun Factory" from 1976 to 1977 which combined a daily variety show format with a game show. Comedy sketches provided clues to a puzzle for the contestants to guess for prizes. Betty Thomas, later of "Hill Street Blues", was one of the comedy sketch actors. Van hosted "Make Me Laugh" from 1979 to 1980. Van guested on tv shows such as "Battlestar Galactica" and "Wonder Woman". He died in 1980. _________________ "Over one thousand served"
Back to top
Xerus Member Since: March 2006 Contributions: 3416 Gold Stars: 548 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:31 pm Central Time I remember the Unknown Comic was one of the comedians on there. And he made a woman contestant laugh big time. I think he's the funniest comedians they've had on that show.
Back to top
berjo Member Since: November 2006 Contributions: 375 Gold Stars: 59 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:51 am Central Time The updated version was hilarious! I have one episode recorded on a tape somewhere for it was one of my favourites. One of the comedians did a great "Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids" impersonation. _________________ http://www.top40db.net/
Back to top
Artytoons Member Since: November 2005 Contributions: 1241 Gold Stars: 381 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 5:03 pm Central Time Xerus wrote: I remember the Unknown Comic was one of the comedians on there. And he made a woman contestant laugh big time. I think he's the funniest comedians they've had on that show. view Murray Langston, who is the Unknown Comic, also performed on "Make Me Laugh" under his real name and without the bag on his head. _________________ "Over one thousand served"
Back to top
harpo66 Member Since: June 2007 Contributions: 19 Gold Stars: 25 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:14 pm Central Time I loved this show! At least the one I remember... I always remember Bruce Baum in that diaper, and that over sized baby bottle..... How I would laugh at him!!
Back to top
Johnnyboy72 Member Since: December 2007 Contributions: 281 Gold Stars: 29 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:23 am Central Time I remember that show on Cartoon Network. Sometimes to make the guy laugh, the person would immatate famous people, or say something funny about a movie. One time they had a very funny and classic comedian duo Willy Tyler and Lester (the dummy). He made the classic wood jokes (Lester's uncle came out of the clost, he's a 2x4.) I remember last seeing these guys on a special for Sea Wold's All Star Lone Star Celebration many years ago.
Back to top
D-Rock Member Since: December 2005 Contributions: 3297 Gold Stars: 107 View User Posts	Re: Remember Make Me Laugh? Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:33 pm Central Time The 70's version of "Make Me Laugh" was required viewing for me when I was a 4th grader. I couldn't wait for it to come on every night. Seems like it aired right after the 6:00 news in my area. I loved the Unknown Comic, Bruce Baum, and a duo known as Roger & Roger. I believe Kip Odonta (sp?) who used to perform on that show is still in the comedy world today. I heard a comical song of his on the radio a few years back, called "Wet Dream". It's not what you're thinking--it's a song full of double entendres about fish and other undersea life. But annnnnnnnnnnyway, thanks for reminding me of this great show. Perhaps "Make Me Laugh" is why I like stand up comedy so much as an adult! _________________ Zombies, man. They creep me out.
Back to top
Display posts from previous: