Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In Trivia

1. "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" ran from January 22, 1968 to March 12, 1973. I'm sure the creators of the show laughed until tears ran down their faces. Who were they?

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: George Schlatter and Ed Friendly

George Schlatter was not just one of the creators of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In". He was also the founder of the American Comedy Awards in 1987. He was born in Alabama in 1932 and studied at Pepperdine University. Another television show that he was the creator of, along with Friendly, was "Turn-On" (1969). Edwin "Ed" S. Friendly Jr., who lived from 1922 to 2007, was a producer responsible for creating several television programs which had great success. Not only did he create "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In", but he also created "Little House on the Prairie" (1974-1984), "Turn-On" (1969) and "Backstairs at the White House" (1979 miniseries). He was one of the founding members of the National Thoroughbred Association and he was also the one who established the Thoroughbred Owners of California, back in 1993. Lewis and Precht were producers of "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948-1971). Donohue and Gaunt were directors of "The Red Skelton Hour" (1957-1971). Lear and Speight were creators of "All in the Family" (1971-1979).

From Quiz Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Dan and Dick

Dan Rowan and Dick Martin had a club comedy act in the 1950s and 1960s with Dan as the straight man and Dick as the comic fool. Their appearance on Dean Martin's TV variety show in 1966 led to a "Laugh-In" special in the fall of 1967, which was picked up for a weekly series starting in January 1968. The term "laugh-in" was derived from the 1960s counterculture term for a "happening," such as a "sit-in" peaceful protest, a "teach-in" current affairs forum, or a "love-in" rock concert.

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Ruth Buzzi

Jo Anne and Judy were on the show from 1968-1970. Nancie Phillips was a member of the cast from 1970-1971. Ruth Buzzi was on the show from 1968 until its final season in 1973.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Inquisitive Tango

"Inquisitive Tango" was created by Ian Bernard. Bernard was the musical director for the show. Not only did he write the opening theme song "Inquisitive Tango" but he also wrote "What's the News Across the Nation" for the show. He wrote several tunes that introduced the comedy sketches of the characters. His presence was often in the cocktail scenes as he directed the band. "Toast of the Town" was the theme song of the "Ed Sullivan Show" (1948-1971) and composed by Ray Bloch. "Best Friend" was the theme song for "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1969-1972) and was composed by Harry Nilsson. "Believe It or Not", written by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer, was the theme song for "The Greatest American Hero" (1981-1983).

From Quiz Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Ruth Buzzi and Gary Owens

Ruth Buzzi featured on the original 1967 TV special and played her Gladys the spinster, Busy Buzzi, and many more characters through to the final season in 1972-73. Gary Owens performed as a plummy, baritone, radio-style announcer throughout the series. Tomlin played four "Laugh-In" seasons, but Pardo was the announcer on "Saturday Night Live," not "Laugh-In." Brennan and Strunk performed in the first and last seasons, respectively. McCall and Brill, the "Fun Couple," only played in Season 2, but have an interesting claim to fame, having appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" the night the Beatles premiered.

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Eileen Brennan

Eileen Brennan also had a recurring role on the WB series "7th Heaven".

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Judy Carne

Getting tricked into saying "Sock it to me" was a regular event. It was the phrase that led to Judy Carne being doused with water on the show. Judy Carne was born Joyce Audrey Botterill in 1939 and was once the wife of Burt Reynolds, from 1963 to 1965. On Monday, September 16, 1968 Richard Nixon appeared on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In", saying the infamous line "Sock it to me". He did not get soaked.

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Richard Dawson

Richard Dawson hosted "Family Feud" from 1976-1985.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: The Alligator

Henry Gibson (born James Bateman) lived from 1935 to 2009. While on the television show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" he would appear dressed in a Nehru jacket adorned with hippie beads while he carried a very large flower. He'd announce his poem title followed by "by Henry Gibson" after which he would bow, recite the poem and leave. He also played the role of The Parson who sipped tea at cocktail parties. For your pleasure, here is "The Alligator" by Henry Gibson: The alligator is my pal. He could be your pal, too. He will if you'll just understand That he's got feelings too. The alligator is my friend. He likes to wink and flirt. I'd rather have him as my friend Than wear him on my shirt. The alligator ate my friend. He can eat your friend too If only you would understand That he needs protein too. He loves to play and swim about. He never sings the blues. You'd like him better as a friend Than wearing him as shoes. Alligator! Alligator! Alligator! He could be your friend- Could be your friend Could be your friend Too.

From Quiz Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Pail of water thrown at the speaker (usually Judy Carne)

Judy Carne was frequently tricked into saying the trip phrase "sock it to me" through puns, as in, Dan: "Read any good books lately Judy?" Judy: "Well, right now I'm reading that old Greek saga The Odyssey." Dan: "You mean Homer's epic?" Judy: "It may be an epic to you but it's a saga to me." Splash! Other physical gag follow-ups included falling through a trap door, having hundreds of ping pong balls drop on her, and having her dress torn away (but not the slip beneath). Nixon did come on "Laugh-In" as a presidential candidate once, saying, "Sock it to ME?"

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: 4 & Four

Byron Gilliam, Teresa Graves, Jeremy Lloyd and Pamela Rodgers.

From Quiz Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Lorne Michaels

Lorne Michaels, creator, writer, and producer of "Saturday Night Live," had one of his first jobs as a writer on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" for the first two seasons of the show. Lorne Greene, of "Bonanza" fame, had a cameo on the very first "Laugh-In." Larry David and Laraine Newman have been involved with "Saturday Night Live," but did not feature in "Laugh-In."

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Owens & Altman

Gary Owens was born Gary Altman.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: The spinster Gladys Ormphby and the dirty old man Tyrone F. Hornigh

The spinster Gladys, played by Ruth Buzzi, and the dirty old man, played by Arte Johnson, would appear on a park bench. They would be chatting and the dirty old man would always come up with an unpleasing remark which resulted in the spinster smacking him with her purse. One such phrase was "Want a Walnetto?" Gladys was dressed in a boring dull brown outfit and a bun hairstyle covered with a hairnet knotted right smack dab in the middle of her forehead. The dirty old man always wore a trench coat and tried hard to seduce Gladys. Buzzi played the roles of a the barfly Doris Swizzle and "busy body Buzzi" Hollywood reporter whereas Lily Tomlin played the role of Miss Earbore, the precise and snooty lady. Arte Johnson played the roles of Wolfgang the German soldier, the Indian Mystic and Mr. Rosemenko.

From Quiz Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: NBC Studios, Burbank, CA

"Beautiful downtown Burbank," of course, as Gary Owens announced during most episodes. Beginning in 2007, the NBC Studios in Burbank moved to a new campus nearby at Universal City, CA. The new facility has access to the Los Angeles Metro Rail line and is considered more environmentally friendly.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: General Bull Right

Daniel Hale "Dan" Rowan was born July 22, 1922 and died on September 22, 1987. He was an American comedian known best for the "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" television comedy. Rowan portrayed the straight man alongside Dick Martin. Dan Rowan was known to instigate the "Sock it to me" along with Dick Martin. He also presented the news of the future but his most memorable role was that of General Bull Right. The general was a hard talking kind of guy who totally believed that the only way to go was through constant war.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Dick Martin

Dick Martin was the star who coined the phrase "You bet your sweet bippy". Here is a little insight into what it means, according to Dan Rowan and Dick Martin anyway. Dick: "May the Good Fairy sprinkle stardust on your bippy." Dan: "Just a minute now. I've been meaning to ask you; what's a bippy?" Dick "It's a baby bip." Dan: "Then what's a bip?" Dick: "It's a big bippy." Dan: "Are you sure?" Dick: "You bet your sweet bippy, I'm sure!" The word "bippy" was the inspiration to a later Rowan and Martin film called "The Maltese Bippy" (1969).

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Dave Madden

Dave Madden played Reuben Kinkaid on "The Partridge Family" from 1970-1974.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Joke wall

The joke wall was a feature segment at the end of each show. After Martin and Rowan said good night to the audience, individual panels would open up on the wall with one cast member asking a joke question and another answering it.

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Sock It To Me

Judy Carne was known for the first few seasons as the "Sock It To Me" girl. After Rowan, Martin and that week's guest star were introduced in the beginning of the show, she was usually the first regular to be mentioned.

From Quiz Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Answer: Tiny Tim

Tiny Tim was born Herbert Khaury in 1932. He appeared on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" several times, first in 1967 and later including the 100th episode in 1971. The third time he appeared was when he entered blowing kisses to the audience. There was a very elaborate parade by the cast members, an interview of Tim and then he sang "Tiptoe through the Tulips" in his high falsetto/vibrato voice while playing his right handed ukulele left handed. He never did change the strings from the standard placement to fit him playing left handed.

From Quiz Let's Start "Laugh-In"

Answer: Goodnight, Dick

The show always ended by Dan Rowan telling his co-host, Dick Martin, to say "Goodnight, Dick".

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