[From "Kovacs Corner" on YouTube.com] – On the evening of January 13, 1962, Ernie Kovacs arrived at the Beverly Hills California mansion of director Billy Wilder to celebrate with his fellow cigar-smoking card partner Milton “Mr. Television” Berle and his wife Ruth the adoption of their son….
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Imaging the expression on the face of that “groom” when he later eyes the anaconda that’s hiding under that wedding dress!
That’s right, ‘rolko’. While reminiscing about his series on the 1971 album “The Golden Age of Television”, Milton said, “There was one laugh that projected from the top of them all- and that was my mother…and if people didn’t laugh, she used to shove them in the arm and, say, ‘Laugh it up, that’s my son!’….she was there at every show…”.
@fromthesidelines During his monologue there would always be a woman laughing histerically from the audience. Berle would always use her as as the butt of an insult joke. That woman was Milton’s mother Sadie.
This was probably THE most famous opening in early television- every Tuesday night at 8pm(et), from 1948 through ’53, viewers saw the “Texaco service men” [a vocal quartet] introduce the show, and pitch their sponsor’s product, then introducing “Mr. Television” himself (ALWAYS entering in an outrageous costume).
@tallpaul521
back when commercials had their own shows
@tallpaul521 I have also read that. It’s another sad aspect to an unfortunate event.
Thank you for the details of the death of Mr. Kovacs. I’d heard that an unlit, new cigar was found in the car. The theory that was that Kovacs had reached into the glovebox (where he kept his cigars) and had lost control of the car.
@431516020205 Your welcome Mike.
fantastic buddy…thank you!!!