Thursday, September 5, 2013

Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts



Thinking of my Dad today and the comment by Dr. Goat and others about how celebrity roasts today are all so dirty and stupid. Personally I agree. I never work BLUE (I don't have to) to get attention. I may post cosplayers and pretty girls but I don't show them squatting over some dirty sailor. There are limits. Good taste and funny can go together when you are REALLY funny and you have great material.

As a kid, Dean Martin Roasts were a big treat. There was nothing like them on TV at the time. Mostly they roasted famous celebrities and the class of the program meant they could attract guys like a Frank Sinatra. My Dad loved the comedy and even if he had to explain why the jokes were funny, he would, just for our enjoyment.

Of all the people they would get for these Dean Martin roasts, Red Buttons (an Oscar winner believe it or don't) was the funniest. I got the jokes. But watch his delivery. He is as much fun to watch as to listen to.

The old school guys like Don Rickles may have gently pushed the envelope without being profane. Just yesterday I laughed my ass off at Everybody Loves Raymond. It was terrific.

6 comments:

DrGoat said...

Thanks for that post Cal. It emphasizes what I meant in that comment. The Dean Martin Roasts were also a staple in our household.

DrGoat said...

I forgot about Charlie Callas. I just watched that clip with him and laughed my ass off here at work.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I remember Dean Martin's Roasts too. Very funny!

david_b said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
david_b said...

Loved the old roasts. I saw the Dick Cavett-Groucho interview back in '69 where he mentioned hating blue material (and porn shows..).

Groucho said anyone can be funny being blue. It took a REAL comedian to kill with a clean act.

As for porn, he had no interest in watching. In partaking..? Yes. Watching..? No.

Groucho was the best.

dino martin peters said...

Mr. Calvin, sir, wonderin' if you are aware that a new entire package of the Dino-roasts with tons of extras are bein' released the week of September 23, and thus your post is a very timely reminder of the Dino-roast era and the high bar they set for comedic roasts of all sorts.

Never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool....oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth. Know that your reflections are bein' highlighted this very day for all the pallies gathered 'round ilovedinomartin.