While I can laugh at today's comedians, I find it sad that, too much of the time, they have to resort to obscene language and sex jokes to get laughs. When I was younger, it seemed as if the most we got in terms of 'off-color' jokes was innuendo--something that went completely over the heads of kids. Of course, I have NO idea how vulgar these same comedians were 'in concert' in Las Vegas, but on TV they were mild--and very, very funny. One of the funniest men that I remember was George Gobel.
George Gobel was born in 1919 and passed in 1991. He had his own TV program in the late 60s, but I remember him best from the Tonight Show. He would tell stories about his 'wife' Spooky Old Alice, in his homespun, low-key way. His nickname was 'Lonesome George.'
Some quotes from 'Lonesome George':
“If you build a better mousetrap, you will catch better mice.”
“My uncle was the town drunk - and we lived in Chicago.”
“College is a place to keep warm between high school and an early marriage.”
One of the best, funniest 'bits' I ever saw on The Tonight Show involved 'Lonesome George.' After Johnny spent time talking with Bob Hope and Dean Martin, George came on as the last guest. He sat down, all 'regular' guy and homey, looked around and said to Carson, "Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?" He completely stopped the show with that line. A classic, if there ever was one. Sad that we don't have more like him these days.
