American TV's great comedian of the 1950s
Early on in their careers, Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, Neil Simon and Mel Brooks all produced gags for the American comedian Sid Caesar, who has died aged 91. "Writing for Caesar was the highest thing you could aspire to," said Allen, adding: "at least as a TV comedy writer. The presidency was above that." Simon later based the play Laughter on the 23rd Floor on his experiences of working for Caesar's popular variety programme Your Show of Shows (1950-54), and Reiner's time with Caesar inspired him to create The Dick Van Dyke Show.
At the height of his fame in the 1950s, Caesar was making more than $1m a year and Your Show of Shows was drawing audiences of up to 25 million. Broadway theatre owners complained that as a result of his popularity, they always had empty seats on Saturday nights – the...
Early on in their careers, Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, Neil Simon and Mel Brooks all produced gags for the American comedian Sid Caesar, who has died aged 91. "Writing for Caesar was the highest thing you could aspire to," said Allen, adding: "at least as a TV comedy writer. The presidency was above that." Simon later based the play Laughter on the 23rd Floor on his experiences of working for Caesar's popular variety programme Your Show of Shows (1950-54), and Reiner's time with Caesar inspired him to create The Dick Van Dyke Show.
At the height of his fame in the 1950s, Caesar was making more than $1m a year and Your Show of Shows was drawing audiences of up to 25 million. Broadway theatre owners complained that as a result of his popularity, they always had empty seats on Saturday nights – the...
- 2/13/2014
- by Christopher Hawtree
- The Guardian - Film News
A true television legend has died. Sid Caesar, who influenced generations of comedy writers and performers, passed away earlier today in Los Angeles. He was 91 years old.
Born to immigrant parents in 1922, Caesar made his first television appearance on Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater in the late 40's. He soon met NBC president Pat Weaver and landed his first TV series, The Admiral Broadway Revue, with Imogene Coca.
In 1950, he appeared on the first episode of Your Show of Shows, a 90-minute variety show. The series featured comedy sketches, satires, monologues, musical guests and production numbers -- an early predecessor to Saturday Night Live (which Caesar guest-hosted in 1983). On-screen talent included Caesar, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, and Imogene Coca. Backstage, the show's legendary writing staff included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Mel Tolkin and Danny Simon.
Your Show of...
Born to immigrant parents in 1922, Caesar made his first television appearance on Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater in the late 40's. He soon met NBC president Pat Weaver and landed his first TV series, The Admiral Broadway Revue, with Imogene Coca.
In 1950, he appeared on the first episode of Your Show of Shows, a 90-minute variety show. The series featured comedy sketches, satires, monologues, musical guests and production numbers -- an early predecessor to Saturday Night Live (which Caesar guest-hosted in 1983). On-screen talent included Caesar, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, and Imogene Coca. Backstage, the show's legendary writing staff included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Mel Tolkin and Danny Simon.
Your Show of...
- 2/13/2014
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
An overwhelming majority of entertainers seem less important in retrospect. As the years pass, the shade of their shadows fades and fades until their individual effect on the horizon is barely noticeable at all. With Sid Caesar, however, the opposite is true. Following years in the military in which he contributed to various shows and revues, Caesar began working on movies and television shows in the late 1940s. In 1949, NBC handed him a variety hour called The Admiral Broadway Revue. That led into Your Show Of Shows, widely considered one of the greatest variety programs in TV history, as well as Caesar.s Hour and a ton of subsequent specials. Brilliant writers and actors like Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Imogene Coca, Howard Morris, Bea Arthur, Jackie Cooper, Larry Gelbart, Neil Simon and Woody Allen were all given a microphone or a typewriter to prove their talent thanks to Caesar. Collectively,...
- 2/13/2014
- cinemablend.com
Los Angeles – It’s a pioneering TV show practically lost to history. Sid Caesar hosted and performed in “Your Show of Shows,” a 90 minute live 1950s sketch comedy program, and also helped to launch a who’s who of 20th Century comedy. Coming out of his writer’s rooms were such comic greats as Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen. Sid Caesar died February 12th at his home near Los Angeles, according to a newsfeed from Larry King on Twitter.
Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca in ‘Your Show of Shows’
Photo credit: New Video
Sid Caesar emerged as one of televisions first big stars – along with his show partner Imogene Coca – after he was launched in “Your Show of Shows” in 1950, and the series lasted four legendary seasons with a mix of vaudeville style comedy and TV/movie satires. Brooks, Simon (and his brother Danny...
Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca in ‘Your Show of Shows’
Photo credit: New Video
Sid Caesar emerged as one of televisions first big stars – along with his show partner Imogene Coca – after he was launched in “Your Show of Shows” in 1950, and the series lasted four legendary seasons with a mix of vaudeville style comedy and TV/movie satires. Brooks, Simon (and his brother Danny...
- 2/13/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.