Friday, January 28, 2005

Sid Caesar: Sketch Comedy Genius

Before Saturday Night Live, there was Sid Caesar's two shows: Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour.

Who made it big from the two shows? Several people that are well-known. Here are short bios from Sid's All Stars:
Cast Members:
Sid Caesar - Sid has conquered every medium. A multiple emmy award winner, Sid went on to win the Tony Award for the Broadway production, "Little Me," and starred in such classic films as "Grease" and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."

Nanette Fabray - An accomplished Broadway star, Nanette has appeared on countless TV shows, including "One Day At A Time," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Coach."

Howard Morris - Went on to become Ernest T. Bass on "The Andy Griffith Show," as well as becoming a successful television director.

Carl Reiner - Created "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and director Rob Reiner. He has directed many films including, "The Jerk," "Oh God," "All of Me," and "The Man With Two Brains."

Writers
Woody Allen - "Annie Hall", "Manhattan", "Hannah and Her Sisters"... where do we stop?

Mel Brooks - "The Producers", "Blazing Saddles", "Young Frankenstein". Nuff said.

Larry Gelbart - Created the television series, M*A*S*H, wrote the play "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and won an Oscar for the screenplay of "Tootsie."

Danny Simon - An accomplished theater director, Danny was one of the premier writers during TV's Golden Age. Woody Allen is often quoted as saying, "Danny Simon taught me how to be funny."

Neil Simon - Broadway's most accomplished playwright, penning "The Odd Couple," "Brighten Beach Memoirs," "Biloxi Blues," "Barefoot in the Park." He has adapted many of his plays for the screen.

Mel Tolkin - Mel was the head writer for "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour." He went on to help change the face of TV sitcoms with, "All in the Family."

No comments: