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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Laugh-In was a super popular American TV show that aired on NBC from 1968 to 1974. It was hosted by two funny comedians, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin. The show's name came from a trend back then where people named public events with "-In" at the end, like the "Human Be-In" event in 1967.

The show started as a one-time TV special. It was so successful that it became a regular series in 1968. Hosts Rowan and Martin often wore fancy tuxedos. They played the "straight men," meaning they were serious while other performers made jokes. Gary Owens was the show's announcer.

What Was Laugh-In About?

Laugh-In was known for its "topical humor." This means most of its jokes were about current events and what was happening in the world. The show made fun of trends and fashions of the time.

Fun Parts of the Show

The show had many regular segments that viewers loved:

  • "The Party": Performers would tell short, funny jokes (called one-liners) about current issues in a party setting.
  • "Laugh-In Looks at the News": This was a fake news broadcast where they made fun of real news.
  • "Joke Wall": The cast would run from door to door in a special wall and tell old jokes.

The show also had many famous phrases that people started using, called catchphrases. Some of these were "Sock it to me!", "You bet your bippy!", and "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall!"

The Cast and Guests

Laugh-In had a big cast, and many of them became famous because of the show. Some well-known performers included Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Lily Tomlin, Henry Gibson, Ruth Buzzi, Dave Madden, Joanne Worley, Alan Sues, Chelsea Brown, and Judy Carne. Many of them went on to have long careers in comedy and acting.

Many famous people also appeared as guests on Laugh-In. These included singers like Tiny Tim, The Monkees, and Ringo Starr. Some guests were already big stars, while others became famous after being on the show.

One special guest was Pigmeat Markham, an African-American comedian. He was first imitated on the show by Sammy Davis, Jr.. Then, Pigmeat Markham himself appeared, doing his famous "Judge" routine. "Here come the Judge!" became another popular catchphrase from the show.

Even Richard Nixon, who was campaigning to become President of the United States at the time, appeared in a short part of the show. Some people even thought this helped him get elected!

The End of Laugh-In

Laugh-In became less popular over time, and it ended in 1974. The people who made the show said they had "run out of things to parody" (meaning they couldn't think of new things to make fun of).

A special reunion show happened in 1979. This led to a short return of the show as a "summer replacement" series. It featured new guests like Robin Williams.

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