Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
#1Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 3:47pm
October 25, 1975
This is perhaps the most famous episode of what was arguably the best TV situation comedy of the 1970s. When WJM-TV's children's show host, Chuckles the Clown, is accidentally killed by an elephant, while dressed as a peanut, his death provokes numerous newsroom jokes by Murray, Lou, and Ted--who are upbraided for their insensitivity by a shocked Mary. They all attend the funeral, and once it starts, Mary cannot hold back the giggles that well up until she is laughing uncontrollably. "Chuckles Bites the Dust" is at once incredibly human and supremely funny, with great performances from the entire cast. As Chuckles would say, "A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cL4tMKjfS0&feature=
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#2re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 3:51pmI posted this a while back. MTM's performance in the funeral scene is really one of the best pieces of acting I have ever seen. Seriously.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#2re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 4:10pmI'm sorry Borstalboy. I didn't know anyone posted this. Seems like I checked this not long ago and couldn't find it on youtube, so I assumed it was added recently.Yeah, that speech had me in tears.
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#3re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 4:12pm
MTM's reaction to the funeral oration is one of the highpoints in American acting, one of the funniest things ever done. It never gets old.
CHUCKLES BITES THE DUST is the best half hour sitcom episode EVER. PERIOD, no question, there can be no disagreement.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
#4re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 4:26pmExcept for Vitameetavegamin maybe.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#5re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 4:29pm
I think CHUCKLES beats that one, because it is consistently hilarious throughout, where the Lucy episode just has that one hilarious bit.
Don't get me wrong, love me some LUCY, and that Vitameatavegamin routine always has me helpless.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#7re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 4:40pmI know.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick
My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
#8re: Mary Tyler Moore and Chuckles Bites the Dust
Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:13pm
Don't forget the role of Georgia Engel in this scene, who would later play Mrs. Tottendale in Drowsy.
"Why do funerals always come too late?"
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