well, it was a tie with 1971-1972, with 72 n the lead. So, Here is a story that happened at the end of 71 and goes in to 72. Thanks for participating! Please spread the word about my upcoming shows on 1/21, 1/23, 1/24. Heres that story... about impending stardom not reached and the pursuit.. as I write this from Paris, France, on the way home soon to start the new year.. Good things ahead, and from the past, I present you Rowan and Martin and their show Laugh-In.....that story. : 1971-1972 Shot Down by Rowan and Martin p A classy high profile sho-biz gig can lead to great things, we had been told, besides just ‘sposure. When NGDB opened for Rowan and Martin for a winter month at the Riviera Hotel in Vegas in ’71 that became my secret personal quest: something big. We packed in a 50-minute set in the typical 24 minutes allowed prior to the Casino’s headliners. We still did the ‘50s routine (Good Night My Love), since Sha Na Na hadn’t come along yet, and it always killed. Then with the advent of Sha Na NA, it went away) I loved the “‘50s bit” because it was really “showbusiness”, and because my few minutes of solo (while the other guys changed costumes) let me recapture briefly part of my original pre-NGDB dream: to do something good, solo, in front of a large audience. And, when doing something alone, if it bombed or worked would be my responsibility. I would lead in to an unusual banjo medley with a few one-liners and, followed by the line That really cracks me up, with a deadpan look. As any good repeat gag goes , it would get a bigger laugh each time. Finally, the fourth time all I had to say was, ...that .. really...., do a quiet chuckle and mouth the other words, and the whole audience would be laughing (you had to be there, but if you were, youd know what I mean). It usually worked great. One night I convinced Rowan to watch, with a definite purpose in mind: If he saw it go over as it usually did, he might be convinced to have me on their wacky, wildly popular hit show TV of the era “Laugh-In”, as a one liner guest. It went great, and he was convinced that, yes, if given a chance, “that really cracks me up…” could be another big national catch phrase, (like “Very interrrressstingg...” done by their show’s German character). Dan said hed arrange it. Flying in to the new year of 1972, I flew out to L.A. to wait my turn to go straight “to the top of the toppermost” (as John Lennon used to say) at the NBC’s Burbank Studios. They were in pre-production and getting it together for another season. Perfect timing for a new bit. In the dressing room at 9:30 am for a 4:00 p.m. call heading to 15 seconds of fame, I was ready. Waiting in my mountain man leather Dirt Band outfit and practicing my script, it seemed this could be my big break. When I broke for lunch around noon, I then realized my studio to be was across the hall from the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. Soon I would be there, too. I was home. My destiny was being fulfilled. Pacing the dressing room and practicing the line for a couple more hours, I then had second thoughts: What if it did became super popular, would I then be only known as the guy on “Laugh-In” who did that “cracks me up” line? Then maybe no one would take my music seriously. I would be type cast! This “national fame” could be the end of my music career! More pacing.... I had more changes of heart than Jarvic. Then, thinking about how that band money was not enough to raise a family, ambition told me: It will work! And, there might be a chance for more than just 15 seconds!.. maybe it would that lead to “the” 15 minutes of fame!…I could be a part of this hit show.. then, I might be able to spin it off into a series… and a book… and then album... THE KNOCK on the dressing room door came, and an unknown voice summoning: Mr. McEuen, stage call. Youre on finally brought me back to the current reality. In the studio, the director directed me to stand on a mark. Three NBC camera jockeys corralled me in an arc with their rigs. Within the 5 to 10 feet between cameras stood Rowan, Martin, the director, producer, executive producer, and 10 non- smiling others - my audience . Tension (mine) mounts. Rowan says: Do the line. Facing the 4th wall, intoning “That really cracks me up” I said it, and… (dear reader: you hear that sound you hear right now when you stop reading? Silence…) waited in the silence. I say it once again. Then again... and again... with different inflections; then again, emphasizing “That…” then finally, going for the slow burn, once very slowly, That.. really.. cracks.... me.....uupp. The only thing missing was the laughs. The director turned to Rowan and said flatly, You flew him out here for this?, and walked away. My 15 minutes were up, and they had only lasted about 5. I said to fleeing director, I guess that means Im done? The director slowly turned, glanced back briefly, seeing Rowan’s closed mouth smiling nod of yes with his sad puppy eyes pointed at me, and turned back to his silent slow determined walk away, like a disgusted cat leaving a tray of unsavory food. His non-answer answered the question, and Rowan concurred: Yes, you can go home now. I still thought it could have worked...and I said “that really cracks me up.” And,..... everybody laughed.. But it was too late. (See, you’re laughing.)
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 11:56:53 +0000
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