The Rickles Factor





:: Hello Dummy! Excerpt ::

I just got back from a Don Rickles bookstore appearance for his new book, Rickles’ Book. I was hoping to get him to personally inscribe my copy with a “Hello Dummy!” but we were all sort of herded past him like cattle as he handed us pre-signed copies. It was still cool to see him, and I was happy to hear him hurl insults at some of the wackos that showed up – like one guy with a video camera who asked Rickles to talk to a photo he brought of his grandfather while he filmed it. Rickles looked at the picture and cracked, “Your grandson is really starting to annoy me,” and tossed the photo back to the guy. Good stuff.

Here’s a clip off of his 1968 LP Hello Dummy!, recorded at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. The entire 35-minute routine consists of Mr. Warmth verbally abusing his audience, and you’ve got to admire the guy for continuing to be so hilariously obnoxious for half a century.


Phil
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Sunday, June 03, 2007 5:45:00 AM

WOw, I remember that album. It's long since disappeared. Thanks for the bit. If you even want to post the whole thing, I'd love to hear it again.

"You keep sitting on his lap you're gonna get taller"

Rickles is/was great.    



Friday, June 08, 2007 6:58:00 AM

This is one of the funniest Americans ever! Has anyone heard him rag on the rat pack? Of course, they must have been good friends, but being uglier than even Joey Bishop, Rickles could only be a heckler. His comments on Sinatra's reclusiveness are hysterical.

"Frank could get more leg than anyone I know, but Frank, you gotta leave the house! You can't just order it in like Indian food. You have to leave the house, Frank"    



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