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Posted By	Discussion Topic: RIP Uncle Milty
IkeaBoy P.L.F. Portugese Liberation Front- Liberating Status' everywhere from the Tyranny of Portugal I will die a traitor's death	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:20 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Sep. 00	Comedian Milton Berle Dies at 93 Wed Mar 27, 7:11 PM ET By BOB THOMAS, Associated Press Writer LOS ANGELES - Milton Berle, the acerbic, cigar-smoking vaudevillian who eagerly embraced a new medium and became "Mr. Television" in the dawn of the video age, died Wednesday, a spokesman said. He was 93. Berle died at 2:45 p.m. at his home after a lengthy illness, publicist Warren Cowan said. Berle's wife, Lorna, and several family members were at his side. Berle had been under hospice care for the past few weeks. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer last year. "He was responsible for the television set in your home today," Cowan said. "He put television on the map." "Uncle Miltie" was the king of Tuesday nights, and store owners put up signs: "Closed tonight to watch Milton Berle." The program's popularity spurred sales of television sets and helped make the new technology a medium for the masses. At 8 p.m., four Texaco service attendants sang the "Texaco Star Theater" theme, and then came Berle, dressed for laughs: a caveman introduced as "the man with jokes from the Stone Age"; a man in a barrel "who had just paid his taxes." If the audience thought he looked funny in a dress, Berle was happy to oblige. Skits in drag became a trademark. He was called the "Thief of Bad Gags" and joked about stealing quips — "I laughed so hard I nearly dropped my pencil," he said of a rival comedian. He stopped at nothing for a laugh. "Good evening, ladies and germs," Berle would say to his audience. "I mean ladies and gentlemen. I call you ladies and gentlemen, but you know what you really are." He admitted his humor wasn't gentle: "I guess you'd call my style flippancy, aggressiveness ... a put-downer." In his debut season in 1948, Berle's show was watched on four out of every five sets in the nation, and he was the new medium's highest-paid funny man. But the magic faded later in the '50s, and in recent years, Berle and his outsize cigars played fairs, night clubs, college campuses and the private Friars clubs in Beverly Hills and New York. In 1983, he was among the first seven inductees into the TV Hall of Fame of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Born Mendel Berlinger in New York's Harlem on July 12, 1908, Berle remembered his mother bouncing him on her knee and telling him, "Make me laugh." His mother, Sandra, was a thwarted entertainer; his father Moses, Berle recalled, was a "charming, rather helpless man who suffered from rheumatism and could never keep a job. ... He always dreamed of the big chance around the corner, but it never came." Berle's first chance came at age 5, when he won a vaudeville contest by imitating Charlie Chaplin. Soon he was doing child leads in films with Mary Pickford and Mabel Normand, and was the kid rescued from the railroad tracks in the nick of time in the Pearl White movies. He appeared with Chaplin and Marie Dressler in the movie, "Tillie's Punctured Romance," and with Miss Pickford in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." His Broadway debut came in 1920 in "The Floradora Girl." He attended New York's Professional Children's School, and as a teen-ager toured the vaudeville circuit as a stand-up comic, taking his jokes from College Humor and Captain Billy's Whiz Bang. "I studied stars like Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Lou Holtz and others," Berle said in a 1984 interview. "I have eight or 10 press books of bad notices from those years, but it was a good education in learning what not to do." In 1936 Berle was a headliner with the Ziegfeld Follies. He played a long run with Earl Carroll's Vanities and began bringing his brand of humor to radio with guest spots on humor shows. He also appeared in several minor film comedies, such as "New Faces of 1937" and "Always Leave Them Laughing" (based on his autobiography). But he never really made it on the big screen. Then came 1948 and the advent of television. Berle was signed as host of the first show of a variety series — the "Texaco Star Theater." He was supposed to alternate with several other hosts, including Henny Youngman and Morey Amsterdam, but Berle drew so much fan mail that NBC soon gave him the spot permanently. Berle's hour-long "Texaco Star Theater" began June 8, 1948, and was renamed "The Milton Berle Show" before it ended in June 1956. He won an Emmy for the program, which was truly his own. "Our star, besides performing, conducted the orchestra, made countless little changes, like revamping the dances, redesigning the costumes, rewriting and improvising one-liners and exit cues," recalled Goodman Ace, one of Berle's writers. "Dress rehearsals were classic exercises in wild frenzy. He wore a traffic cop's whistle around his neck and blew the show to so many stops that a rehearsal often lasted from noon until 10 minutes before air time." Berle's sister, Rosalind, designed many of the costumes, and his mother was a fixture in the studio audience. "When I started out with the Texaco series in 1948, television was brand new, and I knew just as much about it as anybody else," Berle once said. "I was in charge of everything because I wanted to be. Today there are experts for all phases of the medium.... We didn't have any experts in 1948." In 1951, NBC signed him to an unprecedented contract calling for $100,000 a year for 30 years — whether Berle worked or not. The network agreed in 1965 to let him work elsewhere, and Berle accepted a pay cut to $60,000 a year. In 1960, Berle lasted six months in "Jackpot Bowling Starring Milton Berle," sandwiching comedy bits between play-by-play of a bowling match. He jumped to ABC in 1966 with a new variety show which died after a few months. He made more movies in the 1960s, notably "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" in 1963. Other films included "The Oscar," "The Happening," "Who's Minding the Mint?," "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows," "For Singles Only," "Hieronymus Merkin," "Lepke" and "The Muppet Movie." In 1984, he played himself in "Broadway Danny Rose." His mother's influence remained strong until she died in 1953 at 77. Berle married, divorced and remarried show girl Joyce Matthews, and they adopted a daughter, Vickie. Their second marriage lasted six years. In 1953 Berle married former publicist Ruth Cosgrove. They had an adopted son, Billie. She died in 1989. In later years, Berle also said he found much solace in Christian Science, and called himself a Jew and a Christian Scientist. In 1982, he became the national chairman of the American Longevity Association, and was president of The Friars Club. A pioneer in television, Berle always was ready to try something new. "Too many people simply give up too easily," he once said. "You have to keep the desire to forge ahead, and you have to be able to take the bruises of unsuccess. Success is just one long street fight." Your huge junk will live forever in history. "It appears my wee wee has been strucken with rigor mortis." Wednesday March 27- CBS: 60 Minutes 2, Amazing Race 2, 48 Hours...NBC: Ed, The West Wing, Law & Order ... FOX: That 80s Show, Grounded for Life, The Bernie Mac Show, Series premiere of Greg the Bunny ... ABC: My Wife and Kids, George Lopez (series premieres), Drew Carey Show, Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (REPEAT NO JOB FOR AWHILE)...UPN: Enterprise, The Practice early season...WB: Dawson's Creek (repeat), Felicity...USA: Beverly Hills Cop 3...
darthziggy Isles fan for life	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:23 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 00	Well, that's 2, who's next Ikea? [email protected] Currently a student at Franklin Pierce College. Go Ravens! LET'S GO ISLANDERS My Website
HyBriD I AM THE KILLER FN Moron is an indian giver!! I had my cool status for about 10 min. then it was gone. GONE! G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Agent WD40 Licensed to Kill My spoon is TOO BIG. (finally) WORD UP KIDDIES! This is Poop Dog, the gangsta specta of defeat! Hanger-on to the JYDs for LIFE I INVENTED ORANGE MOTHERFUCKER This status is sponsored by: P®oJë©T M@¥hέm	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:25 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Sep. 01	yea ziggy, it always comes in three's.............who is next? HOSPITALIANOMANIA! This message was edited by HyBriD on 3-27-02 @ 7:25 PM
IkeaBoy P.L.F. Portugese Liberation Front- Liberating Status' everywhere from the Tyranny of Portugal I will die a traitor's death	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:25 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Sep. 00	I'm no prophet but when it's announced I'll be in the news room "It appears my wee wee has been strucken with rigor mortis." Wednesday March 27- CBS: 60 Minutes 2, Amazing Race 2, 48 Hours...NBC: Ed, The West Wing, Law & Order ... FOX: That 80s Show, Grounded for Life, The Bernie Mac Show, Series premiere of Greg the Bunny ... ABC: My Wife and Kids, George Lopez (series premieres), Drew Carey Show, Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (REPEAT NO JOB FOR AWHILE)...UPN: Enterprise, The Practice early season...WB: Dawson's Creek (repeat), Felicity...USA: Beverly Hills Cop 3...
darthziggy Isles fan for life	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:30 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 00	I would expect nothing less Ikea. [email protected] Currently a student at Franklin Pierce College. Go Ravens! LET'S GO ISLANDERS My Website
SLASH Pompous, Arrogant, Enigmatic, Bitter, Quirky, Misanthrope with a Weird Sense of Humor and an Iron Clad Memory while flooding the board with my Stream of Consciousness UFC STRIKE 3 (I'm a dick and I like to ruin people's plans)	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:30 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 00	Don't tell me I am gonna have to start an official, yes that's right BLUE, thread for all of the people who die every month. :eek: AIM: SmarterChild Write To Me Here I think it all started with the Declaration of Independence -- the idea that we had the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That pursuit is what took America from the revolution to the computer age in 200 years. But the progress has come at a price. The obvious being the people that were exploited to make it possible; the not so obvious being us, the first group of people that were given no obvious frontiers to conquer. We hear stories that about the good old days that don't seem to apply anymore. It's a generation gap that leaves us without role models. But the bright side is that without role models, there are no roles. Maybe that's what the 60s were all about -- getting rid of the roles. But what do we replace them with? Without any guidance, what do we replace them with? Without any guidance, the choices become overwhelming. Sometimes it just makes everything feel hopeless. So we destroy our bodies in the search of an ideal. Try to salvage relationships that don't work. We feel we must do something, instead of doing something that we feel. It is the prison of self-imposed momentum, and the sad part is that we get used to it. It reminds me of a song I heard the other day. It's called "The Going Nowhere Fast." But the people I have met here have shown me another side of Nowhere. They've pointed out the beautiful irony that stagnation makes it easy to stop and smell the roses, if we just let it. What would we be if we had nothing to rebel against? Well we could finally be ourselves, the first group of people who stopped looking for the answers long enough to appreciate the questions. And all we have to do is to make our own Declaration of Independence. We can embrace the right to life and liberty by simply realizing that happiness exists -- not to pursue, but to accept. After that the only challenge would be to make sure with the rest of our lives that we weren't just another fad. I don't know, it's an idea. What do you think?
TJLamb0518 Just another dick making a comeback The Dr. Seuss of SU	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:34 PM
Psychopath Registered: Nov. 00	Ummmm.....who was the first? Or are we counting Uncle Milty and his infamously huge schlong as two? Shit-storms are created in my wake!!
darthziggy Isles fan for life	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:38 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 00	TJ Visit this Website [email protected] Currently a student at Franklin Pierce College. Go Ravens! LET'S GO ISLANDERS My Website
TJLamb0518 Just another dick making a comeback The Dr. Seuss of SU	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:40 PM
Psychopath Registered: Nov. 00	Thanks Darthziggy, I did not know about Dudley Moore. That sucks, also. I loved Arthur.... Any bets that the media are camping out outside either Bob Hopes or Ronald Reagans houses? Shit-storms are created in my wake!!
darthziggy Isles fan for life	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:43 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 00	Maybe O&A should give Buddy Epson (sp?) a call again, they might get that treasured last interview yet. [email protected] Currently a student at Franklin Pierce College. Go Ravens! LET'S GO ISLANDERS My Website
Beans Malone	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:46 PM
Psychopath Registered: Mar. 02	Here we go again RIP Uncle Milty You to made me laugh...Next any word on how Bob Hopes doing Now that this is working I wish I had something witty to put here
FoundryMusicJJ G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Soldier of Fortune Spec Ops Division	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 7:48 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Feb. 01	It really sucks but, hey he lived a long great life and passed away with his loving family at his side. He will be missed. As for whos next, I say either Reagan, Hope, or Ebson. Wealth is too precious to be entrusted to the rich BIG THANX TO AUSTIN FOR THE SIGPIC
IkeaBoy P.L.F. Portugese Liberation Front- Liberating Status' everywhere from the Tyranny of Portugal I will die a traitor's death	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 8:17 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Sep. 00	of those 3 I think Hope's going to die first, it also follows along with the comedian thread more than Buddy or Ronald. And let's say about this Milty - he never went the shitty Steve Allen route. "It appears my wee wee has been strucken with rigor mortis." Wednesday March 27- CBS: 60 Minutes 2, Amazing Race 2, 48 Hours...NBC: Ed, The West Wing, Law & Order ... FOX: That 80s Show, Grounded for Life, The Bernie Mac Show, Series premiere of Greg the Bunny ... ABC: My Wife and Kids, George Lopez (series premieres), Drew Carey Show, Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (REPEAT NO JOB FOR AWHILE)...UPN: Enterprise, The Practice early season...WB: Dawson's Creek (repeat), Felicity...USA: Beverly Hills Cop 3...
NJopposition	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 11:05 PM
Psychopath Registered: May. 01	if you want to stretch it, you could say Randy Castillo, then the 3's theory holds true...
Albadabing Hey...gimme a break, I'm still trying to figure out these HTML Buttons	posted on 03-27-2002 @ 11:17 PM
Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00	Good night FUNNY MAN !! Rest in peace U will be missed
Subzero316 TERRORIST voted most likely to get searched at the airport Subama Bin Zero (© AntsInMyPants - 2002) Seriously need to rethink my concept of "funny" Alkey is my bitch! I'm havening a hard time fittening in. It's official, I am seriously a complete and utter ass-tool, please anally rape me with a rusty 5 iron wraped in barbed wire. I am the new Balloon Not. Be careful around me ladies, I don't use common sense.	posted on 03-28-2002 @ 2:14 AM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	RIP Mr.Berle :( You will be missed God speed to you and Thank You What? - Stone Cold Steve Austin
ChowderPuke p.s. I know what the deal is...I've been here a while...just never registered until recently.	posted on 03-28-2002 @ 11:10 AM
Hanger-On Registered: Feb. 02	Maybe Vos's career could be next?....Oh, wait...that's already dead :) yea, yea...I know...it's been said a million times already....but you can never have enough Vos bashing :-D Honk If You Like O&A! The Norton We Didn't Know! I might be new to the board, but I'm not new to the show...give me all the shit you want! This message was edited by ChowderPuke on 3-28-02 @ 12:07 PM
JackDan1974	posted on 03-28-2002 @ 11:59 AM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Jul. 01	I wonder if Rupaul is going to send flowers??

Displaying 1-18 of 18 messages in this thread.