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Rest In Peace Harvey Korman
Hey guys, Quint here. I guess it's that time. We've had a string of deaths in the last few weeks. Dick Martin, John Phillip Law, Sydney Pollack, Alexander Courage, Bebe Barron and others have died in recent weeks. Harvey Korman died today at the age of 81. I most fondly remember him from his work with Mel Brooks. BLAZING SADDLES was a big deal for me as a young teenager. It was a movie made before my time that was funnier than the outlandish R-rated comedies of my day. It pushed envelopes and made a statement about race relations hidden so well in satire and gut-busting off color jokes. Harvey Korman played the baddie with the unfortunate name of Hedley Lamarr. The man infused the role with a kind of manic energy that really sold whatever gag was on the page. In a lesser actor's hands, that role would have fallen flat, but he was able to make Hedy (That's HEDLEY!) cartoony, but believable. He really fit that character into the world. His work in HIGH ANXIETY is likewise excellent as well as HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1. I especially loved what he did in HIGH ANXIETY, the bit where he pretended to be a werewolf always cracked me up. Korman will also be remembered for his work on the Carol Burnett Show. That one was a little before my time, but I do remember his own show THE HARVEY KORMAN SHOW, which reran during my childhood. And then, of course, there's the infamous appearance on the fascinating trainwreck that is The Star Wars Christmas Special. He toured a lot with Tim Conway, they had a two-man show for the longest time. I've always heard great things about them together, but I never got the chance to see the show. I was always a little sad I didn't see him in much after DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT (not the shining example of Korman and Brooks' collaborations, but he was funny as always). I will miss his talent and unique comic timing. My thoughts will be with Mr. Korman's friends, family and fans.
Readers Talkback
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NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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...I had no idea they were coming to town and when I read the review after the fact, I was so angry. The guy was a master comedian, and one of those actors whose presence made you enjoy even a bad film.
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R.I.P. Some great comedy, my man.
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but this REALLY sucks! RIP Harvey!
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Very sad ... he was amazing
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Like the death of a franchise (Indy)
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Sorry to hear the news. Now who will I cast opposite John Mahoney in my dream "Raymond & Peter" movie?
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...not enough discipline!
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I've always thought that - perhaps - Gene Wilder was supposed to star. When he wouldn't/couldn't, Mel took over. Watch it again and imagine Gene in the lead. You'll see what I mean.
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....SO WELL! I'll miss you buddy.
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....a biiiiiiig truck....
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How could you forget to mention his work on the Flintstones, dum-dums?!?
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Rest In Peace, Mr. Korman. Thanks for the laughs.
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...I always choke on an imaginary piece of hard candy. Thanks, Harv!
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The man had some of the best comedic timing I have ever seen. Loved his television and movie roles. His chemistry with Tim Conway was terrific. Sorry to see him go. Thanks for the laughs Harvey.
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...was better than Clark's!
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That just stinks! He was so funny. A classic member of the Mel Brooks team, the Burnnett team... I'm not sure there is anything funnier than watching Tim Conway intentionally wrecking him on air, making him laugh while he's trying so hard not to. Watching him fight that fight was brutally funny.
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...Korman & Conway, or Fallon & Sanz?
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was one of my first forays into comedy, back when I was too little to stay up and watch Carson. Harvey's Dentist appointment with Tim is a true classic sketch - saw it recently and still laughed my ass off. Mama's Family - not the latter spin off but the orignal skits - could be amazingly funny and heartbreaking at turns.
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What a sad year is this.
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everyday, the world gets a little less funny...according to news reports, he fought to the very end...that was harvey, fighting for every last laff...the archive of american tv has some great stuff with him and conway...funny never ages
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May 29, 2008, 7:55 p.m. CST
using Fallon and Sanz in the same breath as Korman and Conway...
by VictorNewman
is like cooking up the juiciest, tastiest steak in the world...and smearing dog feces all over it
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His performances in the Mel Brooks films and Carol Burnett show are some of the funniest. A true comedic talent that will be sorely missed.
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Thanks Harvey, you'll surely be missed
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wasnt my quote to begin with
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I know he was 81, but with he was still funny and very with it, the world would have benefitted with having Harvey around a few more years.
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I loved his role as Mother Marcus.
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nevermind
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Horatio was merely ok
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funnier than the last 4 seasons on SNL put together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9T8i4FkNVo
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...she made me dizzy. Sweet dreams Sir...
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was watching Tim Conway try to crack him up on the Carol Burnett Show. Once the two of them got going, it was all over. He will be missed.
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he was such an integral part of my comedy childhood...i'll never understand how he didn't crack up during that sequence with mel brooks as the governor in his office, with the paddleball. hope he's having a martini with dick martin right now.
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thank you for posting that youtubeage. i'm literally sick from laughing so hard.
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R.I.P.
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"Guess who's got high anxiety!" The line isn't much here, but Korman's delivery sells it. <br><br> He will be missed.
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I am old enough to barely remember the old Carol Burnett show. Harvey Korman and Tim Conway were just sensational.
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It's been a rough month for Hollywood icons. Add another: ALM DESERT, California (AP) -- Joseph Pevney, who directed some of the best-loved episodes of the original "Star Trek" television series, has died. He was 96.
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He was hilarious, RIP
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he always called Fred and Barney dummies i remember him in an old movie that was on tv in the 70s called Americathon...rest in peace sir.
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The Mo-nay, the mo-nay! I guess someone had to pay for the Holiday Special. Funny bastard. Who next, Cloris Leachmen?
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...is a much less funny place now. A stupendously funny man and he didn't force anything, sold the most outlandish and crazy material and we all bought it. That was true talent. RIP, sir.
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rip mr.korman....and thank you for being part of my childhood..thats hedley!!!!
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But I have to say that this is one talented man that will be greatly missed. Mr.Korman is one of those people that could make people laugh,no matter what kind of comedy you lean towards. I think i'll light one up and watch Blazing Saddles this weekend just fot him,and the still living but under appreciated Cleavon Little. Rest in Peace Headly.
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The funniest movie of all time, and Korman played a huge part in that. He will be missed/
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everyones falling like flies yikes!
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I'm pretty cynical these days, but this one is tough. The man was a genious in his genre. I too wished I had gotten out to see him and Conway on their last tour. We missed it and I told my wife that if they did it again the next year that I would pay just about any price for it. Fucking missed him and now it's too late. Of all his great work in film, it's HIGH ANXIETY that will always be the first thing that I think of. The scene with Mel Brooks where he's trying to demonstrate that allegedly recovered patient still has sudden psychotic episodes is one of the funniest fucking scenes in any of the Mel Brooks films. So the first thing that always pops into my head when I see/hear Korman is him with those plastic werewolf teeth standing behind Mel Brooks. Silly memory for someone like me that grew up watching the Carol Burnett Show and so much of his other work. One of the handful of people I never thought much about being old and gone and I'm rather surprised about how taken aback I was by the news.
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ahhh...the pissboy. Wait for the shake.
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... died in 1992 at the tender age of 52. Maddie Kahn is gone too. Slim Pickins also. It's the Curse of Blazing Saddles.
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I remember Korman trying to control his laughter while Tim Conway was doing some hilarious stuff. Watching him trying to control himself was some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen. R.I.P. Mr. Korman.
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RIP Gazoo. Hedly, say hi to Sheriff Bart.
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This guy's got a thousand quotable lines, all with pitch-perfect delivery. He was a pure comedian. Rest in peace, Harv.
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Man, this sucks...
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I will be quoting that line until the day that I die...Rest in peace, and thanks for all the laughs, Mr. Korman.
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Were fucking comedic gold (at least to me at that age). RIP
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I always loved watching Harvey Korman. Grew up watching the Carol Burnett show every week as a kid and of course the Mel Brook movies. God why did it have to be Harvey!?! Why not take George Lucas instead! The tragedy! The tragedy.
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He'll be sorely missed, and none will ever come close to his level of comedic delivery again.
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Harvey was a genius; his timing and his poise were what Bill Murray and the future kings of comedy ended up emulating. Blazing Saddles is still the funniest film ever made, and its because of his performance. If just known for that role, he would still be a legend. So long, Harvey, it's been a great ride.
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...editing all the web reviews of Harvey Keitel movies to replace the word "Keitel" with "Korman". For instance: I recently had the pleasure of renting 1992's "The Bad Lieutenant". Harvey Korman plays an unnamed New York City lieutenant who's a lot worse than the criminals who infest his streets. A womanizer, drug abuser, alcoholic, and gambler, the bad (and unnamed) lieutenant epitomizes corruption and decadence. When his chance at redemption comes as the result of the brutal rape of a nun, is there anything left within him to redeem? If a movie could survive on the force of a single performance, Bad Lieutenant would be it. Harvey Korman throws himself into his role with undisputed gusto. He is never upstaged; in fact, most of the time when he's on-screen, whoever happens to be sharing the scene is virtually invisible. Korman holds nothing back! Even though Korman's lieutenant appears to have hit bottom by the time the movie opens, he still manages to find new depths to sink to. The chillingly realistic final scene snaps everything back into focus. During this extended denouement, there's a lot of wierd religious symbology and Harvey Korman in an unnecessarily graphic rape scene. At least the mood isn't unremittingly bleak. There are numerous instances of black humor. Nevertheless, aside from Korman's often over-the-top and always brilliant performance, there's little of value in Bad Lieutenant. As good as the lead actor is, he's not enough to save this picture from landing on the scrap-heap of uninspired, derivative, and grotesquely distasteful character studies. Ferrara is definitely no Martin Scorsese.
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Picturing Harvey Korman naked in The Piano though.... Ewwwwwww
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Blazing Saddles was the first Video I ever rented. Mainly due to the farting scene (I'm English; What are you gonna do?), but Mr Korman was spectacularly funny in that role. "Schmucks"!
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"You look like the piss-boy!"<p> "You look like a bucket of shit!"<p> <p> Mel Brooks movies. The Carol Burnette show. He was one of the greatest comedic actors of all time. He will be missed
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May 29, 2008, 9:27 p.m. CST
The chillingly realistic final scene snaps e"During this extende
by KazamaSmokers
Don't you wish it were true?
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"The chillingly realistic final scene snaps everything back into focus. During this extended denouement, there's a lot of wierd religious symbology and Harvey Korman in an unnecessarily graphic rape scene". again.. don't you wish it were true?
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I read through all of these comments and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them has been positive. In a room of cynics as large as AICN that is pretty cool.
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Lots of little reminders that I'm getting older lately (not the least of which is a lackluster Indy film but I digress). My father, brother, n' I would literally roar and piss ourselves at this guy's antics, be it on the Burnette show or in a Brooks film, whatever he touched was comedy gold. His severly tetched performance as Dr. Montegue in High Anxiety will alwasy be my favorite, watching he n' Chloris Leachman seethe with psychosexual ecstacy - - - "Meet me in my room after dinner." "I can't, I'm going to turn in early." "I'll let you wear my underwear." "I'll be there!" He comes from a long line of classic TV/nightclub comics and I fear his breed is something that's lost forever. I don't even want to imagine how depressed I'll be when Mel Brooks passes...
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Rest in peace, Mr. Korman. I'll always cherish the memories of your shenanigans...
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all these motherfuckers are dying. i wonder if they will be reborn as part of the fifth world.
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May 29, 2008, 9:45 p.m. CST
anyone who doesn't know any of the lines that have been posted..
by TRON
ought to be shot or rent the videos if you want to laugh... The funniest thing that made me crack up... Carol Burnett Show....Tim conway as the little old man,,, running a malt shop. He makes Harvey a milkshake....Harvey tries to cover up his laughter and mumbles under his breath....... "Mash Potatoes"... Pure comic reaction....
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still live while one of the funniest men ever passes on. Truly sad...
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<p>I can tell you that as recently as a week ago, even in the condition he was in, he could make you laugh. Even without speaking.</p> <p>He was the ultimate straight man. I would tell him horribly unfunny stories while treating him and you could tell he appreciated the diversion... BUT... He would kill you with the dead pan stare and eye roll that he could still manage.</p> <p>Occasionally he and I would conspire to have him throw things at people or at least flip them off. Most of the time it didn't work because he was so weak, but damn if it wasn't funny. I'm glad I met him.</p>
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Most kids today will never know the joy of watching him on the "Carol Burnett Show", trying his best to crack up his fellow performers. I guess today it would seem silly and unprofessional, but those shows were a riot and made for MUST-SEE viewing before NBC trademarked the phrase. To go from that to the incredible performance in "Blazing Saddles", still the funniest movie ever made, and several more with Mel, etched Harvery Korman forever in my mind as a true comic genius. Time takes all, great or not, but for those like Harvey, they leave us with a smile when we think of them. RIP Harvey Korman, you made me laugh.
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the people that mourn me will say, "He made me laugh." I can think of no finer compliment. Thank you Harvey Korman, you made me laugh.
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A true giant and a genius. Some of my best laughs as a kid were from watching him and Tim Conway on the Carol Burnet show. He'll be missed.
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Few men are as brilliant as Korman. And, Quint, if you haven't seen much of the Carol Burnett show, you really need to check it out. Classic sketch comedy, as there never was before and never will be again. Lightning in a bottle (for well over a decade, to be sure, but still, lightning in a bottle). Korman was brilliant, as were Burnett and Conway. Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Wagner could certainly shine in their own ways, too. But it was a brilliant show. And the Gone with the Wind Parody still gives me laugh-induced seizures. Jeeze, all of them. <br><br>Go watch the entire run of the Carol Burnett Show. Now. All of you.
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It had to be said. If any comedian should have lived to be 200 (and in strapping, robust health all the while), it was Korman. What a genius!
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My two favorite comedies of all time are Airplane! and Blazing Saddles. Like many, Blazing Saddles was my first R rated movie, my Father took me and a friend to see it. (I saw it during a re-release in 80's - the movie actually came out in 1973). Anyway, I remember laughing so hard that I couldn't breathe. The small theater was packed, and it was the first and only time that I truly had an awesome time watching a movie with other people. It was so fun. He was awesome. Think I'll watch it this weekend.<br><br> Rest In Peace, Mr Korman.
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That's like FIVE!
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Bizarre...for the first time in years I thought of the old punk song "Harvey Korman" by Austin band El Flaco this morning.
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May 29, 2008, 10:20 p.m. CST
PBS Had A Docu On Carol Burnett And Harvey Korman Was A Guest
by Red Dawn Don
On the PBS show Harvey told an odd story about himself from when he was on THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW. He said he was being a real grump and was even rude to that week's GUEST STAR. Well news of this got back to CAROL and she called him into her office. She then told him to go home and come back tomorrow with a new attitude or else quit the show. Harvey said that this scared the crap out of him. So when he returned he was determined to be a different person. When he got to his dressing room he was surprised to see CAROL had a professional sign screwed to his door that described what she wanted. The sign read "MR. HAPPY GO LUCKY". This was a nice way of her saying straighten up or ship out. Strange but true. I never would have thought HK would have been a grouch. But then I never would have thought MacLean Stevenson (Colonel Blake) was the pain on the M*A*S*H set that he is accused of being.
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Thats De-Mon-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!<p> *rolls eyes*<p> a man blessed with the power to create joy in abundance, and to share it with others. We are lesser without him.
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I remember Korman and Conway on the Burnett show on reruns when I was a kid. I had no idea they were reruns. I remember them killing each other, trying to outdo each other, and that was my introduction to sketch comedy. Wonderful performer. A massive loss.
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Korman made you forget how bad that piece of shit was - i remember seeing that on hbo in the 80s and have been looking for it ever since because of him - this guy was on my top 5 list of all time comedy legends - he was SPLENDID!
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When I was a child I had the honor of working with Mr. Korman...and I wanted to tell you all something that his family already knows...that he was a real gentleman and very kind. There is no greater tribute than to be rightly remembered as a good soul.<BR><BR> The world is less of a place without you Harvey!!! Until we meet again...bye for now.
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With such little feet? Man, this one hurts. I can't believe how sad this makes me. I remember growing up watching reruns of The Carol Burnett Show, but most of all I'll remember his Mel Brooks stuff. My father's a huge Brooks fan, and we spent many, many moments together laughing at Hedy and Count DeMoney. I'm sorry. That's Hedly. And DeMonet. Anyway, I'll have to give my old man a call tomorrow and hook up for another Blazing Saddles viewing this weekend. Think of your secretary...
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holy shit! who ever quoted that line here thank you, I had totally forgotten that line...fucking comedy genius RIP Harvey and say hi to God for me in heaven.
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I'm old enough to recall much of Korman's work and glad of it. Yes, Blazing Saddles, High Anxiety, and so on were great comdies for sure. But, I will always recall him breaking up on the Carol Burnett Show most often due to Tim Conway's antics causing a cascade of laughs through the others trying to keep a straight face as well, Vicki Lawrence excepted. She always managed somehow. Then there is his work on The Flintstones...oddly enough his work here is what really sticks out to me. Granted I love animation, but he held his own against the legendary Mel Blanc (yet another comedic genius capable of destroying co-stars onstage/camera). I can hear Korman now..."Goodbye dumb dumbs,..." Thanks for a lifetime of laughs Mr. Korman!
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You always made me laugh sir. Tim Conway, Harvey Korman and Carol Burnett made me love sketch comedy. Lyle Waggoner not so much. Thanks Mr. Korman.
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Ribbit. RIP, Mr. Korman.
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... and Ms Kahn and Mr Little are having a great time at the Number 6 dance. He was a truly funny man. I never missed an episode of the Carol Burnett Show. As for Blazing Saddles - simply one of the best.
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May 29, 2008, 10:58 p.m. CST
How did he do such wonderful stunts with such little feet?
by Orionsangels
one of the funniest guys who ever lived. thanks for the laughs RIP
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Sydney Pollack was "wow", but I grew up watching Harvey. Dammit! I absolutely LOVED that man. I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. But his stuff with Tim Conway was brilliant.
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for bringing the healing power of laughter to millions of us! R.I.P. sir.You earned it!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rest In Peace, Harvey. Here's hoping the Academy finally gives you a posthumous award for Best Supporting Actor...
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Going on this week! Every time I turn around someone drops dead. Man O man.
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"We've reached that age where life stops giving us things, and starts taking them away." - IJAKOCS You will be greatly missed sir.
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May 29, 2008, 11:15 p.m. CST
I've been acused of being rascist for liking Blazing Saddles....
by The Dum Guy
But, I thought fuck it...<br><br>R.I.P.
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"I like rape."<p>Good lord, that's some funny shit.
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A shame, I never met the man. True Comedic Genius. I loved his work with Tim Conway.
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...I remember watching him on the Carol Burnett Show when grandma would babysit me. Years later I saw him in things like Blazing Saddles and his other Mel Brooks works and was always entertained. RIP, Mr. Korman. Keep Don Knotts in line until Tim Conway gets up there, ok?
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im sure he brought enough for everyone while waiting to get thrue the pearly gates.
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Damn it, I wanna know what's killing my favorite celebs.
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when you're a kid. I remember watching the Carol Burnett Show when I was, like, 5. So much waaaaay over my head; so much, though, that I did get. "Oh, Missus a-Whiggins!"
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Horrible news. Hedley Lamarr is one of my favorite movie characters of all time. And I used to love watching him and Tim Conway crack each other up on the Carol Burnett Show. Godspeed.
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thx for making his remaining time comfortable...i know many here think 81 is not that young to go, but i think in mr korman's case it was...his body failed him, but his mind and his wit was still there, and it was his mind and wit that we all admired...
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Wow what a fucking loss. RIP Mr Korman.
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When Tim Conway cracked Korman up during a bit on the old Carol Burnett Show. Instead of editing that stuff out, they just let it run.
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Harvey was Brilliant. I used the love the way he'd break character and crack up at Tim Conway on "The Carol Burnett Show." RIP hey check out the great tribute to Harvey on this great new blog on blogspot. it's called: thebitterproducer
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very sad
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We love you, Harvey.
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... flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives!" Harvey Korman, you were as funny as Madeline Kahn was funny/sexy. Which is to say: Unmatchable. Inimitable. Enough with the waterfall of creative alternatives! You were fuckin' great. Funny is funny. Welcome, sir, to Valhalla for the funny. The poor bastards here on earth are gonna miss you.
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if only we had a million more like him
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May 30, 2008, 1:20 a.m. CST
It's just a man and a horse being hung out there. Do Doo Doo....
by Kefrif
Been a sad week really for the passing of folks - Harvey was a funny funny man, never better than when he worked with Mel (although I too never saw his double act). R.I.P Mr. Korman.
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My mom used to watch the Carol Burnett show all the time. I was a little kid when I watched it, but I still remember those skits where Korman would totally crack up. He was a great talent. What a great life!
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I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, bull dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, shit-kickers and Methodists.
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Robert Asprin also passed away. And I still have no clue why it hasn't been posted to this site. And farewell Harvey. You often made me laugh my ass off.
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IS it just me, or would he have been perfect as a live-action Dick Dastardly?
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May 30, 2008, 1:43 a.m. CST
The werewolf scene in high anxiety is classic cinema
by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks
Man this guy was incredibly funny and talented. RIP and thanks for the laughs.....
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Excuse me. You dropped you're beads. Student? Pain in the ass! LOL Thanks for the full on belly laughs Mr. Korman. RIP.
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He has given me more laughs than any comedian alive today. Harvey, thank you for the joy you brought into my life, whether it was on Carol's Show, or one of your many films. I have to watch Blazing Saddles every month and it never gets old. Let me reserve tickets now for whatever cloud he and the Three Stooges are performing on. We'll miss you Hedy! (THAT'S ........)
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RIP, Mr. Korman - you made me laugh like a loon.
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...when some of my other favorite actors/directors/writers which I dare not even name here (would consider it bad luck) will pass. Law, Pollack, Courage...and now Harvey Korman. This makes me sad and also realize that all my favorites are getting older (..and fewer).
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Ribbit!
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Abe Vigoda will outlive everyone!! All hail the great Abe Vigoda!!
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He was one of those people that it was always a pleasure to see show up, in anything. Even if the total product was below par, he always made the cut with a nailed performance. I loved seeing the name appear on the credits ever since Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety. So, goodbye Mr. Korman, may you snatch all the land you need in the afterlife.
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At least he lived to be 81, many of us are not certain to make it past 71 depending on certain risk factors.That aside Korman and Conway was the best thing about carol burnett.<p> The Abe vigoda comment never gets old.XD
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May 30, 2008, 3:11 a.m. CST
"Shhh it's all right, just a man and a horse being hung"
by Big_Bubbaloola
"So what have you done" <p/>"Cattle stampeding" <p/>"That's not much of a crime" <p/>"Through the vatican?!" <p/>"Kinky! Sign here."
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Easily one of my fav comedy character actors. Bizarre, but the last thing I saw him in was Diagnosis Murder! Ok, can't believe I just admitted that.
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"...so well!" I thought he was already dead. Which makes me even sadder.
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RIP sir.
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RIP sir.
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RIP, he was a fantastic comic actor, one of my personal favourites of Mel Brook's ensemble, condolences to his family and friends.
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RIP. That is all.
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I'll always remember him with Tim Conway cracking each other up (and desperately trying not to let it show to no avail) on Carol Burnett.
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Editing on line reviews and replacing Harvey Keitel with Harvey Korman.<p>I'm picturing the end of Thelma and Louise where they drive off the cliff and he stands there watching, trying not to break up laughing.
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What an underrated, yet prolific comedic genius! He'll be greatly missed... but at least we have many hours of his hilarious stuff to keep us laughing forever. Thank God my kids will know of the great Harvey Korman!
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I will today get it on DVD, replacing my very worn VHS. It was still funny with a poor picture. I will watch it and raise a glass to Hedey Lamarr. 'Now go do that voodoo that you do soooo weeeellllll!!!' class.
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the man made me laugh so much. what a gift. ty.
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...I was having sharp pains in my neck and had nightmares about werewolves..." When Korman started shooting paperclips at the guy and donned the plastic teeth I nearly shit a brick! --G
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You were involved in possibly the greatest comedy of all time. Thanks for your work and thanks for making me laugh from childhood until the present day.
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Now go do that voodoo that you do so well..
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May 30, 2008, 6:20 a.m. CST
I hope he shows an I.D. to Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates and a
by westie
Saint Peter: "Are you kidding?" Harvey: "Pain in the ass!" as he walks on through. Thanks for the laughs, pal. You will be missed.
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Even his off-hand comments in Blazing Saddles were hilarious. Korman is a huge reason it still ranks as my all-time favorite comedy (seems I'm not alone around here in that regard) - I'm pretty sure I could quote Hedley's every line in that flick. I grew up watching Carol Burnett, and he and Conway were amazingly funny. RIP, Mr. Korman - I hope there is an endless supply of Raisinettes in heaven!
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bill murray enjoys the panadeine forte too.
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Great character, great comedic timing, RIP Harvey, thanks for all the laughs.
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I loved when he would get Tim and Carol to crack up during their skits.
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I always found him to be quite funny.<p>And like JamesT said, it was always a riot when they would lose it during their skits.<p>Blazing Saddles = FUNNY shit.
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Hedley Lamarr: I want you to round up every vicious criminal and gunslinger in the west. Take this down.... I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, bull dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, shit-kickers and Methodists! I wish I could find the Carol Burnette show on DVD.
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As always, movies take you to a place in your memory and the death of Mr. Korman reminds me where I first saw Blazing Saddles: at my Gran's house in Scotland, with my Gran completely unaware of what she'd let me and my brother stay up to see. While the campfire scene was the part we remembered the next day, Mr Korman's lines are the ones that make me laugh the hardest nowadays. A sad day.
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De Monet, De Monet...Piss off.
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A very funny, talented man. He will be missed.
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... that is not made instantly and infinitely better by mentally replacing Keitel with Korman. Especially Red Dragon.
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A few weeks back I DVR'd Blazing Saddles and have since had Korman randomly popping up in my thoughts. RIP Prof. Balls
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...a guest on Leno (I think) years ago told a story about how he'd moved into a new home, and answered the door one night to find Harvey Korman standing on his porch crying and asking if he could come inside and look around the house. I wish I could remember. It was a weird story.
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...what the fuck..... Blazing Saddles = funniest movie ever. It snackcakes them all....
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Geez, I will dig up my old reply... Harvey Korman is dead and Carrot Top is still alive-- no justice! I always enjoyed Harvey (and Tim), no matter what they did... The thing that sticks in my mind, about Harvey was his TV commercial with Tim around 1980. Post has just introduced their Fruit&Fiber cereal. Except Post used 'Fibre' as the spelling for fiber... Harvey: "New Cereal by Post, Fruit and Fiber" Tim: "No, Fruit and Fee-Bray" Good stuff...
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"What are you worried about? This is 1876! You'll be able to sue HER!!!" Godammit this one hurts. "Comic Genius" are not strong enough words to describe this man.
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This news hit me harder then I thought it would. I'm really upset. Korman was a big part of my childhood. My friend did an amazing tribute to korman on his blogspot blog. it's called: thebitterproducer
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And John Locke died too last night.
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It was a 1987 Gremlins knock off, but I remember Korman played two different roles in that film. It was a guilty plessure during childhood.
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Jews in Space
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We are starting to lose the great ones!
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One of the great straight men, absolutely. But for me, it was the shot in "Blazing Saddles" as he sits in the theatre, watching Cleavon Little ride up to the marquee - and Korman's reaction shot: Spewing raisenettes and popcorn while still managing to blurt out a garbled "SHIT!", kicking and fumbling to get out of that chair and make his despicable, dastardly, chicken-shit escape......funny-ass stuff.
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"DITTO?!?! You provincial PUTZ!"
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No wonder it's raining here right now. God just pissed himself laughing. Rest in peace, Mr. Korman.
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"I HATE that cliche'!"
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...was a great showcase for he and Tim Conway. It was always fun to watch them try not to crack up while playing their roles. Fond memories of my childhood watching re-runs of that show... R.I.P. Harvey Korman.
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If you know that line, then you know the Carol Burnett skit that makes me laugh every time I think about it. It's a spoof of those old Imperial Margarine commercials where you taste some of the margarine and a crown appears on your head. Harvey is sitting down to dinner with his family when he takes a bite of the margarine and a crown appears on his head. They then take it one step further and have a medieval court advisor come into his dining room and whisper in his ear, "Word has it there's a plot to kill the king!" After which a medieval assassin stabs him in the back with a dagger. As he is dying on his dinner table, he utters the above line... comic...genius.
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Google-Box, that's my personal favorite Korman moment in Blazing Saddles. I didn't realize until hearing this news how much I loved the guy as a kid. He was truly a rare treat, especially these days where comedy is predominantly biting sarcasm, making jokes at the expense of others and, 'hey, remember this pop culture reference from 20 years ago?' He went whole hog into every role like a true professional. I gotta say I'm a little choked up. And, in closing, "I hired you boys to get a little track laid, not jump around like a bunch of Kansas City faggots."
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"How did he do such fantastic stunts, with such little feet...?" A sad day.
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I'm a big fan of his work too. I keep on thinking of his work with Mel Brooks and I laugh. Any word what Brooks had to say about him?
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I loved watching he and Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show when I was growing up. The truly funny guy was obviously will be missed a lot.<p>'Bye, Harvey! :)
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thanks for that - one of the funniest one-line gags in the history of televised sketch. We should blaze a giant pyre to Mr Korman's memory and fuel it with SNL dvds.
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I've been reading this site for many years and never felt compelled to post in talkback until now. IMO, Blazing Saddles is hands-down the funniest movie I have ever seen. Harvey Korman's work in it is pure fucking comedic genius. I'm glad to see so many folks here share that opinion. I honestly think that he was robbed of that almost-certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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....ah, ah ah, Wait for the shake! DE MONET DE MONET!!!! Quintessential comic genius. Always the bright spot in anything he appeared in. Such a loss.
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Man, this is a sad two weeks or so. A LOT of folks whose work has meant so much to me have died. Now, Harvey Korman. Shit on a stick, this is just awful. I'm old enough to have seen Carol Burnett in first run, so I've seen some of those shows so many times, I can tell you every line. Probably the best sketch comedy group there ever was. Even some of the "weaker" stuff still outshines everything else that has come since, and I'm including the first few seasons of SNL; just can't compare. And a LOT of that is absolutely due to the genius of Harvey Korman. As for the Mel Brooks material, I love it all, but 'High Anxiety' is my favorite. The werewolf bit, the boxing referee bit with Mel and Dr. LittleOldMan (that's lil-ole-men!) and ALL of the scenes with Cloris Leachman are gold. Well, I know what I'm doing this weekend...watching some Harvey and raising a glass or six to the memory of a first class entertainer and gentleman.
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May 30, 2008, 10:44 a.m. CST
I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, despera
by Bensmitty234
Could you repeat that sir?
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One of the funniest Korman lines ever. Will always remember Conway doing whatever he could to get Korman to lose it on the Burnett Show
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I know that's Cleavon Little, but so what. RIP Heady. I mean HeadLy!
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...at first glance.
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Korman was one of the great comedians of his generation. Just amazing.
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"A world without Harvey Korman—it's a more serious world"
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What's great is he actually does look kind of scary with the fake fangs and his eyes so crazed!
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And I think that is one of the best gifts any person can give another. Bravo, sir! RIP.
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The scene with Slim Pickins...<p> http://tinyurl.com/46s5oy
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Considering her show first went on the air back in 1967, I'm actually surprised that it took this long for a cast member to die. I now wonder when the next cast member will depart, and how soon after that will it take someone to proclaim, "The Curse of Carol." Let's all hope neither happens for a long, long while.
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The scene with the camera looking up from under the glass table, but Harvey and Chloris keep setting items in the way, causing the camera to constantly shift to a new vantage point. Too fuckin' hilarious.
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CLASSIC parody of Hitchcock's unique camera angle. The last line from Leachman gets me everytime. "Strudel?" CLANK.
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Funny, funny guy, R.I.P.
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People forget, but his first major role was as "The Great Gazoo" on The Flintstones." Hey there's a great tribute to Korman on blogspot. Go to: thebitterproducer
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..."I don't g-"
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He was genius in Blazin' Saddles.
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i was watching the tonight show, probably the eighties, Harvey Korman was the guest, and when Carson introduced him, Korman came out all suave and debonair in a tux. he comes over to Carson, leans over, takes Carson's chin in his hand and tries to kiss him on the cheek. Johnny was taken aback and quickly pulled away. Harvey smiles, waves at the crowd, and walks to the couch, back straight, still suave and debonair. the interview went fine, but the intro was definitely weird. thinking back on it, Korman was probably goofing around with Carson but Johnny was still pretty freaked. oh, yeah, RIP Harvey, he will be missed.
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There are so many moments and lines that Mr. Korman made special, but the one image I can never get out of my head is a soap opera take off on the Burnett show where he played Male Nurse Peterson. He's dressed just like a regular male nurse, white scrubs 1960's era, but he has on this huge white nurses cap with a big red cross on it and everyone snickers whenever he enters the room. Absolute genius, absolute courage onstage and on film. What more can one say?
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he and Dick Martin, passing away within days of each other...damn, those award show obits are going to be five minutes long this year.
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Not that my opinon means anything, but so many times I've lurked on this website and there has been so much bile and hating going on, even about the dead, I'd just like to say thanks for being a nice bunch today concerning Harvey. He was a comedy genius.
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Looks like High Anxiety has already been mentioned numerous times, but I'll never forget him being lashed by Cloris Leachman in that one. Also love it when he starts getting it on with the statue in his office in Blazing Saddles. A great comedic talent who will be dearly missed.
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"There's going to be a rabbit epidemic!" Kills me everytime.
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Wait... "High Anxiety" was spoofing Hitchcock? Really? Wow. How did Mel manage to satirize a Will Smith movie that wouldn't even be made for another 30 years? That's friggin' genius, I tell you what.
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I hope there's lot of fruit cup in heaven. Rest in peace, Mr. Korman.
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Man, I was bummed when I here he past this morning. I watched him and Tim Conway just busting each other laugh on re-runs of The Carol Burnett Show. Those times were some of most funniest times I have ever see and some of my best time of life. With all these so called "comedians, Korman was truly the real deal. If all these so call "kings of comedy" springing every few year, I would say that Korman was a "god of comedy." R.I.P. Harv, the world was a bit bright with you in it.
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...Blazing Saddles was a great role for you but my favorites were the many routines with Carol Burnett. God bless ya Harvey Korman, you will be missed.
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I loved him in Taxi Driver, Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction.
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Their will never be another HK. He had a rare ability to play it straight yet give you a glimmer of humor through the eyes. His ability to deliver a line with earnest under the most ridiculous circumstances was Genius.(capital "g" intended)<p> Even though we didn't get a lot from him in his later years, his TV/filmography will give me smiles til' I'm ready for the great beyond. <p> My sincere sympathies to his friends and family. <p> Tim Conway just lost his #1 fan.
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you were brilliant. see you in another life
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Mel Brooks can't be very far behind, I've been dreading that for a very long time, this just kinda reinforces it. When he goes, a massive part of cinema will be gone forever. Harvey Korman was a fantastic actor, if he's remembered for not else other than Hedley Lamarr, that's still more than most actors ever achieve.
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made today. Jesse "Hymietown" Jackson and Al racist Sharpton would cry foul. Then Spike, who thinks he owns the word nigger, would also chime in. Consider this, a hardcore remake with Sam the Man as Sheriff Badmotherfucker Bart. It'd be a hell of a lot shorter cause Sam don't take no crap.
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What a funny, funny bastard. I grew up with the Carol Burnett show and the best of the Mel Brooks movies. Korman is the only comedic actor I've ever seen who goes so utterly full tilt into his characters no matter how outrageous the lines. Jim Carrey does it to a certain extent, but relies on shameless gurning to get the point across. Korman did it perfectly straight and with that venomous edge which made it even more hilarious. His turns in Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety are comedy GOLD. <p> Special mention also goes to the one single funny moment in Dracula Dead and Loving It when Korman's Jack Seward is asked if he has the book, "Nosferatu", to which he replies: "Yes, we have Nosferatu - we have Nosferatu today!" It's a HORRIBLE joke but Korman turned it into a gem anyway. <p> I have a great-uncle who was a television producer in the 1970s and he said that Korman (and Conway) was a wonderful person and stayed in touch with him decades after they stopped working together. <p> R.I.P.
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The way that he'd sometimes lose it when Conway went over the top was part of what made him so special. RIP.
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Don't forget: he was the voice of the little green man from The Flintstones. Though the addition of a space man might be viewed by some as a jumping the shark moment, I always found the dry sarcasm Corman brought to the character hilarious. R.I.P., dumb-dumb.
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To the man I will always know as The Great Gazoo, and so many other classic comedies and TV bits.
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...the Phil Hartman of the '70s. Funny guy who could also be the straight man. Comedic ACTOR. Main difference: Phil didn't crack up on camera (that I ever saw).
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Forget thee not: Harvey played Bud to Buddy Hackett's Lou in a late-'70s TV movie. I don't remember if it was any good or not, or how accurate the performances were. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is a pre-WKRP Richard Sanders playing the doc who had to tell Lou that his son had drowned. That is all.
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*I* first referenced Harvey's Gazoo role in the 13th post in this talkback, before anyone else. Dum-dums!
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Sorry Jonas but I referenced Harvey's Gazoo role before you were even born. Dum-dum! I am praying to God you were joking otherwise paint a big "L" on your forehead.
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You can count me in. Jonathan Winters is awesome. Didn't he go to the rubber room for a while?
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All that needs to be said is that he was one funny motherfucker. You get to leave here with that said about you, you did alright. Hoist a glass to him his work and his memory.
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Count mrfan as a fan of his work.
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hey cats, there's a great tribute to korman on blogspot. type in thebitterproducer
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Blazzing Saddles is one of my all time favourites and Harvey Kormen was a big reason for that. He stole the entire film.
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" whilst I will be risking an almost-certain Academy Award nomination for the Best Supporting Actor!"
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"if I could find a sheriff who so offends the citizens of Rock Ridge that his very *appearance* would drive them out of town. [looking into space in the direction of the camera, lost in thought] But where would I find such a man? [into the camera, to the audience] ... Why am I asking you? "
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I never laughed so hard at Korman as when he put in fake fangs and pretended to be a werewolf/wolfman in an attempt to drive his patient (who was terrified of Wolfmen) totally insane. I think he even flicked rubber bands at the guy from behind, too. That was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. And I've seen all your mothers.
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how crazy would that have been with that line
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