Shades of Blue

My Fellow Comedists,

To listen to the curmudgeons, the culture is getting cruder. Reality television and other garbage is taking all of the culture out of our entertainment. But we were watching an old episode of Get Smart with the kids, it's the one where Max has to convince a children's author to pose as someone else for a dangerous mission. When discussing the case with the Chief, he says that she the author of several children's books including The Camel that Couldn't, The Puppy That Wouldn't, and The Pussy That Wanted To. TheWife and I looked at each other stunned. You could not get away with that joke today. Even on South Park.

One of my favorite episodes of Rocky and Bullwinkle has the Fractured Fairytale version of four and twenty blackbirds which ends with the sentence, "I always enjoy giving the bird to a king." Watch reruns of the Match Game -- there's NOTHING like that today. Or Paul Lynde's responses on Hollywood Squares.

Peter Marshall: If the right part comes along, will George C. Scott do a nude scene?
Paul Lynde: You mean he doesn't have the right part?

Peter Marshall: It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics. What is the other?
Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

Peter Marshall: Burt Reynolds is quoted as saying, "Dinah (Shore)'s in top form. I've never known anyone to be so completely able to throw herself into a..." A what?
Paul Lynde: A headboard.

Peter Marshall: It is the most abused and neglected part of your body-- what is it?
Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused but it certainly isn't neglected!

Has tv comedy become cleaner? Could you get away with this sort of thing because of innocence or are now more prudish? Is there as much risque humor? If so, where?

Live, love, and laugh,

Irreverend Steve