Hu's on First?
Re his post of yesterday, "October Surprises," an email from Ricochet member--and old friend--Ray Siller:
One Ricochet member asked whether President Reagan ever saw Johnny's "Who's On First" sketch. The White House called the show the next day and asked for a copy.
Later Bush 41 told me RR played the tape on Air Force One to his guests. RR was a man confident to enjoy laughs even at his own expense. What a great president he was.
How does Ray know all this? During his many years as Johnny's head writer, Ray donated his services to Republican presidents. When speechwriters in the Reagan White House--and, later, both Bush White Houses--needed humorous material, we'd give Ray a call. Come to think of it, if you add up all the Alfalfa Club dinners, the remarks for the White House Correspondents dinners, and the quips and one-liners he sent to the White House over the years, Ray has produced more presidential material than most of us former speechwriters.
And now Ray's here at Ricochet.
- Comment (12)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (5)
Comments:
Jul '10
Re: Hu's on First?
A classic! I have a copy of this on a Best of Carson DVD set. They don't make 'em like this any more. Humorous without being mean-spirited.
Mar '11
Re: Hu's on First?
Takes a certain magnanimity to laugh at oneself. I'm not at all surprised to hear yet more evidence that Reagan had it in spades.
Obama?
Aug '11
Re: Hu's on First?
I need to get the DVD Whiskey Sam has. Watching the Youtube vid was such a goof! Brilliant in every way! I laughed so hard the three times I have watched it already! All the best to Ray, and welcome.
Nov '11
Re: Hu's on First?
Peter, that was awesome. Thanks for sharing that. YouTube is the best.
Jul '10
Re: Hu's on First?
OH, yes! That was really funny. And it's good to see that a president can laugh along with the people, even at himself. It's what great presidents, and all real Americans, have always done.
Apr '12
Re: Hu's on First?
Thank you, Peter, and thank you for joining us, Ray.
Sep '12
Re: Hu's on First?
Wonderful! Just plain funny - anybody could enjoy that! Welcome, Ray!
Apr '11
Re: Hu's on First?
Peter, when you look back on your speech-writing days, and specifically at the difficulty in getting the wall speech past Colin Powell, do you feel even better about the whole thing when you look at the other mistakes Powell made? Does, for instance, his recent re-endorsement of Obama make the good guys (you) and the bad guys (Powell) stand out even more vividly? Or do you not look at things like that?
Re: Hu's on First?
Suppose I put it this way, James: Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama last week...didn't surprise me.
Aug '10
Re: Hu's on First?
First base!
Feb '11
Re: Hu's on First?
I could not agree more. It takes talent to pull that off. Goes to show you just how lacking in talent a lot of comedians are these days.
Jul '10
Re: Hu's on First?
Absolutely hysterical.
Loved every moment of if.
That's the stuff that makes Me laugh.