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Joe Flaherty R.I.P.
Writer and performer on SCTV, the Dad character on Freaks and Geeks, the golf tournament heckler in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, and even occasional lurker here on Ricochet from time to time (appeared as a guest on the flagship podcast too if I remember correctly). When someone makes you laugh so many times throughout your life, it’s difficult to sum up what they mean to you. So just like with John Candy and Norm Macdonald, I’ll never stop watching old clips and remaining grateful for his comedic genius. Here’s but one example of so many. Flaherty as William F. Buckley:
In a statement to Variety today, Martin Short wrote:
Published in Humor“In over 50 years of our friendship, there were very few people as wise or hilarious when it came to comedy, teaching improvisation and the art of character work as Joe. In ‘SCTV’ we called him the anchor. In life, he was simply the funniest man in the room. I just adored him.”
Awwwww. One of my favorite comedians.
I loved SCTV. I have all the seasons on DVD. Joe Flaherty was a funny funny guy.
My favorite bit.
RIP Count Floyd.
On Amazon or something? I never seem to find them.
Another of my favorites:
Oh my god, I grew up on SCTV. I will never forget characters like Guy Caballero and Count Floyd.
It’s odd. Although it didn’t feature Flaherty, I recently felt the urge to listen to Bob and Doug with Geddy Lee of Rush singing Take Off to the Great White North. It had me thinking sentimentally about SCTV and all the great bits they did during their run.
Here’s Flaherty and gang as punk rock legends (and Sex Pistols homage) The Queen Haters:
Bought them years ago. But full episodes are on YouTube.
Not to mention He was a Ricochet Member, too.
@joeflaherty
Never saw that Bill Buckley one, he did a great impression of him!
RIP Count – Scary!
My recollection in the OP was correct:
Ricochet Podcast #176 – with guests Joe Flaherty and Matthew Hennessey
July 18th, 2013
I find it hard to get past the terrible laugh track.
In his autobiography, Frank Zappa made a pointed mention of laughing hysterically when he first saw “Count Floyd.” I don’t recall his mentioning any funny moments as vividly as this in the rest of his memoirs.
Aw, man. RIP Joe. Thanks for the laughs across the decades.
That Buckley impersonation is freakishly good.
As with the late great John Candy, Joe Flaherty could play the saddest character and still make him funny and lovable.
I loved him in this spot, as the warden of D’Annamora State Prison, and its sentimental choir of inmates.
https://youtu.be/a5XUGMVTi4I?si=zStK0aKpJTSvZkNX
He was so great! Martin Short also a legend
I really liked his bit as the Czechoslovakian border guard in Stripes.
That Buckley was a hoot.