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:

“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.”