Renewed Musings - Gilbert Gottfried

Gilbert at a Comedy Central Roast

This has been a rough year for stand up comics. We lost the Amazing Johnathon, Bob Saget, Louie Anderson, Norm Macdonald, Estelle Harris, and now Gilbert Gottfried all since September. And I wanted to highlight Gilbert Gottfried.

Gilbert Gottfried was one of the most underrated comedians. On stage. In movies. On TV. He just never got to the level he was talented enough for. But let's talk about what high points he had... maybe introduce you to some of the awesome things he was a part of and maybe some memories I have.

Let's start with Saturday Night Live. Did you know Gilbert Gottfried was a cast member? Not many people do. And it is because he wasn't on there very long. He was part of that infamous Season 6 cast from 1980. After Lorne Michaels originally left the show. It was infamous because the original cast was gone... the Showrunner was gone... and it had no real direction. It only had one stand out... Eddie Murphy. And we know how his career turned out. During this run, Gilbert never used the shrill voice he is known for. And while I have seen some good bits from Gilbert during his 12 episode run, he has mentioned one segment where he played a Corpse was a low point in his career. Too bad we really didn't get the Gottfried/Murphy collab we all wanted... or did we?

We did! 1987, Eddie Murphy sequel, Beverly Hills Cop II. And we got one amazing scene stealer from Gilbert. And... after that, we did get Gilbert in some great roles. Mr. Peabody in all 3 Problem Child movies(and the animated series). Look Who's Talking Too. With that voice, how would you forget Gilbert Gottfried?

That voice... was perfect for voice over work. And... he milked it! Rightfully so. Bit parts ranging from the Howie Mandel classic Bobby's World and Beavis & Butthead... to Mr. Mxyzptlk in Superman the Animated Series and various other DC animated properties... to Dr. Bender in Fairly Oddparents... Kraang Sub-Prime in the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show... and the voice work he is most known for: Iago the Parrot in ANYTHING associated with Disney's Aladdin. Robin Williams made Aladdin as great as it was, but Gilbert made Iago a lasting character. How did Gilbert get to be a beloved children's icon?

The creepy Jewish uncle... wow.

Another iconic "series" that Gilbert Gottfried was a part of was "USA Up All Night". It was a Saturday late night treat showing B Movies, mostly B Horror movies. Think Svengoolie, but with a better host and as much skin as they were allowed to show from Sexploitation films(edited of course). Of course, Gilbert wasn't the only host... Rhonda Shear became a host as well. Duckman was also part of this block of programming. USA Up All Night made me realize a movie didn't have to be a blockbuster to be great, and so many underrated films slip through the cracks. This block was also how I saw the Swamp Thing movie for the first time...... and I think it is what led to the USA Network Swamp Thing series. So many nights watching Swamp Thing with my uncle... it was one of my favorite series. And... I tie both Gilbert Gottfried and Rhonda Shear to that.

Gilbert Gottfried on stage was amazing. He had that voice he was known for... and the iconic "I can't stop looking at the sun" squinty look. Crude, dirty humor with a delivery matched by very few. And it really shined through during the Roasts on Comedy Central. More often than not, Gilbert's bits were the best of each Roast. Even the "story" bits. A Roast Legend. Only wished we would've had a Comedy Central Roast in his honor.

Now let's talk about the Amazing Colossal Podcast. A few comedians have started their own podcasts, for example... Jerry Seinfeld had Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. And mostly, they seem relax and laid back. Just... normal shows. And the Amazing Colossal Podcast is a good one to showcase a bit of comedy history, movie and TV history, and looks behind-the-scenes of those iconic shows. Yes... relaxed and laid back. But this is something different. You can hear Gilbert's love for the business(es) and the process. And it just hits different.

Gilbert Gottfried was referred to as the "Comedian's Comedian", and it is true. The was beloved by the other comedians, and you could tell he loved them. Working with them... laughing at them... laughing with them...

I viewed Gilbert Gottfried as an unsung hero in comedy. Someone who never changed his style to changing times. He was a constant. And a professional.

And Gilbert Gottfried will be sorely missed...

Thank you for you time.

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