Spring Break
The Daily OrangeTelevision icon divulges juicy history in Hollywood
By Gavin Godfrey
Posted: 4/20/06, 1:10 AM EST Section: Pulp
After the quick motivational anecdote, Schlatter went into sharing some gritty details of his rise to television broadcast success. The self-proclaimed "cocky" speaker opened up about his experiences about everything from film legend Milton Burrow dropping his pants in front of him to threatening to drown Judy Garland if she didn't apologize for walking away from him while he was trying to serenade her by singing "Somewhere over the Rainbow." In response to this, Garland grabbed the nearest lamp and chased Schlatter through the studio, threatening to beat him.
He swore the incredibly outrageous incident with Garland was all in good fun, reiterating that laughter among friends is never a bad thing. Schlatter made the point by noting, "Humor is the great lubricant of our lives."
For the last half of the lecture, Schlatter discussed the makings and eventual sensation of "Laugh-In." The 1960s were booming years for television, and the comedic style of Schlatter's show was something never done before. The producers, writers and directors wanted to create something as close to the edge as possible, he said. In the middle of the entire flurry was a 30-year-old Schlatter who had a ton of money invested in the NBC series.
Both Schlatter and Thompson credit "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" as setting the precedent for Saturday Night Live, MTV and the myriad of reality television shows. Schlatter's undeniable humor was contagious and caught on to everyone in the attendance.
"He was fantastic," said Mukesh Vidyasagar, a televison, radio and film graduate student. "The man is knowledgeable, and he knows to communicate with people."
Vidyasagar was amazed at Schlatter's ability to relate to the crowd through such fresh and witty humor. One example was Schlatter's commentary on today's pop culture. In response to inquiries by the crowd during the question and answer period, Schlatter touched on everything from the fakeness of "Survivor" to the justification of Viagra.
"Viagra's not that bad," he said. "I take it myself so that I won't fall out of bed."
Alanna Miller, a graduate student also studying television, radio and film, attended a screening of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" last week and was happy to meet the man behind the curtains. Miller, who will graduate this summer, was impressed with Schlatter's enthusiasm for the business.
Though full of laughs and enough true Hollywood stories to fill a DVD for E!, Schlatter wanted to his audience to leave with the proper motivation to achieve anything in their future.
"Don't be afraid to be relevant," Schlatter said. "Never be afraid to say anythi
He swore the incredibly outrageous incident with Garland was all in good fun, reiterating that laughter among friends is never a bad thing. Schlatter made the point by noting, "Humor is the great lubricant of our lives."
For the last half of the lecture, Schlatter discussed the makings and eventual sensation of "Laugh-In." The 1960s were booming years for television, and the comedic style of Schlatter's show was something never done before. The producers, writers and directors wanted to create something as close to the edge as possible, he said. In the middle of the entire flurry was a 30-year-old Schlatter who had a ton of money invested in the NBC series.
Both Schlatter and Thompson credit "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" as setting the precedent for Saturday Night Live, MTV and the myriad of reality television shows. Schlatter's undeniable humor was contagious and caught on to everyone in the attendance.
"He was fantastic," said Mukesh Vidyasagar, a televison, radio and film graduate student. "The man is knowledgeable, and he knows to communicate with people."
Vidyasagar was amazed at Schlatter's ability to relate to the crowd through such fresh and witty humor. One example was Schlatter's commentary on today's pop culture. In response to inquiries by the crowd during the question and answer period, Schlatter touched on everything from the fakeness of "Survivor" to the justification of Viagra.
"Viagra's not that bad," he said. "I take it myself so that I won't fall out of bed."
Alanna Miller, a graduate student also studying television, radio and film, attended a screening of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" last week and was happy to meet the man behind the curtains. Miller, who will graduate this summer, was impressed with Schlatter's enthusiasm for the business.
Though full of laughs and enough true Hollywood stories to fill a DVD for E!, Schlatter wanted to his audience to leave with the proper motivation to achieve anything in their future.
"Don't be afraid to be relevant," Schlatter said. "Never be afraid to say anythi
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Anonymous
posted 4/20/06 @ 9:19 AM EST
Milton Burrow!!! Is it possible you mean Milton BERLE? A TV legend - not a film legend?? Unbelievable. Doesn't anybody proof and check this stuff?
Anonymous
posted 4/21/06 @ 9:25 AM EST
I just hope that the author of this article isn't planning a career in journalism. The number one rule to verify your facts was severely broken in this article. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 4/21/06 @ 9:35 AM EST
"I must admit, I am LITTLE GIDDY right now," Thompson said.
I didn't realize that Robert Thompson had changed his name. Or did you mean to type, "I am A little giddy right now?"
P. (Continued…)
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