The other commentator actually reviewed the second Michael Landon roast, done in 1984, at the tail end of Dean Martin's television run. This earlier roast dates from 1975, at the conclusion of the first season of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, which is described by Jan Murray as the Sleeper of the Year: "at least that's how it affects me!" Phyllis Diller admits she's never met Michael: "but I think I'm carrying your child!" Ernest Borgnine describes his friendship with the guest of honor: "he's a punk!" Joey Bishop claims to have watched BONANZA only once, as he turned it off after hearing them calling Landon "Little Jew." Norm Crosby talks about heroes like Alexander Hamilton, "who built roads and established schools," or Aaron Burr, "who went out and shot Alexander Hamilton!" Euell Gibbons, who died later that year at age 64, reveals why he spent 40 years in the wilderness: "one day, I left the house to pick up a pizza and I got lost!" By far the most surprising guest is Guy Marks, as talented an impressionist as any other, who does a singing Indian chief that speaks Italian, along with Humphrey Bogart ("there's no towels in the men's room"), Gary Cooper, and Robert Mitchum ("why don't you ask him when we get to smoke the pipe!"). Cliff Robertson tells how Michael proves to be a city boy ("like the time you tried to brand your cows with a magic marker"), Sid Caesar gave him acting lessons ("the horse you ride, the girl you kiss!"), Amanda Blake talks about her love life with Chester on GUNSMOKE ("why do you think he was always limping all the time?"), and Don Rickles does a rather embarrassing reenactment of Landon's first starring role, "I Was a Teenage Werewolf." Former BONANZA co-stars Lorne Greene and Victor Sen Yung ('Hop Sing') take their hilarious shots at the ambitious Landon, who concludes the evening with a marvelous summation on the popularity of television: "let's face it, television is an invention where you're entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your house!"
3 Reviews
"You're a marvelous actor, you've told me that many, many times." - Don Rickles
classicsoncall25 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
If there's any single actor or entertainer who's passing affected me the most it would be Michael Landon. With a long and distinguished career in TV as an actor, director and producer, Landon was a singular role model who's shows brought traditional family values to the small screen for twenty five years. I still think about Landon from time to time and still miss his presence.
With that, the air date for this Celebrity Roast on the IMDb is certainly incorrect as listed for 1975. My best guess is that the Roast occurred around 1984, as reference is made to Landon's hit TV series 'Highway to Heaven' which began that year, and one of the presenters, Marie Murphy brought up Ronald Reagan's second inaugural. The rest of the dais is considerably different as well, with only Lorne Greene, Norm Crosby and Don Rickles on hand along with MC Dean Martin.
The tone of this Celebrity Roast differed somewhat from the many I've seen, in that most of the guests paid sincere tribute to Landon's career and humanitarian work. Perhaps the most heartfelt tribute was expressed by Landon's co-star from 'Little House on the Prairie', Melissa Gilbert. She honored him for his efforts against substance abuse citing troubles he had with his own son. You could see the emotion on Landon's face as she made her remarks.
However the show had it's share of laughs as well. Rich Little did a funny bit impersonating the 'first choices' for the characters on 'Bonanza' - Ronald Reagan for Ben Cartwright, Don Rickles as Adam, and Jack Nicholson for Little Joe. Funny stuff. Also appearing on the dais were Vic Tayback, Orson Welles, Brian Keith, football greats Dick Butkus and Bubba Smith, and two more of Landon's TV co-stars, Lorne Greene and Merlin Olsen of 'Little House'. Watching today, I was somewhat jolted by a comment made by comedian Dick Shawn who joined in the praise for the guest of honor when he stated - "Everything said tonight so far can be said again at his funeral".
With that, the air date for this Celebrity Roast on the IMDb is certainly incorrect as listed for 1975. My best guess is that the Roast occurred around 1984, as reference is made to Landon's hit TV series 'Highway to Heaven' which began that year, and one of the presenters, Marie Murphy brought up Ronald Reagan's second inaugural. The rest of the dais is considerably different as well, with only Lorne Greene, Norm Crosby and Don Rickles on hand along with MC Dean Martin.
The tone of this Celebrity Roast differed somewhat from the many I've seen, in that most of the guests paid sincere tribute to Landon's career and humanitarian work. Perhaps the most heartfelt tribute was expressed by Landon's co-star from 'Little House on the Prairie', Melissa Gilbert. She honored him for his efforts against substance abuse citing troubles he had with his own son. You could see the emotion on Landon's face as she made her remarks.
However the show had it's share of laughs as well. Rich Little did a funny bit impersonating the 'first choices' for the characters on 'Bonanza' - Ronald Reagan for Ben Cartwright, Don Rickles as Adam, and Jack Nicholson for Little Joe. Funny stuff. Also appearing on the dais were Vic Tayback, Orson Welles, Brian Keith, football greats Dick Butkus and Bubba Smith, and two more of Landon's TV co-stars, Lorne Greene and Merlin Olsen of 'Little House'. Watching today, I was somewhat jolted by a comment made by comedian Dick Shawn who joined in the praise for the guest of honor when he stated - "Everything said tonight so far can be said again at his funeral".
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Michael Landon
Michael_Elliott14 February 2018
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Michael Landon (1975)
The sweet-natured Michael Landon comes under attack in this episode of the series, which features roasters including Joey Bishop, Ernest Borgnine, Sid Caesar, Phyllis Diller, Lorne Greene, Cliff Robertson and Don Rickles among many others. I think most people would agree that this series was at its very best during the earlier years and while this one here isn't a masterpiece, it's still quite good thanks to some very funny jokes throughout with most of them aimed at how "clean" Landon's then show was. Robertson gets some very funny gags off as does Bishop who using his street tough Philadelphia personality to discuss the clean Little House on the Prairie. Of course, the highlight comes from Rickles who makes Landon re-enact a scene from his first movie I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF. Landon's reaction to something Rickles does brings down the house and rightfully so!
Episode: A-
The sweet-natured Michael Landon comes under attack in this episode of the series, which features roasters including Joey Bishop, Ernest Borgnine, Sid Caesar, Phyllis Diller, Lorne Greene, Cliff Robertson and Don Rickles among many others. I think most people would agree that this series was at its very best during the earlier years and while this one here isn't a masterpiece, it's still quite good thanks to some very funny jokes throughout with most of them aimed at how "clean" Landon's then show was. Robertson gets some very funny gags off as does Bishop who using his street tough Philadelphia personality to discuss the clean Little House on the Prairie. Of course, the highlight comes from Rickles who makes Landon re-enact a scene from his first movie I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF. Landon's reaction to something Rickles does brings down the house and rightfully so!
Episode: A-
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