Billy Connolly Tells Just About the Funniest Story Ever

One of the most perfect moments, and biggest laughs, in the history of TV talk shows. From 'The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder' in 1998. More info below -
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Back story, for those who are interested:
I was a fan of Tom Snyder all through his stint on 'The Late Late Show' on CBS in the 1990s, and even back when he did NBC's 'Tomorrow Show' in the 1970s. The context here is that, during all that stretch of time (and even today), flatulence was a subject well beyond the bounds of acceptable taste for mainstream American TV, even in late night -- most shows and most performers, even lowbrow types, are too leery of being pegged as grossly sophomoric to ever touch it. Notice that at no time does Tom ever let the word 'fart' slip his own lips -- this is not normally something you'd see brought up on TV at all, let alone with the bluntness in play in this clip.
But Tom did have a soft spot for fart humor, and he was unusual in having the self-confidence and trust in his audience to let it be revealed now and then. Very occasionally, he might make an amused reference to backstage happenings involving a crew member 'breaking wind' -- or to his appreciation for the now-little-remembered Belle-Epoque 'fartiste' Le Petomane -- but he always did so with the extra dollop of caution you might affect when touching on such a hugely unclassy subject.
Then on this particular night, along came Billy Connolly, and with his total lack of inhibition, he blew the lid off this guilty pleasure.
Tom's stage manager was a guy named Mark Kennedy, who is the dude you can hear cracking up in the background. His off-camera cackles and interactions with Tom were part of the show's charm. As Billy strolls so offhandedly and fearlessly into this subject, you can see Tom sharing sideways glances again and again with Kennedy -- as if acknowledging that this is something they've always had fun joking about crudely between themselves, but never with such disregard for decorum on network TV.
In the course of these magical three minutes, Tom winds up momentarily casting aside his concern for decorum (Ah, the hell with it, this is just too much fun!) -- and by the end, he's telling a fart joke himself, and leaning forward in anticipation as Billy tells the coronation story.
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[@weet1978able]

This clip is pure joy, both of them laughing at the other, and the guy off camera losing it is brilliant!

[@AdnamsDrinker]

I’m 50 years old in a few days time and have watched this clip so many times over the years, but the reaction is the same: utterly laughing myself stupid. Just the interview is hilarious on its own, but the cameraman losing his shit takes it to a whole new level. Billy is my comedy hero - there will never be anybody to match him

[@fxtfxt5636]

I would love to see a camera on the director in the background. The sound of him laughing is the most infectious thing, to see him doubled up laughing would make this video an 11 out of 10. Its already a 10 in my book

[@noisepollution6761]

🤖

[@creepyoursmile1654]

Ya know, you have those days where you think,"Whats the fucking point? What am I busting my balls for?" Then you watch something like this and realize,"Eh, you know what? Life isnt all that bad." People like Billy Connolly make life worth living. I just wish more would learn from his example. Its amazing what can be achieved by laughing at yourself.

[@myourek]

Just saw your comment here, man -- you've got it exactly right. The world would such a poorer place if we didn't have guys like Billy :-)

[@creepyoursmile1654]

pb99 No, I mean with life as it is, we often forget about certain things. The little things. The things that make life worth living. If all we worry about is our bills and who died today, then yeah, everything seems meaningless. Its laughter and joy...pure fucking happiness. While rare at times, THAT is what makes life worth living. It also makes life/freedom worth fighting for.

[@ryan7773]

Just stumbled upon this and you know what? YES! You have got to be able to laugh at life and what zaniness it brings because at some point, things will decidedly be unfunny.

[@vonteflon]

In my head, I read your comment in Billy Connolly's voice/accent. And funnily enough when you see him talking about his outlook on life you've summed up his philosophy pretty well.

[@creepyoursmile1654]

+vonteflon Thank you :)

[@arthurmatthews9321]

The best bit of this is the camera man or studio manager in the background pissing them selves laughing.

[@07foxmulder]

The gut laughing in the background is hilarious. I'm crying laughing at his laughing haha

[@fishbonkers]

Sounded like that guy was going to die laughing. Good way to go

[@hippyable]

Awesome

[@helenahospice604]

Stop that' ..... `Which way was is it heading?' - absolute classic!

[@angelofretribution2161]

Billy Connolly --> he's had it rough in life, but instead of hate the world, he spreads the laughter...and I mean the hardcore belly laughter. I wish I could thank Billy Connolly in person for the wonderful laughs and amazing relief he's given me (and MILLIONS of other people, I'm sure) time after time. I'm truly thankful for his genuine point of view and hilarious mind. Thank you, Billy

[@the_disabled_gamer2832]

I almost shat myself from laughing so hard, there never has nor will there ever be a greater comedian than Billy Connolly !

[@philt5782]

I actually nearly choked to death watching "don't drink the water".

[@avlanche7777]

One of a kind. Love his sincere delivery!

[@sapphire962]

doesn't matter if its an audience of 2000 or 2, billy makes them all laugh, hes just so honest and down to earth that its hilariously relatable. genius!

[@liisavarhalla6348]

This is a great moment in time. Tom Snyder was a great interviewer!! These two together are a classic!!! Love it!!!!

[@ryandudley6334]

4 things that make this so damn funny.. 1. Billy Connolly 2. Tom Snyder for being a good sport by delivering a great joke "lady which way is it heading.." And his laugh is contagious. 3. The horse farted joke 4. That guys laugh in the background which by the final punch line of Billy's joke, he is in absolute hysterics. Once you've seen this video once, it gets funnier every time because you know the build up and when that final joke hits it just leaves me in stitches. Lol funny

[@olajenssen2744]

Tom Snyder's food out of control along with his laughter on the horse joke is telling me it's genuine

[@deborahluke9329]

Absolutely gets me everytime. Laugh as hard each time xx

[@nomdeplume2213]

I must be a dipshit because i dont get the which way is it heading joke 😅😅 im embarrassed

[@shawnreynolds2728]

@@nomdeplume2213 The woman was farting and when she noticed she was being loud tried to deflect and blame it on the waiter. So she told him to "Stop that!" He wasn't having it, they all knew it was her, so he replied "Which way was it heading?" Referring to her fart.

[@noisepollution6761]

Have I been told? 🤓

[@commodore665]

fart jokes bring out the 10 year old in all of us

[@fh276]

^^^,. this.

[@christopher.brammer]

Oh Sir Billy. I cry with laughter no matter how many times I watch this. Just a joyful sense of fun and life. Thank you.

[@roccoquaranta791]

Very few things can beat the humor and the laugh of a Scot..... but you know the stage manager was leaning forward in anticipation of the punch line and exploded with such addicting laughter.... absolutely priceless!

[@RebBerry-fw7ue]

I dated a woman who thought a fart was the funniest thing ever. She would go into fits of laughter. I sneezed and accidentally farted, I didn't think she would ever stop laughing

[@paulcuthbert]

This comment made me laugh almost as much as the video did! :D

[@Pablobrown111]

You should have married her matey,as long as she doesn't thinks it's funny when she did it.

[@RebBerry-fw7ue]

Thanks for all the plus comments. I can know longer make comments due to some screw up by YOU Tube or Google. .

[@kryptonianpowers]

I remember one time I went on a school field trip, I ended up sneezing and started laughing at myself over it. And whenever I would think about sneezing, it would just make me laugh. And my teacher who was in charge of the field trip got angry at me for laughing.

[@RexfromIslaNublar]

Then you should show her the movie Grown Ups 2. Because there's bits where Kevin James' character sneezes and farts!

[@donniecastleman5701]

The guy in the background laughing is just killing me!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!

[@Trogdor420Max]

My god the guy laughing in the back...

[@Scinders]

I know, superb! 😂

[@allicafilms2467]

I'm in tears with my stomach in pain from laughing. I've been a Connolly fan for years and I think this is the best joke I have heard from the great man. Never thought I cry and laugh so much in my life.

[@susanstardust6056]

This man alone makes life much more bearable- always my 'go to' when I need a lift 😂. I salute you Billy xxxxx

[@anndownsouth5070]

I don't normally think farts or fart jokes are that funny but this had me laughing out loud.

[@Jake-vy2bh]

Billy Connolly just has this way of speaking, that anything he's saying sounds like the most important thing in the room, even if it's farts, I still reckon this is one of the most joyful videos on the internet, if ever I need a smile, I come here.

[@TheRogueTrooper]

This is just fucking brilliant, I was dying of laughter the whole time

[@dawngilmour6961]

Oh Bless you Billy... my ribs are aching with laughter every time I watch this clip. It's the daftest things that make life fun xxx

[@michaelledford4751]

For ages I listened to Tom Snyder's nightly radio program at bed time & was allways so interested I couldn't sleep for a while after the program finished , what a truly talented commentator, RIP , oh & Billy rock's still .

[@mruniversalpolitical2291]

Absolutely brilliant, I am Scottish and love this man he is a National treasure

[@gaylasmith5279]

I am happy to have Scottish in my DNA and love all things Scotland, especially Billy Connelly. Have been to Scotland once and plan to go back for an extended time after the pandemic. I may stay there!

[@mruniversalpolitical2291]

@@gaylasmith5279 it’s a nice place to live if you are looking for Beautiful views and the people are friendly over all, but if you are looking for blue sky’s and sunny weather there is not much off that I am afraid😂 Where are you from if you don’t mind me asking?

[@gaylasmith5279]

@@mruniversalpolitical2291 Have always lived on the Gulf Coast of the United States. Louisiana and Texas. Am beyond tired of it. I fell in love with all of Scotland. From Edinburgh to the Highlands. The people were amazing. The scenery beyond compare. My Mother is of the Robertson clan. I plan to change my name through my divorce decree to her maiden name. I need my own identity after all these years. Where is Scotland do you live?

[@kimdontcare244]

"which way is it heading" i nearly pissed myself at that line LOL Billy is a legend

[@limeyosu2000]

watch this every once in a while to make my day! love you Billy and Tom you were such a great interviewer!

[@MrMitchissimo]

My god I wish they had filmed the cameraman! He completely loses his shit at the end! :D

[@paulbryden4006]

That's billys gift he dont just make you laugh he makes just lose ya shit laughin fully belly laugh and that's never a bad thing

[@steveloughlin845]

fartin from the strain of laughter!!!

[@goobytron2888]

His laugh in the background is priceless!

[@emperorpalpatine783]

me too he sounds like a hyena, quite right I would laugh too makes me glad to be scottish

[@Scinders]

Yes, he’s such an infectious laugh

[@PorkFistedViking]

I could listen to Billy Connolly read the phone book

[@VibratorDefibrilator]

...or the Bible.

[@docdave15]

"Aaron Aaronson... now what kind of cruel f**k-wit parents named their child that?!"

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

Oi is it bad that i read thus in my head as tom sellek

[@greghepple5778]

Yip. The boy is golden.

[@Crimethoughtfull]

@@docdave15 YES!!

[@nathanwhite3953]

The guy laughing off screen has me on the floor! That is where I lost it. His laugh is epic.

[@elvisleeboy]

What a lovely clip of two extremely warm guys.

[@RailpaxScott]

Tom Snyder is greatly missed. This few minutes of tv makes me laugh during the toughest of days.

[@pbaylis1]

This old couple are sitting in Church together, when Mavis leans over and whispers to Fred "Honey, I just let out one of those "silent-but-violent" farts. What should I do?" Fred replies "First thing you should do is change the battery in your hearing aid"

[@nedbella]

I named our dog Billy after Billy Connolly. It will be a very sad day when this genius of a man leaves this planet.

[@nedbella]

+BadTurbulence Yes, I know. I was just saying that it will be a very sad day when he does. The world needs more Billy Connolly's.

[@bilbobigbollix7318]

+Nedbella - Did you see him on the National TV Awards last night. He doesn't look too well. His movements were very stiff and awkward. Still, he started his gig the other week with, "I've got Parkinson's Disease. I wish he'd fucking kept it...." Class.

[@bilbobigbollix7318]

*****- We will have to agree to differ. I thought his movements were stilted and awkward. I know someone that passed away from Parkinson's and he reminded me of him. I sincerely hope I am totally wrong.

[@fredwilson1188]

+BadTurbulence during the show he looked okay but did you see him after when they were interviewing him with Dustin Hoffman? He had everything Parkinsons EXCEPT his voice is unchanged and no shaking (the medication i guess)? It was really sad to see Hoffman holding him the whole time he was standing there (like you do with frail old people) and Billy had no physical movement & stared blankly into space the whole time with no blinking

[@RexfromIslaNublar]

On the bright side though, when he dies, I reckon for months they'll replay a lot of his stand up shows which will be brilliant.

[@AbbeyD8]

I watch this every time I need a laugh, absolutely brilliant!!

[@Lionstar16]

Note to self: don't try to take a drink of hot chocolate while watching this video - I nearly spat my mouthful over all my laptop's screen. Billy Connolly is the funniest man ever!

[@seamustheplatypus]

Man, I feel your pain... I was drinking a glass of milk when he told the Queen joke ! :-D

[@seamustheplatypus]

***** Yup, pretty much.

[@DrJekyll38]

***** he's right about Steve Buscemi, that guy wasn't cast as the psycho in "Con Air" for nothing! Meanwhile, I loved hearing Billy play King Fergus of Scotland in Disney-Pixar's "Brave". I'm pretty sure I watch those just trying to pick out famous voices!

[@guyfroml]

C.T. Warren Yeah, but Buscemi was "great" a Nucky Thompson. He made Boardwalk Empire.

[@DrJekyll38]

guyfroml I won't argue with that, but playing sleazeballs seems to be the guy's stock-in-trade, from "Reservoir Dogs" to "Fargo" to "Monsters, Inc.", and that was just before becoming a Soprano!

[@LenHummelChannel]

RIP, Tom Snyder. he was a great host and had the best laugh in TV-land. some of his programs were truly classics. rest in peace, Tom.

[@bobmchugh5260]

That is hands down, the absolute best off-screen camera laugh ever!! Just that laugh alone should’ve won Snyder an Emmy!! 😂😂

[@cakeman58]

I never heard of this guy before but he brought me to tears

[@logan5girl405]

I don’t know if it was the cameraman or producer but that loud laugh in the background from that guy was awesome! 😂

[@samd8713]

LOVE, LOVE LOVE BILLY. Met him in person in Studio City. He was so gracious and stopped and talked to me and my Mom as if he knew us. Brilliant, sharp as a blade and exceedingly present. An exceptional talent that no doubt came from his life. Slainte.

[@987WFGR]

Two of the absolute best. Tom was one of the best broadcasters... ever. Billy Connolly is an absolute riot and has been for decades. This is great piece of TV history.

[@TylerWorner]

Love our billy, his humour is so simple yet infectious. The simplicity of the man is shown when he said he’d love to fart at will and raise one eyebrow.. Purely to make people laugh and to entertain himself. Terrible upbringing and abusive at times, he’s one beautiful human being and a lot could be learnt from living in such a way.

[@Pravuss]

I must have watched this a dozen times and I still lmao! I love Billy Connolly!

[@Purple1984Rain]

That last part was hilarious. Tom Snyder had such a great laugh. RIP sir :(

[@snrckrd]

+BadTurbulence I think he's talking about Tom Snyder...

[@alienc]

lmaoo that guy in the back

[@dawnwernerbrandenburg8287]

I loved Tom Snyder and his show... so many wonderful moments!

[@NormanMatchem]

My face is actually in minor pain from smiling and laughing at this vid, I teared up a bit. The image of Steve Buscemi piroueting with a fart is just gold! Having someone joke about a horse's fart coming from Queen Elizabeth II... dear God, I can't breath, I'm laughing while I friggin type this!

[@timbowilderbeeste8709]

+NormanMatchem No, it was at QEII's coronation in 1953. It was her mother who allegedly made the comment in the tale, not queen Elizabeth herself.

[@glenngallenger9523]

OMG whenever I feel blue and having one of those days I cue up this clip to bring me out of my funk. I miss Tom and his wonderful laugh. Billy C is simply the best!!!

[@walkertongdee]

Ten more seconds of this and I'd die from laughter.

[@joshuawhiteshirt1848]

Just goes to show, no matter how old you get, always have a sense of humor...NO MATTER WHAT LOL funny stories

[@AspieGirlArianaHale]

I’m 31 years old & I still find myself in tears from laughing at fart jokes; & I’m fairly sure that I’ll laugh at them until the day I die! 😂🤣

[@TonyEnglandUK]

"Two things I'd love to be able to do - fart at will and raise one eyebrow".

[@EgoShredder]

I can do the latter, just need to work on the farting prowess!

[@timothygraham4304]

Can you smell what The Rock was eating?!

[@AiyanaWolfe]

I want to learn to do both at the same time

[@bobroberts8629]

And blowing away flies

[@delmontay8248]

If you cant raise one eyebrow. Can you even control your face.

[@danwillis5468]

This is the funniest clip Ive ever seen. When you feel down and need something to cheer you up, I will watch this again. I lost it after the Queen Mother joke.

[@fishbonkers]

What do you expect when you have someone as brilliantly funny as Billy Connolly on set. Every time I watch this video I can't stop laughing so hard, because of what a great story teller Billy is

[@justthetruth1]

the finest story teller ever! I love this man.

[@anneoneal108]

he "kills" me. I love listening to him no matter what. I first came across Billy in Mrs Brown. I love him there. I am not a stand up comedy fan. But this wonderful man got my heart 1000%

[@sirds1548]

% meaning is out of 100. Idiot

[@limeyosu2000]

"I thought it was the horse." still laugh at this till this day!

[@vardellsfolly5200]

This guy is one of the most fascinating men i've ever seen!He is hilarious and kind and decent and modest despise his success,he has a brilliant mind and quite an eccentric face!He is also a fine stand up comedian and very interesting person!

[@timbowilderbeeste8709]

+Λαυρέντιος Ψαροκάηκας Unfortunately he's now suffering from Parkinson's. Wonderful comedian.

[@boliussa]

+Λαυρέντιος Ψαροκάηκας except his stint where he dyed his beard purple.. he was not funny then.. did he ever recover after the purple beard?

[@vardellsfolly5200]

+boliussa He did..what?!

[@boliussa]

Λαυρέντιος Ψαροκάηκας he coloured his beard purple. I just corrected my typo. dyed his beard not died his beard.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

+boliussa Do you imagine that, killing his own beard?! Anyway, he is very eccentric. Most of the comedians are..

[@captpicard100]

Billy is the only comedian I have ever watched who after watching him I am literally hurting with laughing so much.

[@jakers-mu3xn]

never get tired of this clip..pure joy!!

[@blisswest]

Cant breath for laughing. My eyes are watering. The best.

[@RichardFrancisOldLeviMan]

This man is the only person to go on stage, tell a very funny story with his beautiful accent, swear and not one person feels uncomfortable. He is an Artist & very special, the world will be a very poorer place if we ever lose him. Richard, Australia. "Clan MacDonald"

[@VisionTheLyricalOne]

What a beautiful moment in life, I'm glad I got to see it❤️

[@cupidstunt22]

Billy's timing spot on there!

[@Wylde_Kyle]

The description box for this video is brilliant! It's lovely to hear the backstory behind how they got on to this subject. Been a fan of Connolly since I was a young lad and the host of this show is such a good sport. I've seen other hosts not being able to deal with the Scottish accent/humour. Thanks @myourek :)

[@toreb7692]

Perhaps my favourite clip on youtube. I'm laughing so hard when I see this :D

[@curleyteeth]

The day you stop laughing at farts is the day you will stop laughing.

[@RedSkyHorizon]

+curleyteeth A man who is tired of farts is tired of life

[@truthhurts6958]

Billy is the best stand up comedian to walk the earth . 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 loves you

[@Blackflame24]

Man, Billy Connolly is the funniest dude ever! I could hang out with this guy all day!

[@les13robinson]

The man is bloody brilliant!

[@jimkerr5782]

Billy Connolly is the only person who can have you in stitches with jokes about doing a shite. I have a few pals who are funny but the Big Yin takes the Title, bar none. I wish Billy and his Family the very best. Diamond Jim Kerr. The Plains, Scotland.

[@richardforgetcanada]

This is one of my go to videos when I’m feeling down LOL.

[@TheGruffOgre]

Ran into The Big Yin in Malta while on holiday many years ago. Genuinely lovely bloke and one of the most gifted story tellers of at least two generations.

[@taffwales]

Billy just has to be one of the funniest comedians ever,you can watch him telling the same story/joke over and over and still cry with laughter.My fave is the North Sea/Scrotum story.

[@Marikioable]

Love Billy too. My favourite is the incontinence joke...."Saddle up and ride your pony" lol. If you haven't heard that one yet, it's on "An Audience with Billy Connoly"

[@JakkFrost1]

One of my faves was always "The Jobbie Wheeker" xD

[@Toolpusher]

All sorts of his gags have got me over the years; the penis with holes in, the jobby in the violin case, the Tarantula joke, totally had me splitting mah sides back in the day.

[@bovery23]

That was hilarious, glad I'm not the only one who thinks fart humour is awesome. Never seen tom synder before but he looks like such a great sport, and what a likeable interviewer with a great sense of humour

[@guyfroml]

Darren, I don't know if you're young or outside the U.S. But, Tom Snyder was an iconic interviewer - considered by many as the best. He said what he thought and did what he said. He didn't care how many television network executives he pissed off. He did it his way. I can't believe it's already been 7 years he's dead. He died before his time. I would have liked to have had a few more years of his interviews.

[@wishbone54]

guyfroml Yeah, I loved his interview of Waylon.

[@paulineson4876]

Great to hear such laughter & humour; it’s infectious. 😂

[@CraigMansfield]

That laugh in the background is so contagious :D

[@michaelkohler5916]

Whenever I´m down, I watch this video. And everytime I laugh so hard that I lose all control and have to fart.

[@Dogwalker0708]

I watch this over and over

[@iainclark8695]

I just absorbed some joy

[@lesleydooley9783]

OMG Ive had a horrible day and Thats just what i needed

[@joescott2488]

1:40...that guy in the background laugh is epic hahaha!

[@conniemcintyre7627]

Great clip! Used to watch Tom Snyder as a kid. Billy Connolly is funny as hell! first time I saw him was on HBO. I was laughing hard and so much. Awesome. This clip is a classic.

[@Jay-ru3mu]

Billy Is Definitely One Of The Very Best.....TOP MAN......

[@ovepayne]

So innocent and super funny! Billy and Tom makes a very good team indeed!

[@kirnpu]

This makes me laugh every time I watch it. Sure do miss you Tom.

[@sweetstuff64]

lol always makes me giggle, love him. 1 of the greatest comedians ever, xx

[@LtColumbohh]

Watched this 100x. Never gets old.

[@Parknest]

The Coronation story had me crying with laughter and still makes me laugh to this very day. Sir Billy is a comedy legend.

[@Simon-nv5zj]

how could you give this a thumbs down?????

[@nomellocreampig]

Or they were still laughing too hard.

[@pale_saint]

nomellocreampig ..or there was something more solid coming out with their farts?

[@11Kralle]

Maybe because of Tom Snyders "Let's not forget why we're here"?

[@11Kralle]

I can't believe he never lighted a fart - one could live out his arsenistic ambition whilst fighting the smell...

[@Rahthoma]

Putting the arse in arson, there.

[@bloodsling]

the cameraman damn near laying an egg with laughter is just perfect

[@monkeymalletsvideos]

The reason that farts are so funny is that it's the very first thing that makes you smile as an infant, and you never, ever, forget that feeling of relief...and the smiles that come back at you from your new humans...it's the first joke of your life and you crushed it!

[@nomellocreampig]

Thank God for the internet and YT! My mom is from Scotland so naturally this was a guy my grandparents thought was funny and I grew up with some of his stuff. Skip forward 20 years and I'm able to share this stuff with them through emails. Some people might try to act all high and mighty and act like it isn't funny but his story is truth about how behind closed doors everyone loves a good fart noise. The smell on the other hand....

[@snidelywhiplash]

Fucking HILARIOUS. Two legends on the screen together. God, I miss Tom Snyder - he could draw an amazing interview out of a person.

[@Gr8Layks]

This poster's video description is probably the best I've ever read since the inception of KZbin.

[@60Macushla]

I could listen to him & Robin Williams(RIP) for hours. 💗😂

[@halbo007]

I saw Billy in a comedy club years ago and laughed so hard my face hurt for a week. Pure D Brilliant!

[@limeycinnamon]

I don't care if anyone thinks I'm childish, this is SO hilarious XDD