Gallagher and English language

[@radioactive9861]

In America we drive on parkways and park on driveways...I like Gallagher's humor...very interesting...

[@WeerdMunkee]

This is what I remember Gallagher for. Not smashing food with a sledgehammer, but interesting observations and insights. Which was actually 85% of his show, if anyone had actually paid attention...most comedians make fun of him, even now, because of the fame he experienced in the 80's. They discredit him as being a cheap prop comic, which he kind of was, but not cheap. He also created every prop he had himself because he majored as a chemical engineering student in college, minored in English Lit, hence bits like this. He pretty much dominated Showtime with at least one special per year for 10 to 12 years. He made a lot of money, and fellow comedians were very jealous of it. In my opinion, he earned it.

[@teejay769]

Me too! My sister and I used to do the "archibald Barisol" bit daily. Sad he's gone.

[@jordanvalencia9597]

I loved the bit when he talked about style, and showed that just where your hands are determines if what you wore is masculine or feminine was hilarious.

[@tristanbowman7098]

I watch a lot of comedy podcasts, alot, and have never heard any other comedians bash him. They almost always speak kindly and respectfully about him. Idk what you are watching.

[@CyclopsWasRight616]

i was just saying this yesterday.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

he had a bunch of great monologues over the years, this is but one of them and shows his way with words

[@LOBOIV]

Gallagher was razor sharp. If you listen to his comedy, he was levels above the rest. RIP

[@kevingleeson]

Watching this particular thing on cable sticks out in my mind. About 1982.

[@DeborahAiles]

The man was a genius. He doesn't get enough credit for being exceptional, especially with the English language.

[@mlbrooks4066]

I haven’t seen this in decades and it’s amazing how much of it I remember.

[@mookyyzed2216]

One of the all time greatest comedians. Blows away 99% of comedians in the last 40 years.

[@albertwells8503]

In this kind of humor, he’s every bit as good as Carlin.

[@josephgalatha21]

I feel they were on the same merry-go-round on the playground as kids, so they saw how and why the world was so silly it had to be spinning, but they each had just enough difference in the angle that they covered what the other didn't.

[@tombaker6082]

And didn't feel the need to drop F "bombs" every other word.

[@dylannoyb8241]

That’s quite the insult to Gallagher

[@melissawright5716]

I was just saying the same thing he’s a clean Carlin

[@rankalot]

Carlin was doing the English language stuff before Gallagher. Not saying Gallagher wasn’t awesome but he definitely took heavy inspiration from Carlin.

[@hyboirds1536]

It's to bad all anyone remembers him for is smashing watermelons. Stuff like this is where he shined.

[@paulineleatherman7717]

Great post! I saw him live in Toledo, Ohio in the 80’s. Sledge O magic was funny, but his observations were hilarious. Gallagher, Steve Martin, George Carlin and Richard Pryor, and the original SNL players. Priceless.

[@GregSchmidt711]

I loved his skits! Not so much the watermelon bit.

[@joshwinter2945]

@@paulineleatherman7717 yes

[@bladerunner752]

Got to meet him in 97 and he was so cool in person just an all around cool dude. Will never have another comedian like him.

[@hyboirds1536]

@@bladerunner752 damn that's an awesome experience to have! Lucky man!

[@AntonioRodriguezSilver]

Just here to pay my respects as this is my favorite skit of his, especially as someone who knows English as a second language. He encapsulates the chaotic nature of the language so well and so precisely! He should be remembered for this much more than the watermelons!

[@terr777]

We're on the same page and English is my native language.

[@mordechai-]

This is what I remember him for. I have never seen the watermelon skit.

[@TheDuality0fMan]

I used to watch Gallagher as a kid, some 25 years ago. This bit always stuck in my head more than the Sledge O Matic or any thing else.

[@ToniAllen]

Me too! One of my favorite standup bits ever. It was so clever.

[@jonahmarsee1200]

Literally remember this bit from when I was. Around 8 in 89 or so

[@herobriansleaderthebest9013]

Mine too...to, two....🤣🤣

[@msmith42001]

I loved watching his specials as a kid.

[@jenjenpinto431]

A genius comedian passed away. I saw him years ago and since then, I find words and always remember him. RIP and May his family know we all loved him.

[@videolabguy]

Funny and super smart. My dumb friends never got him. I just think of Gallagher and start chuckling. RIP brother. You are sorely missed.

[@onewink]

One of my favorite bits of comedy of all time

[@dadeo8957]

He was great.

[@Mozart1220]

Trees...first we chop them DOWN, then we chop them UP.

[@nakenmil]

Ha ha, he's tapping right into the frustration to anyone who's ever learnt English. XD

[@fuierago1]

But did you learn it?

[@Lor1Kay3]

LEARNED

[@ninomediera1706]

@@Lor1Kay3 LURN

[@unstablecreature88]

And people that learned it too

[@DoctorTokyoSexWhale]

@@Lor1Kay3 "Learnt" is also an acceptable conjugation of "learn." It's more used in English outside of North America.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

My favorite routine by him.

[@emptyjay488]

Still one of my favorite bits. Nome numb? No! N! U! M! B!!!

[@mistyize]

RIP Gallagher. I've watched you all my life, and your genius was never lost on me. I credit you with some of the reason I look at the world the way I do. ❤

[@luvswoodheat5483]

I resonate with this comment 💯

[@mistyize]

@@luvswoodheat5483 always good to know I'm not alone. 😉

[@tyson31415]

The thing I liked about learning German was the trust you could put in the word being phonetic. It may be 10 words jammed together, but you could say it.

[@sandytibs4363]

Quite LITERALLY my favorite Gallagher moment EVER!

[@76Titleist]

Rest in peace now Mr Gallagher, hope you're up there smashing God knows what in heaven. Thanks for the memories.

[@se7enist]

There's no way even God knows what's coming next.

[@purrplejasmin6779]

I remember my parents watching his Showtime/HBO shows growing up. I loved when he brought out the "chalkboard" and wrote, this makes no ¢. I wish I could have seen his act in person, but I will cherish my Watermelon set.

[@carlaharrington5120]

My fave comic as a teenager in the 70's; seen him live at least five times and he never disappointed. I agree with most of the other comments here in that his watermelon smashing antics were the icing on the cake of his observational humor.

[@cameronboushehri9423]

This is a very ingenious sketch! This should be shown to kids in English class.

[@GinaSmith]

This is great.

[@fw3506]

I've seen this routine at least a dozen times and still laugh every time.

[@NathanArnoldCharging]

Observational humor is still the best!!

[@john-paulhunt9798]

Stares as a walk into seating. What?

[@GregSchmidt711]

I loved this guy! He's genuinely funny

[@xlsyor]

A Highly intelligent man, with a spectacular sense of the absurd. He helps me teach English to my Chinese students

[@qwasd0r]

His timing is great

[@RyanWehr]

I was to young for this part of his routine. Love going back to see this again

[@goatboycasto]

Rest In Peace love his skits

[@CIAoperative-e9i]

Thumbs up here. He had me in stitches.

[@TheTsar1918]

Man this is deep when you really think about it.

[@noone369-00]

love this man. he brilliant

[@doreensarcone4346]

Loved this then. Remember him now. Thank you for your genius!

[@bravobravoh1344]

I remember watching his specials years ago with my grandfather, good memories.

[@jameswarren423]

When it came to comedy, he was a true icon, a comedic genius! R I P

[@Morbid1023420]

RIP Leo Gallagher or simply Gallagher 😢🍉 Gallagher was one of my absolute favorite comedians when I was growing up, he was hilarious and one of a kind. His comedy covered so many topics, he had bits on society, politics, relationships, the sexes, race, pop culture, the english language, growing up, and growing old. I always considered him one of the smart comedians, he was clever, witty, and sharp as a tack. Some of my favorite bits of his involved social commentary, politics and the education system. He took you off guard because here was this zany looking wacky character who all of a sudden was saying some really interesting and intelligent things all the while with that sly little gleem in his eye. Of course he was most famous for his Sledge 'O' Matic routine at the end of his shows where he'd demonstrate the finest little handy dandy kitchen helper money could buy, and in the process cover his audience in just about every and anything you could find at your local grocery store. It got to the point where people in the first four rows would wear rain ponchos and garbage bags because they already knew what they were instore for. Gallagher was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed 😔 Rest easy my friend, none of us will ever forget our favorite fun loving, fruit smashing funny man. Thanks for the laughs 🍉 🕯️❤️

[@darcybrummett7004]

There have been many kinds of comedians but none as unique as Gallagher. Not just because of the watermelon-smashing part but because of things like this! You will be missed.

[@zombieregime]

@@darcybrummett7004 .....You do know there are 2 Gallaghers right? When the first one (where a lot of the material came from) died (of stomach cancer IIRC) his brother took up the routine. The original has the high cheek bones and narrow jaw, his brother has the rounder face.

[@fredgreen3511]

When I was a teenager, my friend and I went to 3 different Gallagher shows, he was hilarious each time; great memories.

[@njgl2010]

The man was a Genius. Please don’t ever refer to him as the melon smasher, he was much more.

[@sarameitner6770]

I know this has been around here for many years, but it's time I finally comment: As an English teacher in Europe, my favorite phrase to say to my students the first day is: "The English articles - a, an, the - are easy, but English pronunciation sucks." I love his observances in his works, as such things are what I use in my work as well. These truths remain constant.

[@DrGreg007]

We we had the pleasure of seeing Gallagher perform in concert years back. His show is absolutely hysterical. He did have a huge huge pumpkin. He said he's not going to break it. But right before he left the stage he broke it. He got everybody wet

[@darcybrummett7004]

I went to one of his shows in Indiana a long time ago. While watching on TV you could tell which people had been to a show before or at least saw him on TV. The live show was so funny!

[@Sheena0620]

Rest in peace comedian #Gallagher I met him in 2008 it was for my birthday. I got to get up on stage and squash a birthday cake. Syrup/cake all over me 😆

[@ZC.Andrew]

Damn. I just got into him recently, and didn't know he had passed. How sad. He seems like he was an absolute genius who could light up a room without the need for crude humor. I wish I had a chance to see him.

[@BazzFreeman]

It's tough to cough, though

[@Shadoefax760]

Remember seeing this over 20years ago as a kid & could never find this clip lol

[@vagabondjay7281]

Will always be my favorite skit he did.

[@pretzelbomb6105]

English: One of the shortest alphabets on the planet and so we decided to make half of our words mean several things. What could go wrong?

[@andyshistorylessons8278]

R.I.P. Gallagher! 1946-2022!

[@donaldvanderlinden1245]

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE HIM A LONG TIME AGO ! HE DID 2 SHOWS , I HAD TICKETS TO BOTH SHOWS ! I GOT MUCH CLOSER FOR THE SECOND SHOW , I THINK IT WAS THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL , IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN ! IN SAN FRANCISCO ! HE DID THE SLEDGE-A-MATIC IN THE FIRST SHOW BUT NOT IN THE SECOND ! HE HAD TO CLEAN HIS OWN MESS , FROM THE FIRST ! I WATCHED ! BUT HE DID PICK ON ME IN THE SECOND SHOW ! IT WAS AN HONOR ! R.I.P. GALLAGHER ! THANKS FOR ALL THE AMAZING LAUGHS !

[@childrey14]

RIP Legend you will be sadly missed and thanks for being a part of my childhood 🥺🥺

[@lynxharpthorn7764]

As an elementary school student at the time, this bit was amazing.

[@fishinfred9065]

Ive never seen any of this. He's a legend I can tell

[@wilderpros.6747]

He got me at "Built"

[@krazi77]

d-a-u-g-h-t-e-r "daffter?"

[@shakaama]

I speak 4 languages and english I have to think about, the other languages are literally: rule 1 mostly, rule 2 occasionally > english, no rule 1, everything rule 2.

[@Viviantoga]

2:47 "Only one word is going to make any sense at all here, and that's D-U-M-B."

[@randytrader3026]

He was a great one of a kind comedian..

[@noecamarena1896]

and they wonder why people have a hard time learning the language

[@jqpublic3104]

Try Cantonese then 🙄

[@marcushanftaler861]

Even worse: wind 1. The wind is blowing. 2. Wind it up. Same spelling. Two different pronouncioations... As a non native english speaker it´s frustrating since I pronounced both of them for two decades like the second one....

[@renragged]

There are several of those unfortunately. Also waaaaay too many words that are pronounced the same, but spelled differently. It makes no sense at all.

[@pretzelbomb6105]

Homonyms are the worst: Foot is either the thing under your ankle or twelve inches, address is either where you live or speaking to someone, and beam can mean a structural support piece, a ray of light, or it can mean something figurative, like being really happy or hopeful. These are just some of em too, I’m a native English speaker and I still hate this language sometimes.

[@alishawill4591]

You miss spelled pronunciation

[@namk8714]

@@alishawill4591 That's not how you spell "misspelled".

[@hhll9294]

@@namk8714 he was talking about a person. Miss Spelled. She is pretty awrosme.

[@M-Sixty]

I met Gallagher in Knoxville, Tn, I couldn't think of nothing to say but "Are you working hard"? He replied " I'm getting to old for this shit". 😆 R.I.P.

[@PhAzEvariance]

feels like he needed to do words like 'read' and 'wind' which have two pronunciations.

[@Christknight1991]

I love his comedy so smart yet so funny

[@makelleberry2360]

this is ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!! I LOVE IT!!!

[@Andy-jw2gn]

RIP Gallagher, may you text in power.

[@adandrea33]

Proof they just made up our language as they went along lol love this!

[@FREE_WILL_DEFENDER]

Clearly they did

[@mrs.i.one12]

@Anthony D You’re on to something.....

[@bostonrailfan2427]

actually, they did…it’s a mix of Germanic, Norse, French, Gaelic, Italian, Spanish, Briton, Irish, Arabic, Indian, and other languages all put together over centuries of conquest and interaction

[@cinnamongirl6717]

LOVE THIS GUY!

[@vanessahenry7238]

RIP Sir! I remember this skit from like 35yrs ago and it shows why English is hard for some to learn! I never told my boys to 'sound it out when trying to learn to spell for this reason! I am also a Brit in America soo the boys really had a time with my spelling!

[@Gijs-t7p]

He is brilliant!

[@muffinmarie01]

Gallagher and George Carlin are 2 of my favorites.

[@alfa871]

Awesome.

[@elusive7815]

This man will always be remembered ✌️

[@Acts1043]

that's just pure awesomeness 😁

[@CrystalNibarger]

This was always one of my favorite clips

[@pikasnipe1]

He was my first comedy love. Drawing the USA in food is my favorite. "I like Florida cause it looks like we're pissin' on Cuba" RIP dude

[@GENNi0606]

He did that joke here in Florida, it was great

[@knightwinggl1800]

Was fortunate enough to have seen him live. To this day I still quote him from time to time. Especially when it concerns stupid drivers. IYKYK

[@oldscoolgaming6700]

This routine is funny because it’s true.

[@brucemartini2288]

Other crazy things with english - if dish has lil piece broken out of it- its said dish has a chip ( in ) it😐 Or alarms go (off) by going ON😯

[@rockit6553]

There seems to be so many contradictions in the English language. Here's another one: Bow can be a tie or bowing to someone. Bass can be a fish or a guitar.

[@willardfasto4494]

Those that know remember Gallagher as one the best comedians of the 70s and 80s

[@pianoman1396]

You catch a fish. You hatch an egg. You caught a fish. You hatched an egg. Why not ‘catched’, or ‘haught’?

[@paulbrungardt9823]

I had a brief encounter with Gallagher in 1987, Knots Berry Farm. He enjoyed talking with people he met. He was a knowledgeable supporter of the 2 Nd amendment. .😁

[@alanhill769]

English is the worse language to learn if you are a foreigner. It appears many countries say car red, but we say red car. My wife said go to the box letter. So of course I went to the letterbox. So learning English as a second language is hard, very hard. This guy is great at pointing it out.

[@r5t6y7u8]

English also has many dialects. Letterbox is in the UK, in the US it's called a mailbox. The British take a lift to get to their flat, in the US we take the elevator to get to our apartment. Good for you though. I took French in high school and hated it, they have weird spelling too.

[@katiemiller3216]

I have been looking for this forever!

[@robynannmckenzie]

My parents had a VHS of his standup, right around the time I was learning to read. We watched that until the tape broke! Gallagher taught me to love the English language for all its absurdity. Now, two novels on the shelves, I still love this wacky language.

[@RebeccaCuster-b8b]

Great clean comedy!

[@ringydwm]

I could watch this set expanded to the whole show I think

[@glennmccready37]

I actually saw this the night he did it .

[@mrshaunkim]

nice

[@josieshoxx]

That's awesome! Cool or cule! Lmbo

[@kagomecc461]

😂🎉❤ THIS IS THE SET I REMEMBER WATCHING. THIS IS THE SET I TELL PEOPLE. . IT WAS AN LONG HOUR SPECIAL. I RECORDED IT ON VHS. I MEMORIZED IT. I also recorded to cassette tape. (Mini stereo had a built-in microphone 🎤 😎 so new and hi tech back in the 80's 😅)

[@ebinmaine]

This ole boy raises some great points.

[@kennatiousc]

i loved those desks. you could open them; and put all your crap in there !

[@micahdarmstrong]

I love how he asked if the mustache was mistake and everyone was just silent 😂

[@erikbrantly4015]

This man was brilliant.

[@stigmajosh]

This is his best material.

[@kennethfink2392]

Yes I remember him smashing watermelon he was great we don't have shows like that anymore on TV

[@2023FourRunner]

Everything He said always was Hilarious but it was Factual! I Miss Him!! RIP Gallagher. Thank You

[@dirkbag22]

Rest in peace you wonderful funny brilliant man.