Irwin Corey on Letterman, December 6, 1983

Corey's only appearance on the show.

[@LenHummelChannel]

Easily one of the greatest absurdists and satirists of all time. it takes nerves of steel to do this right. and a very brilliant and imaginative mind.

[@GameDevAraz]

Len Hummel it takes someone whos close enough to the Truth to joke about scientists!

[@bbgub5748]

Absurdist: Word of the day Thanks 😊

[@paulsherman3688]

Yeah but he lost me when the red curls went down the sewer pipe. I saw him live on Carson (I'm old)

[@jamesanthony5681]

I used to tell Prof Corey that all the time. Jordan Peterson is a harder sell.

[@37Dionysos]

"If we don't change direction we could end up where we're going!"

[@kerrysmith1899]

Very good. If you listen carefully, some pure wisdom comes out of the gibberish.

[@MauricioRamcerva]

37Dionysos Hahahaha very wise!!!

[@MsBellasworld]

Lol

[@TheAuntieBa]

When Prof Irwin Corey died at 102 years in 2017, my heart broke. Yes, he was working after 100, but if he’d left us after working ‘til he was 130 it *still* would’ve been too soon! We *need* him!

[@kenlieck7756]

Shelley Berman told me it was wonderful working with him in those last years. Larry Monroe told me that the Prof could smoke anyone under the table (reefer-wise, of course). And never forget that "air raid" spelled backwards is "diarria"!

[@tracythomas4727]

Go Professor!I miss him too.

[@michaelterry1000]

I never heard of this guy until about 20 minutes ago. He was a mystery guest on What's My Line. This video was shot about 10 years after that and he looked exactly the same. He lived to age 102 in 2017 and was working past age 100

[@youtubecensors5419]

Sounds like my college essays.

[@SoulDeathCheated]

😂😂😂😂

[@oldbrokensqueezebox]

Sounds like how I used to sound trying to hit on girls

[@davidbonfoey426]

Back in 1977 I was a cook at the playboy club . In Dallas Professor Corey performed at our showroom. The walkin cooler was in the hall where the performers dressing rooms were . That's where I first met Corey. He asked me if I had joint. Well it just so happened that i did. So he invited to his dressing room and we smoked that joint. Over the next few years I. would smoke dobees with him. We had many good talks . He was kind of a leftist and I was a capitialest. We never got mad at each other. Anyway i really liked and respected him. He was a good man! Rest in peace professor . Thank you for enriching my life!

[@kamuelalee]

Did he talk the way he talked on Letterman's show? If so, how did you communicate with him?

[@davidbonfoey426]

@@kamuelalee No that was his act . He really was very intelligent and a good conversationalist!!

[@kenlieck7756]

@@davidbonfoey426 Ha ha! Yeah, Larry Monroe told me that when he was a young DJ, he was assigned to be the Prof's driver once and got him a huge joint and was terrified that this frail, diminutive fella was gonna get wasted and fuck up his whole act and that it would all be Larry's fault. He found out very quickly that night that he needn't have worried!

[@ront9395]

I miss the days when hippies and rednecks could get along. And I’m a square, but had friends of all types. That’s when tolerance actually worked.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Could you please share more about the conversations? Especially being on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Did he mention Mort Sahl or other comedians? I wish I could have met him. Thanks for sharing these stories, since there's only a couple people left who even have them.

[@stephenkennedy8767]

Dave let’s him perform, no bending over with phony laughter or trying to out do him....

[@Mick-Dempsey]

Like Johnny Carson used to do with Rodney Dangerfield,he let the guests be as good as they were and it was beautiful to watch.

[@Fakename70]

Letterman - particularly the vintage NBC era - “got it”.

[@Gallagherfreak100]

@@Mick-Dempsey : Johnny knew to let certain people just run with the ball. Letterman, big, big ego.

[@xaenon]

"They're only there because of the graciousness of the people who vote and don't know what they're voting for...." 37 years ago, The Prof KNEW what was coming.

[@Yitway]

Is it my imagination or did the professor speak more coherently as he got older?

[@eremiophon]

No and no. What you’re noticing is the world around us getting crazier, so he sounds relatively more sane. “I don’t write jokes. I just watch the government & report the facts.” - Will Rogers

[@kenlieck7756]

@@eremiophon On the other hand, it is known that in his later years Corey was in fact struggling with an advanced case of Weisenheimer's Disease. Some have noted that he appeared to show signs of Snarkinson's as well...

[@jamessilver6429]

@@kenlieck7756 and a bunch of mogo on the lobobo

[@j.goebbels2134]

It must be like he used to say: If we don't change course now, we just may ended up exactly where we are headed.

[@NxDoyle]

Irwin Corey, 1914 - 2017. Gone too soon.

[@PrinceJes]

Haha you said gone too soon.

[@aggabus]

103

[@welcometotheinternet4215]

Let’s see if you live up to pass 103

[@ghettofreeze]

Yeah, why do the good ones die so young?

[@THE______TRUTH]

That son of a bitch was a centenarian! 😂

[@EdSelkowPersonal]

His whole routine was prophetic of today.

[@chrisr7597]

He's the one that got away to spill the beans.

[@ZakSF]

The man was a freaking genius!!

[@garyaugustus690]

I miss this guy...woefully underrated and unique comic.

[@user-eh5gj1hx9z]

I've watched this 4 times and it's still FUNNNNNY! He was one of my 'heroes' growing up! Bless you Professor! You taught me much!

[@DocSportello1970]

Is that you Slothrop?

[@51578818r]

Trump just hired him to write his speeches!!!!

[@daisyroots]

David's reaction is distracting and he undermines the intent of any initial subjugation, as well as making a mockery of the aforementioned anticipatory relevance....

[@mikez4132]

I love this guy... reminds me of how I feel after all the political debates I never watched.

[@cameramangary5966]

Genious comedy satirist I never missed him on TV. He was the best. Happy to know he had such a long life.

[@steveconn]

Old family friend (mom went with his daughter Margaret to Russia in '68). He was always doing crazy shit, announcing in elevators that this was his apartment, but the other riders could visit, calling men lesbians, etc.

[@bobbystanley8580]

I have never been exposed to this type of comedy.

[@jamesfield1674]

Reggie Watts is similar

[@delvikingjr5739]

@@jamesfield1674 will look for Reggie Watts on KZbin, would be great if he can carry the torch

[@generalralph6291]

Ever seen Grandpa Simpson? That’s the type of humor. Long stories that go nowhere, deliberately forgetting the point, giving painfully obvious advice like “don’t put your fingers in there!” and pretending not to understand anything.

[@andan04]

Is this comedy? Is it performance art? I think I enjoyed it but what the heck was it?

[@ijohnny.]

@@andan04 Vaudeville comedy, actually.

[@rubengreenberg2253]

I have a friend that expresses himself just like professor Corey. Unfortunately, he doesn't do it on purpose.

[@judithpresley1725]

That is a testament of your friendship & your patience !! 😂😂😂!! As long as they are providing a nugget of gold in their monolog! Sometimes it can be hard trying to keep my interest! Which can be difficult when your mind is elsewhere, like wondering when you can find a break in their forever delivery, especially when you have to go, whether its for an appointment, or worse when you have to go to the bathroom!! My smart & intelligent Uncle was a lot like that but mostly could talk both your ears off. Whether he was explaining how he fixed a piece of machinery (very experienced at fixing almost anything!) Or what was wrong in the world of politics. (Politics was the worst conversation and longest!)

[@dankramer7840]

"Professor" Irwin Corey was truly a genius of comedy. He sadly passed away in 2017 at the amazing age of 102🙏😊💖

[@kali3665]

Loving how David has no freaking clue where the good Professor is going. Spirits, we miss you, Professor.....

[@PaleBlueDott]

The science of making no sense

[@arthursmith643]

One of funniest ever. God will never make another Professor Corey. My father and I would laugh for hours. Even try to do his skits with each other. 😂😂😂

[@welcome_2_the_jungle]

I was a teen in the 60s and never missed a TV show he appeared in. He was a novel act, and funny, to us!

[@mattwalker5129]

He was actually on Merv Griffin a couple of times.

[@essessessesq]

saw him n Steve Allen a number of times

[@lloydgarth1]

Professor Irwin Corey is certainly the greatest precursor/exponent of postmodernist philosophy! Derrida can't hold a candle to the professor!

[@natureboytom]

As a little kid I loved Professor Irwin Corey. Lived till 101 or 2. Comedy = Longevity.

[@teresahall825]

Me too

[@thefilthycasual8804]

1:41 when the acid kicks in

[@murphy13295]

That was the fastest 9 minutes of my viewing pleasure .

[@asherroth7919]

Truly an inimitable talent and comedic gem -- may he rest in peace!

[@carolinecristalj]

Oh...my....gosh. I just found out about him! He was amazing!! Gotta look up all his work now.

[@benwatkins4181]

I use the same hair stylist

[@wesleysnellgrove]

Classic, tasteful comedy at its finest. Bravo! This guy is in a class with few others.

[@kenlieck7756]

Then he must not have been much of a Professor!

[@jamessilver6429]

@@kenlieck7756 it was his breath

[@jamesanthony5681]

If he was in a class with few others, then could you really call it a class?

[@Algonac9]

LOL Grand Fenwick is next. Great "The Mouse That Roared" reference.

[@hellbenthornball1153]

It's a shame that very few people know about The Mouse That Roared. That joke went over the audience's heads, so much so that Corey had to explain it later.

[@joshuaio5288]

Sheer comic genius. Letterman must not've liked him though or he'd have been back.

[@petercrowley41]

Dave liked being in control. There was no controlling the Professor.

[@davegreene8588]

Letterman was offensive and smug, unsuccessfully trying to upstage the beloved Professor.

[@jeffallcock4561]

@@davegreene8588 I don't see that. Letterman seems genuinely amused, which makes the Professor's sole appearence on his show all the more puzzling.

[@kenlieck7756]

@@jeffallcock4561 Maybe between Pekar and Theodore he figured he had enough of that sort of thing?

[@jeffallcock4561]

@@kenlieck7756 What sort of thing?

[@canadiannuclearman]

i loved his humor when i was young. i tried to imitate him once with his over top gobaltygook at school. as in. "It is existential to your reality that you fail to understand the co-planer meta physical self and THAT is why you can not comprehend what the fuck im talking about"

[@LordDoome]

What a great act, i totally forgot about this guy! Thanks for the upload

[@cz6301]

One of the 3 most unique comedians ever, along with Brother Theodore and Andy Kaufman. Working for the airlines in the late 1970's I saw a lot of celebrities coming in or going out on flights. I remember seeing Professor Corey coming down the walkway one night with a friend, and I was too far away to hear what he was saying but the arms were going and obviously he was in the middle of one of his incomprehensible soliloquy's cause the other guy was laughing his ass off. RIP, Professor.

[@skipwin9895]

I would add Foster Brooks to that list

[@ront9395]

I would love to hear a conversation between Norm Crosby and Irwin Corey. It would make more sense than today’s news.

[@prchmc]

genius, ahead of his time! RIP

[@karch139]

A comedian way ahead of his time. Someone said George Carlin took from him. I see a little Irwin Corey in Andy Kaufman!

[@robertmayzer6905]

I was told he died Feb 6, 2017, sorry. BTW, IMHO he makes as much sense as 95% of the public figures today.

[@davegreene8588]

He made MORE sense, a lot more, than 97% of today's public figures.

[@ogiecruz8063]

I've never seen Dave Letterman so quiet and rendered speechless since his guesting of the great Robin Williams

[@tailgunner6948]

Always loved him! We lost a true original genius!

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan. GOD---American humour has gone downhill from here.

[@custer2449]

I used to see a homeless guy on the Berkeley campus in the '70's who looked like Corey AND talked like him - REALLY! - to himself as students walked by him while he was trying to sound like an educated professor, when in reality he was highly delusional. Every so often I'd see him getting taken into custody for being a nuisance.

[@essessessesq]

to some extent he might have borrowed from Jerry Lewis's occasional descent into meaningless jargon and gibberiss, but the Professor could go on and on....one of his funniest lines was to BEGIN his comments by saying "HOWEVER...."....Or "BUT on the THE OTHER hand...."always got a big laugh

[@Mike-again]

Jordan Peterson: The Right’s answer to Professor I. Corey.

[@brettbaker1229]

When you have a rough night at the bar and ponder the thoughts of the universe.

[@wendyw4487]

Bill Murray should do a movie of this guy's life.............

[@donclark4685]

He doesn't have to say a word and I split a gut.

[@boatvox]

One of my absolute Comedy Gods!!!! Thanks for posting!

[@LenHummelChannel]

my observation is: Dave handled this raving genius rather poorly. what you do is: introduce "The World's Greatest Authority and Expert on Most Everything" ... and then let him fly for at least 5, 10 or 15 minutes. Duh.

[@dongiller]

Not duh. Five, 10, or 15 minutes is unworkable within a limited amount of time. It was the wrong venue for him, as Dave despised guests who remained in character throughout their appearance. He put up with Pee Wee because both allowed an actual back and forth. The Schmenge Brothers another exception, but they had the good sense to first ask, and, again, there was actual conversation. With Corey, no interaction was possible, and the schtick got old real fast.

[@Konnecta-kb9gg]

@@dongiller his schtick never gets old

[@l.h.827]

"What was the question" lmao

[@katieoreilly7846]

Wow , wow , wow , comic genius & also very intelligent, this is my first time seeing this man , but I believe he’s passed away now , aww . Oh I so enjoyed that , thank u ... ☘️

[@delvikingjr5739]

I remember seeing him for the first time on The Smothers Brothers show . We laughed so hard , will never forget . Back then we also had Foster Brooks , another great comic .

[@WarFlame]

Thank you for uploading this. I love watching him preform.

[@Mike-again]

“We’ve got Grenada.” Brilliant!

[@jeffallcock4561]

"That's one of the reasons people are ill-informed, you've got to ask questions."

[@darrylwillett8359]

What a genius he was!

[@grafdale1]

great interview with him at age 102...should be on bottom of page 2...enjoy, I know I did. dannylobellsmdp.libsyn.com/webpage/page/2/size/10

[@bug2011]

One of the most incredible original talents in the business !!!

[@jamesdrynan]

Read his biography and see what a strange life he had. A true genius of improvisational comedy.

[@dalegribble60]

Sounds like around 2:40 the professor was going to drop the "f" bomb.

[@dongiller]

Dave called him out after the second time.

[@katuroo]

that's part of the shtick

[@mosmith9187]

Bill Dozer good save.

[@williamwoodall3538]

It was on purpose. He makes YOU think the word, which is way funnier!

[@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

Why have I never heard of this dude Amazing ... the worlds foremost authority

[@kareemsupremet.v.5189]

An old wise man told me people fear a genius man. But once that genius acts ignorant people will pay close attention to him.

[@meanwhilemania]

He reminds me of Tracy Morgan, his slurring, slow speech, his voice, his style and mannerisms. If Tracy were an old, white professor, he'd be Irwin.

[@LemoTetson]

Would have loved to see Letterman do Professor Irwin Corey meets Brother Theodore.

[@azbob49]

Saw the "Professor" live at Corry Station in Pensacola, Fla in early 1968. He was part of a show put on by Operation Entertainment hosted by Ed Ames. He did a routine on "Why is there air?" He said, "That is a 2-part question. First, 'Why?' is the eternal question." He then rambled on for quite a while on "Why?" Finally, he said, "The second part of the question is 'is there air?' Of course!"

[@r.brookswilliams7476]

I love that Woody Allen had him do a small street scene in THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION. (RIP Professor.)

[@Hmoo424]

He probably outlived most of the young crowds.

[@THE______TRUTH]

Bahaha he actually knelt down and made the sign of the cross before taking his seat 😅

[@sourcetext]

A gift from God ......to keep us laughing in a sick world.

[@RC-NY]

Use to spot him at the Midtown tunnel asking for change, even though he didn't need it. His family said he donated the money he collected to charity. Watching this in 2024 is still funny.

[@barrysmith4989]

Actually, Corey appeared at least one more time on Letterman's show later in their careers. When Corey began wandering around at the beginning of his set as usual, Letterman seemed genuinely peeved and escorted him off camera quickly.

[@dongiller]

News to me. I'm relatively certain that this was his only appearance.

[@fredrodnick2881]

Now if we know where, we can tell if.... but it's not up to us when we see or smell... on the other hand , 3 wrongs don't make a left.

[@Bryan_Kay]

The man's who entire routine was "i dont understand the question". Classic!

[@jeffallcock4561]

Very, very funny man. LOL.

[@whyyeseyec]

Irwin Corey died in 2017 at the ripe old age of 102!!

[@rosedaddona4262]

Grand Fenwick is a reference to the film the mouse that roared.

[@MistrX44444]

Reminds me of somebody. Can't quite put my finger on it.

[@GeorgeEvans-z6v]

He reminds me of Kamala Harris. Maybe he wrote her speeches!!! He was a treasure!

[@jimspy1001]

Really? Didja see Trump's response to the child-care question? Nuff said.

[@nestlesnipes1893]

​@@jimspy1001 but but but but but Trump! 🍼

[@robertmcelwaine7024]

Guy looks like he just stepped out of a TARDIS lol

[@mitchellkarera]

2:50 "...and Grand Fenwick is next." Ha! (Google it)

[@kamuelalee]

I just did, quite interesting!

[@TobynJacobs]

5:34 my mom everytime i come home

[@TheSesilye]

They had to turn the lights on he couldnt see dang it

[@djdavehoff]

He is hilariously weird. That was great

[@jamescogan548]

Humor is key to longevity.

[@bobbymiranda366]

Sometimes this guy loses his act and talks normal and you can tell he’s just an actor but it’s pretty funny what was the question LOL just saying Miranda out

[@martm216]

British fan here. Very funny guy. May I recommend also a kind of British equivalent if I can put it in those obsufacatory aspective emphatic terms, the wonderful Professor Stanley Unwin, also available on Utube.

[@johnnyb7105]

this guys a Genius!

[@sunshinegran]

He always was. May he RIP.

[@bellavia5]

He really makes you wonder if he's actually half baked .

[@thomasbrown3325]

He was *always* baked. Bro enjoyed his reefer and could do his act high.

[@bellavia5]

@@thomasbrown3325 I doubt that. To act that off kilter you have to be real sharp.

[@thomasbrown3325]

@@bellavia5 He is real sharp! So sharp that he can do his act high.

[@bellavia5]

@@thomasbrown3325 I DISagree.

[@crooning4leftovers125]

One of a brilliant kind!

[@Jamaicafunk]

However!....

[@timbrady6473]

A little bit of Keith Richards without the British accent .

[@bigpardner]

Wasn't he a regular on Hollywood Squares?

[@thomasbrown3325]

The disconnect between Irwin and Dave is sad to watch. Irwin is doing what had worked for him on previous talk shows--and killing with it. Meanwhile Dave is irked that Irwin is not paying him enough attention. Dave has a point, but you have to let the genius do his thing. It's unfortunate that Dave never forgave Irwin and never invited him back. Irwin blamed the blacklist, which was untrue but more kind of him than stating the obvious--Dave was holding a grudge against him for really no good reason at all.

[@dongiller]

Dave wanted to have a conversation with him, and instead Corey just continued with his act, responding with word salad after word salad. That’s what “irked” Dave, and he saw no point having him back on.

[@thomasbrown3325]

@@dongiller Yes, that's how I saw it also. Brother Theodore would just do his act too, but he would face Dave and talk to him while doing the act. Irwin didn't give Dave his due, and paid the price.

[@purefoldnz3070]

Young Dave looks a bit like Michael Shannon.

[@NickStewart-mh4th]

I love this man.

[@BakedNConfused]

2:42 almost said what the fyxk What was the question again?

[@simonmorris4226]

I’ve only just come across this guy purely by accident. Hysterically funny!

[@eddypauly22]

he had me when he bowed in front of the chair ! Plucking funny !

[@harveymushman2219]

beyond real...