Jackie Gleason - You're in the Picture ("Apology" episode) [part 1 of 2]

[@peterwilson2591]

This apology program was one of Gleason's greatest performances. An hour, pretty much ad-libbed, showing Gleason at his unbridled best. I am amazed at the ease in which he just talks about what happened with some really funny observations. An amazing hour which few other performers could pull off.

[@cuda426hemi]

An hour? 📺

[@ConwayBob]

@@cuda426hemi -- It was 30 minutes, but it probably felt like an hour to Mr. Gleason.

[@marioignar4263]

Well considering there probably was more commercials

[@PleaseNThankYou]

I would go so far as to say NONE of the current "talents" we have can ad lib anything, ESPECIALLY an apology. We can turn to Academy award shows for examples.

[@hotrox2112]

@@PleaseNThankYou "Touché Sweetheart" Jackie is a Top Shelf Legend.

[@WB8BRA]

Jackie Gleason,, one of greatest for sure . I am 82 year young and watched all the greats and nothing these days even comes close this wonderful greats. Black and white TV and bad ass smoking ads. What a great time had by all watching on a 12 inches TV tube.

[@FirstLast-nt6hu]

and watching that little 12” black and white TV was GREAT!!!

[@lphillips]

@@FirstLast-nt6hu No doubt right after you walked to work and back home uphill both ways in the snow without shoes…

[@David-yw2lv]

Gleason showed immense integrity by admitting the show bombed and apologizing to viewers.

[@edwardgervasi6311]

The likes of this genius will never step foot on this earth again. God bless you Jack.

[@patthebiff]

Lest anyone think Mr. Gleason was speaking profanely, a "two inch salute" is old timey speak for a firecracker, an M-100 specifically.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I thought a French salute

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

Ahhh got it, thanks

[@quakers200]

The good old days a cup of booze a cloud of smoke trademark jokes and away we go!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

the cup of booze was actually an in-joke, it’s a jab at the show’s sponsor who pulled their ads for the show: Cock Full O Nuts coffee

[@PleaseNThankYou]

I still enjoy a cup of booze, a cloud of smoke, and trademark jokes. Often and easygoing.

[@joebiggs4387]

Jackie was known for his drinking. He even admitted that it didn’t work for everyone, but it worked well for him! 😊

[@hotrox2112]

@@joebiggs4387 Johnny Carson brought me here!

[@joebiggs4387]

@@PleaseNThankYou when I think about a glass of booze and a ring of smoke, Dean Martin always comes to mind for me! And why wouldn’t he? He was a classic, a legend!

[@TVsMrNeil]

3:12 This is an obscure reference today, but Jackie's remark about being aboard a Portuguese cruise is in reference to the hijacking of the Santa Maria, which took place the same day as the airing of You're In The Picture.

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

I figured the specific reference to a Portuguese ship and the loud laughter had to be for a topical reason. Thanks!

[@d.aardent9382]

Thanks for the reference, that does make it funnier knowing what he was talking about exactly.

[@thegatheringonzoom8552]

I just looked it up ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_hijacking

[@thedoddio3916]

Thank you for the explanation. I didn’t understand the reference.

[@geoffvids1965]

Jackie Gleason. "The Great One." He could do no wrong, but when he did... he goes and does this. He was a remarkably talented man. I just saw the Carson episode which brought me here. I am as floored as I am sure the shows producers were. Ths is truly incredible!

[@shivasirons6159]

Saw the Carson show last night, algorithms are impressive!

[@linsqopiring6816]

@@shivasirons6159 Same here, after the carson show last night this gets recommended. They are indeed.

[@highwayman8180]

Same here!

[@JJDW-ku8yf]

Me too just now!

[@TJ-kk5zf]

Gleason was class embodied

[@jimringomartin]

There has never and will never exist an entertainer that could sit for an hour and entertain a huge audience unscripted. THE GREAT ONE! Indeed

[@sprezzaturarrd]

I wished the description had included that this was January 27, 1961 - a week after the first show. Jackie's next episode of the show is brilliant. How many actors would own up to disastrous shows they've created. Too bad politicians weren't this honesty.

[@SAMZIRRA]

I feel so lucky I walked the Earth while this man was still alive. He was absolutely adored by so many people, and was truly a comedic treasure.

[@Mark-pp7jy]

"A Portuguese ship". Hilarious! Some of the best memories of my life, watching Jackie Gleason with my parents! Thanks Mom and Dad! ❤

[@TJWhite-pl6gt]

Aha, now I FINALLY understand Joel Hodgson's goofy-voiced "Ooooh hooo! That's good booze!" lines from MST3k. 🙂

[@leescarbrough2621]

Gleason was my dad's hero I miss those days

[@SAMZIRRA]

The art of storytelling is the most powerful talent a human can produce.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Hear hear!

[@wakeupamericaandresist2413]

Man the old days, I remember Saturday night watching The Jackie Gleason show right after Red Skeleton show , and as kid it could not get any better😂😂

[@brucedavidsmith4206]

I agree!! Nothin’ but the good OL’ days!

[@Ctrl-XYZ]

Red "Skeleton"? Scary!

[@akrenwinkle]

One of us is remembering wrong. I recall JG started off the Saturday's prime time line-up with his show at 7:30 to 8:30. Red Skelton, as I recall it, was Tuesday nights 8:30 to 9:30. Neither show ever budged.

[@70sleftover]

@@Ctrl-XYZ I always called him Red "Skeleton" as a kid, so I can see anyone making the mistake!

[@David-yw2lv]

Gleason was on every Saturday night in my household for eight years.

[@TagCavello]

Been trying to find this for years. Thank you so much for posting.

[@AlexZafer]

This is the kind of weekly show Gleeson should have done. Monologues, jokes and stories told from an arm chair. It would have been a huge hit.

[@jasonbeard4713]

That's what happened. The rest of the season, Gleason had an interview show. One week, he chatted with Art Carney.

[@fromthesidelines]

His guests were mostly friends and cronies, including Mickey Rooney, Jayne Mansfield, Georgie Jessel, Bobby Darin and Gordon & Sheila MacRae. However, L&M "bought" another series to replace Jackie's informal talk/interview program at the end of March 1961- Roald Dahl's "WAY OUT". James T. Aubrey, CBS' president {and a bully at times}, was *not* fond of Jackie or his programs. When the series ended, Aubrey told fellow executive Oscar Katz, "You got him out of your system"- as though Gleason were a virus or deadly disease. Of course, when he became successful with his next weekly variety show the following year, Aubrey had to grin and bear it- but "The Smiling Cobra" still felt Jackie wasn't a "star" as far as he was concerned.

[@paulhunt4690]

An Irishman did just that and it was huge. Look up Dave Allen!

[@MrJoeybabe25]

@@jasonbeard4713 I would really like to see the talk format that Jackie did over the next several weeks. I wonder if those shows exist anywhere?

[@Sincopare]

@@paulhunt4690goodness that man could tell a joke!

[@BTURNER1961]

Absolutely riveting. He's right we never saw something like this before, and have not seen anything like this since. This is, in effect a one man live performance show, but instead of 8 months of preparation, writing, direction etc, involving a broad swathe of talent and all that sweat equity, Gleason had one week to produce this one man show based on a premise that was less than 7 days old. Nobody, I can think of, can do this. Nobody! He did not just 'get away with it', he triumphed in it.

[@KingfishStevens-di9ji]

Look up ''Queen for a day'' worst show ever.

[@jamesterry1927]

I’m here after watching Johnny Carson interview Jackie

[@tomm2271]

Hello from Ohio. Same here my friend!

[@David-yw2lv]

Johnny saw the writing on the wall when he opted out of this show

[@JJDW-ku8yf]

Helloo from NYC me too!

[@shannonbruno2662]

Great video. Made my Day! "Navy Blues",one of my favorite pictures,saw Mr. Gleason at Toots Shore's, his favorite waterring hole and my old boss Mr. Warner at 666th 5th. Great memories.RIP guys!

[@shivasirons6159]

Saw jackie on Johnny Carson last night talking about this very show, wow! Algorithms are impressive!

[@tertommy]

Spooky, me too. Gleason's chain smoking is a thing of beauty, a lost art.

[@marciapotts7411]

My Mom smoked L & Ms - they were so terrible - we wouldn't steal them

[@imfpredicts]

I've heard of this as a legend and now I have finally seen it. Thank you.

[@jeffreyosborn]

He was a genius in knowing his audience. There will never be another…

[@ISpitHotFiyaa]

He's got me sold. I'm heading out to buy L&M cigarettes right now.

[@robertszvetics210]

NAHH HAVE A REAL CIGARETTE HAVE A CAMEL.

[@jenningsjennings2051]

Amen Camel royals my favorite no other cigarettes like them ​@@robertszvetics210

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

This is real comedy genius on display. Mostly extemporaneous with no real script and he was just naturally funny talking to the audience.

[@JediPhoenix1976]

"This is a new coffee called Chock Full O' Booze!" So much for that Try Not To Laugh challenge...😆😆😆

[@JediPhoenix1976]

This has got to be one of the best stand-up performances I've ever seen. Holy crap. 😆

[@hotrox2112]

Damn! Your right... this Legend is killing it!

[@boshane123]

Gleason was definitely THE GREATEST!

[@df5295]

This has got to be one of the greatest moments in TV history! 🤣

[@gregwatson8219]

Great One at his most honest

[@gregwatson8219]

Disturbed how he smokes though

[@fromthesidelines]

He was a smoker, make no mistake about it. In the 1960's, one of the primary sponsors of his variety show was Philip Morris [Marlboro, Benson & Hedges, et. al.]- and *they* appreciated his smoking on camera as well. And that smoking habit contributed to his death in 1987.

[@70sleftover]

@@gregwatson8219 Smoking was pervasive when I was a kid in the late '60s and '70s, but at least TV toned it down when government regs limited its advertisement in 1971. As with Mr. Gleason, smoking ended up shortening both my parents' lives.

[@paulchamberlain3359]

The sheriff on Smokey the bandit it's just simply classic masterpiece

[@dekelanson5280]

I love his little spiel about L&M cigarettes as he smokes. Times sure have changed.

[@PolishGypski]

old school legend

[@steelers6titles]

This is, possibly, the most famous bad-program apology in TV history. Gleason is hilarious in telling his audience (or what was left of it) exactly what he thought of this dud. He went on to even more success, of course. His Saturday-evening series from Miami Beach (in which he revived "The Honeymooners") was a big hit.

[@AquaFan1998]

Hell they used the rest of the contract to revive a popular show he hosted to fill the rest of the time slots so he was still kept in work for them 😂

[@David-yw2lv]

No other apology program was ever done that I know of.

[@steelers6titles]

@@David-yw2lv There may have been.

[@yowzephyr]

Now THIS is turning lemons into lemonade.

[@thepunditspundit1776]

Jackie was so good that he could tell the audience he was hanging with Arnold Palmer, then straight on a boat in Portugal, and still come off like an every man that could hang at your bar and tell stories

[@timswartz4520]

Excellent!!!

[@mitch4527]

Jackie Gleason was so incredibly talented, he was able to fill the entire time slot with an ad-libbed monologue bashing his own show and talking about his life and still be a hit.

[@benvye4279]

With no rehearsals, and live. Nobody could do that today

[@ccrider00]

A GREAT POOL PLAYER LEARNED YOUNG

[@mrmjb1960]

One night on Carson's "Tonight Show",Gleason was reminded of this show,and Gleason winced,saying "Oh God,No!" Laughing at it! Carson also mentioned He was in a Never Aired Episode!

[@realretrorelapse]

Yeah Carson was supposed to be on the panel but quit lol

[@jameshoran8]

Carson's Art Fern was Jackie's Reginald Van Gleason.

[@zanti4132]

​​@@realretrorelapse Curiously, in the Tonight Show episode where Jackie Gleason was a guest, Carson reminisces about his time on "You're in the Picture" as if he appeared as one of the panelists, along with Arthur Treacher, Jan Sterling, and Matt Kamen. However, the episode that aired did not include Carson or Kamen as panelists. Appearing instead were Pat Carroll and Pat Harrington. There are reasons to believe there was not a second episode with Carson that never aired. The most obvious reason is the show was live. Also, when the panelists showed up for the second episode, they were told there wouldn't be a game show - this is the evening Gleason did his famous Apology Episode. We can probably believe Pat Carroll's recollection of what happened: That Carson appeared for one rehearsal, then disappeared and was never seen again on the set.

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

This guy ... was Goooooood! Sheer Genius. This is why he will forever be known as "The Great One".

[@davidcook3116]

Been a fan of The Great One all my life. I had seen this legendary episode of television in segments, but not some of these moments. How sweet it is! Thanks for sharing. 😆

[@wakeupamericaandresist2413]

Jackie was king back in the day ✌️✌️😂😂

[@Koldeman]

This is class. Gleason never took his audiences for granted &, despite the objections from the CBS brass, he felt an obligation to spend his air time explaining, apologizing, & making amends for the wildly unpopular turkey he hosted the week prior. His charm & charisma elevated this little moment into a TV gem. There was no pointing fingers or attempting to spin it, he simply walked on an empty soundstage w/orchestra & stagehands in the shadows, sat down, had a sip of good "coffee", & told his audience what happened & in the process, made the audience feel like they've experienced this right along with him, as though we were all participants of a remarkable debacle. Years later, Gleason made his first appearance on the 'Tonight Show' & reminisced about this because one of the guest panelists was Johnny Carson.

[@mikesmuseum]

He did everything. He wrote some beautiful music arrangements with his orchestra. He also starred in a movie called 'Gigot', in which Gleason plays a deaf mute. I was moved to tears. He will always be "the great one".

[@philiphatfield5666]

I always admired his honesty. He drank and smoked as much as he wanted to and wasn't apologetic about it and he didn't regret any of it, yet he still lived to age 71.

[@stormbringercoming8105]

I agree that he was an amazing talent, but when it came to the music, he pretty much lent his name, and that was it. At least that’s what I’ve read. That’s not to denigrate his incredible talent, but to be honest.

[@memonk11]

He didn’t write any music. Anything attributed to him was ghost written.

[@medes5597]

​@@memonk11never been proven. Some of those who've been credited with ghost writing his material have adamantly insisted that they didn't and Jackie wrote the whole thing. Others have said they co-wrote with him. Some have said he was credited with it because he paid for the sessions. It is true he had musical talent in some way, he has some very early compositions credited to him before he had the money or power for ghost writers.

[@judithhaney]

He was very intelligent and that formed the basis of every thing he did in show business. Also, he was a very nice man and his kind disposition is always evident in his interviews.

[@RickyPisano]

Jackie was THE MAN!!

[@petervance6777]

Watching him was always so amazing .. no one else could thumb their nose at the network like that..🐽

[@mullholand]

One of the best videos on KZbin.... Gleason was a class act from day one and I know he got a lot of grief for doing this. They didn't want him to do this apology but man I sure am glad he did! Now if we can get news channesl to do the same thing.

[@linapagliari8003]

Jackie a class act 😁🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@beeenn649]

Jjackie played it straight to the American public.

[@ypaulbrown]

yesterday I watched the one time Jackie was on Carson in 1985, and they talked of this, so cool to see it pop up the next day.....

[@mikemaselli1568]

They don't call him "The Great One" for nothing! Miss ya Pal.

[@ChristopherGreenwell]

@2:58 he talks about Arnold Palmer hitting a "12" in a golf tournament. That took place at the Los Angeles Open Tournament held at Rancho Park Golf Club in West LA - January 6, 1961. Arnold was voted Golfer of the year and professional athlete of the year, but took a 12 on the 18th hole of the course that day!

[@billvalley8698]

5 to 6 packs of cigarettes a day and lived to 71.

[@michaelmcclellan6944]

A great performance by the great one

[@michaelcalcina1446]

Amazing video.

[@bradburks696]

The Great One. He was soooo good. RIP

[@Erie_cutie]

This is just brilliant from an incredibly talented artist..I love his comments about how great “the coffee “ is!!!😂😂😂😂

[@movieman9100]

God Bless Jackie Gleason.

[@MrDuds1984]

This was discussed in Jackie’s only appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson because Carson was on the show the previous week.

[@oldsoulshow]

This is awesome! I never knew about the show or the apology. My Dad loved Jackie Gleason and I can still remember watching the Miami Beach show of the earl 60s.

[@ghost_rider221]

Ahh back in the good old days when they had cigarette commercials lol..try that today

[@Loyster14]

Wow that's good coffee !

[@davidvalensi8616]

Early in life he had a tough family life, so he made the world his family.

[@mr.zondide2746]

Too true

[@whackamolechamp]

That's deep, well said!

[@AlanStransman]

I remember watching the original episode and this follow-up live, as a child. I seem to recall it being on a Friday night. The scene of Gleason sitting in a chair talking to the audience was unforgettable....

[@davidlarson9975]

I remember watching this too. My parents were Gleason fans and this show didn't hurt Jackie one bit. I do doubt that Jackie smoked L&M. My mom smoked L&M because they were "mild." Jackie never consumed anything "mild."

[@chrisnalina1755]

Probably had better picture quality when you saw it. This is a kinescope.

[@70sleftover]

@@davidlarson9975 I was thinking the same - I recall one female friend of the family smoking L&Ms. But back when it was a mainstream habit in my childhood, there were so many brands and grownups seemed to each smoke a different one.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

I saw the interview Jackie did on the Tonight Show, where Johnny brought this up. Glad to see it.

[@WoodsPrecisionArms]

No actor has that kind of integrity and clout. No actors today could even fathom this type of integrity

[@alanjay35]

Absolutely Awesome

[@kingsnivy]

The first apology video

[@kimberlysmith579]

Ooooh that’s good coffee ☕️ I remember my mother and her sisters, (my aunts) talking about him and how much money he made. I think he lived in Miami Beach Florida. His intro was by moonlight skimming across beach . “I think 🤔” I was only 4.

[@fromthesidelines]

Yes! JOHNNY OLSON: "From the 'sun 'n' fun' capital of the world, MIAMI BEACH.......we bring you------- *'THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW'!!!!!"*

[@lja6420]

So good, unreal talent

[@gkolpan1]

I saw this when it happened! Incredible.

[@georgegeranios2918]

I remember watching this as a kid. It was a singular moment in broadcast TV. No L&M's for me then.

[@Shastavalleyoutdoorsman]

You know I haven't smoked cigarettes since high school. but I could sure go for the full flavor of an L and M cigarette right now.🤣

[@franklee2683]

and thats why they pay millions to celebs to endorse products. Hell, millions stood in line to get vaxxed recently,coaxed by all the stars that swore by it Hmmm

[@PanAndScanBuddy]

Nah that stuff is for kids

[@thatoneslushieaddict]

This is amazing

[@samsomers2716]

I remember seeing this as a child when it was originally aired. In fact I remember seeing the "In The Picture" show. We never missed the Jackie Gleason Show on TV. He really was the Great One!

[@paulhunt4690]

Heard about this yesterday on a Carson interview. Praise to the algorithm gods.

[@thebiffer100]

In the world of hockey it was Wayne Gretzky "The Great One"....and Jackie Gleason is TRULY the GREAT ONE in the world of show biz. Does it get any better than this?

[@debbiewood3104]

How sweet Jackie was! Sorely missed!

[@truthmatters-jt5up]

Gleason had to DEMAND they let him do this. Brilliant.

[@fromthesidelines]

Originally telecast on January 27, 1961.

[@realretrorelapse]

I quit smoking after 20+ years. Ive been smoke free for about 4 years now. I haven't had 1 craving but I'll be damned if Gleesons L&M Cigarettes advertisement didn't make me crave a smoke like crazy! Hell of a salesmen lol

[@stevescontriano860]

I quit to about five years ago. It’s actually disgusting watching him smoke. And the smoke clouding up in front of his face. He always had to have a cigarette in his hand. Except in movies. Well he probably did there too.

[@realretrorelapse]

@@stevescontriano860 That is just the way it was. Smoking was a super common thing and TV hosts would smoke like crazy. Even Carson smoked on the tonight show for a while.

[@stevescontriano860]

Yeah I guess it was. L& M commercials. It killed Carson

[@GMDOCNICE]

In his 60 Minutes interview he said that he smoked five packs of cigarettes a day. That's a heck of a habit.

[@fromthesidelines]

Johnny often sneaked a few puffs during the commercial breaks, and always snuffed them before the show resumed.

[@johncopeland3826]

That was unrehearsed and completely off the top of The Great One's noggin ! He knew where he was going at all times ... He had a computer brain back in the '50's which could memorise any script to the punctuation marks !

[@wotan10950]

This brings back memories. My siblings and I loved Gleason; his variety show and The Honeymooners, of course. And the movies with Paul Newman and Tom Hanks. Isn't it strange to see the commercials for cigarettes? We all thought it was so sophisticated back then.

[@BongJabbar]

It goes to show how terrifying the first half of the 20th century probably was, especially those first few decades! Who could have predicted the fallout from Cigarette smoking ya know? So many were probably too busy worrying about dying in a war (mean no disrespect).

[@TWayneD1020]

Fantastic !! Thank you so much !!!

[@GJF118]

Alan Sherman described this broadcast in his memoir, "The Gift of Laughter." Sherman was the nominal producer of "You're in the Picture" (nobody produced Gleason except Gleason) and was fired after the first, disastrous broadcast.

[@jimringomartin]

Hello Mudda!😂

[@ronflatter1235]

3:14 Reference to the Santa Maria hijacking Jan. 22, 1961.

[@ericred3731]

Jackie was and is the best. Hands down no question.

[@mwilson70201]

One of the most honest men ever on tv. Bravo.

[@Kenny-ko4hj]

I keep watching this Jackie was the best...oh that's good.. lmao

[@paulsummers2640]

Too bad everyone doesn't have this credibility and honesty.

[@leftys408]

absolutely THE GREAT ONE.

[@stutzbearcat5624]

This is like a podcast! 😁

[@fringestream990]

Yes, true very modern feeling I get listening

[@willoneil1456]

The Great One ❤

[@mistervacation23]

I'll take a Diablo Samwich and a dr. Pepper make it fast I'm in a goddamn hurry

[@sherryhesner5940]

❤

[@jonpino3810]

He was the great one! Oh how sweet it is..

[@lelandfranklin3487]

Wow...turning a negative into a positive.

[@rentslave]

I saw this show live as a 10 year old.

[@voiceover-impressionist]

Is that the announcer that announced for Bob Barker on the Price is Right? Mr. Johnny Olson?