SID CAESAR: Break Your Brains [SPOOF] (CAESAR'S HOUR, Apr 16 1957)

An absolutely hilarious sketch spoofing the big money game shows of the 1950s, co starring Carl Reiner and Pat Carroll. This is brilliantly written, and brilliantly performed. Sid Caesar's ability to spout of so much specific, technical dialogue in his answers is amazing, especially since there's no evidence at ALL that he's reading cue cards. Carl Reiner keeps the entire sketch moving along at the right pace, not as showy a part, of course, but just as brilliantly performed.
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[@kenm7179]

First time ever seeing this skit. The energy, acting, and writing- just brilliant, and hilarious.

[@sidcaesaryourshowofshowsca2250]

Glad you enjoyed it. If you've ever seen any of those 50s quiz shows, you recognize what a wonderful parody this is. And how Sid managed to reel off that much information so quickly in one of his answers, I'll never know. As wgw points out above, there's no indication he's using cue cards--he felt they removed actors from the sketch and the other players--and I don't think he could have read them that fast even if he had been! ---kjh

[@poetcomic1]

Scary that they week after week the had to grind out an our of funny skits, bits and fun. It was GRUELING and they were amazing.

[@user-ws1qf7ol4k]

Wow...i just wrote practically the same words three years later. Busting my gut laughing!

[@user-ws1qf7ol4k]

​@@sidcaesaryourshowofshowsca2250awesome...thank You!!!!!!!

[@johnnyaa]

They just don't come close anymore to making shows like this. I grew up watching Sid Caesar and still have a laughing fit no matter how many times I see these skits.

[@ericascott5117]

How the hell did he talk so fast?? It boggles the mind! Sid Caesar was amazing.

[@robbernath]

0:20 - "Poop-a-trol" is hysterical. 😂

[@Brace67]

Comedian Pat Carrol played the housewife contestant who was unsuccessful. One of the gags about the guy walking around in his underwear in NYC was based on an actual quiz program in which there was an “outside event” going on at the same time as a contestant was vying for money. If the person doing the “outside event” accomplished his task, the contestant lost. One I remember was that it had to do with a large ring filled with keys and the guy doing the outside event was trying to find the correct key to open a lock. If he finally found the right key and opened the lock, the contestant was through. I think the show was hosted by Robert Q. Lewis and may have called “Dollar A Second”. It was very popular.

[@wumpyinc1]

Astounding. All done LIVE.

[@tonynicholas5539]

Best sitcom ever

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Kudos to these two men for doing all that for such a long time, 17 minutes. I'm exhausted after just watching them. Phenomenal. How talented and amazing! Plus, we have Pat Carroll (she played the voice of a certain curvy sea witch in 1989) as another contestant.

[@user-ws1qf7ol4k]

I have never seen this. It is hilarious!!! Incredible

[@RSEFX]

WOW! Holy Cow! Holy Moley!... I mean, if you have to turn to quoting the old Captain Marvel it's gotta be something out-of-the-ballpark hilarious-crazy! Never saw this skit...or if I did when it was first on it Broke My Brain! Truly inspired madness, satirizing the quiz-show obsession going on at the 3 networks at the time! They sure went for it! Again, Holy Moley (and/or Cows etc etc) !! Thanks so much!!

[@loveoldmovies2249]

I wonder if this TV skit was inspired by the very funny CHAMPAGNE FOR CAESAR movie that was made a few years earlier (which was a spoof about a TV quiz show, etc.)

[@cybrarian9]

Thank you for giving me that film's title "Champagne for Caesar." I saw it as a child, but could not remember the the film's title 40-some years later. The very end of the film is a lulu. Here it is online: ok.ru/video/334646479523

[@RSEFX]

That also crossed my mind. It must be a combination of that movie and all the zillion quiz shows that tv was so crazy about at the time (as I well remember) that inspired this utter madness!

[@hebneh]

Presumably broadcast before the quiz show scandals, in which it was revealed that a number of real nighttime programs like one in this satire were fixed. Favored contestants were given answers ahead of time to insure they wouldn't be disqualified and would thus remain on the shows, meaning that viewers would continue to watch regularly to see how they'd do. All this did not end well.

[@ThankGodImBlack370]

Watching old TV makes you realize just how many pair of fake ones are on TV now.

[@RSEFX]

This ranks up there with Steve Allen's legendary Prickly Heat Telethon spoof, and SCTV's Sammy Maudlin-Bobby Bitman-Johnny LaRue Golden SCTV-Benefit Fund Raiser!!

[@briandressel1344]

Wayzata oh lord.

[@lionessatthegate]

Take it or win it, ha ha

[@RSEFX]

One of the ladies at the "question board" looks a lot like Janet Blair, but I can't imagine they'd put her in such a tiny part as she was very popular at the time.

[@weirdbeard63]

Janet Blair was a cast member for the 1956-1957 season. Her film career had long since ended and her popularity had waned.

[@RSEFX]

@@weirdbeard63 Ah, yes, I was able to find some of the Janet Blair episodes of CAESAR'S HOUR on ye old YT. Thanks for pointing that out. Funny I didn't remember her being on that show! Even as a kid I liked her, and I DO remember watching that show (I was and still am a HUGE fan of Sid Caesar and company). Of course,, I guess I recall Nanette Fabray more clearly.

[@900milesfromnormal3]

Who is playing the female contestant?

[@sidcaesaryourshowofshowsca2250]

Pat Carroll--who is still with us at age 93! ---kjh

[@typhoon2minerva]

Wow never thought shes the voice of Ursula in little mermaid

[@tonynicholas5539]

Best sitcom ever

[@tonynicholas5539]

Best sitcom ever

[@tonynicholas5539]

Best sitcom ever

[@tonynicholas5539]

Best sitcom ever