Sid Caesar on Letterman, November 1, 1982

[@jettrink7510]

A rare opportunity to see a dignified, highly intelligent, thoughtful, creative, gentleman.

[@January.]

AGREE

[@111Phoenix777]

So talented, articulate, quick witted, hilarious, comedic genius. He was operating on a completely different level from everyone else.

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

The most respectful interview Letterman ever did. Perfectly executed. Let Ceaser ramble, put him back on track with some "difficult" questions, digging for the dirt, the painful and interesting stuff Ceaser was happy to provide. Somewhat In awe of the man. In the presence of a comedy demi god.

[@January.]

AGREE

[@georgelustrea2912]

The greatest comedian with natural ability..no script ,no q cards, only talent.

[@evaldotiger4014]

No swearing, no bad mouthing... Pure genius!

[@philsooty5421]

How have I missed this guy all these years, he's hilarious!

[@kanealson5200]

Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner really did, whether by accident or design, invent modern comedy.

[@Clavers1369]

As opposed to the Monty Python team, who invented Ancient and Medieval Comedy. :)

[@kanealson5200]

@@Clavers1369 Ha ha. Well them too. AND Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Bill Cosby etc etc

[@NxDoyle]

You can't exclude Ernie Kovacs, nor can you ignore the main influence from across the pond, Spike Milligan, whose influence on the Pythons was critical in tracing the roots of 'modern comedy'.

[@kanealson5200]

@@NxDoyle Right, Ernie Kovacs, David Letterman's main influence. I also should have said American comedy. However we could go back to Laurel and Hardy, Marx Brothers, vaudeville, and then even Shakespeare. With all the influences, I'd still give a slight edge to Reiner, Brooks and Caesar from the 60's on. It's a shame that Carl Reiner just passed away last month as well.

[@cactaceous]

Woody Allen, America's most highly decorated and accomplished original screenwriter also worked writing with Mel and Carl and Neil Simon, possibly the most decorated and accomplished playwright of his generation, at the Your Show of Shows show with Sid Caesar.

[@modrevolve]

He would go on to host SNL a few months later and was treated like royalty. It was a beautiful thing to watch.

[@gerrymcguire7521]

What a comedy genius, the world will never see the likes of him! Chapels maybe

[@lengasparini2918]

he looks good, and full of energy. Hail Caesar!

[@ScottTreadway]

I wish this man was respected at the level he truly deserves... truly one of the most brilliant comedic performers of all time.

[@vincentconti3633]

Yes he was!

[@January.]

AGREE

[@93Jubilee]

I never realized, until watching this, how handsome Sid Caesar was! Such a brilliant "comic" isn't a good enough word for what he did.

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

I think the comedians of the early & mid '50s were all unusually handsome -- and Sid led the pack. He was truly someone you woulda noticed in a train station -- w/ that wavy black hair, tan complexion, and gorgeous blue eyes -- the man had it goin' on. Sad that he drank himself outta the best years of his career -- but I honestly think that's part of the price of genious. 'Hail, Caesar -- and thanks so much for the memories, Sir . . . .

[@jimtruscott5670]

As a chid and teenager Sid Caesar was the first comedic genius I watched on TV . In many ways he is still the standard for genius in comedy.

[@bobanderson2895]

Sid was a true comedic genius, and so was his partner Howie. Thank goodness we have you both on film so that others may appreciate your wonderful talent. God bless both of you. RIP ^^

[@vincentconti3633]

He was up there with Chaplin and Peter Sellers and few others!

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

My beloved "Mistah Sid" on Letterman @ his prime -- it doesn't get any better than this, folks!!!

[@mxbishop]

"Where Have I Been?" is an amazing story. For anyone who has suffered from addiction, or has a family member going through an addiction crisis, this book has some amazing psychological insights into the nature of the disease. Becoming friends with yourself, as a pathway to sobriety, is one the key themes explored in the book - among many others. Here's a guy who had everything, and then proceeded to destroy his career, his family, and friends - because of dark, unresolved issues, that were fantastically magnified by a chemical dependence. And yet, even after being lost for 20 years, he still found a way out, mostly using his own self-analysis techniques that he describes in detail in this book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the life of Sid Caesar, or the nature of addiction - or both.

[@FluentInfluence]

Damn. Thanks for the book title I just went down a rabbit hole and found Sid Caesar this very night. I’m currently undergoing a battle the likes of the late great Issac Sidney Caesar so therefore just reading a summary of it on Amazon gave me the chance to take on reading the book. I needed this. 🙏

[@mxbishop]

@@FluentInfluence Good luck to you.

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

Thanks so much for posting. Sid was my grandma's cousin -- and, while I never met him, I relate to him so much. I've suffered from addiction myself -- and all the "fears" that Sid expressed in his book really resonate w/ me. He was a remarkable man -- and wasn't he handsome?! (We always used to joke in our family that Alec Baldwin was his closest successor -- but didn't quite rival our man w/ the tan, black hair & gorgeous blue eyes . . . .)

[@Life.inthe.Matrix]

my dad resembled Sid Caesar. My Dad died when I was 4. I spent years thinking my Dad left us and went away to do tv and would one day just come back. Well myI mom always told me no but i thought she was lying because she was mean and she was the reason he left. Wow many years in therapy over that one. But to this day I love Sid like he was my Dad.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Sid Caesar and Little Richard are a lot alike. HUGE careers for a decade or two, and then they have to sit and watch while so many others copy them badly.

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

Cannot agree w/ you more. I was distantly related to Sid -- and Little Richard was my all-time favourite R&B artist. They were truegreats who peaked early -- and, yes, had to witness all their insufferable imitators. But, you know what? I draw inspiration from the fact that both gentlemen survived and enjoyed lives well lived even when they were no longer famous. So much of what they were the public never even knew about -- and for that I give them both the utmost credit . . ..

[@ericthatsme]

Yes! very good observation

[@isabelleon3360]

One of the Kings of Comedy...I remember one of the only a few skits...this is your life...I must have been 8 maybe...I laugh so hard my stomach ached and tears were falling form my eyes...the whole team all Kings💖

[@dolphe.chiarino6142]

IMO, the greatest comedian in my lifetime (70 years) & I started watching his show when I was 5 or 6 years old. He made everyone laugh no matter how old you were. Your Show of Shows was the fore runner to Saturday Night Live but as Sid states, SNL had much more leeway in subject matter and allowed topics and language. The problem was, they came up with a good idea but never pushed it far enough to make it an epic sketch. SNL has been on the air 45 years and there’s only a handful of sketches that are classic but YSOS was on the air for 6 years and almost most of those sketches are classic and still make you laugh until your belly hurts. Check out these classics on KZbin: The General, Boy at his 1st Dance, This is Your Story, Man at the Movies and so many more.

[@barrythomas7336]

You're right on all counts, but also the two comedy worlds intersected in the 1970s when SNL invited Sid Caesar to host SNL. He did such a great job that the SNL cast made Sid an honorary cast member.

[@michaelknapp8961]

The guy was a stud!! He was just a legend in comedy. Would have loved to have met him and picked his brain.

[@estoy1001]

Sid grew up in New York, and he waited tables when he was a kid, and he heard all the languages that were to be had, and memorized the rhythm of the languages, and was able to fake it so well, that if you didn't know him, you'd swear he was a polylinguist.

[@JavierLaughin]

Sid, what a guy, A REAL WHOLE, TRUTHFUL MAN...amazing sense of humor

[@sugarjoe50]

He was from Yonkers, NY. His dad ran a luncheonette where young Sid mimicked a lot of foreign dialects of the day (Italian, German, Polish, etc.) which he eventually used in his act. A comedy legend.

[@NealKanter]

Sid Caesar is truly the Brando of comedy!

[@mswobo23]

Dave in awe of the generation before him. One of his best.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Thank you for uploading this-- how this video can have only 200 views so far is beyond me!

[@dongiller]

I'm surprised by that, too. But folks will eventually find it, I think.

[@gailjarvis2592]

It's because everyone's at home with their I Pad watching porn. The world is inside out and no one reads or deigns to look at "old" TV; so much originated from Vaudeville...So much good stuff, great people, history. Sid Caesar. "This is your Life" satire, incredible. Howard Morris. - I did Neil Simon plays for years as a young actress, laughter and charm and romance. No filth. - I have to look at Sid's book. He looks handsome here. He changed physically several times over the years: metamorphosis. RIP.

[@magnificentfailure2390]

@What's My Line?, now that number is multiplied by a factor of 100, but it stll seems like it ought to have even more. Darn kids these days, don't know quality when they see it. Youth is wasted on the young! :D

[@kanealson5200]

Oh they'll find it. 30,645 more views.

[@lowbaritonewwj]

Sid is like 60 here.

[@tgfabthunderbird1]

"Where Have I Been" really helped me through depression, believe it or not. Sid's behavior during his alcohol and drug-fueled haze mirrored my own behavior, but I didn't need either to be that way! I ended up in the same position, asking myself if I would live or die. I chose the right one, and the application of Jung, and talking to oneself as explained in the book may have saved my life. My mom met Sid (both served in the Coast Guard) during the Second World War, and said he was very handsome and a very nice guy. Naturally hilarious, and so creative; thank you Sid, RIP.

[@bradthompsonuk2011]

Don;t forget, before there was Carol Burnett (comic heroine genius), there was Imogene Coca. Would be nice to see more of her sketches with Sid.

[@bradthompsonuk2011]

One of those available here on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXapapWGqN6csJo

[@Norvo82]

Imogene was brilliant :) And discovered by the equally legendary Fred DeCordova.

[@dsvideoWashington]

I used to love to see her on TV.

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

Imogene was in her early 40s during "Your Show of Shows," while Sid, Carl & "Howie" were all in their late 20s/early 30s. I actually think that added to the program's dynamic -- something about a petite, saucer-eyed middle-aged lady being so ably supported by a trio of young hunks (who all clearly adored her -- Sid, especially). It made for a very unusual -- but *highly* appealing --onscreen chemistry.

[@rf-bh3fh]

now it is 20,000 views. Look how young Letterman is, Sid a real treat to listen and watch.

[@Bill-cv1xu]

70,000 as of 7 8 2020

[@tmrezzek5728]

Sid Caesar was the best dialectician ever. Unbelievable how he could do any language and sound 99% exact.

[@kanealson5200]

He must have accidentally said a word or two that would pass as a real one in that language. I always wondered if that happened.

[@stephenkennedy8767]

And he mastered dividing up equal shares in Mad Mad Mad World

[@chrislee7132]

Letterman is on point. He did his research. Great interview. Well done!!!!

[@eddyspecter]

I played Sid in the play "Laughter on the 23rd Floor". Wonderful play!

[@howardkoor2796]

Sensational interview

[@Opheggie54]

He is a bit before my time talking about show of shows but clearly this man was brilliant

[@ginomacaluso3888]

this is enriching. thank you for uploading

[@Wendellignatin]

He and his team were comedic Gods

[@lasthour1961]

Watching with my dad live back in the day

[@UberLummox]

This was the year I graduated. Crazy to think he was working waaay back in th '40s and now I'm probably the same age as he is here. Like, wow man... : )

[@bdgrandin]

Wow what a legend.

[@howardkoor2796]

Sid was a wild man!

[@ryanellis4474]

What a legend

[@echopathy]

" The most we can do is fail. " I need to carry sentiment.

[@mesolithicman164]

A brilliant performer.

[@baberina1]

He seems very handsome!

[@reinacoffee8557]

A giant comedian!

[@studiomao9073]

What a nice and brilliant person, it is a shame that he didn't follow Mel brooks to LA for making movies together.

[@degsbabe]

Well...if some drug and booze crazed guy tries to throw you out of the window you might not want to work with them. But I think Mel could have done some good work with him. These comedy genius' are right on the edge.Ask Williams ,Belusi, Farley..

[@redinhodaflauta1269]

@@degsbabe Mr. Brooks explains it here acknowledging totally and sincerely his debt and admiration for the elder master - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2GwenpvjtyZfLs

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

Thanks for posting the link to that other interview. I've always been fascinated by the rapport between the brooding, introverted Sid & the restless, extraverted Mel -- which began when they were teenagers in the Catskills. I don't think either of them would've made it w/out the other -- and, indeed, they both acknowledged as much. They were almost like father & son. (Though Sid was only 4 years older, he gave Mel his start in "the business." And, later, Mel "returned the favor" by trying to help Sid when his career was on the skids -- and otherwise singing his praises right up till the end.) What touched me most about their relationship was that was nothing phony about it. They were just two guys who'd been through a heluva lot together & still loved one another, "warts & all."

[@johnstucko2740]

Sid and Steve Allen were the BEST!!

[@chrisjacksonuk]

it's a good book as well, a true legend

[@peterbland7227]

Wonderful person so glad he got sober.

[@SuperOlds88]

He looks awfully good for 60 years old.

[@sblack48]

He looks like a very tough guy. You wouldn’t want to mess with him

[@martinadrianarcenas867]

letterman seems so meek in this interview.. just like he is everytime he actually respects and admires his guests

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

never seen him so respectful, almost in awe of a guest. small wonder.

[@robertszvetics210]

ALL HAIL THE GREAT CAESAR

[@roseannbauer6351]

The likes of which, unfortunately, we will never see again.

[@Annie0415]

Sid Caesar one of the gems of Television. This kind of talent no longer exist.

[@Jameslopez5682]

Hello Annie how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family

[@CapnBlood]

"If you're at home use your T.V." Lol, Dave. 7:16

[@bobanderson2895]

I thought exactly the same thing, as if we had any other way of watching the clip.

[@Zanysatsuma]

LOVE this

[@rf-bh3fh]

Life is short.

[@numero9]

Sid does some sign language at 10:55. Looks pretty authentic and not just part of his routine. Anyone know what he's saying or if it's just gibberish?

[@1960taylor]

Genius....today is pure shit compared to Sid

[@nealhurwitz6340]

xoxoxo

[@DexterHaven]

Cancelled? Same with "The Dick Van Dyke Show" after it's first season. It got cancelled, then invited back after more reflection.

[@geniusmchaggis]

who KNEW that sid caesar could "speak in tongues"?

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Cid Caesar was a genius.

[@danwroy]

Thumbnail says it all don't it folks

[@user-xr8zo3vj9k]

Rising view numbers Yay The Students are Coming The Students are Coming

[@jnbfrancisco]

A show about nothing? George's idea on Seinfeld ?

[@brewer921]

I had Colecovision.

[@baberina1]

I think it was really UN classy of Dave to ask Sid questions about the bad periods in his life. It felt like he was exploiting him.

[@dongiller]

Questions that Sid ok’d with the segment producer before the show.

[@baberina1]

@@dongiller still doesn't sound right. Even if it is true.

[@linksjerrylikes]

I agree those questions should have been out of bounds. Why? It could not have been comfortable to revisit that and at the end Caesar appeared to object to the line of questioning. But Caesar shined anyway.

[@andrewoverhere8525]

anyone know the name of the movie he's referring to? the one shot in australia?

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

"Barnaby & Me."

[@vantheman1234]

Sid was a dude

[@htwa]

doesn't make any difference after 2 XD

[@thomasthornton5737]

😀😀😀

[@brianberek]

I love both these gentlemen. But this was uncomfotable

[@royalsfan]

Show #138 of LNDL, right?

[@dongiller]

+Stuart Allard Yup.

[@royalsfan]

+Don Giller So, was it produced on 11/1 and aired 11/2?

[@dongiller]

Stuart Allard Taped 11/1 at 5:30 PM ET; aired 7 hours later.Despite the 12:30 am ET air time, the show date for this remains November 1.

[@DansEarway]

Avalanche!

[@gerrymcguire7521]

Chappele

[@massagetherapyforinjuriesf8197]

my favorite.. My God!!!!

[@clownnookie]

WoW. He was only 60 here.