Sid Caesar - The German General

[@norencenelson8111]

In 1954 this was on TV. I remember laughing so hard I fell on the floor. Cid Caesar and Howie Morris worked and fit like hand in glove.

[@tomc8888]

Maybe the best TV comedy sketch ever. Everything clicks here, and Caesar and Morris are both brilliant. Still holds up 7 decades later.

[@johnnyev1]

Rest In Peace Sid Caesar. A true comedy genius. A television pioneer. I met him in 1982 when he signed his book "Where Have I Been?" for me. He was such a gentleman to me. Such a priceless memory for me.

[@KabutoSolo3]

4:49 “Und das medal for der 50 yard dash?” I hope people are still watching this because it’s pure gold 😂

[@ashbell1046]

IIGlockedII.....this skit is pure fucking genius. My jaw drops to the floor every time I watch it. I just watched an interview hosted by Charlie Rose with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks as the guests. Reiner said that Sid Caesar was the indisputable master of “fake-language-double-speak” and this clip verifies it without a doubt. The trick is that all the punchlines have to be either in clear English, or in a pidgeon English sufficiently discernible enough to carry the joke. To me, Sid Caesar usually came off as a “too over the top” throwback to the vaudevillian tradition, but this sketch blows my biases out of the water. And the ULTIMATE punchline... that the “general” is little more than a hotel concierge has a particularly “Jewish Schadenfreude” sting to it. What a joy to behold!

[@ashbell1046]

Love the Yiddish spin on that punchline. And “epaulet tickelin” is pure comedy gold. It’s SO obvious that Mel Brooks wrote that sketch. I think he was 20 when he joined the writing staff of The Show Of Shows. His style is ALL over this segment.

[@KabutoSolo3]

I think i’ve seen this interview, and it’s true, without a doubt. It’s convincing enough to think it’s a real language until he speaks a little english, which makes it even funnier

[@solomonz2821]

Still watching this even now!

[@Gypsyqueen-lt7tq]

By today's standards, Sid was definitely of the Vaudeville tradition. But, back in the day,, he was an avante garde force moving entertainment forward. He reminds me of the Jews in my own family-- trying to do our best by everybody and not catering to certain groups. I've read several interviews with Sid, and that seemed to be his modus operandi. He was proud of being Jewish, but wanted to entertain everyone without making anyone feel like they weren't privy to the joke. He was a true mensch that way.

[@lucindagaskill4519]

since youtube, it became apparent that Sid Caesar was a genius.one of my Father's favorite

[@charlesalber]

My favorite comedian. Sid was a genius!

[@alloftheclassics]

What I love about Conan is he brings attention to all these classics and clearly appreciates his comedy predecessors.

[@writereducator]

This sketch is 59 years old and hilarious!

[@petersteman6557]

So is your mother.

[@intertwinedswastikainmatin6548]

And that's fucking spectacular....LMAO

[@jfuzz9083]

What these guys did week after week for years, LIVE in front of millions of people is astounding ... there has never been anything like it before or since. The era of live television was special and its performers unique ... and Sid and his team were among the best.

[@Kinja98]

This was great. But what about A&C Who’s on First?

[@jfuzz9083]

@@Kinja98 Yes,The Colgate Comedy Hour ... another great live show. In my opinion it was among A&C's best work because they were working with a live audience.

[@robertaferugheli4957]

This program was created and acted by a group of comedic geniuses. It never gets old.

[@rulegm]

I have been looking for this sketch most of my life. I'm 32 and I remember watching it when I was about 4 years old. I had no idea what they were saying, but I remember enjoying it because of the acting. I didn't know how to even begin searching for this sketch, even as of today. I happened to have my tv on Conan O'Brien on TBS just now, but I had it on mute. Mel Brooks was a guest. I looked at the tv by chance and I saw that this skit was on. I fuckin' jumped up from my chair and recorded some of it with my phone. Thankfully, Mel Brooks said the name of the skit. I'm so glad that I have found this. This truly brings back the memory I had of it. And it is still funny. I'm still in total shock right now. YEAH!

[@author7027]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX_FhWyCm56rkNE i like this one more

[@goa5373]

awesome man!

[@pj101]

Never seen it until Mel Brooke's mentioned in in a conan show. I get your unticipation!!!!

[@kennymos9007]

First time seeing it.

[@jason60chev]

This sketch is included in a video called, "Ten from Your Show of Shows"

[@54pserra]

Just brilliant, on so many levels. When I want a break from work, sometimes I'll watch this. Thanks for posting it.. RIP Sid. What a force.

[@1949kf]

I remember the "Show of Shows" TV show with Cid Caeser and Imogene Coca back in the 1950's.It was without a doubt the absoute best ever Comedy show then and now. Timeless comedy genius

[@soleiux]

My mom just fell out laughing at this clip. She talks about it all the time. Great Valentine's Day gift to her!

[@lasthour1961]

I saw this on TV when I was a little girl My mother never watched. This was my dad's and my favorite show back then. He was so funny my dad, I mean he would laugh so hard it made me laugh. I loved Ceasar, Howie Morris Carl Reiner and Imogen Coca

[@Madarua1]

Proves you CAN be funny without swearing. RIP Sid.

[@jameshudson169]

didn't hear what he said when he pinched his finger with the sword?

[@spind]

Exactly !

[@tishtashtishtash]

I don’t know about you, but I heard a lot of swearing in pidgin German

[@krisscanlon4051]

Howie Morris 😂 irreplaceable plus those kids in the hall😂

[@luishumbertovega3900]

The ending is bittersweet, beautifully done and still funny, love this !!!

[@lindalucys2004]

RIP Mr Sid Cesaer ... you made me laugh SO much, and your skits with Imogene Coco were also fabulous. You were an amazing talent, that today's generation has never seen. Love KZbin so we can share and enjoy for years to come! I haven't been listening to the news today whilst at work and didn't know.

[@humnmum]

They actually expected the TV audience to have some passing familiarity with high culture, historical references, and the art of elegant schtick. You actually had to pay attention to every line. Even then, we all knew we were witnessing a genius. And the rest of the cast was right there with him. Thank God and Edison that we were able to record this for posterity.

[@jason60chev]

"Brushen the Prussian"!

[@verity3616]

Really makes you wonder how many brilliant performers there were in vaudeville and the early 1900s we will never get to see though. We are indeed lucky for the ones that DID get recorded.

[@George-rb6bv]

Genius. Today is nothing but garbage by comparison. I'm 58 but I really should have been born in the late 40s. It would have better matched my personality. I grew up in the 70s though so iť was àn incredible time to grow up in. It was the last of the good times when the world felt ĺike it still had meaning. Kids still played in the neighborhood streets, every channel on tv had amazing shows and movies to watch, people still cared more about each other, kids still respected their parent's, elders and teachers, families ate together, our environment was much healthier, and people still felt hope about the future. Their were problems, sure, but it felt like tomorrow would be a better day. Today everything has gone to shit! Technology has complicated everything. It will be the downfall of humanity despite some of its positives.

[@JackGoldmanActor]

I remembering seeing this in 1954 and today I laughed just as hard. He was unique in his improvational abilities. I am sure there was no script.

[@gustafsone]

I've seen this sketch so many times that I can see both Howie and Sid crack smiles when one of them out-gibberishes the other one. There were a couple of times when Howie almost started laughing but caught himself and kept going without skipping a beat. I do know (due to his appearance on Conan's show) that Mel Brooks actually wrote this sketch. The dialogue is obviously improvised since it is 100% gibberish, but they definitely had a roadmap of what to do, and when. Conan picked this specific sketch to show a clip of because he thinks it is perfect and has the best ending of all time for any sketch.

[@themanfromoregon6047]

Oh there definitely was a script, but I'm also sure there was plenty of ad libbing going on. Mel Brooks has a section of his biography dedicated to his time learning and writing for "your show of shows" (with two other writers). There is a lot of interesting insight in his book that actually brought me to this sketch.

[@shannongreene1796]

Sid is on the Mount Rushmore of television comedy. An apex comedy genius. Absolutely brilliant.

[@JimmyDeLocke]

Das monocle ist fershmutzig!! LMAO

[@helzapoppin9810]

Brushin a Prussian LOL. Absolute classic.

[@drewski1535]

I cant stop watching classic comedy sketches like this this is what real entertainment is

[@Thumbbs]

nice to see "Ernest T" as a real comedy talent!!

[@Sauric121]

I am the very model of a modern German General!

[@williamschlenger1518]

This was hilarious.Im 80yrs old & watched this with my dad.

[@samsignorelli]

Sid rightly gets praise for his work in this skit, but let's not forget Howie Morris' work as well....he was just as good in pulling it off.

[@Lynda-oo7ey]

Howard Morris was extremely funny.

[@Atreus21]

How is it we don't produce talent like this these days?

[@PersianKevin]

I think Howie Morris is underrated! he's great!

[@stevemoriarty9884]

I LOVED Howard Morris. When he came on Andy Griffith as Ernest T. Bass, I was thrilled!

[@sanhuan34]

Proud to have beaten the germans and able to make fun of them. Thif was probably.5 years after wwll. This beats even springtime for germany (1968) for impersonating der furious führer.

[@WildDiamond07]

He was Wade Duck in Garfield and Friends.

[@boutchie06]

Ernest T. Bass! He was great on Andy Griffith show, didn’t know his history. Just love him!

[@jjfranz23]

As a 13 year old I can personally say Sid Caesar was a great and hilarious man. R.I.P.

[@poetcomic1]

An hour and a half live EVERY WEEK.. THEY WERE EFFING INSANE!!! Comedy Super Heroes.

[@TheBlueyedblond]

One of the greatest comedic sketches of all time.

[@WRNGInStudioCity]

RIP Mr. Caesar. Nobody did it better.

[@richardkimball3707]

one of the funniest sketches ever. Sid Caesar and Howie Morris.

[@michaelwhisman]

A racist skit. I guess that you collect black jokes.

[@tmacart]

Wonderful... they probably rehearsed this only a few times and it was a little different every time- but the "general" idea. pun intended was the same...then did it live in one take. Gifted comic geniuses.

[@humanbeing2420]

This holds up so well today that it's just astounding. Comic genius.

[@Antoinette733]

Fabulous! Thanks for uploading this -- the complete skit.

[@balash8717]

Роскошь!!! Наслаждение!!!

[@alabhaois]

Does the valet look familiar? That's Ernest T Bass from The Andy Griffith Show-- LOL

[@RoadBlockSixEight]

Tis a sad day. R.I.P Sid

[@samjanolu]

One of the greatest. R.I.P.

[@luisreyes1963]

Imagine having to go through that ritual every morning. Classic comedy at its best. 😆

[@DennisCaffey]

Mel Brooks wrote this brilliant sketch. The payoff is one for the ages!

[@saintcruzin3190]

Mel Brooks wrote this sketch.....classic.

[@Mist3rUniv3rs3]

no, he stole it from emil jannings. he actually said that couple of times already, thats why he doesnt really want credit for it.

[@rsr789]

@@Mist3rUniv3rs3 Good artists copy; great artists steal.

[@samrodshenassa978]

@@Mist3rUniv3rs3 he stole the ending from Emil Jannings. More importantly, can you imagine WRITING this? How's the script even look?

[@JZ-mn8wv]

Timo Mlr FW Murnau’s The Last Laugh starring Emil Jannings, to be more exact. But it’s not as though this sketch is anything like that film, except for it’s inspiration of the ending joke.

[@daveerhardt1879]

@@JZ-mn8wv The Last Laugh was a serious film, this was a comic gem. The ending is the only similarity between the film and the skit. The film was the inspiration for this skit.

[@philipkassner739]

This just can't be beat!!

[@hank1519]

Amazing ending!

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

This was done live with me watching and rolling

[@matthewnewton8812]

Jeff Martin You mean you were in the audience for the live show???

[@jameshudson169]

he was DOORMAN! i guess after the war it was hard for 'im to find work.

[@nihonbunka]

Yeah! Sid is the man.

[@filmnoir50]

Lost art is right. No one will ever do this as well as Sid, and maybe Carl. Sid is my comedic god. Thanks.

[@samdiego1965]

He will be missed

[@waynefarrellvoiceovers]

You can see the makings of Rodney Dangerfield in Howie Morris. Superb!

[@humnmum]

The reference to the 50yd dash medal, just the kind of business ceasar and his writers loved to stick in. And the referance to Emil Jannings great tragedy lifts this beyond merely sketch comedy.

[@hestheMaster]

This is just dripping from the writing skills of Mel Brooks and Howard Morris all "custom tailored" for this hilarious skit with Sid and Howard.

[@davidpatrickallen4653]

Vunder vunderbar. He was the funniest!!

[@samsignorelli]

The sword belt gag was genius.

[@quietquitter6103]

I almost fell off the couch laughing. My dog is still looking at me wondering what's going on.

[@sethwexler6910]

So brilliant!

[@justdoitsolutions269]

wonderful guy

[@dawoool]

That's Ernest T. Bass!

[@paulsarnik8506]

Sid always has the best gibberish/foreign accents!😅. 🤓😎✌🏼

[@ehlerhog]

I just seen a partial clip of this scene on JLTV's Jewish Broadway called "The American Melting Pot" The entire program was great featuring some of the greatest entertainers in shows I've never seen because of my age. It came from The Show of Shows and was called "Brushin' the Prussian".

[@ralphjenkinsak]

John: I was inspired and influenced by sid caesar when I was 9 in early 2000's before he passed away a decade later.

[@alexanderthomas8618]

A terrific sketch! I knew Sid Caesar so far only from the film "Vegas Vacation" (1997). Then I met a brilliant comedian know. (Thanks to youtube.) Too bad, he died a few months ago. In many videos I am now learning to know him. I'm sure now have up there to laugh a lot! (I hope you understand my lousy english.)

[@kylemerryman2074]

Ending a funny sketch is deceptively difficult to do, this was perfect.

[@joanwaldman6124]

the greatest ever. sam

[@1rjbrjb]

Liberal yet expert interlineation of Yiddish. I am assuming this dates from the early 50s. Ten years earlier, the Germans were terrifying the world: parading under the Arc de Triomphe; driving toward Stalingrad; and liquidating the Warsaw Ghetto. Here, two immensely talented American Jews (yes, I am fond of Ernest T, he made my mother laugh bless both their souls) were burlesquing but not dehumanizing or degrading these bogeyman - the mensch victorious over the ubermensch. A glimmer of Springtime for Hitler? Wonderful to see, thx for posting.

[@susanbrand5690]

So hilarious! Great stuff!

[@johnswackyworld]

rip sid

[@yowzephyr]

I've always wished I could hear a foreign comedian doing a double-talk imitation of English.

[@internetkurator9256]

Your wish is granted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3Szc3R7jtN8i7M

[@AvuncularFeldspar]

Internet Kurator oh that’s good!

[@luisreyes1963]

Benny Hill did some comedy skits involving him mangling a foreign language.

[@Richard-Vlk]

Here is a clip from a movie from 1932 where a Czech comedian imitates English: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJXbnWB4qZpgqsU

[@kalonakitu]

RIP Sid!!!

[@samsignorelli]

Genius....absolute genius!

[@jason60chev]

Funniest 7minutes and 40 seconds in television history

[@JR-ej9up]

That is Gold !!!

[@theressamurphy2996]

Classy, comedy with the best

[@dannygatton2330]

I hadn't heard of this until I saw Mel Brooks on Conan last night as he wrote this skit. Mel Brooks told a story about Howard Morris where his dad died and they wanted to charge $70 dollars for an alabaster urn with his father's ashes, refused to pay it, bought a can of coffee, had his father's ashes, threw them on the Hudson river and a gust of wind blew it back on him just like the scene in "The Big Lebowski" with John Goodman and Jeff Bridges. Search Conan and Mel Brooks

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

If you want crazy, see the list of writers and actors that worked under him. From Wikipedia: Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner, Michael Stewart, Mel Tolkin, Selma Diamond, and Woody Allen.

[@GEM850]

The man who plays the assistant played Ernest T Bass in the Andy Griffith Show.

[@wuzarcer]

Loved it..

[@AvuncularFeldspar]

I have now watched "Sword Belt" twelve times.

[@samsignorelli]

That's my fave gag of the bit!

[@keithleeuwen877]

Great !

[@daveerhardt1879]

I had a feeling he was the doorman, very funny skit.

[@maxwellsilverhammer9233]

I believe that actor played on the Andy Griffith show as Ernest T. Bass. Very funny guy.

[@pj101]

Thank God Mel Brooke's who write it and conan Obrien for talking about it in his show

[@kennymos9007]

Genius.

[@fjk77december13]

Funnier than anything on SNL

[@Rollich1]

The skit's idea is undoubtedly taken from Murnau's great German silent film, Der Letzte Mann (The Last Laugh).

[@rsr789]

Good artists copy; great artists steal.

[@rvpiano]

Pure Genius!!!

[@jonyadegari]

Who's here from CONAN

[@glowingunknown5625]

I'm here from Tom Waits.

[@normthebaker7305]

You just can't do this anymore, much the same way Monty Python's Life of Brian would never be made today.

[@kotletalv]

i;m here because of Conan

[@tonyarules75]

good bye Sid....Thanks

[@lanslater]

ROFL more of this kind of piss take! hilaralious

[@LordRandallFan]

I found it at last!!!

[@joansmith6092]

Two Virgos in tune with each other.

[@erzomah]

Du hast declipt die shkin. Hilarious!