Jerry Lawler On Andy Kaufman And Their Relationship

[@doesnotexist305]

Andy was trolling HARD before we even knew what trolling was

[@jacktorrance6404]

Kaufman deserves to be in the hall of fame. No question about it.

[@Shaverboy516]

Agreed

[@ronnieedforsjr.5969]

Hear hear!

[@Maxx_d13]

Why? What hall of fame?

[@Mikebuster]

@@Maxx_d13 the wrestling hall of fame. Essentially because Kaufman's style of storyline with Lawler became the footprint of all or most wrestling storylines from that point, And Kaufman helped legitimise southern wrestling, which became the WWE. (first the WWF)

[@caseycorbin]

No celebrity has done more for wrestling than Andy Kauffman. Mr.T had to be paid by the WWF. Andy never cashed any of his cheques from Jerry. WWE befitted from the Man On The Moon movie. WWE also sells Andy & Jerry as a figure set as well as Andy on his own. Yet he’s not even in the celebrity wing of the HOF. That’s just totally bogus.

[@snowball3753]

Andy Kaufman has been, still is, and always will be a legend in entertainment. Jerry Lawler still is one of the greatest personalities in wrestling, and thankfully he played the role he did in the greatest, most entertaining angle in the history of professional wrestling. I was a small child when this happened in 1982, but I definitely remember like it was yesterday.

[@mrbilldoubleu]

I was 5 going on 6 and I remember it like it was yesterday. Well said my friend.

[@Ekolishift]

After watching the OTR interview with Jerry Lawler, I have so much more appreciation for him. He seems like a real down to earth genuine person. Totally different from his King gimmick. And seeing how he was hurting over his separation with Stacy and how he said when he was writing his book and writing the part about Stacy he said he was pretty much writing to her in the book and you can see the man was hurting. I would love to meet Jerry in person and thank him for all the entertainment he has given me and all the fans for his entire career. No one like him and he is "The King" for a reason

[@ericdanielsbenavidez5867]

What bunch of absolute legends that made history on live television.

[@Shaverboy516]

Andy Kaufman was a genius and way ahead of his time.

[@ronaldshank7589]

He was so smart, that he made the late Stephen Hawking look like a first-grader!

[@robtru84]

Too bad he's not here to watch his performance or his comedy or wrestle

[@seanthompson1197]

Lawler really nailed his part. Just did an awesome job in the whole fiasco.

[@patrickbowen1367]

They both did. I don’t know if you’ve seen any videos about the whole Letteman incident, but it was all Andy’s idea. Jerry didn’t want to strike Andy, but Andy kind of egged him on. Jerry was afraid NBC was wouldn’t show the interview, Andy was afraid what the producers of the Letterman show wanted them to do would end the feud.

[@matthewdavid9039]

Lawler deserves a lot more credit in this.

[@malmalspur]

Not enough people today really know how truly great a heel and actor Lawler was in his prime. Easily one of the best to lace em up in that regard.

[@KL-zt6jx]

Thanks for uploading this. Andy is a legend! Can't wait for his next act.

[@BSE1320]

I think had Andy not been such a successful comedian/actor he might've rivaled Bobby Heenan as a heel manager.

[@mattwalker5129]

Exactly. He would have been a perfect manager for Junkyard Dog.

[@ebenezermacanerney2579]

If he hadnt died so young so might of gotten there eventually.

[@shable1436]

This is great, thanks for posting this for future generations

[@NxDoyle]

Given that the feud between Andy and Jerry moved beyond the ring, in part thanks to David Letterman, I'd have thought this would be more popular. The greatest example of kayfabe in wrestling history.

[@looppool]

what's funny is that the 'feud' never existed. They planned everything. They sure made it look real, though. That was the genius of Andy's comedy. If he took on a persona he would NOT let go of it..............to the point of irritation. His intent was to provoke the audience.

[@michaelallanrubin2376]

@@looppool he hurt his neck legit

[@meetsintaverns5330]

@@michaelallanrubin2376 he did indeed - and followed it up in the best way by using as a tool for the "feud". Damn legend.

[@Mikebuster]

@@looppool that's why its called Kayfabe bruh

[@Mikebuster]

@@michaelallanrubin2376 he paid for/stole xrays of a broken neck to legitimize the injury.

[@davidsan9654]

Andy Kaufman was the ultimate troll

[@looppool]

Then you completely missed his genius if you think that.

[@davidsan9654]

@@looppool You are a fool

[@seanthompson1197]

@@looppool He absolutely was a troll. A troll is "a person who is deliberately offensive and provocative". Andy wanted to be disliked. He enjoyed it. There is more to it, but that was always true of Andy.

[@looppool]

This whole discussion is , of course, highly subjective but my take is that a person who's intention to be deliberately offensive and provocative is to be mean to people.....to so unease and discontent is a good working definition of being a 'troll'. To me, Andy Kaufman did what he did as a kind of 'performance art' that was designed to not only make people laugh, but also to make them think. In this respect, he used tactics that are typical of 'trolls' but I believe he was an artist and not a 'troll' The point I'm making is that his intent is different from the kind of people who make typical social media comments like "You are a fool" That's classic trolling imo.

[@davidsan9654]

@@looppool I can understand your point of view...however I personally think humor and by association 'trolling' in no way has to be 'mean', it merely has to point out something that is unexpected...it may unease and make people uncomfortable, but that is the point. It is to make people think of something they wouldn't normally, and force them to react to it. We're not trying to put you down, just make you think outside the box a little

[@gl6996]

The Lawler-Kaufman feud is what put the sport of Professional Wrestling on the the international map.

[@vaderundershorts]

True entertainers... people totally ate this up... :)

[@badactor3440]

Andy Kaufman, the greatest showman in the entire history of show business. I think he faked his own death.

[@ronaldshank7589]

I kinds wondered about that. A year after his "Death", Tony Clifton re-appeared...and this time, it wasn't Bob Zmuda playing Tony Clifton, as he sometimes had been known to do in the past. Could Andy Kaufman still be alive? (Inquiry minds wanna know)!😁😁😁😁😁

[@fishhookism]

These two were made for each other.

[@davidpate6095]

Man, that is just too much fun. I can't stop smiling listening to it.

[@afattori316]

Kaufman was the heat king.

[@looppool]

It is wonderful to hear Jerry talk about this. How beautiful that they suckered everyone!!!! Till this moment (I'm 65 and it's 2019) I always thought it was real. Kudos Jerry............fantastic comedy! and fantastic wrestling, brother!

[@TwoManPowerTripofWrestling]

thanks for stopping by!!!!

[@looppool]

@@TwoManPowerTripofWrestling ....and thanks for posting. A dear friend of mine told me that he played drums for Jerry during his singing phase in Memphis. He had wonderful things to say about him.

[@looppool]

Here's what Dave Patrick posted about Jerry after I shared your podcast on my FaceBook page with an appreciation of Jerry and Andy. "You should have talked to me,Rick. I played drums with him on some of his promo stuff where he was a singer of sorts. Jerry was a brilliant promoter and great third rate actor. Knew how to build a fanbase better than anybody. He's an excellent artist Lamborghinis career in wrestling by drawing pictures of the guys who wrestled on TV and bringing them into the studio to show them. He is well loved and hated in Memphis for the character roles he plays. Actually a very tough guy from the pounding he has to take to pull off the moves. As he has aged and years have taken their toll on his body, he's become one of the most successful commentators ever in wrestling. His latest cool move when his career started winding down some....he bought be a version of the original Batmobile and drives it around Memphis. Doesn't miss a trick. His comic timing and mic work is second to none.

[@RuthOmegon]

@@looppool stone cold has an interesting interview with Jerry about filming the movie with Jim Carey too. I'm just a wrestling fan, I knew of this in the 80's but I was a baby I only went back looking when I was older. Great storyline, never got how Kaufman was so funny but I can appreciate it was a different time. Would live to pick Jerry's brain about him 😂

[@jackson5781]

@@TwoManPowerTripofWrestling after Seeing Darkside of the ring it was great. Absolutely wish Andy was here to tell the story with Jerry. I love it that Jerry is saying everything. Andy was well before his time

[@jackbauer4186]

It feels like Jerry Lawler is the only guy in entertainment who really knew Andy. He's the only public figure, besides Bob Zamuda on documentaries, who seems like he actually lifted the veil on the real guy.

[@hockeyman1054]

Andy Kaufman should be in The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. PERIOD. Perhaps one of the greatest Heel personalities in the history of the biz. His brilliance is unparalleled.

[@ronaldshank7589]

They've got Drew Carey and Pete Rose in the WWE HOF. Why not put Andy Kaufman in there? At least he wrestled!

[@thewkovacs316]

i still want to know how hard lawler found it to stay in character when he was told that andy had pass away cuz at the start of the interview, you can see in his face that he is ready to break

[@ronaldshank7589]

Yeah...and then, he still had to get up, and lie to everybody about it. What a pity.

[@stratafm]

@@ronaldshank7589 it's exactly what Andy would've wanted. The show must go on.

[@Surgicalsensei]

Who else is shocked that all those Andy Kaufman Memphis Tennesee videos were scripted by Jerry Lawler himself and filmed in his own backyard? After all these years I never even knew that. I think this was wrestlings best kept secret. When did the fans finally know that Lawler and Kaufman were friends? I think it wasn't until they made the Man on the Moon movie in 1999 where we finally saw the full real story and twist that they really were friends...

[@rolandlymangrover754]

I never knew either

[@MiketheCabbie]

Ironically, the only one who STILL didn't realize that Lawler and Kaufman were really friends was Jim Carrey himself. Carry spent the entire shooting time in character, and did everything he could to piss off Lawler, apparently believing that the animosity between Kaufman and Lawler was real.

[@2410-s9l]

@@MiketheCabbie also shmuda may have put Jim carrey wrong because I've heard interviews where shmuda seemed to believe that kaufman and lawler were really enemies and that lawler hit him for real on the letterman show or whatever show it was and didn't know lawler would do it. I don't know why shumdas going round saying this stuff

[@MiketheCabbie]

@@2410-s9l By "shumda" I presume you mean Bob Zmuda?

[@thewkovacs316]

@@2410-s9l you mean zemuda? he knew the whole thing was an act. carrey was told it was an act...he didnt care

[@domsawyer8953]

Lawler was genius, as well. He was just so believable.

[@gordonmichellecravens9233]

A true Showman!...

[@minewheaties5029]

He should talk about who Kaufman's Taxi boss was at the time of their feud. James L. Brooks was also the same person who created Mary Richards. who was referenced during Mary Tyler Moore's Wrestlemania VI guest appearance.

[@travisland8465]

Jerry was a bad ass he went to Texas and took all there champion belts plus the tag team belts all alone.

[@fonzerellie3518]

Kaufman played it just perfect , a pioneer of just messing with people ..

[@Steely_Fran]

I'm pretty sure it was Jim Cornette who said that the TV station got bomb threats for airing those Andy Kaufman promos.

[@gl6996]

And to think the other promotions and territories didn't want Andy. Memphis said, "He'll yeah!!! C'mon down!!!"

[@theflorgeormix]

Never gets old

[@dmontes133]

Andy was a genius!

[@HumanBeanbag]

This is excellent

[@emptyhand777]

I was a kid when this was going on, and I knew wrestling was a work. But I actually believed this was real and Lawler injured Kaufman.

[@michaelallanrubin2376]

Mr altraing Andy didn't know Jerry would hit him per session it was improvised Lawler said so

[@g121176]

Love this story!

[@matthewt8214]

Fascinating

[@MACHOMANRANDYSAVAGE2211]

Thank you jerry

[@kshinokevin]

as Tony Clifton, a failed Las Vegas (Heel-ish) "lounge singer" = whenever he went on stage, Clifton got booed by the audience; Tony didn't care who he offended.

[@leftnutt9730]

who doesn't want to go down to Memphis and wrestle woman...........

[@stephendenney7349]

Did they stay friends after the Letterman show? It looked a little too real.

[@coreysmorgan8488]

Just NEVER GOT Andy Kaufman. Loved his wrestling stuff tho

[@bk-ns9tj]

Greatest troll of all time g-toat

[@wellsleyhehr]

Greatest troll up till now. Wait till he announces he faked his death. That will be the best long con troll even possible.

[@111JFish]

@@wellsleyhehr hes dead. Stop.

[@lostaudience2208]

Legend

[@Mr_Fourshot]

Won't get hurt? man that back suplex was literally on his neck, then 2 piledrivers after, he must have been in some pain after that.

[@michaelallanrubin2376]

actually kaufman was injured but not a s bad as he claimed

[@ckobo84]

"Trust me you won't get hurt", probably what The Great Khalil said to his opponent before killing him.

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

Either Andy is dead and they really hated each other (why would he continue to push a false narrative after he was dead) or Andy faked his death and Lawler was still playing along.

[@redoz9768]

It's possible that at the time, Lawler wasn't sure if Kaufman's death was another troll, so he kept up the act.

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

@@redoz9768 true

[@jimmytreadway3195]

because there was always a chance to make money off it thats why he kept it up,and until there was a movie that was going to let everyone know it was the best thing

[@johndoughxx]

Kaufman is still alive

[@robertvalentin5846]

Many years past it was a act ill thought it was real so the slap Jerry lawler to andy was flake Nice to know it was a act they are Friend now he is gone

[@michaelallanrubin2376]

no the slap on kaufman was real it wasnt fake it was fixed big difference

[@MrAitraining]

@@michaelallanrubin2376 The slap was real but Andy knew it was coming. So, planned but real.

[@thewkovacs316]

@@MrAitraining but lawler didnt want to do the slap. andy insisted. lawler didnt want to hurt andy but andy knew that if there wasnt a real slap, the whole thing would die right there on letterman.

[@dddlll2471]

although I do think Andy belongs in a pro wrestling hall of fame... I will always say Andy was a HORRIBLE comic..... TOTALLY UNFUNNY

[@2410-s9l]

He himself said he wasn't a comic , he said he was a performance artist who loved to create confusion and drama

[@erikj.2066]

He wasn't a stand-up comic. He was a strait-man comic/ and professional heal.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

Wrestling fans aren't too bright. There was subtlety in his humor, and most cretins really don't get it

[@dddlll2471]

there was nothing funny about Andy.... go look at footage guarantee you don't laugh....SONOTFUNNYATALL

[@Cincinnatus1869]

You're kweeerr