How'd They Get Away with THAT?

[Sunnyhorse]

I kind of remember The Galloping Gourmet and Graham Kerr, but I'm not sure I ever saw the show and don't remember his leaping over a chair to run onto the set. Must've been interesting if he was already half-crocked!

[groovethang]

You know, I think they should let on-air personalities and talk show guests drink now Those old Johnny Carson interviews with Dean Martin and other guys from that era drinking and smoking while on the show are funny. They always looked like they were having a good time.

[kanding]

That's who it was! Graham Kerr! Thanks, Sunnyhorse!

I think there was a lot more nudge-nudge, wink-wink back in the old days of TV (before the 80s). A lot more smoking, drinking and sexual innuendo.

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2008 10:17:48 GMT -4 kanding said:

I remember "The Galloping Gourment" when I was really young. I can't remember the name of the host, but he was often three sheets to the wind when they taped the show. But I remember everyone thinking it was just part of the show.

Many years ago, Food Network ran "The Galloping Gourmet" in the wee small hours of the night. I'd seen his post-drinking, super-health-geek show, so I found GG hilarious in contrast. (And I preferred GG, probably because it wasn't preachy.)

[Shalamar]

My mother loved the Galloping Gourmet, and I used to watch it with her. I remember him trying to tie up a chicken, hopelessly getting tangled up in the string, giggling helplessly, and apologizing to the chicken. He might've been drunk, I'm not sure, but it was hysterical.

[kanding]

And sometimes he'd dance with one of the audience members. It was very casual and fun. I think that show was an oasis for people like my mother who was at home with a small child. You got the idea that he really liked and appreciated women but there was no sexual undertone to his friendliness.

[Shalamar]

Exactly. He was so goofy that he came across as charming, not creepy. Richard Dawson always made me want to bleach my eyeballs.

[tabby]

My fondest memory of the Galloping Gourmet was once when I was home from school with the chicken pox, and he was making Rum Baba (a rum-soaked cake). He kept adding a little bit more rum. And, oh, just a splash more. And maybe another small bit. My mom was writing down the recipe and finally gave up, because the concoction he was making was going to end up using nearly an entire bottle of rum.

He always grabbed someone from the audience at the end and they sat down at a little table together to eat the dish he'd made.

[chiqui]

Speaking of old TV shows, I wonder how Groucho Marx got away with much of what he said on his game show.

[Shalamar]

You mean, like this? Apparently, it never happened. *sad*