This HAS to be one of the funniest sitcom series ever - and this episode one of the funniest of the series. I can watch the episodes time after time and still have a great laugh!!!
I just love this show, I am 51 and I was too young to see these and remember them, so to get the chance now is real cool. They just don't make comedy shows like this anymore and the comedians on this show are all top notch talent. Seeing Hue Downs as a young man is real cool, that voice never changed.
When I first heard the theme song I thought the last part was "Cruise Ship's stuck at Idlewild" or something like that. Given that Idlewild (now JFK International) is an airport having a cruise ship there would be a bit of a problem and fit in perfectly with the song.
ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREAT COMEDY SHOWS. ITS CLEAN, ANYBODY CAN WATCH AND ENJOY CAR 54. PLEASE PUT EVERY EPISODE POSSIBLE ONLINE, PLEASE. MY 12 YEAR OLD AND I LOVE THIS SHOW. TOMMY KIP DAVENPORT
At the time this originally aired [November 26, 1961], Jack Paar was the host of NBC's late-night talk show [11:15pm-1am(et)], and Hugh Downs was his announcer. Paar's final telecast was at the end of March 1962. Johnny Carson succeeded him as host of "THE TONIGHT SHOW" that October.
This one of few cop series, that shows police officers as human, with most other show having cops as caricatures. Writers must have been cops or had them in family, because there are so many subtle nuances absent on shows like Dragnet, Adam-12, Hill Street Blues, etc. Only other cop show that had this, that I can recall, was Barney Miller. Also, notice how cast was integrated, with black cops not 'tokens' like other shows, but just 'one of the guys'.
Ever read some of the Joe E Ross stories about filming this show? He would be out all night long and show up to set with his hooker from the night before. Hiken was being driven crazy by his antics and decided that he needed another director just so that he did not have to deal with Ross on every show. Legendary stuff for a legendary show.
My Weird Family, Chapter Ten: My grandmother lived in the same house as her daughter and her husband, my uncle, who was a wonderful man. When Bert died, at much too young an age, my grandmother was unaffected. Then, when Hugh Downs passed away, she practically had a nervous breakdown.
Interesting how much this is a sign of the times.. Jack Paar walking off his own TV show because they censored one of his jokes was huge news back in the day. This must have been broadcast not very long afterword. Even the last stanza of the theme song says Kruschev's due at Idlewyld ... they renamed it to JFK airport after his assassination in November of 63 :((
Fun fact: When filming on the streets of NYC (such as the Bronx Expressway here,) the prop police cars were actually red and white so nobody would mistake them for real NYPD cruisers which were black and white. Since the show was filmed in black & white, the car appeared black and white.
All religions are basically the same, telling the and joke. A man walks into a (name your religion’s house of worship). He comes to God sitting on the throne asking why there are so many problems in the world. God says he doesn’t know why. The man says, “Shouldn’t you know? You’re God”.
This HAS to be one of the funniest sitcom series ever - and this episode one of the funniest of the series. I can watch the episodes time after time and still have a great laugh!!!
Excellent writing, excellent actors, great entertainment!
What a great team! Part of the jfk years.
I just love this show, I am 51 and I was too young to see these and remember them, so to get the chance now is real cool. They just don't make comedy shows like this anymore and the comedians on this show are all top notch talent. Seeing Hue Downs as a young man is real cool, that voice never changed.
I watched them..
And like them now...its true...we want the old stuff...who needs tv...theirs nothing to watch..
Farley Boy it’s also the writers
When I first heard the theme song I thought the last part was "Cruise Ship's stuck at Idlewild" or something like that. Given that Idlewild (now JFK International) is an airport having a cruise ship there would be a bit of a problem and fit in perfectly with the song.
Great show. I remember this as a kid and how Toody's lines became part of the American lexicon.
ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREAT COMEDY SHOWS. ITS CLEAN, ANYBODY CAN WATCH AND ENJOY CAR 54. PLEASE PUT EVERY EPISODE POSSIBLE ONLINE, PLEASE. MY 12 YEAR OLD AND I LOVE THIS SHOW. TOMMY KIP DAVENPORT
At the time this originally aired [November 26, 1961], Jack Paar was the host of NBC's late-night talk show [11:15pm-1am(et)], and Hugh Downs was his announcer. Paar's final telecast was at the end of March 1962. Johnny Carson succeeded him as host of "THE TONIGHT SHOW" that October.
Was the opening seen here for the Paar show the same as the real thing?
Not really.
This one of few cop series, that shows police officers as human, with most other show having cops as caricatures. Writers must have been cops or had them in family, because there are so many subtle nuances absent on shows like Dragnet, Adam-12, Hill Street Blues, etc. Only other cop show that had this, that I can recall, was Barney Miller.
Also, notice how cast was integrated, with black cops not 'tokens' like other shows, but just 'one of the guys'.
Ever read some of the Joe E Ross stories about filming this show? He would be out all night long and show up to set with his hooker from the night before. Hiken was being driven crazy by his antics and decided that he needed another director just so that he did not have to deal with Ross on every show. Legendary stuff for a legendary show.
No wonder Charlie Fleischer is so funny, he's the voice of Roger Rabbit!
My Weird Family, Chapter Ten: My grandmother lived in the same house as her daughter and her husband, my uncle, who was a wonderful man. When Bert died, at much too young an age, my grandmother was unaffected. Then, when Hugh Downs passed away, she practically had a nervous breakdown.
Don Reed A real Downes er. Ironically Hugh lived on the Upper West Side
By the way, Mickey Deems {Charlie} later teamed with Joey Faye as "MACK AND MYER FOR HIRE"- also filmed in New York (1963-'64).
Team Work!
Corny jokes!!! But great actor's! Love this show!
Superb vintage comedy
Wow 😲 That's Dick Clark
15:15 You say they stole your life savings :)
This tickled me.
AstralPixie I genuinely LOLed at that bit. That’s some very dark and subversive humor for early 60s TV.
Interesting how much this is a sign of the times.. Jack Paar walking off his own TV show because they censored one of his jokes was huge news back in the day. This must have been broadcast not very long afterword. Even the last stanza of the theme song says Kruschev's due at Idlewyld ... they renamed it to JFK airport after his assassination in November of 63 :((
I loved this show , every Sunday night I still have every word to the theme song imbedded in my brain. Ooh Ooh... Still as funny as ever😂
more please!!!
All current shows are garbage. Bring back the oldies..Car 54!!!! The best.
1:40.lol
funny
Is their patrol car a 61 Plymouth Belvedere?
Yes
Fun fact: When filming on the streets of NYC (such as the Bronx Expressway here,) the prop police cars were actually red and white so nobody would mistake them for real NYPD cruisers which were black and white. Since the show was filmed in black & white, the car appeared black and white.
@@SallySallySallySally I didnt know that. Learn something new every day.
@@SallySallySallySally Actually, NYC police cars were green, black & white.
Hugh downs was high on Seconal
Alan Weberman and LaTrumpa on Adderall
Mickey Deems_
stage fright??
Puhleeze!
corny jokes now...fresh and funny then.
There is a fine line between comedy and stupidity. 😐
All religions are basically the same, telling the and joke.
A man walks into a (name your religion’s house of worship). He comes to God sitting on the throne asking why there are so many problems in the world. God says he doesn’t know why. The man says, “Shouldn’t you know? You’re God”.
Great show, very funny one, but never could stand Hugh Downs. Talk about luck.
I'm with Francis and Lucile. Gunther IS NOT FUNNY! 😐