I once had the pleasure of being personally entertained by Charles Nelson Reilly. Let me explain. In the mid-1970s, I was a student at NYU and one night decided to go to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see/hear Verdi's Falstaff at the Metropolitan Opera. I couldn't afford the hefty ticket prices, so I got a student standing room ticket for a few dollars. During the intermission, a woman approached me and said they had an unused ticket/seat available next to them if I wanted to join them. I thanked the woman and joined them toward the front, middle Orchestra section. Curiously, in our particular seating section, everyone stayed in their seats during the intermission, and the reason soon became abundantly clear. Seated in the row directly behind me, and to my right, was Charles Nelson Reilly and his male companion. Charles regaled us with hilarious stories, witty observations, and Charles Nelson Reillyisms that are difficult to describe in words. Although the Falstaff opera performance was great, this was, hands-down, the most entertaining and memorable intermission I've ever experienced in the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've seen in my life.
Wow, u were lucky to be able to meet him. He's always been quick witted and even though he jokes around about his performances that closed after just 1 night, the guy is a consumate performer that gives 100% and is, or should I say, was, a true professional. You were very lucky to have seen him.
*This is pure Hysterical High Vibe Energies, it is Therapeutic!* *A dose of CNR is good for the Mind and Soul.* It feels so current to me, and I so appreciate all the quick witt, precision story telling, and oh I appreciate the laughter. Love it, oh so funny!
CNR is one of the greats. Underrated with so many great roles over the years. Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Match Game, much later on X-Files as Jose Chung, voice work, everything done to perfection. I too would have loved to chat with him, such a great personality.
Thank you c.muir for showing this. Charles was great .I once saw him in his one man show a few years before he died .he was a very entertaining fellow. I will miss him. Please show more shows of his if you have them thank you.
He was such a great entertainer! Glad you got to see him in person doing his show - I've only ever seen video of it. If I find more of him, I will certainly post it.
It just noticed after the millionth time watching this... (all the CNR's really) that at 9:19 one can see the stage lights on his eyeglass lenses. A very cool perspective you don't always get to see!! I would have LOVED to have met his acquaintance and chatted for a life time! He is TOO MUCH FUNNN!! Cheers
One of the funniest people of all time, he also happened to be my teacher and later on, friend. I am an actor for 30 years now in NY and Charles was the guiding force and main teacher at the old Burt Reynold's Theatre down in Jupiter, FL where I spent a year in their training program. Charles was exactly this funny nearly every minute you were with him. I have a million stories as do many of his old "pupils" as he referred to us. Charles was very proud of how many times Johnny Carson had him on the show. Here's why though. Guests would cancel at the last minute...a lot. They would need someone to fill the slot in short order. Johnny trusted that in 10 minutes Charles could be "down the hill" with 2 hours worth of stories loaded in the chamber and that he could deliver comedy every single time. Charles (who told tall tales keep in mind) told me only Bob Hope was on more times.....something like 110. It was no accident that Charles was on, Johnny loved and trusted him, though, of course, only on camera. They weren't social. In those days, there were no layers of producers and no pre-interview interviews to set things up. Charles would go in and talk and that was it. In the 90's, Charles was scheduled to be a guest on Rosie and he asked me to go with him. I went to the hotel and rode in the car to 30 Rock. It was 5 blocks. In the car he was reviewing a "script" which was selected stories that Charles had to tell a producer days before over the phone. He had to give them choices as to what he would say on air. Then they would pick what THEY wanted, type it up, tell him NOT to deviate and Rosie would get bullet points and bring up the topics to lead to the stories. All very contrived and not natural. That is how they are ALL done now. It's not actual conversation. It is pre-approved, pre-processed and edited. Johnny just called Charles and that was it. The trust. Charles chafed at it and I don't blame him. Anyway, there's a little behind the scenes for ya. It warms my heart that sooooo many people still remember and love him. Truly. No one was funnier. When I get down and miss my friends, I go to TH-cam and watch clips like this where they are just as alive and funny as ever.
Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful story! As a fan, it's nice to get these behind-the-scenes snippets from people who actually knew him. He was one of a kind and is dearly missed.
@@C_Muir Hi, I am from England, and I wish we knew of this man here. He was virtually unknown here. He would have been loved by the British audiences I am sure. The Ghost and Mrs Muir would be the only program British audiences might have seen him in.
Hardly anyone knows that Charles, as a child, was in the audience at the horrific Hartford circus fire. That was the fire where a little girl who died wasn’t identified. A very fascinating story of an event that nobody knows about. Search it on TH-cam or Google.
@@johnking5174 You can hear him on the original Broadway cast albums of two classic musicals. He was the original Bud Frump in Frank Loesser's How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (for which he won a Tony Award) and as the original Cornelius Hackl in Hello Dolly with Carol Channing. He was a very high sought after young Broadway comedic lead for a few years prior to going to Hollywood. He loved Broadway and NYC, but once he got to LA and the weather was so nice and his home so comfortable, he would never move back.
Charles Nelson Reilly (13 de enero de 1931 - 25 de mayo de 2007) fue un actor, comediante, director y profesor dramático de nacionalidad estadounidense, conocido por sus papeles en teatro, cine y programas infantiles televisivos, así como por su faceta de actor de voz en producciones de dibujos animados y por ser panelista del concurso Match Game.
I only have just heard of Charles Nelson Reilly and I'm already obsessed! He's like an American Kenneth Williams. Happy to send himself up but is actually a serious intellectual actor.
He was my kind of fun boy, never admitted it and never rubbed it in your face (pardon the pun) but he used innuendos all day long and had fun with it in a non vulgar way
Charles Nelson Reilly....a very rare gem that will & can NEVER be matched...he is soooooo missed
I once had the pleasure of being personally entertained by Charles Nelson Reilly. Let me explain. In the mid-1970s, I was a student at NYU and one night decided to go to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see/hear Verdi's Falstaff at the Metropolitan Opera. I couldn't afford the hefty ticket prices, so I got a student standing room ticket for a few dollars. During the intermission, a woman approached me and said they had an unused ticket/seat available next to them if I wanted to join them. I thanked the woman and joined them toward the front, middle Orchestra section. Curiously, in our particular seating section, everyone stayed in their seats during the intermission, and the reason soon became abundantly clear. Seated in the row directly behind me, and to my right, was Charles Nelson Reilly and his male companion. Charles regaled us with hilarious stories, witty observations, and Charles Nelson Reillyisms that are difficult to describe in words. Although the Falstaff opera performance was great, this was, hands-down, the most entertaining and memorable intermission I've ever experienced in the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've seen in my life.
What a wonderful memory! Thank you for sharing your CNR story!
Wow, u were lucky to be able to meet him. He's always been quick witted and even though he jokes around about his performances that closed after just 1 night, the guy is a consumate performer that gives 100% and is, or should I say, was, a true professional. You were very lucky to have seen him.
U were blessed
Good story.
*This is pure Hysterical High Vibe Energies, it is Therapeutic!*
*A dose of CNR is good for the Mind and Soul.*
It feels so current to me, and I so appreciate all the quick witt, precision story telling, and oh I appreciate the laughter.
Love it, oh so funny!
What great memories of the humor that Charlie Nelson had. He sure makes me laugh still after all these years. Sure miss him and what stories he had.👍
I always looked forward to Charles’ appearances on the show. He was such a delightful storyteller.
I love how in every appearance he looks over to the couch, “how are you” mid sentence
Charles always had great stories to share. He was one of a kind.
He was such a classic gem! Hilarious and multi talented
I've just recently discovered CNR on the MatchGame series from the 1970's. Love to see him in a different mode
his's FANTASTIC! HILARIOUS!
So glad you watch him. His stuff can't fade away
CNR is one of the greats. Underrated with so many great roles over the years. Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Match Game, much later on X-Files as Jose Chung, voice work, everything done to perfection. I too would have loved to chat with him, such a great personality.
He was so funny and so underrated.
Cannonball Run
Thank you c.muir for showing this. Charles was great .I once saw him in his one man show a few years before he died .he was a very entertaining fellow. I will miss him. Please show more shows of his if you have them thank you.
He was such a great entertainer! Glad you got to see him in person doing his show - I've only ever seen video of it. If I find more of him, I will certainly post it.
It just noticed after the millionth time watching this... (all the CNR's really) that at 9:19 one can see the stage lights on his eyeglass lenses. A very cool perspective you don't always get to see!! I would have LOVED to have met his acquaintance and chatted for a life time! He is TOO MUCH FUNNN!! Cheers
One of the funniest people of all time, he also happened to be my teacher and later on, friend. I am an actor for 30 years now in NY and Charles was the guiding force and main teacher at the old Burt Reynold's Theatre down in Jupiter, FL where I spent a year in their training program. Charles was exactly this funny nearly every minute you were with him. I have a million stories as do many of his old "pupils" as he referred to us. Charles was very proud of how many times Johnny Carson had him on the show. Here's why though. Guests would cancel at the last minute...a lot. They would need someone to fill the slot in short order. Johnny trusted that in 10 minutes Charles could be "down the hill" with 2 hours worth of stories loaded in the chamber and that he could deliver comedy every single time. Charles (who told tall tales keep in mind) told me only Bob Hope was on more times.....something like 110. It was no accident that Charles was on, Johnny loved and trusted him, though, of course, only on camera. They weren't social. In those days, there were no layers of producers and no pre-interview interviews to set things up. Charles would go in and talk and that was it. In the 90's, Charles was scheduled to be a guest on Rosie and he asked me to go with him. I went to the hotel and rode in the car to 30 Rock. It was 5 blocks. In the car he was reviewing a "script" which was selected stories that Charles had to tell a producer days before over the phone. He had to give them choices as to what he would say on air. Then they would pick what THEY wanted, type it up, tell him NOT to deviate and Rosie would get bullet points and bring up the topics to lead to the stories. All very contrived and not natural. That is how they are ALL done now. It's not actual conversation. It is pre-approved, pre-processed and edited. Johnny just called Charles and that was it. The trust. Charles chafed at it and I don't blame him. Anyway, there's a little behind the scenes for ya. It warms my heart that sooooo many people still remember and love him. Truly. No one was funnier. When I get down and miss my friends, I go to TH-cam and watch clips like this where they are just as alive and funny as ever.
Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful story! As a fan, it's nice to get these behind-the-scenes snippets from people who actually knew him. He was one of a kind and is dearly missed.
Thanks for sharing this story.I have always thought he was a great comedian and actor.
@@C_Muir Hi, I am from England, and I wish we knew of this man here. He was virtually unknown here. He would have been loved by the British audiences I am sure. The Ghost and Mrs Muir would be the only program British audiences might have seen him in.
Hardly anyone knows that Charles, as a child, was in the audience at the horrific Hartford circus fire. That was the fire where a little girl who died wasn’t identified. A very fascinating story of an event that nobody knows about. Search it on TH-cam or Google.
@@johnking5174 You can hear him on the original Broadway cast albums of two classic musicals. He was the original Bud Frump in Frank Loesser's How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (for which he won a Tony Award) and as the original Cornelius Hackl in Hello Dolly with Carol Channing. He was a very high sought after young Broadway comedic lead for a few years prior to going to Hollywood. He loved Broadway and NYC, but once he got to LA and the weather was so nice and his home so comfortable, he would never move back.
Just can’t get enough of CNR!
Charles Nelson Reilly (13 de enero de 1931 - 25 de mayo de 2007) fue un actor, comediante, director y profesor dramático de nacionalidad estadounidense, conocido por sus papeles en teatro, cine y programas infantiles televisivos, así como por su faceta de actor de voz en producciones de dibujos animados y por ser panelista del concurso Match Game.
I only have just heard of Charles Nelson Reilly and I'm already obsessed! He's like an American Kenneth Williams. Happy to send himself up but is actually a serious intellectual actor.
"You glue the hair on..., You put the teeth in.. & now you're gonna look for your eyes!?!" -Hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣
I LOVE CHARLES NELSON REILLY
HE WILL HAVE YOU ROLLING
YOU GOT TO LOVE HIM ❤ ❤ ❤
YES!
I could listen to Charles ramble on about basically nothing for hours. He was the Seinfeld show before Seinfeld.
I laughed out loud, at the spur story, but I laughed even harder when he said he poked his head on an antler.
He's so funny ... and a wonderful story teller!
Me, too!
God, this guy is beautiful! Has it really been 40 years??
he was such a great man
Yes!
The people in this audience are missing so much of Charles Nelson Reilly.
some people should never get old and die
A one-of-a-kind beautiful man .. and entertainer's entertainer.
Charles was a naturally quick-witted guy who always gives great interviews (or at least I've never seen a dud). I wish I had met him.
Only know him from match game and of his many plays as a director. But brilliant in anything he did
Impeccable acting!
Early in his career, a critic said of CNR, If I see Charles Nelson Reilly's smiling face in the chorus anytime soon, I'll be sick!
I love Reilly’s Bronx NY accent.
Native Virginian His is pretty tame because of his training, you should hear what a true Bronx accent sounds like.
Charles Nelson Reilly was on about 99 times
I loved Charles Nelson Reilly. He made me laugh so hard! Brilliant. Ghost and Mrs. Muir and so many more .
loved him.. he was always himself.
He was awesome
Charles Nelson Reilly was so funny. 🙂🙂
Classic indeed ⭐️🌈💖. I just turned 17 on May 18th 1980 🌬. The day Mt St Helens blew ! 🌎
One hilarious, super talented man that I never fully appreciated at the time. And a pioneer of gay culture...without addressing it directly.
He was my kind of fun boy, never admitted it and never rubbed it in your face (pardon the pun) but he used innuendos all day long and had fun with it in a non vulgar way
He had class.
This is not a disco - hilarious!!
This is not a Disco 😂😂😂
As a washed up rodeo cowboy. I can vouch on CNR's behalf. I am all too familiar with the spur locking of which he speaks. Hahaha!
Caleb Santos How does one unlock their spurs?
Again!😍Charles!😘
Roaches, in the Roach motel, going
This ain't no disco
This ain't no party
This ain't no foolin' around!
I ABSOLUTELY love ❤
Charles Nelson Reilly
Charles⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!♥️
The art of telling a long, but interesting, story. Buddy Hackett and Alan King were great at it too
Only CNR can make a Roach Motel story funny.
This was when it took talent to be entertaining.
Now. We have a world of nobodies demanding attention for nothing.
I’m here because of Matt Baume.
Great Comedian. Great Laugh😅
Great movie «The ghost & mrs. Muir» 😉👍🏽
I’m not sure this is dated right. “Charlotte” opened February 27th, 1980.
Hmmmm. Maybe it was taped earlier and aired later? I pulled the date from the opening credits.
C. Muir Quite possible!
Stud takes on a new meeting
Charles was such a funny and entertaining performer. RIP Charles
Spurs baby!
As a kid I didn't appreciated his silliness.As I rewatched Ghost and Mrs Muir I appreciate his creativity and talent.
Same for me!
he was a great person
Carson needs to keep him mouth shut and stop interrupting, but he has to be the center of attention all the time.
I dont think he’s going to change. 🙄
L o v e
This guy had to have been Boy George's father.
LOL...
Poor toupee.
@robertdiotalevi285 should've went to Maury's wigs. They never fall off.