Clip: The Tonight Show Starring Jerry Lewis

[Al Timiter]

I can't remember where he said it but Lewis said in a television interview, and I'm paraphrasing here: "My partner had one television show. I had four."

[Mark_Giardina]

I can't remember where he said it but Lewis said in a television interview, and I'm paraphrasing here: "My partner had one television show. I had four."

There was a video on You Tube of someone interviewing Lewis on his yacht and I remember him making that comment.

Someone at my place of business also mentioned that Lewis was the godfather of Dean's son Dino, which explained why Lewis attended Dino's funeral shortly after the younger Martin died in a plane crash. Anyone know for certain if Jerry was indeed Dino's godfather or is that just another urban legend?

[buster2]

Dean Martin had the roasts, which were pretty fun and got good ratings for some time.  But his best show was his variety show.  That sounds like at least two shows, not one.  In any case, both were succsessful for years.

The truth is both Lewis and Martin had good careers after their partnership broke up.  Dean Martin had the good business sense to buy a LOT of RCA stock (when RCA owned NBC) and became very wealthy indeed.  He also had some very meaty and respectable roles in the movies.  One of his very best roles is in "Rio Bravo" with John Wayne in which Dean stole the movie, and there are others, such as the original "Airport".

So... Dean Martin could sing; he could act; he could dance; he could be funny; he knew talent when he saw it; he was a devoted family man (and not the lecherous lush he portrayed in his act), and he was a savvy businessman.  Jerry Lewis has a lot of those same attributes. No wonder they clashed.

[dhett]

And does anyone remember the story arc he did on CBS's "Wiseguy" in the 1980s?

I remember it.  His was quite the obnoxious character.  As much as I liked Lewis, I often wondered how close it was to his real, offstage personality.

[WhoDat!]

And does anyone remember the story arc he did on CBS's "Wiseguy" in the 1980s?

I remember it.  His was quite the obnoxious character.  As much as I liked Lewis, I often wondered how close it was to his real, offstage personality.

i would put jerry lewis & JIM CAREY, in the SAME category, ANNOYING comedians, but i should be so rich.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Jerry Lewis did host the Tonight Show a few times during the Jack Paar years.  Once was a July 4th show in 1960.  On one of those shows, he did the bit where he flipped a cigarette into the air and caught it in his mouth.

I remember the period from May - September of 1962 when the show had weekly hosts between Paar's departure and the beginning of Carson.  I'd like to see a complete list, but I think one of them was Art Linkletter.  I think Groucho did a week, too.  Is there a list of those guest hosts from those weeks?