Andy Kaufman: Funny or Not?

[Dino Velvet]

Thought I'd put it to a poll. Andy was a strange bird with an odd act full of planned surprises but he was always interesting and funny to me even if by mistake.

"Fridays TV Show" (1981) [Show L-08] "Andy Kaufman, the Fight Incident" [09 of 12] - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN5vhvIAqY8)

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdyllo5AQv1qcfkaqo1_1280.jpg

[nysprod]

Loved Andy's work.

[Bobzz]

Funny, but often in a way that you realized afterwards; like you were in on the joke, yet part of the joke, yet able to see the absurdity of the humor. Case in point ...Andy Kaufman Bongo - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH12suXxjQY)

[danthepoetman]

He reinvented fun!
His wrestling stunts were just so unususal and fun it's still hard to describe.
I think he had much more influence on comedy than he is recognized for. He questioned what is funny, what is comedy, what it is to perform. Behind an exterior of a total buffoon, he was a deep theorist of fun, and often even a terrorist of fun! You never knew quite how to take what he was doing! And in doing so, he was also questioning every aspect of social life, habits, customs. In his way, I personaly hold Andy Kaufman for a genius.
Nice thread, Dino!
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQC73M430xsEIBjx0YoEMGyhCQ6t-J_CSFQhSQ8phc2Qdo-hDzE
http://kentuckyfriedwrestling.com/theword2/wp-content/uploads/andyshirt.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HtqT45eUyU4/Sg6SaQGm3XI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/o9BLdo-gB8g/s400/andy.kaufman.jpg
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/PmHCx8lCl8Y/hqdefault.jpg
http://www.bookertea.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Lawler-and-Andy.jpg
http://www2.citypaper.com/sb/49805/464.jpg

[Quiet Reflections]

I don't think he was funny but he had a brilliant comedic mind and has served as a huge influence to some great comedians. His importance to the art form should never be understated.

[youngblood61]

Never thought he was funny at all.

[luvs2lick1385]

So I was at his show at Carnegie Hall. At the beginning of the show he calls this litttle old lady out on the stage and introduces his grandmother. he then goes off stage and comes out with a rocking chair that he places on the side of the stage. hid grandmother sits in the chair for the show. At the end of the show he calls his grandmother over, grabs her hair and pulls off her wig. Turns out it was Robin Williams in costume. he proceeds to invite the entire audience for milk and cookies at a local school.Out side Carnegie Hall were schools buses waiting for us. We got on the bus and were taken to a local school where we were served 1/2 pint containers of milk and packages of chocolate chip cookies. Andy and Robin walked the crowd and it was a fantastic night. Typical of Andy.
i will never forget his comic genius.

[Dino Velvet]

Funny, but often in a way that you realized afterwards; like you were in on the joke, yet part of the joke, yet able to see the absurdity of the humor. Case in point ...Andy Kaufman Bongo - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH12suXxjQY)

Sometimes you didn't get the bit for years but finally did, stopped for a moment, and had a good laugh on a public sidewalk.

Some great stories already and I'm sure more coming. I would have loved to go to Jerry's Deli in Encino when he was a real busboy but still in disguise. He did stuff that no one would ever think of, good and bad. I'm a big wrestling fan and loved the stuff in Memphis with Jerry Lawler too. He brought some serious heat down there.

http://hillbilliebook.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/0/4/14040076/3589092.jpg?324
"Yew thank yew better'n me???"

Andy Kaufman wrestles a 327 pound woman - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uQlB99WCuk)

Andy Kaufman I'm from Hollywood Full - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB0hLuDdbD0)

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/08/12/27/66/0008122766012_500X500.jpg

NOW THAT'S A FUCKIN' HEEL DONE RIGHT!

[jennyj23]

I always liked him. He was offbeat to be sure but I always enjoyed his humor.

[Dino Velvet]

I have to admit when I first saw him on Saturday Night Live I couldn't stand him. Now I love that clip. My Grandparents were goofballs from Eastern Europe. Not sure exactly where Latka was supposed to be from.

http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1122959385

[danthepoetman]

Sometimes you didn't get the bit for years but finally did, stopped for a moment, and had a good laugh on a public sidewalk.

Some great stories already and I'm sure more coming. I would have loved to go to Jerry's Deli in Encino when he was a real busboy but still in disguise. He did stuff that no one would ever think of, good and bad. I'm a big wrestling fan and loved the stuff in Memphis with Jerry Lawler too. He brought some serious heat down there.

http://hillbilliebook.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/0/4/14040076/3589092.jpg?324
"Yew thank yew better'n me???"

Andy Kaufman wrestles a 327 pound woman - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uQlB99WCuk)

Andy Kaufman I'm from Hollywood Full - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB0hLuDdbD0)

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/08/12/27/66/0008122766012_500X500.jpg

NOW THAT'S A FUCKIN' HEEL DONE RIGHT!
This is pure delight! I didn't follow all of this at the time, but either saw or had echos from it by bits, of course. To see it all like this is absolutely wonderful! Thank you for the whole show, Dino! Just great, great stuff!!