Tip Toe Through The Tulips - Tiny Tim, 1968
Tip toe through the window Knee deep in flowers we'll stray |
Believe it or not, this song was a huge hit, largely because of "Tiny Tim's" frequent appearances on the trend-setting TV program, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Born Herbert Khaury, this idiosyncratic if not charismatic character spent his early years entering all the talent competitions he could find. It was with a bit of a cult following that he was asked on Laugh-In, thus cementing his place in history.
The real reason I posted this song was to talk about Laugh-In. Originally run in September of 1967 as a one-time comedy special, it was such a hit that NBC brought it back in January of 1968 as a series. The show was revolutionary for its time, showcasing the peace and love generation's anti-establishment views. Many careers where made, including those of Goldie Hawn, Lili Tomlin, and a young Lorne Michaels, who went on to create Saturday Night Live in the 70s.
Memorable segments included Laugh-In Looks at the News - with the controversial "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate" award; Ernestine the obnoxious telephone operator; Flip Wilson's character, Geraldine: "What you see is what get!" and of course, Goldie Hawn's "Sock it to me!" Guests included everyone from John Wayne to Issac Hayes. The show also contributed to the lexicon of the sixties; anyone over 40 will probably remember:
"Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!"
"Here come de' judge!"
"One ringy-dingy...two ringy-dingies..."
"Blow in my ear and I'll follow you anywhere."
"Say goodnight, Dick." - "Goodnight Dick!"
"Verrry Eeenteresting!"
"You bet your sweet bippy!"
But back to Tiny Tim - in 1969, he married Miss Vicki on the Tonight Show. This was mostly a publicity stunt, drawing in 40 million viewers - she filed for divorce in 1972. Herbert Khaury had a heart attack, and passed away in 1996, but he's the type of character that you just can't forget.
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