The Jackie Gleason Roast

[gilligan fanatic]

here is every one at the roast of Jackie Gleason. Sorry the quality isn't that great on some of them. Sometimes its hard to get the snapshots while they are moving. This is from 1976 I believe. Does anybody know why Joyce Randolph wasn't at this?

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[T-Greg]

What's odd about the Dean Martin roasts as a whole, is often you'll wonder why a certain guest was even there, because there seemingly is no connection with the roastee either through TV or film. If I remember correctly Audrey is a guest in at least 2 or 3 of the roasts. I know that really does not answer the question, but outside of the Honeymooners, Joyce Randolph was almost unknown and there were almost always big name guests at the roasts.

[gilligan fanatic]

What's odd about the Dean Martin roasts as a whole, is often you'll wonder why a certain guest was even there, because there seemingly is no connection with the roastee either through TV or film. If I remember correctly Audrey is a guest in at least 2 or 3 of the roasts. I know that really does not answer the question, but outside of the Honeymooners, Joyce Randolph was almost unknown and there were almost always big name guests at the roasts.

ok, that makes sense. It would have been nice to see her on it though. I saw her on one of those TV Land specials, It might have been Inside TV Land and she didn't look that bad compared to others her age.

[Dr. Thong]

What's odd about the Dean Martin roasts as a whole, is often you'll wonder why a certain guest was even there, because there seemingly is no connection with the roastee either through TV or film. If I remember correctly Audrey is a guest in at least 2 or 3 of the roasts. I know that really does not answer the question, but outside of the Honeymooners, Joyce Randolph was almost unknown and there were almost always big name guests at the roasts.

I don't think there necessarily had to be a connection. To me, it was an excuse for some funny people to get together, roast someone and be entertaining.

I'm guessing Audrey was on as many as she was because Dean Martin liked her and she was a good guest. In TV and movies, you hire people who you know are going to do a good job.

I miss those shows.

[Larry Surrell]

Can you tell me who the gentleman is directly below Phyllis Diller, and who the blonde is standing beside Nipsey Russell and Sid Caesar? Everyone else I know. Thanks.

[gilligan fanatic]

that is Gene Kelly and Shelia MacRae

[Larry Surrell]

Wow, that looks nothing like Sheila MacRae! Thanks for the info.

[W.B.]

Wow, that looks nothing like Sheila MacRae! Thanks for the info.
Actually, Ms. MacRae was blonde, but had to dye her hair red as per her Honeymooners contract during her run with the Gleason show. That might explain why she seemed unrecognizable at first glance.

[W.B.]

What's odd about the Dean Martin roasts as a whole, is often you'll wonder why a certain guest was even there, because there seemingly is no connection with the roastee either through TV or film. If I remember correctly Audrey is a guest in at least 2 or 3 of the roasts. I know that really does not answer the question, but outside of the Honeymooners, Joyce Randolph was almost unknown and there were almost always big name guests at the roasts.
Actually, based on the screengrabs, on this roast (from 1975, actually, during the tail end of a one-year contract between Gleason and NBC) everyone pictured, at one time or another, had been involved with Gleason and/or appeared on his show:
- Gene Kelly (directed Gigot and appeared in at least four episodes of The Jackie Gleason Show in the late 1960's)
- Danny Thomas (appeared in the 1967 episode commemorating Gleason's 51st birthday)
- Sid Caesar (appeared in three late 1960's Gleason shows)
- Phyllis Diller (appeared as a stand-up in Gleason's early-to-mid-1960's American Scene Magazine period)
- Frank Gorshin (appeared in three late 1960's Gleason shows)
- Nipsey Russell (appeared in two Gleason shows from 1969)
- Milton Berle (perhaps the most frequent guest performer on the Gleason show in the 1966-1970 period)
The rest, of course (Carney, Meadows and MacRae), are self-explanatory.

And the only person in this roast who did not appear on Gleason's show? Dean Martin . . . but then, I understand Dino had his own variety show on "another network" during that period . . .

[Larry Surrell]

Actually, Ms. MacRae was blonde, but had to dye her hair red as per her Honeymooners contract during her run with the Gleason show. That might explain why she seemed unrecognizable at first glance.

I never knew Sheila MacRae was a blonde. The only times I recall seeing her perform were in The Honeymooners and on an episode of I Love Lucy, which of course was B&W.

[gilligan fanatic]

the ones with Shelia MacRae doesn't have her looking at the camera, so I uploaded some with her at the podium. She might look more recognizable when you can see her face.

[W.B.]

'Course, the hairstyle Sheila wore back in '75 on that roast was a little different than usual . . . for those who've read her Hollywood Mother of the Year autobio . . .

[Larry Surrell]

Thanks for the additional pictures, Gilligan Fanatic. She looks so much younger in these pics than she does as Alice.

[Woolworth27]

She could have been friends with some of the celebertys that where getting roasted.