Pavan
11-12-2003, 12:48 AM
TV Land Celebrates the Life of Legendary Actor Art Carney With 39-Episode Marathon of the Honeymooners
NEW YORK, Nov. 11 -- TV Land will honor the life and work of
television legend and acclaimed actor Art Carney with a 39-episode marathon presentation of The Honeymooners on Friday, November 14 beginning at 8:00pm ET/PT. Carney co-starred as the lovable and affable Ed Norton, best friend and sidekick to the colorful and blustery bus-driver Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners, one of television's all-time signature series. Carney passed away at his home in Westbrook, CT on Sunday at the age of 85.
"Art Carney 's lovable character, Ed Norton, will live forever in the minds and hearts of generations of television viewers past, present and yet to come," stated Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Carney, but cherish the legacy he left behind."
Arthur William Matthew Carney was born on November 4, 1918 in Mount Vernon, New York. Before serving in World War II, he had worked as an entertainer in the 1930s at the local Elk Club, performing as both an impressionist and a tap dancer. After graduating from high school, Art traveled with Horace Heidt's popular orchestra and radio quiz show.
Because of his participation in Heidt's group, Carney landed a big role in his first film, "Pot O' Gold" (1941), which starred James Stewart and Paulette Goddard. Playing a radio announcer came naturally to Art, since he had been perfecting his characters and talents regularly on daytime serials, mysteries, children's shows and spot recordings. In addition to these fictional characters, Art also impersonated the voices of prominent political figures, such as Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his more serious program "Report to the Nation." He also worked with Morey Amsterdam on a radio show that eventually turned into a television show, and thereby, Art made his television entrance.
Carney is best known for his portrayal of Ed Norton, Jackie Gleason's best chum on the "The Honeymooners" (1955). Earning the title of America's most famous city sewer worker, Art's character was Ralph's (Gleason) cheerful and heartening buddy who often caused friction between Ralph and his wife
Alice (Audrey Meadows).
Prior to The Honeymooners, for which he earned five of his seven Emmys, Carney mainly worked on stage where he returned later and created the role of compulsive neat freak Felix Unger in the original Broadway production of "The Odd Couple" (1965). Throughout the sixties, he also appeared in "The Rope
Dancers," "The Prisoners of Second Avenue," and "Take Her, She's Mine."
In 1974, Art moved onto the big screen and received an Oscar for his leading role in "Harry and Tonto" (1974). He followed this with other talented and innovative parts in many more films including "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings" (1975), where he played a fundamentalist preacher turned lawman and "The Late Show" (1977), where he played an elderly private investigator.
His boundless acting capability has confirmed his versatile talent; he has taken roles ranging from doctors to detectives to artist, and has appeared in virtually every genre of the entertainment and film industry. He made countless guest appearances on TV specials and series such as The Carol Burnett Show (1967) and Batman (1966), where he guest starred as the Archer.
Carney also appeared in telefilms including Izzy and Moe (1985), reuniting him with former costar, Jackie Gleason, and Terrible Joe Moran (1984), which won him yet another Emmy to add to his varied stage and film career.
Carney is survived by his wife Jean and has three grown children -- Ellen, Brian, and Paul -- from a previous marriage.
The episodes in TV Land's Honeymooners marathon presentation will include the original 39 episodes to air in order as follows:
Friday, November 14
8 p.m. 1. TV or Not TV
When Alice begs for a television set, Ralph and Ed agree to split the cost
and share the set. But their friendship is jeopardized when they can't agree
on a program to watch.
8:36 p.m. 2. Funny Money
Finding a suitcase crammed with $100 bills, Ralph goes on a huge spending
spree that continues merrily until he runs into the gang of counterfeiters
that crammed the suitcase.
9:12 p.m. 3. The Golfer
Ralph's big mouth gets him into big trouble. He pretends to be an
excellent golfer to get in good with his boss, but the scheme backfires when
the boss insists that Ralph join him for an important game.
9:48 p.m. 4. A Woman's Work is Never Done
When Ralph and Alice hire a maid to help with the housework, Ralph takes
advantage of his new high style life.
10:24 p.m. 5. A Matter of Life and Death
Ralph mistakenly believes he is dying, and sells his life story to a
magazine for $5,000.
11:00 p.m. 6. The Sleepwalker
When Norton develops a case of chronic sleepwalking, Ralph is forced to
watch over his friend to keep him from hurting himself.
11:35 p.m. 7. Better Living Through TV
In one of Ralph's many get-rich-quick schemes, Ralph and Ed go on
television to advertise a new kitchen gadget that promises to bring housewives
into the 20th century.
12:10 a.m. 8. Pal o' Mine
A misunderstanding threatens to end Ralph and Ed's friendship forever,
when Ed gives a ring inscribed "to a great pal" to a colleague at work.
12:45 a.m. 9. Brother Ralph
When Ralph is laid off of his job, Alice goes to work in an office where
she is the only woman, with the added hazard of a suave, sophisticated,
handsome boss. To keep her job, Alice must pass Ralph off as her live-in
brother.
1:20 a.m. 10. Hello Mom
Die-hard hater of mothers-in-law, Ralph creates a ruckus when he and Alice
receive a telegram indicating that Mother is coming. But when the unwelcome
guest arrives, Ralph has to eat his words.
1:55 a.m. 11. The Deciding Vote
When Ralph runs for Raccoon Convention Manager, he has to patch up a fight
with Ed to make sure his one-time friend will vote for him.
2:30 a.m. 12. Something Fishy
Alice and Trixie are determined to go on the Raccoon's annual fishing
trip, and Ralph and Ed are equally determined to leave them at home.
3:05 a.m. 13. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Ralph sells his bowling ball to buy Alice a nice Christmas gift.
3:40 a.m. 14. The Man from Space
The Raccoon Lodge annual masquerade party inspires Ralph to concoct the
most unique costume of the night.
4:15 a.m. 15. A Matter of Record
Trying to make up with Alice after a quarrel, Ralph follows Ed's advice to
send her a recording professing his love, but Ed mails Alice the wrong record.
4:50 a.m. 16. Oh My Achin' Back
Ralph's claim that he is too tired to visit his mother-in-law backfires
when Alice learns that he is playing in a bowling tournament that night.
5:25 a.m. 17. The Babysitter
Installing a telephone in spite of Ralph's objections, Alice wins her
husband over, until he thinks he overhears a man preparing to call Alice for a
date.
Saturday, November 15
6:00 a.m. 18. The $99,000 Answer
Ralph enters a contest picking the category of popular music. He seems to
have a smooth road ahead on his way to the top prize until Ed provides an
unexpected hurdle.
6:35 a.m. 19. Ralph Kramden, Inc.
A business incorporated by Ralph and Ed appears to be doomed to failure,
but an unexpected windfall temporarily puts the two friends into big money.
7:10 a.m. 20. Young at Heart
Spurred on by his wife, Alice, Ralph attempts to regain his youth on a
roller skating rink.
7:45 a.m. 21. A Dog's Life
Alice adopts a puppy and tries to hide it from Ralph, with the result that
Ralph inadvertently feeds dog food to his boss.
8:20 a.m. 22. Here Comes the Bride
Ralph's advice to a bridegroom breaks up the honeymoon, bringing the
Kramdens an unexpected guest in the form of the tearful bride.
8:55 a.m. 23. Mama Loves Mambo
A handsome mambo instructor's efforts to enroll Trixie and Alice in his
class create an uproar at home, but teach Ralph and Ed a lesson about marriage
at the same time.
9:30 a.m. 24. Please Leave the Premises
Resenting a $5 increase in the rent, Ralph barricades himself and Alice in
his apartment. The landlord retaliates by cutting off all services and then
putting the Kramdens and all their furniture out in the street.
10:05 a.m. 25. House Beautiful
Alice Kramden tries to surprise Ralph with a redecorated apartment, but
the interior decorator's glove, left behind by mistake, creates a
misunderstanding.
10:40 a.m. 26. Young Man with a Horn
Spurred into listing his good and bad points, Ralph tries to remold his
character for Alice's sake, with the result that she begs him to return to his
old self.
11:15 a.m. 27. Ralph's Big Mouth
Boasting that he is head of his household, Ralph bets that he can order
Alice to make a special supper for an unexpected dinner guest. He ends up
cooking the dinner himself and almost destroys the kitchen.
11:50 a.m. 28. The Worry Wart
An unexpected summons from the Internal Revenue Service panics Ralph into
thinking he should have reported his modest poker, pool and bowling prizes as
income.
12:25 p.m. 29. Ralph Kramden: Hero at Large
Witnessing a bank robbery, Ralph tries to hide but the gangsters seek him
out, tie Alice and Ed Norton to chairs, and take Ralph into the bedroom to
"work him over".
1:00 p.m. 30. The Loudspeaker
Thinking he is to be named "Raccoon of the Year", Ralph rehearses an
"impromptu" speech for the occasion, then learns that it is really Norton who
is to be honored.
1:36 p.m. 31. On Stage
Carried away by his role in an amateur play, Ralph decides he is headed
for Hollywood, until a talent scout in the audience picks Alice instead.
2:12 p.m. 32. Dial J for Janitor
Taking over the janitor's job in his building, Ralph finds that it is
easier to make complaints than to receive them.
2:48 p.m. 33. Opportunity Knocks But
Ralph's boss gets a new pool table and asks Ralph to teach him the game.
Ralph decides this is a golden opportunity to further his career in the bus
company.
3:24 p.m. 34. A Man's Pride
Meeting a friend from out of town who apparently has been successful in
business, Ralph passes himself off as head of the bus company.
4 p.m. 35. Unconventional Behavior
Talked into taking their wives to the Raccoon convention, Ralph and Ed end
up in the wrong berths on the wrong train.
4:36 p.m. 36. The Bensonhurst Bomber
Egged into a fight with a very large, tough gentleman, Ralph follows Ed
Norton's complicated plan to save face and still avoid a fight.
5:12 p.m. 37. The Safety Award
Involved in an accident on his way to receive a driver safety award, Ralph
learns that the donor of the award is the other party in the accident.
5:48 p.m. 38. Ralph's Big Mouth (AKA Mind Your Own Business)
Ralph's advice to Norton on how to get a promotion backfires, leaving
Norton without a job.
6:24 p.m. 39. Alice and the Blonde
Trying to get on the good side of a bus company executive, Ralph and Ed
play up to the executive's silly wife, much to their wives' irritation.
Now seen in more than 81 million U.S. homes, TV Land was created in April, 1996. The network's broad mix of sitcoms, dramas, westerns, variety shows and classic commercials - which TV Land refers to as Retromercials(R) have made TV Land the highest-rated cable channel launched in the last six years on both a household and A25-54 demo basis.
NEW YORK, Nov. 11 -- TV Land will honor the life and work of
television legend and acclaimed actor Art Carney with a 39-episode marathon presentation of The Honeymooners on Friday, November 14 beginning at 8:00pm ET/PT. Carney co-starred as the lovable and affable Ed Norton, best friend and sidekick to the colorful and blustery bus-driver Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners, one of television's all-time signature series. Carney passed away at his home in Westbrook, CT on Sunday at the age of 85.
"Art Carney 's lovable character, Ed Norton, will live forever in the minds and hearts of generations of television viewers past, present and yet to come," stated Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manager, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Carney, but cherish the legacy he left behind."
Arthur William Matthew Carney was born on November 4, 1918 in Mount Vernon, New York. Before serving in World War II, he had worked as an entertainer in the 1930s at the local Elk Club, performing as both an impressionist and a tap dancer. After graduating from high school, Art traveled with Horace Heidt's popular orchestra and radio quiz show.
Because of his participation in Heidt's group, Carney landed a big role in his first film, "Pot O' Gold" (1941), which starred James Stewart and Paulette Goddard. Playing a radio announcer came naturally to Art, since he had been perfecting his characters and talents regularly on daytime serials, mysteries, children's shows and spot recordings. In addition to these fictional characters, Art also impersonated the voices of prominent political figures, such as Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his more serious program "Report to the Nation." He also worked with Morey Amsterdam on a radio show that eventually turned into a television show, and thereby, Art made his television entrance.
Carney is best known for his portrayal of Ed Norton, Jackie Gleason's best chum on the "The Honeymooners" (1955). Earning the title of America's most famous city sewer worker, Art's character was Ralph's (Gleason) cheerful and heartening buddy who often caused friction between Ralph and his wife
Alice (Audrey Meadows).
Prior to The Honeymooners, for which he earned five of his seven Emmys, Carney mainly worked on stage where he returned later and created the role of compulsive neat freak Felix Unger in the original Broadway production of "The Odd Couple" (1965). Throughout the sixties, he also appeared in "The Rope
Dancers," "The Prisoners of Second Avenue," and "Take Her, She's Mine."
In 1974, Art moved onto the big screen and received an Oscar for his leading role in "Harry and Tonto" (1974). He followed this with other talented and innovative parts in many more films including "W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings" (1975), where he played a fundamentalist preacher turned lawman and "The Late Show" (1977), where he played an elderly private investigator.
His boundless acting capability has confirmed his versatile talent; he has taken roles ranging from doctors to detectives to artist, and has appeared in virtually every genre of the entertainment and film industry. He made countless guest appearances on TV specials and series such as The Carol Burnett Show (1967) and Batman (1966), where he guest starred as the Archer.
Carney also appeared in telefilms including Izzy and Moe (1985), reuniting him with former costar, Jackie Gleason, and Terrible Joe Moran (1984), which won him yet another Emmy to add to his varied stage and film career.
Carney is survived by his wife Jean and has three grown children -- Ellen, Brian, and Paul -- from a previous marriage.
The episodes in TV Land's Honeymooners marathon presentation will include the original 39 episodes to air in order as follows:
Friday, November 14
8 p.m. 1. TV or Not TV
When Alice begs for a television set, Ralph and Ed agree to split the cost
and share the set. But their friendship is jeopardized when they can't agree
on a program to watch.
8:36 p.m. 2. Funny Money
Finding a suitcase crammed with $100 bills, Ralph goes on a huge spending
spree that continues merrily until he runs into the gang of counterfeiters
that crammed the suitcase.
9:12 p.m. 3. The Golfer
Ralph's big mouth gets him into big trouble. He pretends to be an
excellent golfer to get in good with his boss, but the scheme backfires when
the boss insists that Ralph join him for an important game.
9:48 p.m. 4. A Woman's Work is Never Done
When Ralph and Alice hire a maid to help with the housework, Ralph takes
advantage of his new high style life.
10:24 p.m. 5. A Matter of Life and Death
Ralph mistakenly believes he is dying, and sells his life story to a
magazine for $5,000.
11:00 p.m. 6. The Sleepwalker
When Norton develops a case of chronic sleepwalking, Ralph is forced to
watch over his friend to keep him from hurting himself.
11:35 p.m. 7. Better Living Through TV
In one of Ralph's many get-rich-quick schemes, Ralph and Ed go on
television to advertise a new kitchen gadget that promises to bring housewives
into the 20th century.
12:10 a.m. 8. Pal o' Mine
A misunderstanding threatens to end Ralph and Ed's friendship forever,
when Ed gives a ring inscribed "to a great pal" to a colleague at work.
12:45 a.m. 9. Brother Ralph
When Ralph is laid off of his job, Alice goes to work in an office where
she is the only woman, with the added hazard of a suave, sophisticated,
handsome boss. To keep her job, Alice must pass Ralph off as her live-in
brother.
1:20 a.m. 10. Hello Mom
Die-hard hater of mothers-in-law, Ralph creates a ruckus when he and Alice
receive a telegram indicating that Mother is coming. But when the unwelcome
guest arrives, Ralph has to eat his words.
1:55 a.m. 11. The Deciding Vote
When Ralph runs for Raccoon Convention Manager, he has to patch up a fight
with Ed to make sure his one-time friend will vote for him.
2:30 a.m. 12. Something Fishy
Alice and Trixie are determined to go on the Raccoon's annual fishing
trip, and Ralph and Ed are equally determined to leave them at home.
3:05 a.m. 13. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Ralph sells his bowling ball to buy Alice a nice Christmas gift.
3:40 a.m. 14. The Man from Space
The Raccoon Lodge annual masquerade party inspires Ralph to concoct the
most unique costume of the night.
4:15 a.m. 15. A Matter of Record
Trying to make up with Alice after a quarrel, Ralph follows Ed's advice to
send her a recording professing his love, but Ed mails Alice the wrong record.
4:50 a.m. 16. Oh My Achin' Back
Ralph's claim that he is too tired to visit his mother-in-law backfires
when Alice learns that he is playing in a bowling tournament that night.
5:25 a.m. 17. The Babysitter
Installing a telephone in spite of Ralph's objections, Alice wins her
husband over, until he thinks he overhears a man preparing to call Alice for a
date.
Saturday, November 15
6:00 a.m. 18. The $99,000 Answer
Ralph enters a contest picking the category of popular music. He seems to
have a smooth road ahead on his way to the top prize until Ed provides an
unexpected hurdle.
6:35 a.m. 19. Ralph Kramden, Inc.
A business incorporated by Ralph and Ed appears to be doomed to failure,
but an unexpected windfall temporarily puts the two friends into big money.
7:10 a.m. 20. Young at Heart
Spurred on by his wife, Alice, Ralph attempts to regain his youth on a
roller skating rink.
7:45 a.m. 21. A Dog's Life
Alice adopts a puppy and tries to hide it from Ralph, with the result that
Ralph inadvertently feeds dog food to his boss.
8:20 a.m. 22. Here Comes the Bride
Ralph's advice to a bridegroom breaks up the honeymoon, bringing the
Kramdens an unexpected guest in the form of the tearful bride.
8:55 a.m. 23. Mama Loves Mambo
A handsome mambo instructor's efforts to enroll Trixie and Alice in his
class create an uproar at home, but teach Ralph and Ed a lesson about marriage
at the same time.
9:30 a.m. 24. Please Leave the Premises
Resenting a $5 increase in the rent, Ralph barricades himself and Alice in
his apartment. The landlord retaliates by cutting off all services and then
putting the Kramdens and all their furniture out in the street.
10:05 a.m. 25. House Beautiful
Alice Kramden tries to surprise Ralph with a redecorated apartment, but
the interior decorator's glove, left behind by mistake, creates a
misunderstanding.
10:40 a.m. 26. Young Man with a Horn
Spurred into listing his good and bad points, Ralph tries to remold his
character for Alice's sake, with the result that she begs him to return to his
old self.
11:15 a.m. 27. Ralph's Big Mouth
Boasting that he is head of his household, Ralph bets that he can order
Alice to make a special supper for an unexpected dinner guest. He ends up
cooking the dinner himself and almost destroys the kitchen.
11:50 a.m. 28. The Worry Wart
An unexpected summons from the Internal Revenue Service panics Ralph into
thinking he should have reported his modest poker, pool and bowling prizes as
income.
12:25 p.m. 29. Ralph Kramden: Hero at Large
Witnessing a bank robbery, Ralph tries to hide but the gangsters seek him
out, tie Alice and Ed Norton to chairs, and take Ralph into the bedroom to
"work him over".
1:00 p.m. 30. The Loudspeaker
Thinking he is to be named "Raccoon of the Year", Ralph rehearses an
"impromptu" speech for the occasion, then learns that it is really Norton who
is to be honored.
1:36 p.m. 31. On Stage
Carried away by his role in an amateur play, Ralph decides he is headed
for Hollywood, until a talent scout in the audience picks Alice instead.
2:12 p.m. 32. Dial J for Janitor
Taking over the janitor's job in his building, Ralph finds that it is
easier to make complaints than to receive them.
2:48 p.m. 33. Opportunity Knocks But
Ralph's boss gets a new pool table and asks Ralph to teach him the game.
Ralph decides this is a golden opportunity to further his career in the bus
company.
3:24 p.m. 34. A Man's Pride
Meeting a friend from out of town who apparently has been successful in
business, Ralph passes himself off as head of the bus company.
4 p.m. 35. Unconventional Behavior
Talked into taking their wives to the Raccoon convention, Ralph and Ed end
up in the wrong berths on the wrong train.
4:36 p.m. 36. The Bensonhurst Bomber
Egged into a fight with a very large, tough gentleman, Ralph follows Ed
Norton's complicated plan to save face and still avoid a fight.
5:12 p.m. 37. The Safety Award
Involved in an accident on his way to receive a driver safety award, Ralph
learns that the donor of the award is the other party in the accident.
5:48 p.m. 38. Ralph's Big Mouth (AKA Mind Your Own Business)
Ralph's advice to Norton on how to get a promotion backfires, leaving
Norton without a job.
6:24 p.m. 39. Alice and the Blonde
Trying to get on the good side of a bus company executive, Ralph and Ed
play up to the executive's silly wife, much to their wives' irritation.
Now seen in more than 81 million U.S. homes, TV Land was created in April, 1996. The network's broad mix of sitcoms, dramas, westerns, variety shows and classic commercials - which TV Land refers to as Retromercials(R) have made TV Land the highest-rated cable channel launched in the last six years on both a household and A25-54 demo basis.