So many comedy patriarchs are leaving us lately, I’m starting to feel like my grandparents who I thought were obsessed with obituaries during the Seventies and Eighties.
To say Carl Reiner was a legend is an understatement. The man helped define SitComs and Comedy through his work in the 20th Century. I’m too young to know anything before The Dick Van Dyke Show was in syndication but for me, he was responsible for directing all of Steve Martin’s great films: The Jerk, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid and All of Me. Carl’s sensibilities helped channel Martin’s comedic energy into success unlike Jim Carrey. He will also be remembered as a voice actor, namely as Tilly’s new boyfriend Hank accidentally sees naked in King of the Hill.
Farewell Carl! You brought your Borscht-belt comedic sensibilities and then some to the masses. I don’t think American TV would be the same without your contributions.