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Nichols & May: Mother & Son

Posted Wed, 04/18/2007 - 11:50 by Jesse Thorn | 4 comments

The legendary Mike Nichols & Elaine May perform one of their classic telephone routines, with Nichols as a NASA scientist and May as his worried mother.

Found after watching this wonderful routine they performed on the 1959 Emmy awards, which was pointed out by recent TSOYA guest Brian Stack. It seems that YouTube user drono2 has stumbled upon a cache of these videos -- anyone know where they're from?

It would be difficult to overstate the importance of Nichols & May in ushering in the modern era of American comedy. It's a horrible shame that Elaine May has acted so rarely since the Nichols & May days -- if you don't believe me, rent the mediocre Woody Allen film Small Time Crooks and catch her brilliant turn.

So, on this topic: should I rent Ishtar?

Comments

Wed, 04/18/2007 - 12:56 — Udo Von DuYu (not verified)

Rent Ishtar, watch the first 20 minutes, then put it away. Do this and you won't regret it. It is a thing of genius until they actually go to the desert. Then it's literally a desert...a desert filled with suck. But those first 20 min are a lost comedy classic.

Thu, 04/19/2007 - 11:51 — Bill W (not verified)

There's some decent stuff during the rest. Camel gags, and Grodin.Speaking of whom, you should rent The Heartbreak Kid. and Mikey & Nicky. I don't think A New Leaf is out yet. All better than Ishtar. is that Pink Steel Udo??

Thu, 04/19/2007 - 12:26 — Jesse Thorn

I've seen The Heartbreak Kid, and I liked it a lot. I haven't seen Mikey & Nicky yet, though.

Wed, 05/16/2007 - 13:37 — Udo Von DuYu (not verified)

Why yes, "Bill W," it is. Should I know you, schatzie?