We've included this clip before as part of another post, but we wanted to highlight it today in memory of Jonathan Winters, who passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2013, of natural causes at his home in Montecito, California. During his 87 years of life, the great comedian and entertainer had inspired countless individuals, many of them young, aspiring actors and comedians. One such peron was Bob Crane.
Jonathan Winters was a regular guest on The Bob Crane Show over KNX-CBS Radio in Hollywood (1956-1965). "Another great one was Jonathan Winters," Bob explained in a 1964 interview with Associated Press reporter Bob Thomas. "He held back the first time he was on because he didn't realize how far I went. Then he asked to come back again, and he was out of this world."
In fact, Jonathan Winters was so out of this world that he managed to do something that the majority of guests on Bob Crane's show were unable to do: get one up on the fast-talking radio personality. Most guests came on Bob's show fully aware that he would roast them a bit. In fact, although there were a few exceptions, the great majority of them enjoyed it and had just as much fun as Bob did on the air. But in an ad-libbed skit between Jonathan and Bob during one interview, Jonathan takes the upper hand and catches Bob off-guard, eventually rendering him speechless - a rare feat for any guest on Bob's show.
That clip is presented here in memory of both Bob Crane and Jonathan Winters, two of the best comedians this world has ever known.
The Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio
Bob Crane interviews Jonathan Winters / Ad-libbed routine
Circa 1960
