Rowlf as Gleason: "How sweet it is!"
Gleason's Grouch counterpart, Ralph Crammedon
Jackie Gleason (1916-1987) was an American comedian, best known for his role as Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners (a spin-off of a popular sketch on his variety series, The Jackie Gleason Show). Gleason also appeared in films such as The Hustler and Smokey and the Bandit.
References[]
- On the February 27, 1964 broadcast of The Jimmy Dean Show, Rowlf the Dog impersonates Gleason, donning a tall top hat and with the musical fanfare used to introduce the wealthy Reginald Van Gleason III. He then quotes an assortment of Gleason phrases ("Mmm-boy," "How sweet it is," "I'm a dan-dan-dandy") and then with an "And away we go," he goes in frenetic fashion (hurting his ankle in the process). Earlier in the same bit, Rowlf impersonated Frank Fontaine as Crazy Guggenheim from Gleason's Joe the Bartender skits.
- Rowlf mentions Gleason again on the January 7, 1965 broadcast, after Jimmy Dean describes the giant from "Jack and the Beanstalk."
- For the November 26, 1965 broadcast, Rowlf says he had Thanksgiving dinner at Gleason's house: "How sweet it was!" He also jokes that since he was a dog, he only got in by impersonating one of the June Taylor Dancers who performed on The Jackie Gleason Show.
- Oscar exclaims, "Awaaaaay we go!" a la Gleason's delivery before driving away in his Sloppy Jalopy in Episode 1424 of Sesame Street. Big Bird does the same before exiting Hooper's Store in Episode 2449.
- Another of Gleason's catchphrases, "How sweet it is!," has been spoofed as "How tweet it is!" by Big Bird on the Sesame Country album (introducing "The Last Cookie Roundup") and Hoots the Owl in episode 2874.
- Oscar exclaims, "How sweet it is!" when he is given Stinky's extra-smelly flower in Episode 3538.
- Ralph Crammedon, a Grouch appearing in episode 4094 of Sesame Street, spoofs Gleason's character in The Honeymooners. Ralph even borrows one of Gleason's well-known catchphrases, "And awaaay we go!"