The Incomparable Tim Conway

[rareboy]

Before Robin Williams there was Tim Conway.

There were so many great moments on the Carol Burnett Show...made unforgettable by his unpredictable departures from script.

 

[Sausy]

I'm sad his later years were spent in declining health, but he was such a treasure back in the day. He giving Harvey Korman constant giggle fits was hysterical... you just never knew who would lose it trying to contain themselves from busting a gut to Tim's antics! Thanks so much Tim for the laughs!

 

[Alistair]

I remember him most from watching years of McHale's Navy reruns as a kid.

 

[BillyT]

Rest In Peace Tim and Thanks for the laughs.

 

[Cormac135]

Comedy gold.

 

[gsdx]

I can see the script for the dentist sketch:

Harvey has a toothache.
Tim is the dentist.
Cameras, try to keep up.

 

[mikey3000]

He was a true comedic genius. Rest in peace.

 

[m1thousand]

Carol Burnett has had specials over the years and she said the Elephant Story cracked up the cast more than anything.

I remember Simba also being shown more than once to show his genius, as was the dentist skit. Do you remember him being a butler and he climbs up onto door handle in an attempt to open the door.

I just reminded myself that he was also great as Mr. Tudball to Carol Burnett's Mrs. Wiggins.

He was a true comic that didnt resort to bad language to get a laugh.

Referring to another thread, if you are a milennial and you havent seen Tim Conway, do yourself a favor and have a look.\

(All his characters are coming back to me: the Nazi puppeteer trying to get a confession out of Lyle Waggoner; the old man who did everything very slow;

The couple tells Simba, who doesnt want to leave, it is time for him to leave

 

[m1thousand]

 

[gsdx]

And then there was Dorf...

 

[NotHardUp1]

Awwww, what a terrible week. Doris Day and Tim Conway.

He was the key in the arch of the ensemble actors. It takes great ensemble work for a funny man to be that funny.

Go in peace, Mr. Conway.

 

[gsdx]

He was the key in the arch of the ensemble actors. It takes great ensemble work for a funny man to be that funny.

I read an article today in which Carol was reminiscing about Tim. She said that, during readings and then rehearsals, Tim would play the character, but he stuck to the script. During filming (which they did twice and used the best results for the broadcast), Tim let loose. No holds barred.

The 'Siamese elephant' sketch above is, thankfully, the uncensored version. Vicki cracks up Tim for a change.

 

[Rickrock]

I really enjoyed Tim Conway's skits. He would improvise and get everyone laughing. Rest in peace.

As someone else said, yesterday it was Doris Day and today it is Tim Conway. They were beautiful people.

Just a note; they were both from Ohio.

 

[EddMarkStarr]

With Tim Conway's passing I've noticed that each post in this thread marks the decline of the Variety Show format that served as the basis for "The Carol Burnett Show" and "The Tim Conway Show".
Like Doris Day, Tim Conway was like family. The joy he brought to my world is everlasting.

 

[Maklaar13]

I was in the audience for that episode of the Johnny Carson show. How lucky was I?

 

[unloadonme]

I'd never heard of him before reading this thread.

 

[m1thousand]

I'd never heard of him before reading this thread.

just like we havent heard of British comics so its understandable

 

[rareboy]

I'd never heard of him before reading this thread.

You missed out on one of the greats.

But better late than never.

Funny how parochial Brits are when it comes to comedy....I grew up knowing about all the comics from Britain and North America, but so many Brits seem to have missed out on the golden age of American comics.

 

[m1thousand]

I'd never heard of him before reading this thread.

I should add that I watch MTV Europe music awards and I dont know many of the nominees

 

[pat grimshaw]

I'd never heard of him before reading this thread.

He was the brother to the late George Sanders and played Sherlock Holmes.