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Post by Geno Cuddy on May 23, 2017 19:29:21 GMT
Besides nostalgic favorites like So Weird, I also love classic comedy. I have a personal obsession with Tommy Cooper. He was a comedian and magician, known for wearing a red fez and his catchphrase "Jus' Like That". He was an awesome performer, who gets little recognition in America. He sadly passed away on live television, in front of a packed house at Her Majesty's Theatre on April 15, 1984. Here are some of my favorite bits he performed on his TV series.
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Post by Geno Cuddy on Jun 21, 2018 20:36:50 GMT
As some of you may know, Tommy Cooper is one of my favorite comedians and magicians, and I watch his shows often. On the evening of April 15, 1984, Tommy was performing on the hit variety TV show, Live From Her Majesty's, when he collapsed and suffered a fatal heart attack. The audience continued to laugh while Tommy fell to the floor, with his trademark fez adorning his head. He was known for being unpredictable, and show runners never knew what to expect from him. Producers at LWT asked Tommy's son, Thomas, if that was part of the act that night, he replied, "No, he has a bad back, he'd never be able to fall like that, THIS IS REAL!". Interestingly, Tommy had suffered similar heart attacks before, one quite famously in 1977, while performing in Italy. It is worth noting, he had a history of ailments and was 6'1" and 210lbs. He suffered from phlebitis, bronchitis, lumbago and tuberculosis. He was a compulsive drinker and smoker, smoking a reported 40 cigars a day, due to his stage fright. That night, he had trouble walking to the upstairs dressing rooms and had a special one erected for him, just off stage. Tommy was only 63 years old when he died, here is the whole show, from my archives, note that when they go to the long shot of the stage, and the logo appears, they have wrapped the curtain around his corpse and go to break. When they come back, the next act has to perform around his body, while EMTs are attempting to resuscitate him backstage. Tommy's act starts at the 19:00 mark, the fall occurs at the 27:00 mark. drive.google.com/open?id=1tQmwHbErWm11rC_PY62dvazu5dhSSPWz drive.google.com/open?id=1tQmwHbErWm11rC_PY62dvazu5dhSSPWz
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