R.I.P. Bob Einstein
This is probably my favorite scene in my favorite film of all time, Modern Romance. I remember the first time I saw it, realizing that it was Super Dave Osborne (whom I knew from his great deadpan talk show appearances) & later realizing he was AB's brother
This is probably my favorite scene in my favorite film of all time, Modern Romance. I remember the first time I saw it, realizing that it was Super Dave Osborne (whom I knew from his great deadpan talk show appearances) & later realizing he was AB's brother
Einstein had maybe the single best deadpan of any late night guest, better even than Grodin at his peak maybe! His bits were always great but my favorite parts were always when the audience would laugh and he would stop and glare at them, or at Dave.
It's just tremendous the way he times those reactions, feeding off Dave's timing and the energy of the audience...
...and the punchline.
I could listen to Bob Einstein tell a thousand jokes like this and never get tired of the WAY he tells them.
I could listen to Bob Einstein tell a thousand jokes like this and never get tired of the WAY he tells them.
Another early 90s Letterman appearance. My memory is that he was ALWAYS a great guest.
I think in addition to how impressive his deadpan was, the patience he had in timing a joke was another thing I marveled at. I love the way he leans into this Dan Quayle bit.
I always liked his recurring bit where he doesn't want Dave to show the clip he brought
I don't know that I was conscious of it at the time, but he was clearly a huge influence on me when I was doing my presidential & olympic bits on the early years of the Gethard Show...
Setting up the clip...
And keep in mind, he was Carson's FIRST guest on the show that night! That's how well-regarded he was on these shows.
I am really sad about this, but Bob Einstein is going to keep me laughing for the rest of my life. He was one of the funniest people that has ever been.
I am really sad about this, but Bob Einstein is going to keep me laughing for the rest of my life. He was one of the funniest people that has ever been.
FYI: here is a collection of a full hour's worth of Super Dave appearances on Letterman from the 1990s. (A similar one from Letterman on NBC has been blocked on YouTube, awaiting a resolution soon.)
