The Red Skelton Show final season: January 18, 1971

Описание: This video clip is from Red Skelton's final season on television, on his return to NBC. As the viewer watches Mr. Skelton in action in this clip, there is so much joy in Red's stand up routine - he truly loved what he was doing and making people laugh. He was making himself laugh as well, and that is part of the great charm in his comedy. Joy.

As well known as Red Skelton is as an entertainer, actor, comic, he became equally well known as a artist and painter. His clown paintings were/are highly sought after by art collectors. Once his television series work ended in 1971, he began to focus more on his painting, as well as doing live performances of his comedy routine.

It should be noted that Mr. Skelton had stipulated in his will, long before he passed away, that all of his television series film archive be destroyed upon his death. I think Red was concerned that without careful control of the content, someday his shows would pop up everywhere, in a sort of 'bargain-bin' sale of television.

At the time he made that stimpulation, I believe it was in the late 1970s, this was at a time prior to the VCR and home entertainment VHS/DVD systems for the masses; hence, his concerns might have appeared to be overly worrisome at that time. But Mr. Skelton was a man ahead of his time in many ways, and he indeed was proven to be correct. His television series archive was indeed preserved by his family (which we are all most grateful), but the extent to which his video collection (and like so many other television series/specials, movies, music) was distributed to the masses with such technological force, that it has been indeed somewhat chaotic to a point of 'media-on-the-cheap'. I purchased a DVD collection of Mr. Skelton's work at none other than the local Pharmacy Store (Walgreens), in where else, but the bargain bin near the checkout line. As I was purchasing that DVD, I do recall thinking to myself what Red had feared was indeed coming true.

Nevertheless, we are all grateful, and all the better, for having Mr. Skelton be such an important and integral part of the television landscape at its beginning in the early 1950s and throughout it's great hey-day of the 1960s. Having his fine work available to us all now, regardless to what extent, is better than not having it at all. It is up to all of us to try our best to treat his work (and that of other entertainers, arts, etc.) with the highest regard. Remember, technology may change, but content is king - it is 'forever.'

Thank you Red! I'm hoping this simple video tribute would make him proud and serve to educate all of us here on YouTube of the fine work and sincere intentions of a very talented and funny man.

This video clip is presented here on YouTube for the entertainment and educational value of the viewer, and no copyright infringement is intended.