Watch Fractured Flickers

Fractured Flickers is a unique comedy show that premiered on NBC in 1963. The show aimed to amuse the audience by taking classic silent films and adding new dialogue, sound effects, and music. The result is a hilarious blend of old and new elements that provides an entirely different viewing experience.

The show is hosted by Hans Conried, a popular actor and voiceover artist of the time. Another notable contributor is Paul Frees, renowned for his voice-acting work in popular franchises like The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show and The Pink Panther. Fractured Flickers is one of the rare shows that relied on voice acting and sound effects to convey humor effectively.

The format of the show is primarily that of a sketch comedy. Most episodes begin with a silent film clip, which is then broken down into increasingly absurd and comical skits. The skits vary in length and content, but most of them rely on wordplay, slapstick humor, and irony.

The show's title itself is an early indication of its wacky nature. It's a play on the word "fractured" and the phrase "flickers," which was a popular colloquial term for silent movies. The show intended to "fracture" the classic movies by adding modern elements, and the results were nothing short of hilarious.

Fractured Flickers was unique because it utilized classic silent films, primarily from the 1910s and 1920s. These films had minimal sound, dialogue, or music, making them the perfect canvas for the show's quirky brand of humor. The show aimed to reintroduce these forgotten gems to a new generation of viewers.

The show's humor can be described as irreverent, absurd, and random. While most of the skits revolve around the silent films, some of them veer off into other topics entirely. For instance, a silent film clip could be followed by a sketch about a talking dog or a spoof of a popular TV show. Such variety kept the show fresh and unexpected, as viewers never knew what to expect next.

The show also relied heavily on puns, wordplay, and pop culture references. Frees' deep, mellifluous voice lent itself well to the show's off-the-wall humor. Conried's hosting duties were equally pivotal in keeping the show's pace and tone consistent. His witty banter with the show's other performers added an extra dimension to the comedy.

Despite its short run, Fractured Flickers was both a critical and a commercial success. It won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievements in Editing and was praised for its innovative use of silent films. Many of its sketches have become iconic and still widely shared on social media.

One notable thing about Fractured Flickers is the lack of political or social commentary. Unlike many comedy shows of the time, Fractured Flickers avoided overtly political themes and focused exclusively on humor. Its isolated comedic universe was a refreshing break from the turbulent social and political climate of the 1960s.

If you're a fan of comedy, puns, or classic movies, Fractured Flickers is a must-watch. Its unique brand of humor and innovative use of silent films make it a show that stands the test of time. Whether you're a boomer or a millennial, Fractured Flickers is guaranteed to make you laugh, in spite of itself.