Ep 20. Dean Martin & Muhammad Ali

Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts was a television show that ran from 1974 to 1984, featuring a celebrity panel that would roast a selected celebrity each episode. Season 1 episode 20, titled "Dean Martin & Muhammad Ali," brings together two legendary names from the entertainment and sports industries.

The episode starts with the celebrity panel coming on stage, which includes Sammy Davis Jr., Don Rickles, Redd Foxx, Rich Little, and many more iconic stars. Dean Martin, the host of the show, then makes his grand entrance to the sound of cheers and applause from the audience.

After some playful banter between Dean Martin and the panel, it's time to bring out the main event: Muhammad Ali. Ali enters the stage looking confident and charismatic, sporting his signature smile and a stylish red suit. As he takes his place at the roasting chair, Dean Martin starts off the proceedings, welcoming the audience and introducing Ali to the panel.

The roast begins with riffs on Ali's boxing career, with Don Rickles taking the lead. He jokes about Ali's infamous "phantom punch" that he used to knock out Sonny Liston in their rematch. Redd Foxx then takes the stage, poking fun at Ali's various nicknames and his larger-than-life personality.

Rich Little, known for his impeccable impersonations of celebrities, takes on the challenge of impersonating Ali himself. He recites one of Ali's famous poems, putting his own comedic spin on it. Sammy Davis Jr. then takes center stage, admiring Ali's fighting spirit and charisma. He also performs an impressive rendition of "The Candy Man".

The roasting continues, with other panelists taking turns to dish out their own unique jabs at the legendary boxer. Among them, Norm Crosby discusses Ali's love of children, while Gabe Kaplan makes a hilarious joke about Ali's autobiography.

As the roast comes to a close, Dean Martin takes a moment to praise Ali for his remarkable career and his impact on the world. He presents Ali with a plaque that reads "Muhammad Ali, the Greatest," which Ali accepts graciously.

The episode ends with Ali thanking the panel and the audience for the memorable experience. He jokes that he took some hits in the ring, but the roasting was nothing compared to that. The crowd erupts into laughter and applause as Ali takes his leave, leaving the panel and Dean Martin to bid farewell to the audience.

Overall, the "Dean Martin & Muhammad Ali" episode of The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts is a hilarious and heartwarming tribute to one of the greatest boxers of all time. With its star-studded panel of comedians and entertainers, it's a must-see for fans of both Dean Martin and Muhammad Ali.