Ep 7. Joe Garagiola
- May 25, 1976
- 51 min
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts season 1 episode 7 is a hilarious and entertaining tribute to baseball legend Joe Garagiola. The episode features a star-studded lineup of comedians, athletes, and entertainers who gather to roast Garagiola in the playful and irreverent style for which the show is famed.
As the episode opens, Dean Martin introduces Garagiola to the audience, describing him as "a man who's as famous for his sense of humor as he is for his baseball career." The audience cheers as Garagiola takes his place on the stage, dressed in a sharp suit and sporting a mischievous grin.
The roasters then take turns coming up to the microphone to deliver their jokes and insults at Garagiola's expense. Among the roasters are such luminaries as Bob Hope, Don Rickles, Ronald Reagan, Red Buttons, and Orson Welles. The jokes come fast and furious, covering topics as diverse as Garagiola's Italian heritage, his love of food, his lack of hair, and his baseball career.
One of the highlights of the episode is Garagiola's good-natured responses to the roasters' barbs. Despite being the target of the jokes, Garagiola is quick with his own quips and comes across as a skilled comic in his own right. He takes the ribbing in stride and seems to be genuinely enjoying himself throughout the proceedings.
As the episode progresses, the roasts become increasingly outrageous and hilarious. At one point, Rickles brings out a live chicken and places it on Garagiola's head, joking that it's the first time the bird has been on a bald head without being eaten. The audience erupts in laughter and Garagiola takes it all in stride, gamely playing along with the gag.
Throughout the episode, Martin serves as the emcee, introducing the roasters and keeping the proceedings moving along. Martin's easygoing style and effortless charm are on full display, and he seems to be genuinely enjoying himself as much as the other participants.
The episode wraps up with a heartfelt tribute to Garagiola, with Martin leading the audience in a chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Garagiola seems genuinely touched by the tribute, and he thanks the roasters and the audience for their support and good humor.
Overall, The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts season 1 episode 7 is a raucous and fun-filled tribute to a beloved figure in the world of sports and entertainment. The comedic talent on display is top-notch, and the jokes and insults are delivered with a gusto that is infectious. Fans of classic comedy and celebrity culture are sure to enjoy this episode, as are anyone who appreciates a good laugh.