Infinite MonkeysOur friends over at Exurban League remind us that today is the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of the comic genius, Phil Hartman. (My wife says that her birthdays have been a little sadder these 10 years thanks to sharing the date.)
Anyway, some classic Phil Hartman clips, starting with the great one Jon at ExUrb selected.
We begin with Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor
Here's Phil on NewsRadio on quitting smoking.
Phil, as NewsRadio's Bill McNeil, conducts "hypothetical interviews."
Phil, as Bill McNeil, proves he can get a radio job anywhere.
And, Chris Farley -- as Matt the Motivational Speaker -- sings goodbye to Phil over video from NewsRadio (apparently, NBC and Fox has removed ALL videos of Hartman doing his bits for SNL and The Simpsons. So no "Troy McLure," no "Sinatra Group," and no "Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.")
Rest in Peace, Mr. Funny Man.
Posted by Dr. Zaius at May 28, 2008 09:47 PMI met Phil Hartman about a month before he was killed. My friend Phil and I wangled our way onto the set of Newsradio for the season finale that year. It was a "Titanic" parody. We met Paul Simms, who had kindly invited us to the closed set and who was gracious as hell. We met some of the writers, who were almost all Harvard grads. Phil had an awkward encounter with Stephen Root at the craft services table.
We pretty much had the run of the place, but Phil and I kept a respectful distance. The one and only actor I wanted to meet was Hartman. I screwed up my courage near the end of the day. He was very kind but, I realized in retrospect, aloof. He wore his mask well, I guess. His wife and kids were there. I asked him to sign the copy of the shooting script Simms had given Phil and me. It was the only autograph I sought and got that day. The inscription reads: "To Ben... _You're_ the funny one! Phil Hartman." I don't think I'll ever part with it.
Phil Hartman was a great comedian. And like all great comedians, he was a deeply flawed man. I hope he found whatever he was looking for. And I hope his children have made some sort of peace with what happened to their parents 10 years ago.
Posted by: Ben at May 28, 2008 10:15 PM