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Steve Lawrence was a singer and actor who co-hosted the television show "Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders" in the mid '80s. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/ steve-lawrence-singer-half-stage-duo-steve-eydie-dies-88-rcna142396 (May be subject to copyright) |
They were popular enough to spawn a weekly series called “TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes”, hosted by Dick Clark and Ed McMahon. Of course, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so another blooper show soon appeared on the airwaves.
This one was called “Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders”, hosted by Don Rickles and Steve Lawrence.
I was thinking about that and so much more when I heard Steve Lawrence passed away a couple weeks ago.
Singer
Steve Lawrence made his mark as a singer, often with his wife Eydie Gormé, by the time the ‘80s rolled around. My introduction to him was through appearances he made on the “The Carol Burnett Show”. My Mom also told me about his wife Eydie, and how well they sang together. In fact, I had only seen Steve Lawrence sing solo on the “The Carol Burnett Show”. She eventually did appear with her husband, so I did get to know her.
Steve Lawrence made his mark as a singer, often with his wife Eydie Gormé, by the time the ‘80s rolled around. My introduction to him was through appearances he made on the “The Carol Burnett Show”. My Mom also told me about his wife Eydie, and how well they sang together. In fact, I had only seen Steve Lawrence sing solo on the “The Carol Burnett Show”. She eventually did appear with her husband, so I did get to know her.
However, my greatest memories of Steve Lawrence aren’t in front of a microphone.
Instead they are in front of a camera.
The years before
Steve Lawrence started appearing on television in the early ‘70s with turns in “Medical Center” in 1971; then “The New Dick Van Dyke Show”; “Night Gallery”; “Laugh-In”; “Here’s Lucy”; “The Dean Martin Show”; “Sanford and Son”; “Police Story”; and of course “The Carol Burnett Show”.
Steve Lawrence started appearing on television in the early ‘70s with turns in “Medical Center” in 1971; then “The New Dick Van Dyke Show”; “Night Gallery”; “Laugh-In”; “Here’s Lucy”; “The Dean Martin Show”; “Sanford and Son”; “Police Story”; and of course “The Carol Burnett Show”.
The ‘80s
Steve Lawrence began the decade with a supporting role in 1980 in the motion picture “The Blues Brothers”. He played Maury Sline, the manager and friend of the main characters played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Steve Lawrence began the decade with a supporting role in 1980 in the motion picture “The Blues Brothers”. He played Maury Sline, the manager and friend of the main characters played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
In 1985, he appeared in the TV miniseries “Alice in Wonderland” as Tweedledum while his wife Eydie Gormé played Tweedledee.
Lawrence also had a role in “Hardcastle and McCormick”, from 1984 to 1986, which was a favourite of mine early on. He played the sleazy, absentee, lounge singer father of title character Mark McCormick. He was perfect for the role.
He also had a guest spot in “Murder, She Wrote” in 1987.
Everybody makes mistakes
In 1984, Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles appeared in “Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders” on ABC in the United States, and Channel 13 on the peasant vision dial where I grew up.
In 1984, Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles appeared in “Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders” on ABC in the United States, and Channel 13 on the peasant vision dial where I grew up.
The show featured outtakes – or bloopers – from TV shows and movies. “Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders” also had a segment reminiscent of “Candid Camera” where hidden cameras caught people in funny situations.
The show debuted on January 10, 1984 as a mid-season replacement then returned in the Fall for the 1984-1985 schedule. By October it was on TV sporadically, and was hard to find even in the three-channel universe.
It was cancelled 1985.
My outstanding memory of the show was Lawrence’s banter with co-host Don Rickles.
I especially enjoyed when Lawrence called Rickles “Hockey puck.”
The years after
Steve Lawrence kept on making guest appearances in shows such as “Bob”; “Empty Nest”; “Burke’s Law”; “Frasier”; three episodes of “The Nanny”, as the title character’s mysterious father; “Diagnosis Murder”; “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”; “The Cleaner”; “Hot in Cleveland”; “Two and a Half Men” and much more.
Steve Lawrence kept on making guest appearances in shows such as “Bob”; “Empty Nest”; “Burke’s Law”; “Frasier”; three episodes of “The Nanny”, as the title character’s mysterious father; “Diagnosis Murder”; “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”; “The Cleaner”; “Hot in Cleveland”; “Two and a Half Men” and much more.
He also reprised his role as Maury Sline in 1998 in “Blues Brothers 2000”.
Parting thoughts
Steve Lawrence reminded me of the classic lounge singer. Not the negative stereotype of a sleazy, oily crooner. No, instead he was an engaging, smooth singer who, it was obvious, enjoyed singing with his wife.
Steve Lawrence reminded me of the classic lounge singer. Not the negative stereotype of a sleazy, oily crooner. No, instead he was an engaging, smooth singer who, it was obvious, enjoyed singing with his wife.
He was also a decent actor, who gravitated to the roles of mysterious, absentee fathers, but also distinguished gentlemen.
Although, Steve Lawrence had his greatest success in the ‘60s and ‘70s, I still enjoyed him in the ‘80s and beyond.
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