‘The Carol Burnett Show’ brought hilarious comedy to American living rooms once a week. Many of the characters developed on the show became fan favorites. Writers made new situations for these beloved characters to return.
One of the most famous recurring characters was simply called “The Oldest Man,” and he was played by Tim Conway. The Oldest Man was exactly what his title suggested, a really old guy who did everything painfully slow.
In this sketch, The Oldest Man runs a little diner that the singer Dean Martin happens to visit. When Martin walks into the restaurant and closes the door behind him, the knob comes off, which gets the audience laughing right away.
Martin puts the knob on the counter and tells Conway that his door is busted. Still, it takes The Oldest Man several beats to notice the knob and realize what Martin had already told him.
After making Martin explain a few times that he only wanted a plain hot dog, Conway slowly yells Martin’s order to the back. Then he tells Martin that he has to go back to cook it since he’s all alone today, which really makes the audience laugh.
When the order finally comes, Conway hands Martin a completely plain hot dog, so plain there’s no bun. Of course, there are some jokes about a weiner and what’s missing. Then Conway just sets the bare hot dog down on the counter and tells Martin not to worry.
As Conway does his signature slow-as-molasses pad around the diner, Martin remains cool, smoking his cigarette. More physical comedy ensues as Conway attempts to juice an orange, crack an egg, and get change from the cash register. This sketch is sure to make you a Tim Conway fan!
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