It was with great sadness tonight that I read of the passing of an American comedic legend - Charles Nelson Reilly. I am grateful that my mother, a huge fan of him in his prime, raised me on The Matchgame. For my money - Reilly, Gene Rayburn, and Brett Sommers shared some of the greatest geniune on screen chemistry in any television programming that I have personally witnessed.

I am also very proud of the way he lived his life. His on screen gay persona was well ahead of it's time. Though he didn't come out until well after his peak fame - he never denied that he was not gay and has said that he never felt like he was hiding it from anyone depsite the fact that he lost roles do his persona.

If you haven't expeirenced his genius - go watch some old Match Game tapes or some of his appearances on Johnny Carson. Finally - watch his film and play. He really was a legend and a treasure.


http://www.queermusicheritage.us/APR2004/INT/reilly.jpg

And to think I was going to change my avatar. I guess I'll leave it on for a while.

For some reason my wife and I named our cat after Charles Nelson Reilly.

For some reason my wife and I named our cat after Charles Nelson Reilly.Probably the glasses.

For my money - Reilly, Gene Rayburn, and Brett Sommers shared some of the greatest geniune on screen chemistry in any television programming that I have personally witnessed.

If you haven't expeirenced his genius - go watch some old Match Game tapes

Don't gotta. I was there. *







* In 1978 (or maybe it was '79?) I was a winning contestant on Match Game PM. :cool: Lemme know if you see me; I'd love a copy of the show.

I think the word genius is thrown around to much in this society. Especially on dead celebritys and musicians.

Very sad news indeed. I for one, always liked him. I believe he was on the ghost and Mrs. Muir too wasn't he?

* In 1978 (or maybe it was '79?) I was a winning contestant on Match Game PM. :cool: Lemme know if you see me; I'd love a copy of the show.

How will we know it was you?

I have to say that I thought about you Lionel, when I read of CNR's passing. Probably because until I say the picture, your Avatar, I hadn't thought of that man for years. Too bad that he passed on.

How will we know it was you?

I'm the adorable 19-yr old (cream-colored short-sleeved shirt, dark brown pants) who won $11,000 by correctly completing the final phrase:

"Spark ______"

Yeah, it was a gimme, but I had to beat out another contestant to get there... :cool:

The stars included the three regulars (Reilly, Sommers, Dawson) as well as Betty White, Eva Gabor, and David Doyle (Bosley from Charlie's Angels). It's episode 114 from the third season (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/matchgame/episodeguide_PM.html#Fourth).

Plugs

I think the word genius is thrown around to much in this society. Especially on dead celebritys and musicians.
Perhaps so....but I don't think you could cite Reilly as an example.

He was very cool and very funny....sorry to hear of his passing.

:(
Kimi

I'm the adorable 19-yr old (cream-colored short-sleeved shirt, dark brown pants) who won $11,000 by correctly completing the final phrase:

"Spark ______"

Yeah, it was a gimme, but I had to beat out another contestant to get there... :cool:

The stars included the three regulars (Reilly, Sommers, Dawson) as well as Betty White, Eva Gabor, and David Doyle (Bosley from Charlie's Angels). It's episode 114 from the third season (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/matchgame/episodeguide_PM.html#Fourth).

Kewl! Who'd you pick to match? Dawson I presume?

Perhaps so....but I don't think you could cite Reilly as an example.

maybe your right. What else did he do besides the game show?

Kewl! Who'd you pick to match? Dawson I presume?

Of course. And when I won he gave me a slobbery kiss.

Whatta letch that guy was!

Of course. And when I won he gave me a slobbery kiss.

Whatta letch that guy was!

I'll have to start watching the Gameshow Network again to see if you pop up!

I'll have to start watching the Gameshow Network again to see if you pop up!

If I do, PLEASE put at tape in the VCR and capture it for me! Unfortunately, I don't get the Gameshow channel... :(

[QUOTE=jerejerebinks]It was with great sadness tonight that I read of the passing of an American comedic legend - Charles Nelson Reilly. I am grateful that my mother, a huge fan of him in his prime, raised me on The Matchgame. For my money - Reilly, Gene Rayburn, and Brett Sommers shared some of the greatest geniune on screen chemistry in any television programming that I have personally witnessed.

I am also very proud of the way he lived his life. His on screen gay persona was well ahead of it's time. Though he didn't come out until well after his peak fame - he never denied that he was not gay and has said that he never felt like he was hiding it from anyone depsite the fact that he lost roles do his persona.

If you haven't expeirenced his genius - go watch some old Match Game tapes or some of his appearances on Johnny Carson. Finally - watch his film and play. He really was a legend and a treasure.

************************************************** ****

Not a Legend by any stretch or a Comic Genius.He was very clever,
witty and full of great Matchgame answers.I Liked him.
But to use terms like " Comic Genius " or Legend would discount the
true legends like Henny Youngman,George Burns and possibly
Buddy Hackett {who I just heard was spoken of as Great} recently.
Oh yeah,it was Al Franken in his latest Mockudrama,recalling the
thru anecdote the greatest Joke he ever heard.I think I posted the
Joke here,awhile back.
It was Hackett's Joke and Buddy's style of Joke,all the way.
Kinda dirty,yet true in a Schmaltzy kind of Unkosher way.

maybe your right. What else did he do besides the game show?

Aside from his legendary run on The Match Game and nearly 100 seperate visits on the Tonight Show (Carson considered him one of his favorite guests)...he was a talented writer and composer. His comedic plays are considered examples by which others should strive.