Bennett Cerf - Oral History - Notable New Yorkers - Part 1

[sparkescadman]

Thanks for this interview...it's just like we are hanging out with Bennett and hearing what you'd ask him about WML! (to me, the greatest show on TV in its 1950-67 version!)

[lovemyjimmystewart]

We will always remember you Bennett.

[henrygrove100]

he's got to stop crunching on the ice cubes...reminds me of me!

[azdana]

@GJNCA According to Wikipedia, Killgallen thought that Sheppard was innocent and said the prosecutor "didn't prove he was guilty any more than they proved there are pin-headed men on Mars." She also gave a deposition in the Sheppard murder case that helped him to get a new trial, according to the book, "Murder One."

[JackPlatt]

What a difference in time! Bennett Cerf was such a professional class act! Probably one of the classiest people of the 20th Century. He was the President of Random House Publishing and great humorist!  No one today could hold a candle to Mr. Cerf's humor and wit.

Tragically, Bennett Cerf died in 1971, but his legacy in radio, TV, writing, politics, and humor will never be forgotten! May you RIP Mr. Cerf!

[tallpaul521]

Mr. Cerf -- "Dorothy's 'disgusting' column"..you cad.

[khtx]

Why disgusting? What did she do??

[BigBrother256]

It was often posited that her column was a bit of a gossip rag. She also (according to Bennet in other interviews) couldn't tell when things were on or off the record.

[Houdanny]

Thanks so much for posting this! Loved hearing Mr. Cerf speak. He was one of great classic TV's men of great class. One of my favorite gifts was "Bennett Cerf's Book of Jokes." "How many balls of yarn would it take to reach the moon?  One very big one!" Okay, not a gem, but I was five, okay???

[ipmoic]

The "Famous Writers School"!

I had completely forgotten about that. Yeah, he ate crow at the end of his career.

[jimmysudar]

this is excellent. cerf was a class act, although i hear there was some unfortunate scandal about his writing "school" toward the end of his life. yet and still, he was among the cream of the crop.