Andy Kaufman/Tony Clifton with muppets!

[A2Z83]

Lol he said ho. Then he's like its the muppets for kids so like santa clause hohoho

[a1974h]

That man was mental

[cjrebelofficial]

1. The Muppets were AWESOME.

2. Tony Clifton was goddamn funny as Hell. I can watch this over and over and it still cracks me up... There could be a whole DVD of Tony Clifton from when Andy was alive and I would watch it over and over.

For those who don't get it, I can't explain why this is so ridiculously hilarious. I put Andy on another level like Lenny or Prior. He's been ripped off ad nauseum today. People just take a single persona and make a damn career out of it. I love you Andy...

[tony26531]

@cjrebelofficial The persona simply isn`t funny though, a bad singer performing bad songs, that`s the joke but it just simply isn`t funny to any person above a mental age of 6.

[ig00g1e]

serious cult classic stuff

[SteveFreePants]

LOLOLOL

[handymandan100]

JAJAJAHAHAHA HE WAS GONNA SAY "KING KONG'S DONG" JAJAJA

[ZLUGGO]

Clifton rules.

[UkeliDokeli]

lol XD Tony Clifton really cracks me up.

"let's dance!" *taptaptap*

[x6mj]

I'm pretty sure, that was Bob Zmuda, he is taller than Andy, and had that nasal voice.

[SecretTimeWarp]

@x6mj Nah, this is Andy, you can tell by the face. (For comparison, watch Tony sing on Letterman - THAT's Zmuda, and the difference is immediately obvious.)

[hairypolack]

Im confused, is this from the classic cbs muppets show from the 70s? or some special? one of the attempted muppets resurrections?

[frankensteinmoneymac]

I have so much more respect for Miss Piggy now that I know she was a Tony Clifton fan.

[comedy1112]

Andy Kaufman was a strange comedian, but he was awesome!

[xXGhilliedxSamuraiXx]

If anyone else had played Andy, Man on the Moon would've been a disgrace to him rather than an honoring.

[TimothyStoll]

Andy Kaufman's genius wasn't understood by some.

[667mumble]

So Tony Clifton wasn't a real person, he was a character of Andy Kaufman

[offrampt]

Lew Grade was a hero.

[Diatonic5th]

2:56 Gonzo's watching chicken porn.

[TheJhemming]

That is very funny. Good find. The Muppets in the 70's were awesome

[loofascraper]

This isn't Andy this is Tony Clifton

[7beers]

Is this for sure Andy Kaufman? It could be someone else, like Zmuda...

[ThinkpolAtTwitter]

Huh. Wonder how much of this was an inspiration for the Neil Hamburger schtick?

[tictixtiv]

Andy Kaufman And Jim Henson Died On The Same Day May 16

[DrRestezi]

This is brilliant on so many levels it almost defies description. I had no idea when I was a kid watching The Muppets that the show was so sophisticated and quietly subversive. Andy Kaufman, Jim Henson and Frank Oz must have busted a gut when this skit was finished. Amazing that network suits found this to be acceptable for a kids show.

[patriot473]

Stupid and weak.

[Frequent2001]

gonzo is the best.

[dvdsmlprstylr]

The original Frankie Boyle

[Brodie73m]

@dvdsmlprstylr I don't think so Andy actully manipulted his comedy and Frankie is just bold and not funny

[dvdsmlprstylr]

@Brodie73m very true

[kolaidman67]

George Hamilton is the guy at the beginning

[billtheman100]

i swear this is the 1st time im seen andy man hes a genius!!!!

[Abraxasourboros]

Assuming that is Andy, his writer partner often played Tony Cliffton, so people would think they were hiring Andy and they would get his partner

[pa20002000]

@Abraxasourboros Zamuda was at least a foot shorter....

[corebare]

@Abraxasourboros - Yeah, I saw "Man in the Moon" also...

[kolaidman67]

@Abraxasourboros Paul Giamatti played his writing partner in the movie. great film...

[Mutafuka]

I always have some bittersweet feelings while watching him performing. He's funny, obviously, and all, but the thought of him not being able to perform once more pops up in my head every time :(

[WickedLiquid]

People today still believe Andy Kaufman faked his own death because he didn't want to live on as a Has-Been. And that he lived on as Tony Clifton.

[Jacobobi1]

@WickedLiquid The man was obsessed with the prank of faking his own death. He planned it and spoke about it upon several occasions. Not that I believe the theory's I'm just stating the beliefs. His first symptom of his death was his cough. And most people (Excluding myself) believe it's part of some joke (Kaufman - Cough)

[Posthumanable]

THERE HE COMES TO SAVE THE DAY!!

[hairyhoff]

2:35 666 the numero of the beasto

[August1977]

@hairyhoff Very perceptive!

[mikearan30]

Great Andy stuff what a looney he was so talented

[fishypaw]

47 People (so far) just don't get it. If there was such a thing as heaven, Kaufman would be up there laughing his arse off. XD

[diskochimp]

"What a discovery, hmm?"

[cha5]

@diskochimp "Uhh...yeah"

[maitreyaisthebeast]

Man! I remember watching the muppet show when I was little girl...what wonderful memories!

[donaldagoncalves]

Tony Clifton was a &**^% psychopath

[SavikDan]

That's entertainment! :)

[valjean76]

VUVUZELA IT!!!!!

[clarkgun]

One of the many legends that are slowly getting buried by the pop/techno/fashionable generations of today.

And I'm 21. I'm already seeing why old people complain about kids.

[JeffRotull43]

@clarkgun

Amongst all the illiteracy and asininity that clutters up this site, this was refreshingly insightful remark!

[namenotused07]

@clarkgun you and (jeffrotull) are fags. try acting like a normal person for a change and you might actually get laid. Even if it is by a dude. lololololololololololololololo­lolololololololololololoLOLlol­ololololololololol ha haha haaaaa muhaha bahaha cough wink rollover. get fucked buddy

[whutbrush]

Way ahead of his time. Mr. Kaufman was a genius above (and especially) today's standards of comedy.

[HatefulTroll]

Ho... HO HO HO like Santa Claus. Nice cover up for a kids show

[TheDreamMechanic]

Complete dog shit. Except for Kermit and Gonzo.

[castlejackson]

I recommend watching man on the moon and then watching these clips. I have and it's really weird!

[clearasvodka]

Ahhahahahaha!!!!!!! Ho ho ho ho!

[kers1ecm]

this is going str8 to favs...



[JohnFuckingLennon]

Damn. Jim Carey in Man on the Moon kinda turned me off to Kaufman when I was young. So glad I checked out the real thing.

[teenagehomo]

The Tony Clifton marque on the set in this clip is currently over the main room cover booth at The World Famous Comedy Store (for Tony's return to the stage next week at the club...and one of the four nights Tony will be played by Jim Carey).

[teenagehomo]

The Tony Clifton marque on the set in this clip is currently over the main room cover booth at The Wordl Famous Comedy Store (for Tony's return to the stage next week at the club...and one of the four nights Tony will be played by Jim Carey).

[dasponger]

he is fuckin hillarious

[TwiPrime]

Well, I think this is Andy, just going by his voice and how vital and physical he is. I also *think* I hear Andy's voice under Tony's. *But* when I watched another video for comparison, thinking 'oh yeah: shorter, fatter, nasal Zmuda vs. taller, thinner, more powerfully voiced Kaufman!' Until-you guessed it-Zmuda came onstage in his ref stripes. What a mind f&*%. :)

[PAULFC93]

Sacha Baron Cohen is really great.....but Kaufman was the god of comedy in my oppinion...how can you compare them...it's impossible

[xxxMrSuspendedxxx]

He's not wearing the pants as high as on Midnight Special, lol.

[armenianply]

in the movie man on the moon. it shows his buddy playing tony clifton to. so it might of been his buddy and not andy kaufman.

[HeyItzShanaynay]

Why would you say that

[CusterFlux]

@armenianply

Could be Zmuda, but I doubt it, that wiggle was too much like Andy - ( and too much like Chris Farley )

[iseeredpeoples]

@CusterFlux this was Zmuda its in his book

[VolatileChemical]

Heh, the Muppets' are reacting to Tony the same way real network execs reacted to Andy.

[jbackloop]

Fucking Genius... Tony Clifton on the Muppets, think about it. Wouldn't happen today.

[externalpower]

yea that was the jackson five.

[mistermaster2000]

true. We live in safe, boring times don`t we? :P

[Numenorean921]

Yup, for instance, do you really think someone doing something similar to what Andy did would fly today? Not in a million years.

[TheLawnCoach]

Actually, I tend to think that Sasha Baron Cohen took a page from Andy's book with his characters. Borat, Bruno, and Ali G are all similarly offensive and over the top parodies that were made solely for cringe inducing comedic effects.

[olstar18]

I wouldn't want it to happen either. Have to come back as a zombie and I wouldn't want the story of the end of the world to begin with something about an actor being brought back for a muppet show.

[kerrie1234567890]

@jbackloop Not without a lot of coke...

[jutubaeh]

@jbackloop its happnin right ere, "right now"... decades before youträsh! kudos next jim! (checkout the flatscreens on space oddacey..)

[whitewelder]

@jbackloop No, because people that are this gawd awful at comedy, singing and talking don't make money. Kermit knows- he's just not saying anything. hahaha. weak.

[KieranMajury]

@jbackloop because he's dead?

[wldbil4utoob]

Andy Kaufman ...at some of his worst!

THis was neither entertainment ...nor funny! ...until the final seconds punchline: "so was Miss Piggy"!

[captaincody27]

@wldbil4utoob but what did he do to be at his worst? why was he bad off

[Aidenoe]

Man I would have loved to see Danny Kaye and Kaufman do something together. Both geniuses, just seperated by time. Does anyone know if Zmuda still does Clifton once and a while?

[mygraf]

Actually, I talked to Bob a few weeks ago and according to him yes Tony is about to begin performing with a backup band of New Orleans musicians displaced or otherwise affected by Hurricaine Katrina. He's doing a private show in New York this week. BTW he only refers to Tony in the third person and the band doesn't know who Bob is.

Because they are different people.....

[Teoverna23]

great andy great jim carrey in the movie

[Peacehipie]

Long Live Andy Kaufman/Tony Clifton!!!!

[Chthon128]

Tony Clifton was the WORST, most ill-conceived character EVER envisioned by a comedian, anywhere, any time.

AN absolute boorish bore--not funny, and a waste of Kaufmann's talent.

HORRIBLE.

[MisterWhirlyDude]

Well duh, that is EXACTLY the point of the character. The fact that you think that just proves Kaufman's level of genius with this character. He was supposed to be the complete opposite of Kaufman.

[Chthon128]

No, I DO know that--but to put this character on the "Muppet Show"?! It's a kid's show, for crissakes!

I remember watching this as a kid and asking myself what point they were trying to make having this utter LOSER on?

There just wasn't ANYTHING redeeming whatsoever in this stupid character. It was like "Let me invent the most annoying, untalented loser I can and then beat him to death just to annoy people. DUMB.

I mean, if he was "lovable" but untalented, it would have been different, but...

[MisterWhirlyDude]

Again, the fact he is an asshole with zero redeeming qualities was the ENTIRE point. So you DO NOT know that. If you did, you wouldn't be asking what the point was, as you have stated the point already yourself, twice. For someone who claims to not get it, you have pretty much nailed the character. Andy would love the fact that you hate him so much! Your reaction is EXACTLY what Andy was going for with this character. So by hating him you are making the character succeed.

[drphonic7]

@MisterWhirlyDude - Yep, I have to agree.

[MisterWhirlyDude]

Oh, and by the way, check out the original pilot for the Muppets show. It was definitely not intended to be a kids show at all. It was supposed to be more like a Saturday Night Live with puppets. I think Jim Henson probably loved Kaufman and he certainly liked to push the boundries for a "kids" show.

[54redstreetman]

@Chthon128, He isnt "Lovable", thats the idea

[FijneWIET]

@Chthon128 the muppet show was NOT a kid's show: the vaudeville/burlesque setting, the cultural allusions, the guest stars, the audio-visual experiments (often quite psychedelic)... just because it features muppetry doesn't make it a kiddie-show. South Park is animated so that must be meant for small children as well?

[robertvoice]

Jim Carrey was the best comedian to do the movie, no other should do it.

[Drumguy1988]

When Jim Carrie did Tony in the movie. It was nothing like when Kaufman did it. The voice everything.

[sjk72]

I disagree. I think Jim Carrey did a great job. Do you think someone else could have done better?

[Drumguy1988]

I guess I should have rephrased that. Jim Carrey did an Amazing job as Andy and Tony. What I Meant was Jim's performance was bang on as Andy but Seemed quite different as Tony then the way Andy did it. Jim seemed a little more cartoon like then Andy as Tony. But still I couldn't see anyone else portraying Andy Better then Jim Carrey.

[klwewf]

Ed Norton & Kevin Spacey. Not only are they better actors, they look more like him. Plus, the film would have been taken a bit more seriously.

[sjk72]

I don't think so. Not saying those guys aren't better actors, for sure. But Jim is a comedian, as was Andy. You could tell Jim really felt deeply about the role. Kaufman was one of Jim's inspirations in life. Not saying the other guys couldn't have pulled it off, but the role came from Carrey's soul.

[klwewf]

That whole "from his soul" stuff you stated, you borrowed from the film maker & one or two other participants of the film claiming he was "channeling" Kaufman (they were just promoting the film). Besides, the role couldn't possibly come from his soul. He was "attempting" to play someone else - in which he failed to do (to people that are not Jim Carrey lovers).

[sjk72]

Actually, I didn't "borrow" that line from anyone. It came from my own observations. I never saw any interviews with the film makers, etc. As far as Norton or Spacey playing the role of Kaufman, I just don't see it, so let's just agree to disagree. BTW, you're probably in the minority on your opinion. Just goes to show.

[aeongod]

Jim Carrey is a comedian NOT an actor. In almost every role he is just being Jim Carrey AS character x. You can always tell its Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey AS Jim Carrey Pet Detective; AS Jim Carrey the Joker; AS Jim Carrey doing a Kaufman impression. Rarely does his performance read more than just a caricature of the character he is supposed to be portraying. I think few would label Andy as anything less than a genius. Imagine a gimmicky character actor trying to portray the intricacies of a genius.

[saintsuperior123]

he played the riddler dumbass

[redpaul79]

@sjk72 both Capricorns in fact

[klwewf]

You're 100% correct. That whole picture qas bogus. It was merely Jim Carrey doing Kaufman material AS Jim Carrey. He wasn't portraying Kaufman. And, a comedic actor shouldn't have played him as others say. Ed Norton would have done a much better job.

[knuckleupjonez]

please explain what the fuck you mean by this statement. its makes no sense...at all.

[klwewf]

What the "fuck"? I have written a few statements (as I'm sure this one is not YOUR first either). Which statement do you mean? I usually write something & move on. Speaking of something not making sense though, what is "its makes no sense at all". ITS MAKES???

[ChrisEsperProduction]

the geniuses of Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman in one show? Awesome!

[spudw2k]

I believe the original SNL series featured Kaufman and Muppets too.

[cha5]

@spudw2k Yeah SNL season one featured both Kaufman and Jim Henson's Muppets, although the Jim Henson Muppet SNL sketchs were called 'Dreggs and Vestiges' and were really wild and had a SNL attitude and sensibility to their humor, 'Dreggs & Vestiges' was nothing like The Muppet Show but was really memorable and alot of fun to watch and for me was a highlight of SNL's season one along with Kaufman's debut, George Carlin, and the original 'not ready for prime time' players.

[sps242]

that's George Hamilton

[snappygalbladder]

no shit?

[bluebanshee3]

Kermit: "um. interesting."

:D :D :D :D :D :D

[lovinliverpool]

whats that guys name introducing at the beginning i swear to god hes so hot bak then now he looks like a walking tannig salon

[sjk72]

George Hamilton.

[SadClownMovies]

andy kaufman is awesome!

[OcdTripolar]

He Lives 4ever through me

[ashramos222]

Tony Clifton never dies. He still lives

[kingjappyjoe]

thats kind of racy. but i agree sasha and and are great at their very own craft.

[lycrawillie]

What can you say about the late great Tony Clifton .!!!!!!!!!!

[pookermit]

borat is somewhat like the kaufman of our generation

[Cubarted]

yeah, borat is like the more modern version of andy.

[Reindrich]

Borat? You do know Borat is not real? lol.

[pookermit]

i meant sasha baron cohen

[Reindrich]

Héhé, i know you did. ;-)

[marchofsaints]

He means that Borat is a character of a comedian doing real controversial skits and such.

[vaf88]

you enjoy life more when you dont take pop culture so seriously! i do anyway

[chimmister]

he actually recently quit performing in las vegas after a failed tour and is rumored to be ill at home...hope he gets better

[TheH1ll88]

where is he now? lol

[DanielMaher3D]

Dead.

[garvam]

jim and andy has always been my motivation. and i hav put some of my video.just tryin to b like them.

respect.

[11011011011100110]

"Andy" Cliffton is already great! In 2009 too.

HAL

[evilquinquinburger]

jim carrey :P

[benjic1636]

hahahaha

[Ciremelf1]

That is NOT Andy. that is Bob Zmuda, Andy's writer.

[Pallindrom27]

Sorry but that IS Andy.

To see a Bob Zmuda/Tony Clifton appearance from approximately the same time look under RELATED VIDEOS for "Tony Clifton at Harrah's" and you should be able to see the difference. Andy carried himself more stiffly (Almost like he had a bad back) and there are physical differences as well.

[ALittleBitOfGreen]

it is Andy..and this was his last time being Tony Clifton..

[Ciremelf1]

i did some research. on this, my mistake. you guys were right =)

[Pallindrom27]

That's a excellent point.

Do you have some information as to what he MIGHT look like?

I DO.

[Pallindrom27]

This is Andy Kaufman as Tony here and it's my favorite performance of his AS Clifton.

Alive or dead?

Only GOD and Andy might know for sure.

[crazymelon]

I saw a guy who looked like him in London yesterday. You don't think...?

[Pallindrom27]

You NEVER know.

The only ones that think they do are the ones afraid that they might not be in on the joke.

[Batman83]

He's alive and with Tupac, and Elvis in Louisiana.

[Pallindrom27]

Well NOW you're just being silly.

Of course Tupac is dead!

;)

[Alexunder3D]

I wouldn't be so sure about God though... XD

[Nycabbyfortyeight]

This is my FAVORITE Tony Clifton performance. Andy was at the top of his game here.

[Ryuichinull]

andy kaufman is the guy playing tony clifton

[nickleus1977]

"king kong.....king kong empire state building" lol =)

after watching this i can sure say that jim carrey sure did a perfect tony clifton in man on the moon =)

[tajma70]

Wouldn't that be a bytch if Andy just popped up out of hiding? That would be the biggest prank since Ken Lay and Tu Pac. lol

[tygersflowerz]

Poor people falling for his last and greatest put-on.  lol :-) Thinking they're a step ahead of the game or something. More like two steps behind... (sorry...)

Unless he chooses to reincarnate, he's not coming back.

[TheJaywalkers]

In my opinion, the greatest practical joke is to make people think you're still alive

[balloonladies]

God ain't it the truth.

The fact that people are STILL questioning...

It's what Andy wanted

[KultureJamCollective]

I never seen this before.

Andy Kaufman is genius.

His dancing is hysterical.

[kentroberts]

"[Kent Roberts] may just be the new Andy Kaufman." -- bestselling author Jonathan Mooney, from "The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal." Click on me if interested (after the video, click SUBSCRIBE).

[Pallindrom27]

If you want to be like Andy you've got to EMBRACE THE SILENCE.

[kentroberts]

keep in mind too -- this is a comment made by another person about me. i don't think of myself as "the new andy kaufman" -- i appreciate what he was doing and i know it was different.

[tygersflowerz]

That's the greatest title for a book... EVER.

:-)

[xxaylin]

is andy kaufman dead? or is he still alive?

[numbskull20]

he died of lung cancer in '84. People thought it was a prank and some still do i think

[Pallindrom27]

THAT is the question. ;)

[tygersflowerz]

Making people think he's alive is Andy's biggest put-on. ;-)

[tygersflowerz]

Andy does my favorite version of Tony.

Like someone else said on one of these Clifton videos once.. his performance is just bad enough to be funny, but fair enough to where you *may* think it's real.

Whereas Bob Zmuda and anyone else who does Tony is just over-the-top bad. It makes it a different kind of funny.

[PeteD07]

Id bet it was Andy doing it that time

He has the same nasal voice that Latka/Foreign Man has

but then I could be way off!!!!

[Kinkysourkrout]

It's Zmuda I'm pretty sure. In the book, the photo listed is Zmuda as Tony, but who knows for sure.

[peudent]

ive found that apart from andy being taller than bob, andys "tony" voice is harsher, and louder tha bobs who's "tony" has more of a nooo york accent, which is why i reckon this is bob.

[Pallindrom27]

Part of the BRILLIENCE of Andy Kaufman was that though Tony Clifton was inherently offensive, there WAS a peculiar innocence about him as well. These contrasting features SEEM like they would cancel each other out and in a lesser artist(Who never would've TRIED Tony, much less succeeded with him)they surely WOULD have.

Andy LOVED to keep the audience guessing and wondering about WHAT they saw and the reality/unreality of it.

It's only fitting that after all these years we still are.

[karsoccerbug1]

thats  Andy Kaufman right?