With Andy it was difficult to understand where the jokes start and stop. This is the absolute magic of his style.

I sure could use a hug from Andy Kaufman. On a spiritual level.

@joegrennon

6 жыл бұрын

physical for me!!!

@ploppy9943

5 жыл бұрын

I agree. He had a huge heart.

@homelessactualcurtkobain8949

5 жыл бұрын

/hug

@sr-ty7gb

4 жыл бұрын

Odd

@jenniemalloy7402

4 жыл бұрын

Max Aronow Correct. Thanks

Andy Kaufman confounds me. How can someone who appears so sweet and gentle also be so good at trolling and love it so much? Most people who are sensitive feel guilty or ashamed if they troll or play with peoples' emotions in the way Andy did, and most "trolls" are tinted with some degree of malice. But I don't sense any malice in Andy Kaufman. He doesn't come off as cold at all, but he clearly LOVE awkwardness, uncomfortableness, and pranks of all kinds. What a strange man.

@evhvariac2

2 жыл бұрын

VERY well stated

@danielmoore62

2 жыл бұрын

His sweetness was also his trolling.

@arribaficationwineho32

2 жыл бұрын

Agree. He was never a troll. He was a comic.

@fraa888grindr6

2 жыл бұрын

Andy Kaufman was a performer and he understood the psychological elements behind people being entertained. Andy's chief goal was to evoke emotion and thought from his audience. One such ingredient of entertainment is surprise. Andy never disappointed in this regard. He made wonderful memories for so many people who understood the punchline.

@mplsmark222

Жыл бұрын

Must admit I did not understand much of what Andy did. The whole cringe humor thing did not work for me. However, taking is life’s work as a whole, he really was a unique entertainer, a true artist. He left us way too soon.

the short speech he gave his parents is something many of us didnt get to do and is lovingly shared with us all, thanks Andy.

I love how he comes across as a kind of idiot savant / earnest fool. His style of comedy was just so gosh darn stratospheric that sometimes u couldn't see it at first. What a man.

@jenniemalloy7402

4 жыл бұрын

Adam Gardiner Correct.

@TheKitchenerLeslie

4 жыл бұрын

Norm MacDonald seems a bit like a rube, but the man's a genius.

@garywilson3042

3 жыл бұрын

Adam Gardiner I love that word ‘stratospheric’ great description of his oddball comedy style!

@LisaJOxo

3 жыл бұрын

Sword swallower 😂

@rogerstalder7184

2 жыл бұрын

Entertainment from another Star ;)

I have watched every Andy Kaufman thing I can find, and many of them numerous times. It never gets old. It all still keeps me absolutely spellbound. What a tragedy that the world lost Andy so abruptly. May God rest his soul.

This is the sweet side of his performances. This reminded me of when he took his carnegie hall audience on buses to go out for milk & cookies. He was one of a kind. R.I.P.

When I get to heaven I am hugging Andy

@jiveassturkey8849

2 жыл бұрын

Avalon Hike Jesus said they are going to Heaven. It’s in the Gospels. Christ died so we may be forgiven for sins.

@garyswann3292

2 жыл бұрын

Shit dude… Just go to New Mexico that’s where Andy is actually hiding

There is no one else who could tiptoe on that line between genius and totally unwatchable better than Andy.

@Richard-zc1cj

2 жыл бұрын

It's totally unwatchable, I'll find something else

@pronemanoldbutyoung5548

2 жыл бұрын

@@Richard-zc1cj Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

@arribaficationwineho32

2 жыл бұрын

@@Richard-zc1cj I hated when he started the wrestling and went gonzo on the audience but before that, genius.

@werewolflover8636

Жыл бұрын

@@arribaficationwineho32 Andy loved wrestling and said to multiple individuals before his death that the wrestling stunts was his crowning achievement in life. He also said if he could he’d given up on Hollywood and just been a full time wrestler. Any fan of Andy should understand just how important being in those wrestling matches was for him. It was his dream and fortunately he was was able to live it.

@arribaficationwineho32

Жыл бұрын

@@werewolflover8636 nice he lived his dream but that was just not interesting nor amusing.

I really miss those days. I would love a hug from Andy and miss him. God rest your soul.

@Robert-fv3vn

2 ай бұрын

I'm not dead

Tell you the truth, i'm 38 now in 2021, I'm a little bit drunk right now, and my natural guard is a little bit down, and I have to say, if all people, ever, were as genuine as Andy Kaufman was, we'd have much less trouble around the world. He was a great human being, a great entertainer, and yet his only flaw is that he will be forever misunderstood by close-minded, and routine-minded, people. Unfortunately, that Is simply impossible to change. I'm thankful people like him have been around, and others like him will yet still exist around the world and will hopefully bring balance and understanding to those that need it. I was but a kid when he passed away, yet I miss him terribly. I hope you, on KZread, agree with the sentiment, and that you miss him and other people like him too. Let's try and have more Andys, and maybe more Robin Williams's, and others, for our, and for our future generations', sanity and entertainment 👍

@meduzoidnonastroenniy

2 жыл бұрын

Great words, man, i love ya!

@BustyBeaver

Жыл бұрын

Great words man. I agree

@gregsilsby6884

Жыл бұрын

Well said man.

@marcodiluzio5370

Жыл бұрын

Go on drinking...

That andy could highlight the love and beauty of everyday average folks. Not witty or gorgeous or rich and famous. Just his folks. Most of us don't shine on tv. But andy showed the light shining within us all. Dead age 36 of lung cancer. His light expired. Some flame preserved on y tube.

Tears came to my eyes, always love your mom and dad, Andy Kaufman is a great guy.

@disgruntledpedant2755

4 жыл бұрын

Sometimes, mom and dad are not so nice

@Andrew-se6ee

2 жыл бұрын

I cried too.

Its hard to believe that 16 months after this Andy passed away....... RIP

Now that I'm in my 50's, I still can't tell when the joke/performance stops and ends. This guy had a genius view about the world. I still find him very entertaining.

I think there were elements of his ‘act’ that were authentic. The lines were blurred. He was really just being himself.

@kostyapolykova9879

2 жыл бұрын

He saw there was nothing more humorous than worthwhile television!

Oh, Andy. There is something so profoundly sweet and Buddhist about this. If he knew he was dying it makes it even more beautiful. There really hasn't been anything like this since. Part of me wishes we had ten more Andy Kaufmans and another part of me knows that the impact would never be the same. God bless xx

This is hilarious. It really speaks to the genius of Andy Kaufman. He really had everybody trained to expect something outlandish, and through the whole bit, we are still expecting it to get awkward, uncomfortable, or just plain insane at any moment. He tries to come off sounding so sincere and innocent, while at the same time I’m sitting here thinking “when is the other shoe going to drop? When is he going to do something crazy? Are those actors or really his parents?“ It’s like another commenter said, we are trying to figure him out the whole time, which is Andy Kaufman‘s genius. He always kept us guessing. I sincerely think he loved the fact that we couldn’t take him seriously during this bit.

3:47 Most commonly men hug each other head to right shoulder. But Kaufman really does take this a loving-ful step further, by placing the heart to the heart. Sometimes strange actors can have us distance our common manner-fuls into meaning manner-fuls. RIP Andy & resurrect in the most mannerful meaningful place.

If ever was a need for there is a need for someone to represent earth i like it to be Andy Kaufman

What I absolutely love about Kaufman, even more than his reality blurring which is truly impressive that he can even pull it off at all is the undercurrent of subversion his comedy always has. He was a pure comedian. I'm 100% sure he would have died happily with a very regular income just to make an even grander joke. He was truly a genius far ahead of his time. He understood the medium so well.

outlived by both his parents and his grandmother..... so sad that he died so young! RIP Andy you beautiful soul ❤️

Andy always had everyone on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fun guy, crazy guy, and never boring.

Andy's dad had three Purple Heart medals from World War II.

@sr-ty7gb

4 жыл бұрын

A 4th for raising Andy.

@buildingwithtrees2258

4 жыл бұрын

My grandfather told me; They had a manual for everything except parenting. He was also a decorated WW2 veteran. This was in regards to my broken family, and his way of saying sorry.

@deealfaro-baeza8314

4 жыл бұрын

What a gangster

@rupertstiltskin8778

4 жыл бұрын

My dad got 2 Victoria crosses from the same war.My granddad got 3 iron crosses.They were proper medals.My family fought on both sides,a bit like the bankers that made money off all the working classes killing eachother for the bankers.The year now is 2019,and still nothing has changed.Now the Russians and Chinese are the ones our kids have to die fighting against.

@robertsmith6068

4 жыл бұрын

@@rupertstiltskin8778 no kidding. war with china most likely coming up.

This is television magic. Actually makes me cry knowing he would be dead in year.

The pride and look of joy on Andy’s face when he was listening to his parents.

@disgruntledpedant2755

4 жыл бұрын

Its the character andy, not real andy

@Cougelly1999

Жыл бұрын

The awww from the audience when Dave said goodbye to Andy's parents, they did not want it to end.

Low budget, New Yorkers, integrity, authentic, fantastic time for television.

A true comic genius. Andy saw everything around him as amazing. Props to Letterman for having him on.

The brilliant thing is that he is teaching a deep truth here, emotive, touching on the loneliness and deepest needs of the human being, while he himself is a lonely character, but placing the audience in some sense in a double illusion, thinking he is trolling them, which he is, but at the same time touching the heart.

@MrKmanthie

6 жыл бұрын

Good insight. It just works on so many levels!!

@sibaroochi

6 жыл бұрын

I feel like we're overanalyzing this

@cfwintner1

5 жыл бұрын

Beautifully stated. I agree totally.

@KeithCarey33

5 жыл бұрын

Don Fawcett Grape comment. Many of us are simpler to Andy. Check out the documentary on Man on the Moon. Incredible.

@jewfinigan863

5 жыл бұрын

You put into words what I felt but couldn't express

...Andy Kaufman: A Truly Genuine Genius!!!...Comedy was so Simple, and Clean, coming from the mind of Kaufman!!!...Never Again!!!...RIP, Andy!!!...

Andy just completely controls the show. A master.

They are all now together again. This is adorable, he loves his parents and they really loved him...what a moment.

@tonymartinis2956

Жыл бұрын

wonderful funny man

Letterman was getting irritated at the end because of Kaufman's shenanigans which worked perfectly since Dave was losing control. I loved it.

@pollard068

6 жыл бұрын

the magic of television.

@wannawatchu66

3 жыл бұрын

That's one thing Dave and Johnny had in common. They both liked to be (if not needed) in control. That's why Johnny shined when on TV and not in person. He was in control when on TV, but not when in the presence of people.

@chazeverett

3 жыл бұрын

@@wannawatchu66 letterman actually liked having andy on the show because hed never know what andy would do was the unpredictability is what he liked about it

@bonek350

3 жыл бұрын

@@chazeverett I don't think Dave is the control freak that they think he is. I think that he does indeed get irritated but doesn't mind it. At the same time, it's his show so he has to reel it in at times.

@_robo

2 жыл бұрын

It's part of the act, Letterman is in on all of these acts. He's not genuinely pissed, he's playing the antagonist to elevate Kaufman's performance. It's what makes a good host. Every modern talkshow host does this. But these things are choreographed.

Everything about Andy's public life was a performance. This video is priceless. I was in tears.

Andy was a genuinely sweet and kind person who was also one of the most original and daring performers ever. He often said that one of his main intentions was to see just how far he could push something. And he got a lot of criticism for what was, ultimately, some of the bravest comedy ever. He paved the way for many to come.

Letterman had to really work that night, LOL! Like a 3-ring circus. Love it!

@roykassinger6903

2 жыл бұрын

Imagine had they booked both Andy and Jack Hanna for the same show.

Did you see how Paul was so cool about it? Paul is full of those hugs.

Andy, we love you too! Rest in Peace my friend.

God bless your soul Andy

Andy didn't want to rebel against his elders, as was the want of his generation, he wanted to impress them. After all, he was, and we are the impression of our parents. Truly one of the greatest American entertainers that ever lived, and died.

@Robb3348

5 жыл бұрын

as was the *wont of his elders (better usage, or spelling, depending on if you know that there is a word "wont" distinct from "want")

After watching these Letterman stints one after another, I've noticed Andy always comes in a little late after being announced. Just when you think he won't come out, he appears! Kaufman acts were always finely detailed. I wish I was in the audience and got a hug from Andy!

@anarchycastro

6 жыл бұрын

That was an act? He needs to work on his act a little more.

@zachjohnson637

6 жыл бұрын

You need to work on understanding the act a little more.

@LetsGoFlyers2011

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I noticed that. He likes to make uncomfortable pauses. He does that when the host tries to shake his hand too. He always takes a few extra bows and leaves the host hangin for a few extra moments.

@lizardman7364

2 жыл бұрын

@@anarchycastro you lost or something, stretchy?

It's like it's all real, yet he is still character...ALWAYS in character

@think2086

5 жыл бұрын

A human mind is made of multiple people, according to the latest neuropsychology. I think Andy knew about this secret of human nature and rather than repress it, like most of us have, he fully embraced it. He was never really acting that much differently than his actual inner selves, This is why he seemed so natural to his parents, for instance. I think he just channeled loving little boy Andy, for instance, and they were used to it. And I think this is why Andy upset so many people who didn't get the humor. His acts were just a little too real, because in essence, they were. Andy was simply not inhibiting or censoring his social inappropriateness through the filter of the socially constructed self, but rather allowing his real inner selfs to be unleashed. Of course, he thought about the details. But I think mostly, he practiced scenarios in his mind in his spare time, to build up a mental database of human awkwardness, which allowed him to quickly and fluently improv on the spot, channeling his real selves. Brilliant.

@jss2142

5 жыл бұрын

@@think2086 I totally agree!

@williamkoscielniak820

4 жыл бұрын

I wonder if Andy Kaufman himself even knew precisely what was "acting" and what was "himself". We all put on an act all of the time in various social situations and even when we are alone at times. He blurred the line between art and reality and so I wonder how much the line was blurred in his own soul.

@danielscissorhands

3 жыл бұрын

Not really. He appeared as himself in multiple interviews.

@MoonlightRaven_

2 жыл бұрын

its no wonder he became enamored with wrestling, always 'working', always.

Somehow I knew his mom was going to say "I love his Elvis..." :D

i think i saw Andy Kaufman really smile with his parents goading comment.

Andy genius was that he always kept you guessing. He was the master of creating false truth with a touch of improvised anarchy. He behaved so gentle and innocent, endeared himself to each audience member and then pulled the rug from under them. Pure magic. Always on the edge, always taking things to the extreme.

RIP Andy it is so sad that he passed away while he was so young

I find him so adorable and innocent and showing his real self. Just that people find him funny in such situations. A sweet nice smile 🥰🥰. Can't get enough of you mate. You really touched many lives and even after years you continue doing so. Must be entertaining people up there.❤️😘😘

Watching Andy Kaufman I always feel joy and sadness.

He truly was something special. His parents were so cute.

He brings me so much joy. What a blessing.

Oh man, this is just another level of funny...so subtle, love it.

"What do you want me to do?" Is the same reaction I have when someone tries to hug me. I usually just go boneless

@7beers

2 жыл бұрын

I like boneless chicken.

His parents are actually very sweet, and his Mom is especially adorable. I know that part of this is humorous, and then a significant part of it is absolutely real. Maybe this presages his death (as another commenter suggested), but it would be nice if we were all given the opportunity to have this type of closer with ones loved ones and audience. It actually brought tears to my eyes a bit for a moment

What a complex, yet genuinly sweet soul. Such an extraordinarily incomparable gift that God loaned us.

That's some supportive parents right there. And Dave was so cool with Andy, he lets him do whatever he wants.

Oh so this was his actual parents, that's very sweet. All the way through I couldn't tell if they were actors of not because I couldn't see a resemblance but it's nice to know it's the real thing and how sweet and lovely hey to be hugging his mum and dad and telling them that he loves them.

Even in 83, they referred to "the 60s" like it was long ago. It ended only 13 yrs earlier. Amazing.

This man was so so sooooo ahead of his time... Christ, what a talent. Rest easy Andy.-

I know it has already been said. .. Andy was a genius. pure genius .. I love watching him... his facial expressions...he is acting like a small loving child here.. so funny..

@jaimhaas5170

4 жыл бұрын

What exactly makes him genius?

@joebittman5039

3 жыл бұрын

jaim haas .....the mole on the left side of his face working in communion with the normal side of his face

@danielscissorhands

3 жыл бұрын

That's not acting. That was Andy.

@zenmasterdan902

3 жыл бұрын

@@jaimhaas5170 You can either see it or you can't. You fall into the can't category

@arribaficationwineho32

2 жыл бұрын

@@jaimhaas5170 his comedy

Andy was one of my all time favorites

He’s giving everyone in the audience hugs lol. Classic Andy

This was awesome and unbelievable as far as EVERYTHING.. .LOL

Andy's reaction to his parents at 11:28 is absolutely precious. My God...

"Try anything and see where it goes" comedy; love it.

I miss the hell out of Andy Kaufman.

@jeebuz6627

4 жыл бұрын

cards1985 same

@enamandela9562

2 жыл бұрын

😔

This dudes heart is kinda amazing rn he’s an angel rn his grandma is so cute wow

@EmilyGloeggler7984

3 жыл бұрын

That’s his Mom.

Wow, authentic and staged at the same time, true and made up, sad and lovely, this is not comedy, it is performance at a very high level. I notice that while watching all this somehow strange stuff it is much more emotional than usual comedy...

@jeebuz6627

4 жыл бұрын

Bernhard Ess believe this or not most of this was not staged. That is why letterman was getting so annoyed. But they had to play it cool on tv

@ronc2866

3 жыл бұрын

He was a genius totally one of a kind.

This guy could be so obscure in his humour... I'm sure he loved the irony of the fact that so many people believed that wrestling was real...there was always that element in his acts but what exactly was real and what wasn't real was usually hard to tell ...a unique talent.

thanks for posting this, it's lovely. Andy undermining corp media with good old fashioned hugs!

As of this taping Andy had 1 1/2 years to live. So sad.

@0okamino

4 жыл бұрын

Well, it's nice to know he got a lot of extra hugging done before that time was up. It can make life better even if doesn't always make it longer.

@SuperHeliboy

4 жыл бұрын

He was a health nut and at this time was probably already eaten up with cancer.

@mirellalastar

4 жыл бұрын

That's probably why he had to hug everybody and tell them he loved them.

@eins2001

4 жыл бұрын

@@mirellalastar Be didn't have to. He wanted to.

@J_L_V

Жыл бұрын

😢

Letterman was so uptight socially. That was part of his charm. When Andy approached him to hug him Letterman stood up and actually went to button his jacket. And then that raised eyebrow of his when Kaufman started hugging members of the crew, as if to say, "This is so weird." Part of this was him just going for laughs, but it was also the repressed Midwesterner in him always pointing out his view of his guests' foibles to us with his looks into the camera.

@umac76

3 жыл бұрын

@Avalon Hike I didn't knock Dave. I like Dave. He gave tremendous support to another artist I really loved, Warren Zevon.

"Life is but a dream..."

Amazing Andy had a sense of innocence to go along with his over the top comedy.

Imagine being able to share a Thanksgiving story: ---"...that time I was lucky enough to be in the studio audience on the Letterman show, and Andy hugged me and told me he loved me..."

I see so much hate for Letterman sometimes, but he's the guy who made this possible. He really loved the guy and was willing to play ignorant to let Andy shine.

You can tell these are his parents because he resembles them plus no one can act this out. They are geniune in all their responses and answers and the conversation is real. I remember this when it aired.

Pure Genius!!! He was truly full of love!! God Bless Him!!!

That's the thing he seem like he's in character all the time.BRILLENT.......

This is absolutely fantastic! He really loved his grandmother. Everyone should get the album Andy and Grandmother Sing. The vinyl unfortunately is out of print. But the cd is still available.

This is brilliant! Thank you Andy Kaufman!

He bought such simple wholesome innocence to a very sad dark and dirty time.

The bonds that connect people are the bonds that make them. Such a sweet family.

Moving that couch next to the desk was the first step of revolutionizing the look of late night. As far as I know at least

but also the love is genuine

One of a kind, absolute legend of the performing arts.

Now almost 40 years later and I'm a old man now Andy's mother looks so damn cute!

What he does with his eyes for comedic effect is second to none. Bill Hader has that same talent, he was a student of Andy...just my opinion. He’s one of a kind and started the phrase “the anti-joke. When he is being serious is when he’s the funniest and his nervous eye movement is a huge part of that.

Normally they have notes to lead the guests, Kaufman wanted everything to be organic with the reactions the hosts gives.Brilliant man.

Back then talkshow had heart❤

A brilliant art-house performance on big-time commercial television. It reminded me of being in a theatre watching Shakespeare. The performance felt long, but in the end very satisfying.

He was one of the first people doing this 'loving' business. It was revolutionary

This is an awesome find! I'm a big Kaufman fan, he's one of the greats. Thanks for the upload!

@elvicare35

7 жыл бұрын

It's awesome to find unseen "for years" footage on your old tapes!!!!!!!!!!

2022 and this is just absolutely hilarious I love these kind of things. rest in peace Andy we miss you even today.

love those Missy Elliot glaases his mom is wearing

The man was a comedic genius!

Life is but a dream.........what a wonderful video, thank-you Andy!!!!!

Yes! I've been waiting for this to appear on KZread for years. Thanks for posting!

@dongiller

8 жыл бұрын

+tygersflowerz My pleasure. Thank Robert Morton for encouraging me to upload it last summer.

Thank you so much for uploading this! Andy is so unique and charming. I wish he was still alive.

This is amazing I can’t describe the joy I have watching these old Andy Kaufman videos but it’s surreal. It’s sad knowing his life ended shortly after this.

Those few special people in the audience who got hugged by Andy,... I wish they'd started a group that got together every year on his birthday.. ❤