Charlie Rose

KennAmdahl  03/17/2012 02:29 PM Report

Steve Allen steered my life down a goofy alley. As a kid, I stayed up late to watch his show, laughing out loud at this weird adult who would do literally anything to squeeze a laugh out of his audience and his guests, including shrieking like a crazed goose he called the "shmawk-shmawk bird" with no warning and little provocation. Then he'd play piano comfortably, sing a song he'd written, then participate in some insane skit, most of which failed miserably in their own charming way. Fifty years later, I write books, I write songs, I resurrect 200 year old folk songs and am unashamed to make a ridiculous wisecrack to the checker at the grocery store who needs a smile. In fairness, Steve would reasonably disavow any knowledge of my actions. But the truth is, he also gets credit for some of the positive results, if any, where discernible, whether reproducible or not, some restrictions apply, dealer prep and undercoating extra. Shmawk! Shmawk!

So nice to get to watch him again for a few moments. Thank you.

carla  04/08/2008 02:32 AM Report

steve allen, of the magnanimous spirit, was a brilliant man who had a sense of timing that was as good as it gets.

in the old days i read that he was so generous to his co workers that "when he dies we will all take home less pay"...and that has probably come to pass just as they say it would.

I shall miss him over and over as the new, crass batch of comics takes over the boob tube.

best violinist in ohio, you have to love that....