As a kid that that was raised on watching television shows form the 50’s 60’s and 70’s I was exposed to the work of Jackie Gleason before entering this class. Looking back at that early exposure, I thought as a kid that was how all TV shows were and that it was good hearted for all ages even though it was about adults situations. I only knew of old shows mostly as a kid and I had a very huge culture shock compared with most TV shows nowadays.
Gleason was the only comedian I knew besides Kevin James to be featured prominently as the main person and star of a TV show and do so well with it. Usually you see a fat guy playing the fat guy but not the main character. Fat kids around the world probably said to themselves we can be the main guy in a show also.
He proved that it didn’t matter what size you were to be a great lead in a TV show, and that we all could say, “I could be Ralph Kramden”. He did a good job in making us believe we could have the same set of problems. Gleason has set the standard for being one of the greatest comedians ever. His comedic genius is considered one of the best. His routines he would perform were perfect. He had the opportunity to show it all off and never hold anything back in a performance.
He was a pioneer for people who would write produce and basically come up with all the ideas for the whole show. Gleason would have all the input which was unheard of then. It made the show one of the greatest shows of all time. He does the best job of improvisation and acting in every scene. The way he can act in any scene or situation is unbeatable.
I always liked how the show dealt with problems that would be problems for the average working class married couple. It would deal with a working middle family with the 50’s having a stay at home wife that was supposed to cook and clean and how he and Alice would argue back and forth. Her role on the show was what was to be expected, as she really did capture the 50’s mindset of being stuck at home.
Gleason did a good job in letting Meadows get her lines and insults in to make a point that he was being unbearable and inconsiderate in whatever thing he got mad about, where lots of times were spent over silly things to get mad over. He did a good job of hiring the right people for the right role as well. Meadows and Carney were perfect for their roles, which is why I can never accept anyone else as Alice ever. His eyes and face are two things Gleason will have over lots of comedians in the way he uses his body language to convey something is super funny and accurate.
Just his eyes and face are perfect comedy gold and if that’s all he had it would be ok but his body language is the best ever. No one can imitate him or try to copy him like some comedians do where they take things from comedians before them. Gleason also has to be one of the most unique comedians of all time.
No one has his comedic genius of what is funny and what is not. He was ahead of his time on what would be funny and what the viewer would want to see. I like when I watch a TV show or movie and I feel like this could easily be me something very much related. His relation with the average man’s struggles inhibitions and things he wants is very good to what all men wanted then. Gleason had Ralph deal with poverty, him vs. the world and male supremacy.
The idea to make a sketch into a full length was one the best ideas ever. Gleason was also known as a perfectionist whom you could tell by watching every episode that he performed and wrote. That he knew after one year of doing the show that if it wasn’t doing well that he would pull the plug on making more episodes.
That is one con I have on Jackie Gleason is that I wish he kept making the show and it had been one of those shows that lasted for a ten year run. As well as trying to release those lost episodes to the public sooner or small clips in a way so everyone could see his genius.
The thing people never know if an actor plays a role and it’s his biggest role in a TV show, is whether that character really is him or is he just doing a great job of acting. When I watch Jackie Gleason play Ralph Kradmen all I can think of is Gleason as fat and over sensitive and thinks highly about himself. He does a great job in believing that’s who he is and that’s how it comes so easy for him. When he acts and does his whole routine and mannerisms that in real life or any other thing he does is really how he acts. Like when he overreacts to simple things and is not always the best husband but tries to be at the end of the day.
I wish he kept the show the way it was for those episodes during that one season. The later honeymooners’ sketches or shows don’t have the same feel and I know he wanted to keep doing it but it would not be the same without Audrey Meadows. That idea of canceling it after one season is an ok decision but to go on later and make the color honeymooners where they are older doesn’t have the same appeal as the classic one season of the show.
In the end Jackie Gleason will be remembered as Ralph Kramden but as one of the great comedic and greatest writers for a sitcom ever.