Quendrith Johnson

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by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent

Before you can say you knew him well, Carl Reiner (1922-2020), who left earth on June 29 for better comedic opportunities, will be feted by TCM for a life very well lived on July 28. Mr. Reiner was not only a funny, funny man, but once Garry Marshall told me that Reiner dismissed his writing as “one liner” comedy. Marshall (1934-2016), who has also left us for comedy heaven, never forgot those words, and said he incorporated that harsh note into his work from then on.

Carl Reiner was that kind of person, not just a comedian, but a thoughtful, political, arch Hollywood denizen. Having written an award show once where he was a featured guest, Reiner was incredibly gracious when Cloris Leachman went off script into blue language that would light your hair on fire. Reiner laughed through the whole rant, because living a real funny moment was not lost on him in the slick world comedy and stand-up has become. Cloris nailed the spirit of uncensored hilarity that night, and Reiner thoroughly enjoyed it.

In tribute to his passing on June 29, TCM will roll out a slate of his works that really touched not only generations of viewers and fans, but also generations of writers, comics, and even one-liner writers. Since Reiner gave us George Burns in OH, GOD! from 1977, now he can test that premise for himself. ;)

TCM’s official statement and schedule of programming follows this Memorial Clip to a great man.

Carl Reiner Shines Us On

LOS ANGELES, CA: Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate the life and career of seminal writer, director, actor and author Carl Reiner with a programming tribute on Tuesday, July 28. Reiner, who passed away on June 29 at the age of 98, won many awards including nine Emmy Awards®, a Grammy®, and the Mark Twain prize for American Humor. His prolific career spanned more than 70 years, and he gained a loyal following for his sketch comedy work alongside Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks and for directing such beloved films as Oh, God! (1977), Dead Men Don’t War Plaid (1982), Where’s Poppa? (1970), The Jerk (1979) and for creating and writing The Dick Van Dyke Show. In 2018, Carl Reiner and his son, filmmaker Rob Reiner, were honored with the hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre® in Hollywood during the eighth annual TCM Classic Film Festival. It marked the first time a father and son were jointly honored with a hand and footprint ceremony. 

The following is the complete schedule for TCM's on-air tribute to Carl Reiner:

TCM Remembers Carl Reiner – Tuesday, July 28 

8:00 p.m. Enter Laughing (1966) – An aspiring actor gets a job with a broken-down theatre company.

10:00 p.m. All of Me (1984) – A lawyer’s body is invaded by the soul of a recently deceased female client.

12:00 a.m. The Comic (1969) – A silent comic’s rampant ego ruins the lives of those around him.

2:00 a.m. Where’s Poppa? (1970) – A New York lawyer deals with an unhinged mother, a peculiar love life and other big city troubles.

3:30 a.m. Oh, God! (1977) – A grocer is selected by God to help spread a message.

(*All times Eastern Standard.)

For more information, visit TCM Remembers.

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