Appreciating Roy Clark
BY Herschel Smith
5 years ago
From the comments, there is this.
I had the luck (and high honor) of meeting Tony Randall and Heather (his wife) at a restaurant in NYC in 1998. I asked him about this particular scene and he told me this story. He and Jack Klugman rehearsed this scene with Roy many times, but Roy would play a different piece every time (but NEVER Bach or Mountain Dew!). When they shot this in front of the studio audience, he and Jack were both simply ‘reacting’, not acting. When he fell back over the sofa, that was not planned (they would have framed the shot differently it it were) and Jack was laughing at Tony’s genuine reaction as he turned away from the audience and Jack mouthed “He got us!”. The audience applauded, as well as most of the crew. It was a ‘true moment’ that was caught forever on tape. A one-take wonder thanks to the legendary Roy Clark. So, it was shot live, the music was unrehearsed, and the reactions were real. Awesome!
It’s good to see anyone express sincere appreciation for the musical genius and talent of Roy Clark.
Enjoy your Saturday!
On November 16, 2019 at 2:19 pm, dad29 said:
FWIW, I’ve spent a little time around Hollywood musical talent, and they are THAT good. Perhaps not as much as Clark, but so good that you know you’re not even in the same ZIP code–nor maybe even in the same country–as they are.
There is a “1%” in music (and probably in graphic art, plastic art, acting, comedy…) I’m not part of that group.
On November 16, 2019 at 4:57 pm, MTHead said:
Talent. Somehow the word doesn’t quite cover it all.
On November 16, 2019 at 7:38 pm, JoeFour said:
Thank you, Captain Smith! I really enjoyed that!
On November 16, 2019 at 7:56 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
Roy Clark was one of those self-made artistic talents who made everything look so easy – whether it was playing hot guitar or banjo licks with Buck Owens and the guests on Hee-Haw, cracking jokes with Mel Tillis, or telling tale tales with whoever would listen – it all seemed just as natural as could be. As a musician myself, one who knows how difficult an instrument the guitar is to master – I’m certain Roy Clark put a lot of blood, sweat and effort in learning his craft. He just never let us (his audience) see him sweat. He was amazing. And he was as good a person as he was an entertainer. He is missed….
On November 16, 2019 at 10:46 pm, Dan said:
Roy Clark…..like Glen Campbell, was a popular and successful actor/entertainer. But BOTH were IMMENSELY talented musically
and were guitar virtuosos….something many people did not know.
On November 17, 2019 at 12:43 pm, BCE56 said:
FIL has lots of other vids covering a wide range of music. You can see he loves his job. Worth a look.
On November 17, 2019 at 2:43 pm, David said:
What a great presentation!
My dad wasn’t a big fan of tv shows in general. Hee Haw in particular turned him off of Roy Clark. Since we live in Southwest Missouri, there were several opportunities to see shows in Branson with friends who would come to visit. Roy Clark had a theater in Branson for many years. One of these couples wanted to see Roy Clark and mom and dad went with them. He came back in awe of seeing Roy play guitar, and in particular Malagueña on a 12 string guitar. Much like this clip, he said it made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He said that was one of the best shows he ever saw in Branson.