I had the pleasure of spending the day with Phil when I was a kid. He was in town filming Jingle All the Way, and our family friend is the sister of his wife. We went to an air museum, and I remember one of the people working had Phil call his wife as Troy McClure. He was an awesome guy. RIP.
News Radio is one of my all time favorite TV shows. After he was killed it wasn't the same. I cry to this day on the episode where they say farewell. He was such a kind person in real life. An genuinely hilarious. I miss him.
Oh, Phil. How I still love him. I was watching blind date with my abuelo the other night and just sighed when he came on the screen. He was such an amazing talent.
Phil's death was the saddest celebrity death for me; I just love him. That man could get a laugh out of me even on my worst day. He's definitely missed!
He was also a huge part of "The Simpsons," voicing many of the best characters. They retired a lot of them when he died, and I've always felt that the show was never the same afterwards. I particularly loved Lionel Hutz giving real estate instructions to Marge. A great talent, gone too soon.
Absolutely love him, and miss his comic genius. Check out Houseguest with Phil and Sinbad - family-friendly and funny!
Very favorite Phil SNL moment: some crazy round table with Phil as Sinatra and Sting as Billy Idol, among others. Phil/Frank to Sting/Billy: "I have chunks of guys like you in my stool". My whole family was rolling around laughing hysterically. RIP.
That line pops in my head every once in awhile and I start cracking up to myself every single time. And watching the Olympics keeps reminding me of that sketch called "The All Drug Olympics" where PH is an Eastern European weightlifter trying to do the clean and jerk and his arms rip off from his body. "Boy is he gonna feel *that* in the morning!" Oh man, I am giggling while I am typing this :)
Amanda - the twenty year olds, that's who (sorry kids!).
I often wonder how his kids are doing - all I remember is that they are being raised by an aunt & uncle. What a horrible thing to have to live with, knowing your mother murdered your father.
Hey now! I'm 25 and I love Phil. He was awesome on SNL (esp as Sinatra) his voices were perfection on the Simpsons (which I don't watch anymore..bart simpson is Co$) but Newsradio was my favorite. RIP Phil.
Thanks so much for posting this. I've been watching the old SNL shows on Netflix and find myself thinking over and over how much the world lost when he died. Even going back to the old Peewee's Playhouse stage show as Cap'n Carl - hilarious! RIP.
I was so, so upset when I heard he'd been killed. So many of his characters on SNL and the Simpsons were the funniest and my faves (the Anal Retentive Chef! COLON BLOW!). He'd been cast for the character of Zapp Branigan (on Futurama) and it shows--and Philip J Fry was named for him. (So says IMDB)
The aunt and uncle are family friends of ours (my dad's friends, and my parents are divorced now so I don't see/talk to them as much). They're early 20s - I don't know the kids, and frankly don't like to press about it unless they mention it. Every time I've talked to them they say they're doing well and tell us what they're up to, though. I more meant I can vouch for the aunt and uncle being wonderful people. She used to let me climb all over her and braid her hair all the time. Hah.
Thanks Amber. The whole thing was beyond sad, so it makes me feel good (crazy, right?) to know that they had a stable, loving home after all that. The aunt & uncle sound like terrific people.
Phil Hartman was a HUGE part of my adolescence---That SNL cast was the REAL 'must see t.v.' I believe Conan was writing for SNL back then, for that cast, and it was Conan & Phil's connection that got Conan his job producing The Simpsons.
Phil Hartman's death pissed me off SO MUCH, because it was truly a waste---stupid drugged out wife got a gun. Killed him while he was asleep or at least lying down. Fucking bitch. There was a repeat on Comedy Central a few months after his murder(remember they used to repeat old SNLs constantly), in which he HOSTED, and thanked his wife Bryn in the opening monologue. It was very distressing to see him talk about how in love with her he was. UGH. The episode disappeared from their rotation after that last repeat.
Snapdragon---I heard Billy West on "Fresh Air" talk about Phil. He confirmed that Zapp was supposed to be Phil, and talked about missing him, etc. So sad.
Libby--thanks. It's difficult to watch the character of Zapp (as funny as those episodes are) because I knew (even before I confirmed it) that it was supposed to be Phil's character. Such a tragedy, such a loss.
@frufra: I remember reading that the entire "Sinatra Group" skit was built around that one line; someone thought it up and then tried to figure out who could pull off saying it--the Chairman of the Board, of course! They went from there. And "Sineaid/Sinbad/Skinhead/Uncle Fester O'Connor" was hilarious, as well. Frankenstein, Tarzan, and Tonto!
Yep u guys have said it for me again, sometimes I don't comment for that reason, .but Phil Hartman was one of my faves too, they had reruns of newsradio not too long ago, u found it hard to watch at first but then Phil's comical genie just sucks u in, I remember when he died too and yes I cried too. R.I.P I'll always remember u from such movies as....that voice! lol
Phil Hartman's death was a huge loss. He was my favorite SNL character, EVER. The man was flat out BRILLIANT. Everything he touched was gold, from The Chairman to Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. RIP, Phil, RIP.
Nothing else to add that hasn't already been said here. I loved News Radio too. I absolutely adored Phil ... he was so brilliant and funny. I miss him.
Just...wow. Sometimes amidst the hustle of life it is so easy to forget those truly talented who have fallen way too early. But I'm happy you all remember him too. Thank you Enty for that tribute and reminder. Frankenstein (Fire BAD!), Sinatra, and Colon Blow are all classics! I can still hear him to this day saying: "Say...like a pencil? Nahhhalright!".
And thank you Amber for the update on the kids and family. Glad they are doing well (considering).
At a bad time in my life, Phil was one of those who didn't turn his back on me although we weren't very close in those days. He would go out of his way to cross a room to give a hug and give a laugh, almost like he knew you needed it. He was as good a person as he was a performer, and I so often wish I could have helped him (though he'd have refused and never have let on he needed it). Nothing hurts as bad as regret or the desire for a time machine to intervene at an exact moment.
I had Phil to autograph an album cover he did way back when. It still hangs framed in my cave and I am never surprised at the people who marvel over his talent for comedy genius. Great to see Hooks in there too, another true talent and all around great person. Unless you've ever tried sketch comedy (and doing it live at that!) you may never know how hard it is to pull off - particularly every week! Some can make it look easy, while others?...well, let's just say it is not for everyone.
(Okay, honestly SOME people totally BOMB at it, just suck total ass, pray to God for salvation and early release while floundering and totally going down in flames on national TV!). Maybe not me, mind you...but SOME people (cough-cough) ;-) Obviously, Phil was not that person and I have tons of respect for anyone who does it well for so many years.
I once saw an art work released in tribute to Phil after his passing, maybe in Variety or Hwood Reporter or somewhere. It was a pencil drawing (done by a former artist pal of Phil's) that had all the great deceased comics - Groucho, Chaplin, WC Fields, Red Foxx, Rich Pryor, Lenny Bruce, etc. all standing on stage with their heads bowed and a spot light over an empty space/microphone in the middle. The caption said "We'll Miss You Phil". I wept like a baby when I saw it and wish I could find it today. I think it was similar to the Mel Blanc cartoon tribute drawing, and personified his place among the legends. I'm glad you all feel the same as do I about him. RIP Mr. Phil, the world laughs less without you here...
I'm late to the game - sorry I missed today on CDAN - and sorry I missed this, because Phil was so good. Frankenstein, yes, what about the Caveman Lawyer? So stupid but I laugh every time. God he was good. And as a graphic designer, when I found out that he'd designed that Poco album, I freaked out. It was perfection. So talented. I always stick up for SNL on CDAN, I love the show, have since I was little and used to sneak out of my room and hide in the foyer to watch my big sister and her friends smoke pot and laugh their asses off in the 70s.
Glad to hear that he treated you so well, @Himmmm. And I SOOOO hope that the autographed album you have is "Legend"!
I was stunned when I heard of his death. He was and still is one of my favourite comedians. He was just getting better and better on Newsradio. It really makes you stop and think about each passing moment.
Never met the man personally but a close colleague ate lunch with him a couple weeks before the murder. My friend was on crew and Phil was eating with the crew, which was the kind of guy he was, apparently.
When the news broke, my buddy was stunned because apparently at that lunch, Phil was talking about how wonderful his family was and how lucky he was to have them, that they were everything to him, etc. Since my pal only knew Phil professionally, he had no idea about the stress in his marriage, etc.
Alcohol and drug abuse aren't "victimless crimes" - they can have devastating effects on those you love and who love you. Phil's tragedy is an extreme example of that.
He was honestly one of the most talented comedians who ever worked, and he was just hitting his stride.
One of my fav parts for him was a small scene in , "So I married an axe murderer". Helays a guard/tour guide on Alcatraz and he's so funny! ""Hello everyone, I am a park ranger and I will be leading you on the tour. All of the park rangers here at Alcatraz were at one time guards, myself included. My name is John Johnson, but everyone here calls me Vicky. Will you please follow me." the look he gives Mike Myers is hysterical! RIP Mr Hartman.
@ThatKimGirl I totally forgot about Phil's part in that movie! Thanks for the classic quotes. That man could steal a scene like no other, and I'm so happy to hear from Amber that his kids are thriving with wonderful caretakers. Such a tragic loss for everybody :(
Thank you Enty for the clips. I had a huge smile on my face watching the brilliance
Enty, yes, yes and yes. I remember when he died. So tragic. Nice to 'see' him again.
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of spending the day with Phil when I was a kid. He was in town filming Jingle All the Way, and our family friend is the sister of his wife. We went to an air museum, and I remember one of the people working had Phil call his wife as Troy McClure. He was an awesome guy. RIP.
ReplyDeleteYou must be from MN!!! Ha ha, I was an extra in that movie as a teenager.
DeleteNews Radio is one of my all time favorite TV shows. After he was killed it wasn't the same. I cry to this day on the episode where they say farewell. He was such a kind person in real life. An genuinely hilarious. I miss him.
ReplyDeleteI will always miss him. SNL and comedy have never been the same.
ReplyDelete@Amber, nice memory.
ReplyDeleteLoved hus comedy and miss him still. I hate hus wife fir what she did.
ReplyDeleteHis
DeleteI use to love Jan Hooks too.
ReplyDeleteHe is one of my all time favorites:) So much talent!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Phil. How I still love him. I was watching blind date with my abuelo the other night and just sighed when he came on the screen. He was such an amazing talent.
ReplyDeleteMy kids watch Jingle All the Way year round. Def bittersweet...he was amazingly funny
ReplyDeleteMy kids watch Jingle All the Way year round. Def bittersweet...he was amazingly funny
ReplyDeleteAfter the clip Enty posted, watch "Phil Hartman 1994" on Letterman. OMFG!!!!
ReplyDelete"I don't have a small penis. Jennifer Flowers has a big mouth!"
Phil's death was the saddest celebrity death for me; I just love him. That man could get a laugh out of me even on my worst day. He's definitely missed!
ReplyDeleteLove Love LOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless him!
He was also a huge part of "The Simpsons," voicing many of the best characters. They retired a lot of them when he died, and I've always felt that the show was never the same afterwards. I particularly loved Lionel Hutz giving real estate instructions to Marge. A great talent, gone too soon.
ReplyDeleteFirst a Tom Lehrer reference on one thread, and now Newsradio?! This is my all-time favorite commenting day. Thanks, CDANers!
ReplyDeleteHow can people not know who Phil Hartman is???!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love him, and miss his comic genius. Check out Houseguest with Phil and Sinbad - family-friendly and funny!
ReplyDeleteVery favorite Phil SNL moment: some crazy round table with Phil as Sinatra and Sting as Billy Idol, among others. Phil/Frank to Sting/Billy: "I have chunks of guys like you in my stool". My whole family was rolling around laughing hysterically. RIP.
That was hands down fucking hilarious!!!!!
DeleteThat line pops in my head every once in awhile and I start cracking up to myself every single time. And watching the Olympics keeps reminding me of that sketch called "The All Drug Olympics" where PH is an Eastern European weightlifter trying to do the clean and jerk and his arms rip off from his body. "Boy is he gonna feel *that* in the morning!" Oh man, I am giggling while I am typing this :)
DeleteSuch a tragedy. I loved him in News Radio and he did MANY voices for the Simpson.. He is greatly missed. I hate that woman for taking him from us.
ReplyDeleteMonorail Monorail Monorail...
Amanda - the twenty year olds, that's who (sorry kids!).
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how his kids are doing - all I remember is that they are being raised by an aunt & uncle. What a horrible thing to have to live with, knowing your mother murdered your father.
surfer, last I heard the kids were doing really well. Their aunt and uncle are wonderful, caring people - I can vouch for it. :)
ReplyDeleteHey now! I'm 25 and I love Phil. He was awesome on SNL (esp as Sinatra) his voices were perfection on the Simpsons (which I don't watch anymore..bart simpson is Co$) but Newsradio was my favorite. RIP Phil.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I'm 25. And the rest is so true.
DeleteThanks so much for posting this. I've been watching the old SNL shows on Netflix and find myself thinking over and over how much the world lost when he died. Even going back to the old Peewee's Playhouse stage show as Cap'n Carl - hilarious! RIP.
ReplyDeleteRIP Phil.
ReplyDeletePhil was the best. Super dependable - you could always count on him to be funny, no matter how bad the material was. A HUGE LOSS.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite moments on SNL was when he was Frankenstein and started to crack up when he had to grunt. Makes me roll everytime.
ReplyDeleteI just adored Phil Hartman what a senseless death. Luckily for all of us his talent lives on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amber. Just curious - how do you know? And how old are the kids now?
ReplyDeleteI was so, so upset when I heard he'd been killed. So many of his characters on SNL and the Simpsons were the funniest and my faves (the Anal Retentive Chef! COLON BLOW!). He'd been cast for the character of Zapp Branigan (on Futurama) and it shows--and Philip J Fry was named for him. (So says IMDB)
ReplyDeleteSo, so sad.
The aunt and uncle are family friends of ours (my dad's friends, and my parents are divorced now so I don't see/talk to them as much). They're early 20s - I don't know the kids, and frankly don't like to press about it unless they mention it. Every time I've talked to them they say they're doing well and tell us what they're up to, though. I more meant I can vouch for the aunt and uncle being wonderful people. She used to let me climb all over her and braid her hair all the time. Hah.
ReplyDeleteNewsradio wasn't the same without him.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amber. The whole thing was beyond sad, so it makes me feel good (crazy, right?) to know that they had a stable, loving home after all that. The aunt & uncle sound like terrific people.
ReplyDeletePhil Hartman was a HUGE part of my adolescence---That SNL cast was the REAL 'must see t.v.'
ReplyDeleteI believe Conan was writing for SNL back then, for that cast, and it was Conan & Phil's connection that got Conan his job producing The Simpsons.
Phil Hartman's death pissed me off SO MUCH, because it was truly a waste---stupid drugged out wife got a gun. Killed him while he was asleep or at least lying down. Fucking bitch.
There was a repeat on Comedy Central a few months after his murder(remember they used to repeat old SNLs constantly), in which he HOSTED, and thanked his wife Bryn in the opening monologue. It was very distressing to see him talk about how in love with her he was. UGH.
The episode disappeared from their rotation after that last repeat.
Snapdragon---I heard Billy West on "Fresh Air" talk about Phil. He confirmed that Zapp was supposed to be Phil, and talked about missing him, etc. So sad.
Everything the man touched was GOLDEN.
Libby--thanks. It's difficult to watch the character of Zapp (as funny as those episodes are) because I knew (even before I confirmed it) that it was supposed to be Phil's character. Such a tragedy, such a loss.
ReplyDelete@frufra: I remember reading that the entire "Sinatra Group" skit was built around that one line; someone thought it up and then tried to figure out who could pull off saying it--the Chairman of the Board, of course! They went from there.
ReplyDeleteAnd "Sineaid/Sinbad/Skinhead/Uncle Fester O'Connor" was hilarious, as well.
Frankenstein, Tarzan, and Tonto!
Tragic and senseless death. Comedy genius. Loved him (and Jan Hooks was a fave, too).
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Jan, I wonder if she'll ever open up about her friendship with Phil.
ReplyDeleteYep u guys have said it for me again, sometimes I don't comment for that reason, .but Phil Hartman was one of my faves too, they had reruns of newsradio not too long ago, u found it hard to watch at first but then Phil's comical genie just sucks u in, I remember when he died too and yes I cried too. R.I.P I'll always remember u from such movies as....that voice! lol
ReplyDeleteEnty: LOVE YOU for putting this up. I sure do miss Phil Hartman. He was such a treasure. Taken from the world much too soon. Miss his brilliant humor.
ReplyDeletePhil Hartman's death was a huge loss. He was my favorite SNL character, EVER. The man was flat out BRILLIANT. Everything he touched was gold, from The Chairman to Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. RIP, Phil, RIP.
ReplyDeleteMan, how I miss Phil. He was the best. RIP "The Glue".
ReplyDeletePhil was pretty awesome......
ReplyDeleteNothing else to add that hasn't already been said here. I loved News Radio too. I absolutely adored Phil ... he was so brilliant and funny. I miss him.
ReplyDelete@Robert - that's really cool - I'd never heard that before! That is the skit that immediately comes to mind as one of the funniest ever.
ReplyDeleteJust...wow.
ReplyDeleteSometimes amidst the hustle of life it is so easy to forget those truly talented who have fallen way too early. But I'm happy you all remember him too. Thank you Enty for that tribute and reminder. Frankenstein (Fire BAD!), Sinatra, and Colon Blow are all classics! I can still hear him to this day saying: "Say...like a pencil? Nahhhalright!".
And thank you Amber for the update on the kids and family. Glad they are doing well (considering).
At a bad time in my life, Phil was one of those who didn't turn his back on me although we weren't very close in those days. He would go out of his way to cross a room to give a hug and give a laugh, almost like he knew you needed it. He was as good a person as he was a performer, and I so often wish I could have helped him (though he'd have refused and never have let on he needed it). Nothing hurts as bad as regret or the desire for a time machine to intervene at an exact moment.
I had Phil to autograph an album cover he did way back when. It still hangs framed in my cave and I am never surprised at the people who marvel over his talent for comedy genius. Great to see Hooks in there too, another true talent and all around great person. Unless you've ever tried sketch comedy (and doing it live at that!) you may never know how hard it is to pull off - particularly every week! Some can make it look easy, while others?...well, let's just say it is not for everyone.
(Okay, honestly SOME people totally BOMB at it, just suck total ass, pray to God for salvation and early release while floundering and totally going down in flames on national TV!). Maybe not me, mind you...but SOME people (cough-cough) ;-) Obviously, Phil was not that person and I have tons of respect for anyone who does it well for so many years.
I once saw an art work released in tribute to Phil after his passing, maybe in Variety or Hwood Reporter or somewhere. It was a pencil drawing (done by a former artist pal of Phil's) that had all the great deceased comics - Groucho, Chaplin, WC Fields, Red Foxx, Rich Pryor, Lenny Bruce, etc. all standing on stage with their heads bowed and a spot light over an empty space/microphone in the middle. The caption said "We'll Miss You Phil". I wept like a baby when I saw it and wish I could find it today. I think it was similar to the Mel Blanc cartoon tribute drawing, and personified his place among the legends. I'm glad you all feel the same as do I about him. RIP Mr. Phil, the world laughs less without you here...
I'm late to the game - sorry I missed today on CDAN - and sorry I missed this, because Phil was so good. Frankenstein, yes, what about the Caveman Lawyer? So stupid but I laugh every time. God he was good. And as a graphic designer, when I found out that he'd designed that Poco album, I freaked out. It was perfection. So talented. I always stick up for SNL on CDAN, I love the show, have since I was little and used to sneak out of my room and hide in the foyer to watch my big sister and her friends smoke pot and laugh their asses off in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that he treated you so well, @Himmmm. And I SOOOO hope that the autographed album you have is "Legend"!
Man, he was SO talented. And such tragic circumstances with his death and his wife's as well. :(
ReplyDeleteI was stunned when I heard of his death. He was and still is one of my favourite comedians. He was just getting better and better on Newsradio. It really makes you stop and think about each passing moment.
ReplyDeleteNever met the man personally but a close colleague ate lunch with him a couple weeks before the murder. My friend was on crew and Phil was eating with the crew, which was the kind of guy he was, apparently.
ReplyDeleteWhen the news broke, my buddy was stunned because apparently at that lunch, Phil was talking about how wonderful his family was and how lucky he was to have them, that they were everything to him, etc. Since my pal only knew Phil professionally, he had no idea about the stress in his marriage, etc.
Alcohol and drug abuse aren't "victimless crimes" - they can have devastating effects on those you love and who love you. Phil's tragedy is an extreme example of that.
He was honestly one of the most talented comedians who ever worked, and he was just hitting his stride.
One of my fav parts for him was a small scene in , "So I married an axe murderer". Helays a guard/tour guide on Alcatraz and he's so funny! ""Hello everyone, I am a park ranger and I will be leading you on the tour. All of the park rangers here at Alcatraz were at one time guards, myself included. My name is John Johnson, but everyone here calls me Vicky. Will you please follow me." the look he gives Mike Myers is hysterical! RIP Mr Hartman.
ReplyDelete@ThatKimGirl
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot about Phil's part in that movie! Thanks for the classic quotes. That man could steal a scene like no other, and I'm so happy to hear from Amber that his kids are thriving with wonderful caretakers. Such a tragic loss for everybody :(
Thank you Enty for the clips. I had a huge smile on my face watching the brilliance
Makes me sad to think someone might not know of Phil Hartman...he was the BEST.
ReplyDeleteMakes me sad to remember he's been gone and for so long...his death was such a shock and end of an era.
Also, I miss Jan Hooks, what is she up to?!
ReplyDelete