Fred was so special. He was one of those comedians who played himself, and "his self" was so sweet, strange, smart and singular he always "made" whatever he was in. He will be missed.
R.I.P Fred. He was 48 years old at the time of the first clip. Great example of somebody pulling off an amazing late life breakthrough in American culture.
@@rooseveltbrentwood9654 he wasn't Canadian, though it is easy to mistake bc he was certainly associated with SCTV. He was Second City Chicago though. From Cleveland.
Chauncey Aberdeen whaahappen!? I could have sworn he was canadian. its probably because i always see him next to eugene levy. i didn’t realize how old he was either.
March 30 1983. I grew up in NYC and was sat in the audience, pleased to see Fred Willard was a guest. I loved Fernwood Tonight, with him and Martin Mull. Those two were genius together. I've always seen Fred in the same league as Betty White. Sadly, they're both gone now. But, they'll live forever as long as we never lose their bodies of exceptional work. R.I.P. Fred and Betty. They made me laugh countless times.
This just breaks my heart. I saw most of these appearances when they happened. I remember when Fernwood 2 Night debuted (1977). I thought, it doesn't get any funnier than this. Thank you for all the laughs Fred.
I just love his speech pattern: it's very lively, packed with jokes and he doesn't do pauses after jokes! He immediately continues to talk about the next thing, and the next thing and the next thing... So the jokes are always trapped somewhere between the words. That makes him so entertaining and witty!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I had forgotten just how funny Fred Willard was. I had to watch this video in small doses to recover from laughing so hard. And it's so much fun to see a guest who could keep David just constantly laughing like that. There were probably several other guests who could make David laugh that hard, but the only one who comes to my mind right now is Norm MacDonald.
He just got more and more handsome over the years. I never really knew who he was until the Chris Guest movies, and it was like, oh yes, that handsome guy that cracks me up!! I grew up with him and never realized it. Thanks for the compilation!!! :-) :-)
Fred Willard is truly ahead of his time. I was surprised during these clips when the audience turns on Willard. I cringed occasionally when hearing the audiences react poorly, but not when hearing Fred Willard. They were missing his impeccable bits and timing once again.
I love him so much! Such an underrated comic! Especially as a young person, I've hardly seen him anywhere except Back to You! But he's sooo great! He should be one of the biggest ones in the country.
I watched this whole video, as it turns out, literally the night before he died. It took years for the audience to really get with his gimmick but man, what a totally unique and funny guy. No one else quite like him. RIP Fred Willard.
Throughout these appearances you can see how much Dave respects and admires Fred. He would keep surfing through his material, highs and lows, with confidence and courage, and often leaving understated gems. During the joke about the first all white cast to do Porgy and Bess I cracked up at "It's not necessarily so".
I always loved when comedians made Dave laugh. So many times Dave was laughing at Fred when the audience wasn't even laughing. Leno was probably the only guest who made Dave laugh more. These are priceless!
@@zxccxz164 You need to pay more attention and also delve into his career more. I think he was perhaps most perfect in Waiting for Guffman (1994) and Best in Show (1999).
I forget who he was quoting when he said it but I remember Penn Jillette saying that he stepped into character sometime in the 70's and never stepped out. He was an awesome comedian.
His jokes are like a machine gun, you're still thinking about the last one while he drops a new one. My favorite is Dave: "It's priceless" Fred: "no, there'll be a price"
Fred Willard played the most insincerely, sincere and insincere guy ever. He was the dumb guy who is three steps ahead of you. And somehow he always seems like such a dear person. I’m willing to bet he was.
I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Fred, but he pulled off some great stuff here. The television thing was classic and the changing clothes on air was brilliant.
People today do not realize how talented and different a kind of comedian he was. He was always the over confident guy who never saw the folly in his adventures. To see one of his best performances, see Best In Show.
Gosh, what a talent. 1 of those innately funny people that makes it look easy but obviously spent serious time honing his craft. He was obviously a master of improv but you couldn't tell if and when he was doing it. I believe he loved putting himself in situations where he had some material planned and purposely left room for improv - like a jazz player - who plays a written song but has multiple solos throughout the song.
You have to hand it to him, I had no idea he had so many years of appearances. Watched every minute of this video. Thanks for posting. (Though is love to know what song Ray Davies played after Fred on one of those 80’s appearances).
I love Fred Willard, but even if you don't like his humor, you have to admit the guy had supreme confidence. I actually enjoy that aspect of him as much as his humor.
Dave really dug Fred's whole schtick, and allowed him ample time to work the bit, (At 1:57, when Dave indulges his bit trying to channel Elvis from rock-'n'-roll heaven), even if it wasn't always funny. But it's funny anyway just watching the struggle.
There is natural gifted comedy (much of Second City) and there is forced bit comedy (cough! 98% of SNL! Cough!). Sometimes Sad Sacks like Fred Willard and Bob Newhart can't help themselves from being hilarious, as if they don't even realize they're doing it, the gift is so natural.
Holy crap, look how young in 1982! Just saw him a few days before he died in Space Force, playing a doddering old fool, and pulling it off in his own patented way. After his death, my best friend and I had the discussion we've been having more and more frequently in recent years when a beloved figure dies of age toxicity. Fred entered my lexicon with a Martin Mull show back in the day and cemented his way into his life by appearing in a number of excellent mockumentaries. It's funny, I feel the same as ever I did, but when I look around me everybody is getting so OLD! What is the significance? FYI, my most favoritest Fred quote is: "Actually it's been a while since I've had a haircut myself. I'd better not stand too close to you- people may think I'm with the band....I'm joking of course". So long, Fred. And thanks for all the laughs!
This was great! I think Dave had a hunch that Fred Willard was a guest he could depend on if he wanted to laugh and kill time. Methinks that the 13 (!!) year gap between his last appearance on Late Night and his appearances on the Late Show was that Letterman didn't really have that luxury of handpicking guests that way when he went to CBS. (My theory)
Interesting. This might explain why he so often seemed like a sour-faced crank on CBS. I recently watched Chris Elliott's last appearance with Letterman, and the latter appeared to hate his job at that point.
Seems like most of the people who were staples of Late Night had disappeared from his show by the late 90's. Even the /kind/ of guest he had throughout the 80's was not a part of the Late Show. I have wondered about this
Man, that second appearance taking pictures of himself was lost on the audience. As were many other bits. Fred is a little too subtle and clever for most. Its always the comedians who appreciate him most. Even to describe his humor forces you to use descriptions like wry, sardonic amd facetious. The guy is fearless and committed. Albert Brooks has the same curse of being a comedian's comedian.
FERNWOOD TONIGHT is one of the great, underrated comedy series from the '70s. Very ahead of it's time, influencing everything from The Larry Sanders show to Tim and Eric. Martin Mull and Fred are hilarious together. Check them out here on RUclips.
I don't think Letterman was given to "polite laugh" or "fake laugh". You have to be REALLY top to pierce his involuntary laughing reaction. Fred Willard does it here. Watch Dave. He's almost pissing at Fred's understated amazingness.
Fred was a comedy genius. The bit here where he videotaped himself as another character and interacts is pure gold.
Fred was so special. He was one of those comedians who played himself, and "his self" was so sweet, strange, smart and singular he always "made" whatever he was in. He will be missed.
Very well put.
Very smart man razor sharp very good wet I miss him peace out
Ira Ludtke mmmkmmmmmmooimm
Karen van Benscoten I k😁mkmkkmommmmmmmikmm
Karen van Benscoten k I mmmkkkommmmkkkm
R.I.P Fred.
He was 48 years old at the time of the first clip. Great example of somebody pulling off an amazing late life breakthrough in American culture.
he paid his dues in canada
@@rooseveltbrentwood9654 he wasn't Canadian, though it is easy to mistake bc he was certainly associated with SCTV. He was Second City Chicago though. From Cleveland.
Chauncey Aberdeen whaahappen!? I could have sworn he was canadian. its probably because i always see him next to eugene levy. i didn’t realize how old he was either.
There was no one quite like this born comedian. Just a wonderful man.
Great fan edit supercut 3 hrs. Thanks so much. At my age it's a review of my squandered midlife.
You can tell when Dave respects a comedian and finds them genuinely hilarious.
Fred was one of those comedians.
Fred was better, better looking, funnier..Dave deserved all his success too but....
RIP, Fred. You will be missed.
March 30 1983. I grew up in NYC and was sat in the audience, pleased to see Fred Willard was a guest. I loved Fernwood Tonight, with him and Martin Mull. Those two were genius together. I've always seen Fred in the same league as Betty White. Sadly, they're both gone now. But, they'll live forever as long as we never lose their bodies of exceptional work. R.I.P. Fred and Betty. They made me laugh countless times.
This just breaks my heart. I saw most of these appearances when they happened. I remember when Fernwood 2 Night debuted (1977). I thought, it doesn't get any funnier than this. Thank you for all the laughs Fred.
I just love his speech pattern: it's very lively, packed with jokes and he doesn't do pauses after jokes!
He immediately continues to talk about the next thing, and the next thing and the next thing... So the jokes are always trapped somewhere between the words.
That makes him so entertaining and witty!
Brilliant and wonderful man. Thank you so much for the laughs, Fred, will love and remember you forever
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I had forgotten just how funny Fred Willard was. I had to watch this video in small doses to recover from laughing so hard. And it's so much fun to see a guest who could keep David just constantly laughing like that. There were probably several other guests who could make David laugh that hard, but the only one who comes to my mind right now is Norm MacDonald.
the audience had no idea how to receive him at first
he was so damn good
Loved his unique wit. Sad for those who didn't. I got it!! Never be another style quite his.
He just got more and more handsome over the years. I never really knew who he was until the Chris Guest movies, and it was like, oh yes, that handsome guy that cracks me up!! I grew up with him and never realized it. Thanks for the compilation!!! :-) :-)
Rest in peace, Fred. You were one of a kind, and you will be sorely missed.
He's dead?
2:30:40 - Great joke about Jerry Stiller, who died just 4 days before Fred. RIP to both outstanding comedians.
Fred Willard is truly ahead of his time. I was surprised during these clips when the audience turns on Willard. I cringed occasionally when hearing the audiences react poorly, but not when hearing Fred Willard. They were missing his impeccable bits and timing once again.
I love him so much! Such an underrated comic!
Especially as a young person, I've hardly seen him anywhere except Back to You! But he's sooo great!
He should be one of the biggest ones in the country.
Watch him in Best in Show, and Waiting for Guffman, brilliant movies
I watched this whole video, as it turns out, literally the night before he died. It took years for the audience to really get with his gimmick but man, what a totally unique and funny guy. No one else quite like him. RIP Fred Willard.
loved Fred since Fernwood Tonite
Throughout these appearances you can see how much Dave respects and admires Fred. He would keep surfing through his material, highs and lows, with confidence and courage, and often leaving understated gems. During the joke about the first all white cast to do Porgy and Bess I cracked up at "It's not necessarily so".
He. Was. Brilliant.
I watched this video and another with kimmel as well the night before be died
@@valkasolidor6727 Yeah, Dave laughed and laughed during these appearances -- and they seemed like real laughs.
Awesome work, Don. I love Fred Willard!
Watching this for the 10,000th time. What a genius he was!
27:40 - The moment when Clapton drops knowledge. Perfect!
Thank you for this Don. I appreciate your diligence!
Thanks so much for posting!!! Fred was the best!
RIP you mad comic genius.
I always loved when comedians made Dave laugh. So many times Dave was laughing at Fred when the audience wasn't even laughing. Leno was probably the only guest who made Dave laugh more. These are priceless!
great channel. thanks for all your hard work
I've never seen him this young. Rest In Paradise Fred.
When I was sixteen I would stay up tripping and watch fernwood tonight. He blew my mind!
He’s such a funny guy...until the end...RIP Fred. Thanks for all the laughs.
Fred Willard is a comedic genius and deserves way more cred than he gets.
lolol - really?? babbles incoherently....nothing funny....he did do good on modern family
@@zxccxz164 You need to pay more attention and also delve into his career more. I think he was perhaps most perfect in Waiting for Guffman (1994) and Best in Show (1999).
Fred was one of the most underrated comedians of all time. Dry, biting and unpredictable.
Fred: "...we could do some kind of profit-sharing.... " Dave: Not paying any attention/talking over him. Hahahaha. Love them together!
I forget who he was quoting when he said it but I remember Penn Jillette saying that he stepped into character sometime in the 70's and never stepped out. He was an awesome comedian.
His jokes are like a machine gun, you're still thinking about the last one while he drops a new one. My favorite is Dave: "It's priceless" Fred: "no, there'll be a price"
❤ He is so good. ( “IS” because we have his presence with us every time we get to watch Fred.) ❤ Love him
1:20:13 When this was taped, I had not been born. When it had aired, I was 3 hours old.
Oh wow! Thank you foor this!
Fred Willard played the most insincerely, sincere and insincere guy ever. He was the dumb guy who is three steps ahead of you. And somehow he always seems like such a dear person. I’m willing to bet he was.
Thank You donz! You are the best. We ought to meet up some day.
I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Fred, but he pulled off some great stuff here. The television thing was classic and the changing clothes on air was brilliant.
RIP Fred! So talented!
People today do not realize how talented and different a kind of comedian he was. He was always the over confident guy who never saw the folly in his adventures. To see one of his best performances, see Best In Show.
my side is aching from laughing so much. just what i needed during the quarantine .... rest in peace Fred.
Probably the most underrated comic ever
Came here to say this. Very underrated because his delivery was so dry sometimes.
He got better with age, brilliant in "Best in Show" and Modern Family.
1:53:14 "Please return the stewardess to her original upright position". - George Carlin
That Smiley Lewis section was glorious.
Fred Willard was and is a pure delightful treasure
I didnt know Fred Willard invented the "and then everybody started clapping" bit 1:01:37
That's Michael Mislove co-guesting in the July 24 1987 clip, a longtime Ace Trucking Co. co-hort with Mr. Willard...
what an absolute legend
Fred was a gem. Fernwood 2 nite was fantastic. And any of those fake documentery's. Just priceless. R.I.P fred.
Gosh, what a talent. 1 of those innately funny people that makes it look easy but obviously spent serious time honing his craft. He was obviously a master of improv but you couldn't tell if and when he was doing it. I believe he loved putting himself in situations where he had some material planned and purposely left room for improv - like a jazz player - who plays a written song but has multiple solos throughout the song.
15:06 such a silly expression for a microsecond! Man he's funny. He's a full-force comic.
Off-topic, but OMG!! that snare drum sound at 2:27"21'!!!! -Best I've ever heard!
so great. and love the shirt. Laughter is fun.
You have to hand it to him, I had no idea he had so many years of appearances. Watched every minute of this video. Thanks for posting. (Though is love to know what song Ray Davies played after Fred on one of those 80’s appearances).
He performed “The Road.”
36:55: "Well it was on um... at eleven in the morning, or twelve o'clock in the morning..." ;)
Fred Willard was a master!
"I rang the doorbell, didn't I?" Great set up; Dave was losing it.
I love Fred Willard, but even if you don't like his humor, you have to admit the guy had supreme confidence. I actually enjoy that aspect of him as much as his humor.
My favorite Modern Family episodes are with FW as Phil's dad, perfect casting, great in all things he appeared in. RIP, Fred
Serious contender for best 2 hours and 47 minutes on RUclips.
If you have the sophistication to get him, very few are funnier than Fred Willard.
Dave really dug Fred's whole schtick, and allowed him ample time to work the bit, (At 1:57, when Dave indulges his bit trying to channel Elvis from rock-'n'-roll heaven), even if it wasn't always funny. But it's funny anyway just watching the struggle.
RIP Fred Willard. One of the funniest of the funny!
" Do you know how much I can lift ? 225 lbs. ! " - Best in Show
Fred is still the best!!!!! Hilarious!
Uniquely wonderful man.
R.I.P. Fred/ I always enjoyed your acts.
unreal -3 hour, chronological comp. youtube goat
Eric Clapton casually playing in the background.
He was so funny.. loved him.. rest in peace...
There is natural gifted comedy (much of Second City) and there is forced bit comedy (cough! 98% of SNL! Cough!). Sometimes Sad Sacks like Fred Willard and Bob Newhart can't help themselves from being hilarious, as if they don't even realize they're doing it, the gift is so natural.
RIP you absolute legend 😢
"...and to think that in some countries these dogs are eaten"
Lmao...
Best in Show, right?
Best in show....R.I.P.
the difference between fred willard and robin williams is fred is funny.
Fred Willard was the David Byrne of comedy.
The idea that a mugger would not only steal your wallet but would also steal your jokes is comedy gold.
Holy crap, look how young in 1982! Just saw him a few days before he died in Space Force, playing a doddering old fool, and pulling it off in his own patented way. After his death, my best friend and I had the discussion we've been having more and more frequently in recent years when a beloved figure dies of age toxicity. Fred entered my lexicon with a Martin Mull show back in the day and cemented his way into his life by appearing in a number of excellent mockumentaries. It's funny, I feel the same as ever I did, but when I look around me everybody is getting so OLD! What is the significance? FYI, my most favoritest Fred quote is: "Actually it's been a while since I've had a haircut myself. I'd better not stand too close to you- people may think I'm with the band....I'm joking of course". So long, Fred. And thanks for all the laughs!
yeah I think folks forget he was in Spinal Tap too
@@katiezee2 Like you? The quote in my comment is from spinal tap. Ironic, isn't it?
@@TheBeteljuice oh ouch
@@TheBeteljuice fyi I meant people in general, not you. Obviously.
@@katiezee2 😊
If you can find it on youtube. Search for Fred's appearance on the Norm MacDonald pod cast. He was great.
Some of it is here - ruclips.net/video/fWjmH8ZlKcM/видео.html
This was great! I think Dave had a hunch that Fred Willard was a guest he could depend on if he wanted to laugh and kill time. Methinks that the 13 (!!) year gap between his last appearance on Late Night and his appearances on the Late Show was that Letterman didn't really have that luxury of handpicking guests that way when he went to CBS. (My theory)
Interesting. This might explain why he so often seemed like a sour-faced crank on CBS. I recently watched Chris Elliott's last appearance with Letterman, and the latter appeared to hate his job at that point.
I was wondering about that gap. Thought maybe they had a falling out.
Seems like most of the people who were staples of Late Night had disappeared from his show by the late 90's. Even the /kind/ of guest he had throughout the 80's was not a part of the Late Show. I have wondered about this
Man, that second appearance taking pictures of himself was lost on the audience. As were many other bits. Fred is a little too subtle and clever for most. Its always the comedians who appreciate him most. Even to describe his humor forces you to use descriptions like wry, sardonic amd facetious. The guy is fearless and committed. Albert Brooks has the same curse of being a comedian's comedian.
finnibert lunchiken Fred did the whole bit with no laughs and it was great.
lost on the audience because it is embarrasingly not funny
zxccxz164 Say something funnier.
@@greenspringvalley he never purported to be a comedian, dullard, unlike fred dipshit
I just watched this the week after and loved all his stories!
RIP❤️
Hilarious moment at 22:59-- right after Fred straight-faced slays with his photo album, and then Dave reports, "We'll be back with Gallagher." :D
Wow how do u get this stuff. Love and light to his family and friends.
All from my videotape collection.
RIP...
History of White People in America parts 1,2,&3 are all on YT and well worth viewing!
He is the funniest actor ever 😉🌈❤️
That segment that starts at 28:55 is genius.
Thank You, Fred, R.I.P.
FERNWOOD TONIGHT is one of the great, underrated comedy series from
the '70s. Very ahead of it's time, influencing everything from The Larry
Sanders show to Tim and Eric. Martin Mull and Fred are hilarious together.
Check them out here on RUclips.
Thanks for this awesome video! Can you make one with George Miller?
I plan to, in time.
YEAH...George Miller....I'm still in my room
23:23 The Giller spots Eric Clapton and gives a taste. I swear I'm gonna buy you a drink for your dedication.
what is the song that plays at 1:36:54? R.I.P. Fred
Beatles - “And Your Bird Can Sing.” From the Revolver album, 1966.
@@dongiller Thank you
RIP another great comedian gone!
I don't think Letterman was given to "polite laugh" or "fake laugh". You have to be REALLY top to pierce his involuntary laughing reaction. Fred Willard does it here. Watch Dave. He's almost pissing at Fred's understated amazingness.
He got his shorts from Boston ❤
Anyone have info on why there were presenters for the show during that one episode?!
No reason. Just because.