From 1950 to 1954, American television viewers were treated weekly to the immense talents of Sid Caesar in Your Show of Shows. Featured players included Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris.

The show was a live sketch comedy powered by brilliant writers such as Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Carl Reiner and Larry Gelbart. Mel Brooks of course went on to write and star in many of his own comedic offerings, Neil Simon became a playwright who brought us The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park, Carl Reiner’s experience on the show inspired the wonderful sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show and Larry Gelbart of course, brought us the immensely popular series M*A*S*H*.

But it was the chemistry and camaraderie of this troupe of players that made Your Show of Shows so popular and so funny.

Unfortunately, most of the kinescopes were discarded by NBC and so few copies of the show survive. However, I have found video of a few sketches on YouTube that you can view by clicking the links.

The Clock Watch this hilarious sketch as Sid, Imogene Coca, Howard Morris and Carl Reiner act out the parts of clockwork figures that start to go haywire.

The Three Haircuts Sid, Howie and Carl in a send-up of 50s rock n’roll. Watch the antics as each of the three takes center stage to dance during the second song. It’s So Rare and Flippin’!

Progress Hornsby Carl Reiner interviews Progress Hornsby (Sid Caesar), a modern jazz musician who is very “cool”.
Carl: Progress, how do you get your barber to cut your hair that way?
Sid: I insult him.