The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Jackie Gleason (1975)
A drunken Dean Martin introduces a wide range of celebrities as they honor The Honeymooners' star Jackie Gleason. The majority of the jokes here are aimed at Gleason's weight but it's clear that the actor is having a good time as his friends make fun of him and throw various cheap shots. As is the case with any roasts, the jokes are certainly hit and miss but there are no doubts that the majority of them hit the mark. Of all the roasters it's clear that Milton Berle steals the show but Art Carney also impresses as he plays his Ralph character and in a split second him and Gleason are back in their old roles and being funny as can be. Sid Caesar, Phyllis Diller, Frank Gorshin, Gene Kelly, Sheila MacRae, Nipsey Russell and Danny Thomas are also on hand to tell some jokes. While this certainly isn't the greatest example of the series there's still no question that it's a lot of fun to see so many famous faces sitting around drunk, smoking countless cigarettes and just having a great time.
Episode: B+
