On the subject of a Passing

Edie Adams passed away yesterday.

Chances are you have no idea who Edie Adams is. Many would wonder how a 45 year old like myself would know who she is.

She was the straight woman to Ernie Kovacs, arguably the greatest comedian of his time. As a matter of fact, she was Mrs. Kovacs. 

Many who have seen my sense of comedy wonder why I tend to be so old school when it comes to the people I like. Ernie Kovacs was at the top of that list. He could make the largest of jokes out of the simplest of things.

One of his greatest accomplishments was the Nairobi Trio. The act was only three people dressed in ape suits, always playing the same song. However, the stories they could tell in that atmosphere were oh so numerous. Edie was one of the trio along with Ernie. There was a lot of conjecture as to who the third was... some have even said that Frank Sinatra took a turn as the third.

Comedians like Bob Newhart, Shelley Berman, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner... these to me are the geniuses of the art. But for every one of those, there was a Carol Burnett, Imogene Coca, and yes, Edie Adams, that could stay with them, joke for joke, sketch for sketch.

David Letterman credits Kovacs and Steve Allen along with the great Johnny Carson as his greatest influences. That's quite a trio.

For me, there was one that started it all. He died sadly in a car wreck much to soon. He had lost a child in a mystery. But now, he is finally all together up there with his beloved Miss Edie... and the man that made me learn to laugh can finally smile.

Good night, Mr. Kovacs.

Yours truly,

Johnny Blogger