Groucho Marx Leaves Dick In Stiches During Hilarious Interview | The Dick Cavett Show

Dick Cavett is left in pieces as he struggles to conduct the interview with comedy idol and Marx Brother, Groucho!

Date aired - June 13, 1969 - Groucho Marx

Dick Cavett has been nominated for eleven Emmy awards (the most recent in 2012 for the HBO special, Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again), and won three. Spanning five decades, Dick Cavett’s television career has defined excellence in the interview format. He started at ABC in 1968, and also enjoyed success on PBS, USA, and CNBC.

His most recent television successes were the September 2014 PBS special, Dick Cavett’s Watergate, followed April 2015 by Dick Cavett’s Vietnam. He has appeared in movies, tv specials, tv commercials, and several Broadway plays. He starred in an off-Broadway production ofHellman v. McCarthy in 2014 and reprised the role at Theatre 40 in LA February 2015.

Cavett has published four books beginning with Cavett (1974) and Eye on Cavett (1983), co-authored with Christopher Porterfield. His two recent books -- Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets (2010) and Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic moments, and Assorted Hijinks(October 2014) are both collections of his online opinion column, written for The New York Times since 2007. Additionally, he has written for The New Yorker, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, and elsewhere.

#thedickcavettshow

[Gordonthevet]

The people claiming Cavett was boring just do not understand the value of intellect in the spoken word. Cavett was a master of engaging all kinds of great people and letting them be their best - a rare talent - particularly by today's standards.

[peterwilson]

At 80 years old, Groucho still had that quick wit and fast comeback. Fascinating to watch him take whatever is said to him and have him spin it into comic gold right before your eyes. Amazing.

[Bobbnoxious]

Groucho was an absolute master of comic improv. And he was almost 80 in this interview. What a treasure.

[leonardohummel]

Just for the record: Dick Cavett had some of the most classic moments on TV, ... EVER. amazing career.

[nightwing]

Dick was just like the chillest host ever. One of my all time favorites

[l.elizabethcincotta]

Groucho walked in and said "This is my show now"

[kevinr.]

Alan Alda's character on MASH owed everything to Groucho. His delivery, sense of humor, timing...is all Groucho.

[Firebrand]

Was there ever such a calm, measured, polite interviewer as Cavett?

[cecilmorgan]

A comic genius who doesn't disappoint. Apparently effortless with the stories and gags.

[joelonsdale]

Dick Cavett is wonderful, so gentle and light with absolute no agent other than to let his guests shine. Groucho was amazing - hilarious and charming ... Classic American TV.

[iamtubaman]

Undoubtedly one of, if not the best comedian(s) to walk the face of this planet! Modern comedy can’t even touch what the Marx Brothers had!

[georgeanthony]

Groucho Marx (and his brothers) were simply hilarious... very sorely missed today.

[gomezaddams]

Dick knew right off the bat that he was just along for the ride, and he was sharp enough to keep his trap shut and let Groucho go at it.

[daleandrews]

One of my favorite Grouchoisms is:
"While on safari in Africa I once shot an elephant in my pajamas. How the elephant got in my pajamas I'll nevah know!"

[LordZontar]

Groucho Marx: one of the sharpest wits of the 20th Century.

[leonardohummel]

Groucho was truly the happy hysterical cynic. *great wit. impeccable delivery and timing.*

[bowendrzymalabokitch]

I think what makes cavett so great is he doesn't interrupt the comedic timing or thought processes of his guests.

[nataliedelagrandiere]

This was great!
Groucho always makes me laugh. And you can't stop him.

[stephenanthony]

This is funny on so many levels, Dick plays the perfect foil for Groucho to do his stuff, Groucho goes so far and then dials it back

[stul]

I worked as a Page on his show then and was at that show. Remember it well. Groucho was - grouchy back stage!!