Remembering Neil Simon, Master Playwright of Comedy and Middle Class Life

Neil Simon, who died on Sunday at 91, was one of the United States' most prolific and commercially successful playwrights. Whether delivering humor or drama, Simon possessed a rare understanding of the frictions his audience experienced in their most intimate relationships. 

Simon was best known for his many comedies and slices of Jewish middle class life, including The Odd Couple, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and Lost in Yonkers. He was also part of the writing team for Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, together with fellow writers Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner,and other famous comedy greats.

Many tributes to Simon have been published and posted over the last few days. Today we're sharing one in which PBS reporter Jeffrey Brown looks back at his career, with insight from Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Caesar's Writers Remember Picking the Funniest Number

Caesar's Writers was a two hour reunion of writers from Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, that took place on January 24, 1996 at the Writer's Guild theater in Los Angeles.

In this clip from the reunion, Neil Simon explains why he titled his play Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Carl Reiner recalls the writers trying to come up with the funniest number for a roulette wheel sketch with Imogene Coca.

Enjoy! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



#Throwback Thursday    #TBT