Photo Courtesy of Pepperdine University
A star-studded cast of Hollywood royalty gathered at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on Sept. 25 to pay homage to George Schlatter in a tribute labeled: “Still Laugh-In: A Toast to George Schlatter.”
The event, emceed by television and radio host Larry King, honored Schlatter, a five-time Emmy Award winner and George Pepperdine College alumnus (‘49). Attendees included Diana Ross, Sidney Poitier, Berry Gordy, Fred Willard, Kirk Douglas and more.
Still Laugh-In, a word play on Schlatter’s Emmy Award-winning sketch comedy show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” was presented and organized by Pepperdine University and the Brenden Mann Foundation.
The Saban Theatre, formerly known as the Fox Wilshire theater, hosted the almost three hour long event.
Upon entry, VIP guests were treated with a food and drink reception and greeted by a costume representation of “Laugh-In” characters. Pepperdine Ambassador Council student members also welcomed guests.
One of the first guests to arrive to the reception party was Berry Gordy, founder of the famous Motown record label. “He was an innovator, a pioneer, a liberal risk-taker. He has more talent than anybody else,” Gordy said of Schlatter.
King, who has won two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE awards, emphasized the impact Schlatter had on modern television: “One of the great TV producers of all time, he overset his own course. His show lives on,” he said
As more people crowded the reception room, Todd Sherry, who plays Marshall Langman on NBC’s hit series “Parks and Recreation,” also commented on the impact Schlatter’s work had on the television industry in the U.S.
“‘Laugh-In’ was the SNL of the day,” Sherry said. “It changed everything; it made stars of all the people who participated in it,” he said.
Sherry claimed that it is difficult for people like Schlatter to get the recognition they deserve nowadays. “It’s not specific to him personally, but all these people who are TV royalty do not get their due today because of how media has advanced; we’re obsessed with Miley Cyrus twerking,” he said.
King also believes that Schlatter’s work is underappreciated. “Time goes so fast, he deserves more recognition. I would describe his career as outstanding,” he said.
Schlatter arrived at 7 p.m., spending most of the reception party taking pictures and interacting with guests.
As people made their way into the Winnick Family Auditorium, they received a 26-page program containing page-long tributes from sponsors, family and friends.
The ceremony began with Pepperdine’s Director of the Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture, Professor Craig Detweiler, introducing Larry King, who let Maria Schlatter, daughter of the honoree, take over the mic.
Maria gave some background information on her father, presenting a short video clip of his accomplishments, some of which include 15 Emmy Award nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
King then took over the podium, introducing the rest of the guests, who each had a particular way of honoring Schlatter. Some of them praised him and his success, while others took a more comedic approach.
Among those speaking were Kirk Douglas, Hollywood “golden age” actor and producer, Laugh-In actresses Lily Tomlin, Jo Anne Worley and Shirley MacLaine, comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, Berry Gordy and more.
In between the speeches, high-quality clips from Schlatter’s TV productions were displayed on a large projection screen. Jay Leno and Goldie Hawn sent in video tributes.
Even though the event was centered around Schlatter, Barbara Sinatra, Frank Sinatra’s widow, and Sidney Poitier, who was the first black to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, were also acknowledged.
After the ceremony went past its allotted hour and a half time slot, Tim Conway took the stage. He amassed what was one of the night’s loudest and longest laughs by saying: “I’ve never had to go to the bathroom as bad as I have right now. I wish I’d worn darker pants.”
King also showed his comedic side, as he said, “I’ll be 80 in November, and it feels like I’ve been spent half of that time in here.”
When Schlatter took the stage, the entire Saban audience got off their seats and gave him the night’s greatest applause. Schlatter gave a quick speech, thanking people for their support throughout his career and for their attendance.
The event also served as a benefit for the creation of the George Schlatter Comedy Collection at Pepperdine.
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Follow Ricardo Avila Alvarez on Twitter: @RAvila27
As published in the Oct. 3, 2013 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
