WHEN THE ROASTER BECAME THE TARGET.
Don Rickles built his legendary comedy career around roasting everyone in the room.
So when the tables were turned and Rickles became the target of sharp jokes himself, the result was exactly the kind of television comedy fans remember.
“Telly Savalas Roasts Don Rickles” captures the spirit of the classic Dean Martin Celebrity Roast era, where famous entertainers gathered together to trade jokes, insults, and perfectly timed comedic reactions.
The original Dean Martin Celebrity Roast featuring Don Rickles aired in 1974, with Telly Savalas among the celebrities on the dais.
THE WORLD OF DEAN MARTIN ROASTS.
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts became famous for bringing together huge names from entertainment and letting them joke about the guest of honor.
The format was simple.
Put a group of experienced entertainers together.
Give them a microphone.
Then let them have fun.
The result was a very different style of television comedy, built around timing, personality, and the ability to deliver a joke directly to another celebrity sitting only a few feet away.
TELLY SAVALAS TAKES THE STAGE.
Telly Savalas was the honoree of the November 15, 1974...
