“…And that’s the truth.  plutthhhhh (raspberry)”    (Where many of us first met the great Lily Tomlin)

“This week’s winner of the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award is…”

“…by Henry Gibson”     (In the beginning of the show it was simply “A Poem by Henry Gibson” followed by a sweet thought quickly deteriorating into nuclear holocaust or sexual deviation.  Eventually, Gibson actually titled his poems.  I used to wander around the schoolyard aping these little ditties)

“…and Now Take It Away Goldie…”   (usually said by Dan Rowan, at which time Goldie Hawn would do or say something she could barely get through without giggling)

“You bet your Sweet Bippie…”

“Beautiful Downtown Burbank”

and probably the most repeated one:  “Sock It To Me”  (most famously said by Presidential candidate, Richard M. Nixon)

Fast and furioius skits were a major part of the show.  Running gags between skits provided transition and adjusted pace so that viewers could catch their collective breath.  Arte Johnson and Ruth Buzzi were wonderful together.

My favorite recurring skit involved the Farkel Family.  Frank and Fanny Farkel were the proud parents of Sparkle Farkel, Flicker Farkel, and the twins Simon and Gar Farkel.  While Frank and Fanny had dark hair and good eyesight, every child had red hair and eyeglasses, and looked just like their “good friend and trusted neighbor” Fred Berfel.  Occasionally, guest stars were added to the list of children introduced each week, all wearing red wigs, eyeglasses and sporting way too many freckles.

There are compilation DVDs now available of the best of these old shows. They’re a nice trip down Memory Lane.