Eulogy: Henny Youngman

I knew Henny Youngman for 50 years, and until two weeks ago, he always called me kid. I saw him do stand-up for the first time 60 years ago, when I was 10 years old. When I left the club, my father asked me what I thought, and I said I thought he was funny. That was his greatest contribution. He was not progressive, he was not controversial or thought-provoking or political. He was just funny.

Every single day for 50 years, Henny walked into the Friars Club and said the same thing: "I want a table near a waiter"--and every...

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