"They raised a son who could eat up his weight in groceries. Named him after a man of the cloth. Called him Amos Moses."
Is there a more fun song out there that so prominently features murder, dismemberment, and child abuse? Oh, and alligators, too.
Jerry Reed is a hoot. He's just a fun, fun singer. He's like Mac Davis without the incredible ego. He was the best thing about Smokey and the Bandit. (And that's no small feat.) In fact, here are the ten best things about Smokey and the Bandit:
1. Jerry Reed
2. Jackie Gleason's swearing
3. Dimwitted Junior
4. The song "Eastbound and Down"
5. Bandit's car
6. Jerry Reed's dog
7. Burt Reynold's moustache
8. Paul Williams as Little Enos
9. Burt Reynolds
10. Jerry Reed's truck
Somewhere around #16: Sally Field. (Would the movie have been better with a hotter female lead, like Lynda Carter, Cheryl Ladd, or Susan Saint James? Or did having the cute-but-not-gorgeous Sally Field in the role keep the movie grounded to reality? Discuss.)
Anyway, I digress. Jerry Reed was able to ride the success of this song into a guest-star appearance on Scooby-Doo, and the rest is history!
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| "Keep singing, Jerry!" |
It's too bad Jerry has passed away. The world was a better place with him in it. And I think we should all remember and take to heart Jerry's last words to Amos Moses: "Make it count, son!" Good advice. Good advice for all.
COMING UP NEXT: Don't flout the flautist!
Jerry Reed : __________ :: Sally Field : __________
ReplyDeleteA. Burt Reynold's Mustache, Big Enos
B. Snowman, Frog
C. Pretty Mary Sunlight, Mary Todd Lincoln
D. Caterpillar Diesel Power, White Flying Wimple
E. None of the above (The correct answer: Mac Davis, Joan Van Ark.)
DeleteJoan Van Ark cohosted what is probably the worst Battle of the Network Stars--the 1985 debacle which led to the show being cancelled for three years. Why was it the worst, because they replaced Howard Cosell with Dick Van Dyke. In doing so, they violated a cardinal rule of network television--don't ever double-Van your hosts! The show does, however, have its moments of extreme delight, such as when Tony Danza falls out of his sea kayak 4 times. Witnessing that is worth the pain caused by all that double-Van banter.
ReplyDelete