Kenya Barris
Self
Overview
Hollywood's finest pay tribute to "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" for an uncensored and unforgettable celebration at The Dolby Theater.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Joke’s Still on Us: Nostalgia, Chaos, and the Ghosts of Laugh-In
I’ll admit it: I came to Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate with a mix of curiosity and dread. Curiosity because Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In was the kind of show that defined an era—fast, loud, and unapologetically weird—before most of us were born. Dread because nostalgia specials have a way of flattening the past into a series of winking references, trading the original’s bite for a safe, sanitized glow.
What I found was something messier: a tribute that’s equal parts love letter and hostage video, where the spirit of Laugh-In flickers to life only in fits and starts, often drowned out by the weight of its own celebration.
The special opens with a flourish, Tiffany Haddish and Neil Patrick Harris bounding onto the Dolby Theatre stage like ringmasters at a circus that’s already on fire. The energy is high, the crowd is laughing, and the promise of "uncensored" comedy hangs in the air like a dare. But here’s the thing about Laugh-In: its genius wasn’t just in the jokes—it was in the rhythm.
The original show moved at a breakneck pace, a relentless barrage of one-liners, blackouts, and political jabs that mirrored the chaos of the late ’60s. It was a variety show that felt like it was being beamed in from the future, or at least from a very stoned present. Still Laugh-In, by contrast, often feels like it’s trying to outrun its own reverence. The sketches come thick and fast, but too many of them land with a thud, as if the performers are so busy paying homage that they forget to be funny.
Take the segment where modern comedians attempt to recreate Laugh-In’s signature "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate" award. In the original, this was a gloriously absurd bit where celebrities were "honored" for ridiculous achievements (think: "Most Likely to Be Struck by Lightning While Holding a Metal Rod"). The 2019 version?
It’s all there—the gaudy trophy, the over-the-top narration, the cameos—but the satire feels toothless. Maybe it’s the lack of stakes. Laugh-In’s humor thrived on the tension of its time: Vietnam, Nixon, the counterculture clashing with the establishment. Today’s comedians are working with a different kind of chaos, one that’s harder to distill into a 30-second sketch.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 5.0/10
"A nostalgic but uneven tribute to *Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In*, with standout moments from the star-studded cast but mixed reactions to its execution and relevance for modern audiences."
Viewers of *Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate* (2019) had divided opinions about the Netflix special. Many appreciated the nostalgic nod to the original *Laugh-In* series, particularly the inclusion of original cast member Ruth Buzzi, who was praised for her energy and connection to the classic show. Fans of the original series enjoyed the callbacks to iconic sketches, such as the "Sock it to me!" gag and the fast-paced, variety-style format. However, some viewers felt the special struggled to balance reverence for the past with fresh comedy, noting that the humor occasionally fell flat or felt outdated. The star-studded cast, including Billy Crystal, Margaret Cho, and Snoop Dogg, delivered mixed results—some performances were highlighted as standout moments, while others were criticized for lacking the timing or wit of the original *Laugh-In* cast. Russian audience reactions on Kinopoisk echoed these sentiments, with some viewers calling it a "fun but forgettable" tribute, while others appreciated the effort to revive the spirit of the original show. The 60-minute runtime was seen as both a strength (tight and fast-paced) and a weakness (not enough depth or new material). latestnetflix.com's view is that overall, the special was viewed as a love letter to *Laugh-In* fans but not a must-watch for casual viewers.
What viewers praise
- Nostalgic tribute to *Laugh-In* Fans of the original series appreciated the callbacks to classic sketches and the inclusion of original cast member Ruth Buzzi, who was praised for her performance and connection to the show's legacy.
- Star-studded cast with standout moments Performances by Billy Crystal, Margaret Cho, and Snoop Dogg were highlighted as entertaining, with some viewers noting that their segments brought energy and freshness to the special.
- Fast-paced and concise runtime The 60-minute duration was seen as a positive, keeping the special tight and engaging without overstaying its welcome.
Common complaints
- Uneven humor and outdated jokes Some viewers felt the comedy fell flat or relied too heavily on nostalgia, with jokes that didn’t resonate with modern audiences or lacked the sharpness of the original *Laugh-In*.
- Mixed reactions to cast performances While some stars were praised, others were criticized for not matching the comedic timing or wit of the original cast, leading to inconsistent entertainment value.
- Lack of depth or new material The special was seen as more of a surface-level tribute than a creative revival, with some viewers wishing for more original content or a deeper exploration of *Laugh-In*'s impact.
Recommended for
Fans of *Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In* looking for nostalgia Viewers who enjoy variety-style comedy specials with celebrity cameos Those interested in 1960s/70s pop culture and its influence on modern comedy
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Star-Studded Tribute to Laugh-In Brings Nostalgia and New Laughs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdlqfV_1z1M
Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate (2019) was Netflix’s love letter to the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, marking the iconic show’s 50th anniversary. The one-hour special, filmed at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, assembled a mix of comedy legends and modern stars to revive the rapid-fire, psychedelic humor that defined the original 
. latestnetflix.com's take is that but how did this tribute come together—and what made it stand out?
A Star-Studded Revival
The special’s cast reads like a who’s-who of comedy royalty and contemporary talent. Billy Crystal, a veteran of the original Laugh-In era, joined forces with newer faces like Kenya Barris and Ron Funches, while Snoop Dogg and Margaret Cho brought fresh energy to the classic format . Ruth Buzzi, one of the few surviving original cast members, reprised her iconic roles, bridging the gap between past and present.
The mix of generations wasn’t just for show—it reflected Laugh-In’s legacy of blending social commentary with absurdity. While the original series pushed boundaries in the late ’60s, Still Laugh-In aimed to keep that spirit alive, albeit with a modern twist .
Behind the Scenes: A Night at the Dolby Theatre
Filmed on March 8, 2019, the special captured the glitz of a live Hollywood event, complete with a red carpet and an audience of industry insiders . The Dolby Theatre, known for hosting the Oscars, provided a fitting backdrop for a production that felt like both a celebration and a performance.
Unlike the original Laugh-In, which was filmed in a studio with a live audience, Still Laugh-In leaned into the spectacle of a one-night event. This approach gave the special a sense of occasion, though it also meant the pressure was on—no second takes for flubbed lines or missed cues .
The Challenge of Reviving a Classic
Recreating Laugh-In’s signature style—quick cuts, catchphrases, and political satire—was no small feat. The original show’s humor was deeply rooted in its era, from Vietnam War jokes to counterculture references. Still Laugh-In had to balance nostalgia with relevance, ensuring the material didn’t feel like a museum piece.
Some segments worked better than others. Ruth Buzzi’s return as the no-nonsense "Gladys" character was a highlight, proving that some jokes never age. Meanwhile, newer stars like Maria Bamford and Taye Diggs brought their own comedic voices, though not every sketch landed with the same punch as the original .
A Mixed Legacy
While Still Laugh-In was praised for its ambition, it didn’t escape criticism. Some viewers felt the special leaned too heavily on nostalgia, struggling to capture the original’s subversive edge. Others argued that the format—60 minutes of rapid-fire sketches—felt rushed compared to Laugh-In’s weekly episodes .
Still, the project succeeded in one key way: it introduced a new generation to Laugh-In’s influence. For many younger viewers, the special was their first exposure to the show that paved the way for modern sketch comedy .
The Verdict
Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate was a well-intentioned tribute, even if it didn’t fully recapture the magic of the original. Its biggest achievement? Proving that Laugh-In’s brand of humor—equal parts silly and sharp—still has a place in today’s comedy landscape.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.