Laugh-In was first seen as a one-time special on September 9, 1967. It was such an enormous hit that it inevitably led to a series. Its lightning-fast pace took full advantage of the technical capabilities of television and video tape. Blackouts, sketches, one-liners, and cameo appearances by famous show-business celebrities and even national politicians
were all edited into a frenetic whole. The regular cast was large and the turnover high, and of the 40 regulars who appeared in the series only four were in it from beginning to end, the two hosts, announcer Gary Owens, and Ruth Buzzi. The essence of Laugh-In was shtick, a comic routine or trademark repeated over and over until it was closely associated with a performer. People love it, come to expect it, and talk about it the next morning after the show. All great comedians have at least one, but what was remarkable about Laugh-In was that it developed a whole repertoire of sight gags and catch-phrases using little-known talent exclusively
(though some of them became quite famous later). Among the favorites: Arte Johnson as the German Soldier, peering out from behind a potted palm murmuring, "Verrry interesting!"; Ruth Buzzi as the little old lady with an umbrella, forever whacking the equally decrepit old man who snuggled up beside her on a park bench; Lily Tomlin as the sarcastic, nasal telephone operator named Ernestine; Gary Owens as the outrageously
overmodulated announcer, facing the microphone, hand cupped over ear; Alan Sues as the grinning moron of a sports announcer; Goldie Hawn, as the giggling dumb blonde; Lily Tomlin as Edith Anne, a child philosopher
whose catchphrase was "and that's the truth," and so on.