Jokosphere My list

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Comedy history · 13 facts, each from at least two of 14 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In was a classic sketch-comedy television program broadcast on NBC.1,2,3,4,5,6 The series lasted six and a half years.6,7 Its run came before that of Saturday Night Live.8,9,10

Production

George Schlatter served as the show's producer, a role sometimes described as executive producer.8,11,12 Paul W. Keyes held the post of head writer.8,13 Keyes also worked on the program in the dual roles of producer and comedy writer.1,5,6 Gary Owens handled announcing duties.12,13

Writing Staff

Besides Keyes, the writers on the series included Lorne Michaels.8,13,14

Cast

Women in the cast included Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Goldie Hawn, and Jo Anne Worley.11,12,13 Hawn was a regular performer on the program between 1968 and 1970.9,11,12,13,14 Lily Tomlin is another performer linked to the show.7,9,13

Sources

  1. Paul Keyes (variety.com)
  2. Trailer: Netflix’s ‘Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate’ (vulture.com)
  3. TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows - CBS News (cbsnews.com)
  4. Coslough Johnson Dead: 'Laugh-In,' 'Sonny and Cher' Writer Was 91 (hollywoodreporter.com)
  5. Paul W. Keyes, 79; Comedy Writer and Producer for Classic TV Shows - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
  6. Keyes-Interview (moharamagazine.com) · archived copy
  7. Ian Bernard, 'Wonder Boy' of song and dance, still performing at age 85 | Music | syvnews.com (syvnews.com)
  8. Remembering ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In’ - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
  9. Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | Television Academy Interviews (televisionacademy.com)
  10. Change of Subject - Observations, reports, tips, referrals and tirades | Chicago Tribune | Blog (chicagotribune.com) · archived copy
  11. The Man Who Made Cleveland a National Joke (clevelandmagazine.com)
  12. 'Still Laugh-In' Netflix Review: Stream It or Skip It? (decider.com)
  13. Nixon gets socked in Laugh-In’s most famous, and influential, five seconds (avclub.com)
  14. BBC - Comedy Guide - Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In (bbc.co.uk) · archived copy

Updated November 12, 2026.

Browse Jokosphere