Michael Gaither - Tuesday Nights at Eight (Song for Red Skelton) Lyrics

I missed TV's golden age, but I remember you
Every Tuesday evening when dad turned on the tube
Late 1960's, a Zenith black and white
The only night my mom would let me stay up 'til 9:00

I remember Gertrude and Heathcliff, a funny couple of birds
You even made us laugh when you never said a word
The crown prince of pantomime, all those skits you did
Freddy the Freeloader, and Mean "Widdle" Kid

Jackie Gleason was The Great One
Milton Berle was "Mr. TV"
Ernie Kovacs broke the rules
Jack Benny defined sit-comedy
I'm not one to argue
Those guys were great but... I never missed Red Skelton
Tuesday nights at eight

You had us on the floor with that bit about Guzzler's Gin
You even laughed on camera; you couldn't hold it in
Vaudeville and radio, movies and TV
It was a dying art, your gentle comedy

Jackie Gleason was The Great One
Milton Berle was "Mr. TV"
Ernie Kovacs broke the rules
Jack Benny defined sit-comedy
I'm not one to argue
Those guys were great but... I never missed Red Skelton
Tuesday nights at eight

I met you once before you passed way in 1993
My real-life childhood hero standing right in front of me
You told some jokes, hugged my wife, smiled and shook my hand
Like I always pictured you
I was five years old again

Jackie Gleason was The Great One
Milton Berle was "Mr. TV"
Ernie Kovacs broke the rules
Jack Benny defined sit-comedy
I'm not one to argue
Those guys were great but... I never missed Red Skelton
Tuesday nights at eight
Tuesday nights at eight

Goodnight and may God bless Tuesday nights at eight