Melon Crazy (1984) is the show that turned me into a fan.

RIP.

R.I.P. Gallagher. May your passing be a blessing to watermelons everywhere.

Rest easily, Gallagher.

RIP, sir. I loved Gallagher’s act. I don’t think he ever got the credit he deserved because of the watermelons, but he had an excellent act outside of that.

Mark Evanier's Gallagher story:

"Obituaries are up for 'the watermelon-smashing comedian Gallagher,' who died today at the age of 76…and oh, how he would hate being referred to mainly for that one bit. He would have been much happier with this paragraph in the NBC obit…

Quote:

Gallagher was the number one comedian in America for 15 years, with comedy specials airing on Showtime and MTV. In his career spanning decades, Gallagher hosted 14 Showtime specials and around 3,500 live comedy shows.

"That's basically true, though he might have argued it was more than 15 years. He more or less did pioneer the concept of a stand-up comedian doing a special for cable television and his were remarkably successful. He also more or less pioneered — or maybe I should say "popularized" — the business model of the comedian touring and "four-walling" the venues in which he played, renting out the hall instead of being hired to perform in it. He packed arenas and auditoriums and made an awful lot of money that way.

"Some pieces you may read will also suggest that he was not well-liked by other comedians…which is also true. It may have had a lot to do with the fact that he was not quiet in his contempt for most of them and that may have had a lot to do with his undisguised anger that he was not getting what he thought was his proper respect from them. But because of one performance one evening, I have a higher opinion of Gallagher as a comic — …or at least of him when he was new on the scene…"

Want to know the rest of the story? I refer you to Mark's excellent News From Me blog: https://www.newsfromme.com/2022/11/11/my-gallagher-story/

Gallagher always struck me as a naturally funny, creative, clever, and decent guy. Granted, he ended up taking his own brother to court,
but that seemed to be less about Gallagher and more about the brother not living up to their agreement and wanting what wasn't his.

A lot of stars make it big and they get sucked into the fame and they destroy themselves. Gallagher seemed to have avoided all of that.
I think I will watch a few of his routines for a amusing pick-me up. I could use a laugh.

RIP