Andy Kaufman's Infamous Fridays Episode: The Untold Story!

Was it a meltdown, a carefully orchestrated stunt, or simply Andy being Andy? The night Andy Kaufman hosted "Fridays" on February 20, 1981, remains one of television's most controversial and captivating moments, forever etching his name into the annals of comedic chaos.

The ABC sketch comedy show, "Fridays," directed by Bob Bowker and Tom Kramer, was a bold attempt to capture the same lightning in a bottle that "Saturday Night Live" had so effortlessly harnessed. With a cast that included Mark Blankfield, Maryedith Burrell, Melanie Chartoff, and Larry David, "Fridays" aimed for edgy, subversive humor. Sketches like "Battle Boy," "Drugs R' Us," "Delivery Girl," and "Atrocity at the Retirement House" (a Tom Kramer film) showcased the show's willingness to push boundaries. But it was the arrival of Andy Kaufman, three weeks after Lee's death, that cemented the show's place in television history, for better or worse.

Kaufman, known for his unpredictable behavior and blurring the lines between reality and performance, was no stranger to controversy. He was famous for taking things too far, taunting those who were easily provoked. With Andy, you simply never knew what was real and what was fake. The February 20, 1981, episode proved to be the ultimate embodiment of this perplexing persona. During a sketch about couples at dinner sneaking away to the bathroom to smoke marijuana, Kaufman, in true Kaufman fashion, broke character. He refused to read his lines, declaring, "I can't play stoned."

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Chaos ensued. Michael Richards, a member of the "Fridays" cast (later famous for his role as Kramer on "Seinfeld"), reportedly got up from the table, visibly agitated. Accounts vary wildly from this point on. Some claim Richards grabbed the cue cards in frustration, while others suggest a physical altercation occurred. What is undeniable is that the incident spiraled out of control, becoming a spectacle that left viewers and the cast themselves questioning what they had just witnessed.

The aftermath was a whirlwind of speculation and conflicting narratives. Was it a genuine outburst, or a meticulously planned stunt? The truth, as with most things Kaufman, remains elusive. According to some sources, the show's producers were aware that Kaufman intended to "break the fourth wall" and deviate from the script. They had even rehearsed the skit, knowing that Kaufman might improvise. However, the extent of his planned disruption remained a mystery, even to them.

Adding fuel to the fire, some claim that Michael Richards was in on the joke, pretending to be annoyed to play along with Kaufman's improv. Others insist that the anger was real, born out of frustration with Kaufman's antics. Regardless of the truth, the incident became legendary, a defining moment for both "Fridays" and Andy Kaufman himself.

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For those too young to remember, "Fridays" was more than just a sketch comedy show. It was a platform for punk and new wave bands, giving them a national audience. In many ways, it was a blatant attempt to compete with the established powerhouse, "Saturday Night Live." "Fridays" featured a parody news segment and, starting in its second season, celebrity guest hosts, including George Carlin, who served as the show's first. But it was Kaufman's appearance that truly set it apart.

The impact of the "Fridays" incident extended far beyond the immediate broadcast. Producer John Moffit believed that the stunt, and the attention it garnered, may have been what secured "Fridays" another season before its eventual cancellation. Kaufman, for his part, continued to push boundaries and challenge expectations until his untimely death at the age of 35. He passed away on May 16, 1984.

The "Fridays" cast felt honored to be working with Kaufman, and Andy was pleased to be a special guest star. By all accounts, Andy performed flawlessly during rehearsals. This is the sketch that everybody was talking about for many years to follow.

A 2018 remaster of the Andy Kaufman sketch on "Fridays" offers a glimpse into that chaotic night. The sketch, about four friends who secretly enjoy getting high, serves as a backdrop for Kaufman's rebellious act. He was bucking against convention, against the predictable, and perhaps, against the very nature of television itself. As one observer noted, seeing Kaufman on "Fridays" was a learning experience that no school could or would want to teach.

Kaufmans humor wasn't supposed to be 'quality.' It was designed to provoke, to challenge, and to make audiences question their assumptions. He was born on January 17, 1949, in New York City, the oldest of three children, and from an early age, he demonstrated a penchant for the unusual. Kaufman's rep had informed the show that Andy was going to break the fourth wall, refusing to follow the established rules. They did rehearse the skit properly, but they weren't entirely surprised by his actions, although the extent of his disruption remained unknown.

The legacy of the "Fridays" incident is complex and multifaceted. It's a reminder of a time when live television was truly live, when anything could happen. It's a testament to the power of performance art, and the willingness of some artists to push the boundaries of what is acceptable. It's also a cautionary tale about the dangers of blurring the lines between reality and fiction. A fitting tribute to a man who became famous for taunting those who could easily twist him into a pretzel. With Andy, you simply never knew what was real and what was fake. The stunt bought fridays another season before cancellation.

For more comedynerd, be sure to check out the shout factory release of "Fridays!" Fans of the show and those new to it will enjoy this collection of 16 shows and a good amount of extras such as a cast and write reunion from early 2013, behind the scenes photos, recollection of the Andy Kaufman incident & more.

During his appearance on "Fridays" he broke out of character during a sketch and started a fight with Michael Richards (Seinfeld). Other than the few participants who were in on the joke, nearly all of the cast and crew thought that the fight was for real! "Fridays" was a sketch comedy television series produced by ABC. Lasting from April 1980 to April 1982, it was regarded (and in a lot of ways was) a blatant attempt to compete with the massively successful "Saturday Night Live" on NBC. It featured a parody news segment; And starting in its second season, celebrity guest hosts (including George Carlin, the show's first such host, had).

The Pretenders perform "Message of Love," live, on 'Fridays', 1981. Introduced by guest star, Andy Kaufman. Andy Kaufman, who passed away on May 16, 1984, became a prominent figure in comedy thanks to appearances on programs like "Saturday Night Live," "Late Night with David Letterman," and "Fridays." Often described as a performance artist. The writing credits of "Fridays" include Michael Richards, Larry David, Andy Kaufman, Melanie Chartoff, Mark Blankfield, Maryedith Burrell, Darrow Igus, Brandis Kemp, Bruce Mahler, and John Roarke.

For the first time ever on DVD, ABCs cult hit "Fridays" is here! Originally airing from 1980 to 1982, these sixteen episodes showcase the edgy and subversive humor that defined the show.

What actually happened, according to several people associated with ''Fridays,'' is that a decision was made in advance for Mr. Kaufman to break up the final sketch on the show, but was revealed to be only a partial truth. Andy Kaufman was never married. For his part, Andy Kaufman wasn't through throwing glasses of liquid at people on TV before he passed away tragically at the age of 35.