Who is tony clifton

The two could not be more dissimilar in their styles and show content, though at their core they both liked to make audiences feel uncomfortable. So, who is Tony Clifton? To answer this question, we must start with Andy Kaufman.

During that segment, Kaufman insulted Lawler, who got up and slapped Kaufman hard across the face, sending him sprawling to the floor. It took a decade before it was confirmed that this all a stunt, that no one was injured and both Kaufman and Lawler had carefully coordinated the antics.

Because of this pursuit of the perfect hoax, for many years after his death was announced, his fans believe that this too was a gimmick, and Kaufman will return to spring the gag on everyone. From the start, Kaufman and Tony Clifton were a package deal, so much so that when Andy was offered his first big break, appearing in the famed TV sitcom Taxi , he insisted that Clifton was to be featured in one of the shows.

Kaufman agreed but convinced them to instead fire Clifton while on set the next day. Again, the producers agreed. Clifton showed up but caused so much trouble that they forcibly threw him off the set. The next day, Kaufman showed up for work as normal. This is a way to dispel that tension. Two more events will be held at the Iowa City Brewlab — an idea that Keeler concedes he stole from Floodwater. The kickoff gathering of comedians for the festival is at 7 p.

Saturday Riverside Theatre. Tickets are free, but donations go to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. The festival will close at p. Saturday at The Mill with the Shatter Day Night Live event, which features six more comedians from across the country performing. We need stuff to laugh at in these days. Reach Zach Berg at , zberg press-citizen.

Where: Various locations in downtown Iowa City. Tickets: Festival passes can be purchased online at greengravelcomedyfest. How did he outlive his better half? The Kaufman legend, perpetuated in the last scene of the biopic Man on the Moon , is that Kaufman faked his death, pulling off one last grand practical joke and disappearing from show business, which he had grown to hate. He grooves to Take a Walk on the Wild Side. He could easily rest on the Andy Kaufman myth, get up there for an hour in the baby blue ruffled shirt and spangly tux jacket and toss around dirty jokes, then go home and get sloshed in peace.

Some entertainment requires you to suspend your disbelief. For Clifton, you have to suspend your scruples.