Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson is a 6.4ft American magician turned comedy actor.

I can remeber first seeing him in a rather funny slapstick spoof spy film 'Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs' (1988) when we first got SKY,,,in roundabout 1990. The film co-stars Ed Begley, jr and Wendy Crewson. Do your self a favour and check out this funny film as its on today at 12pm/1pm on FiveUS/FiveUS+1 and again on Friday at the same time. I know I will be SKY+ it to see if it is as funny as I remember it.

Harry Anderson will probably be best remembered by Americans at least for his role as the wacky Judge Harold T. "Harry" Stone in the hughely popular 80's comedy Night Court, that ran for 8 years from 1984-92. Apparently only the 1st season of 13 episodes were screened in the UK. I have this on DVD and its pretty funny. Apparently the studio execs were a bit nervous about giving a leading role to a TV magician. In 1982 during a pefornace on Saturday Night Live he did a trick that is
reffered to in the trade as a 'geek trick'. To do the trick you simply put a needle through the soft tissue at the top of your forearm. Whilst doing the feat Anderson reassured the nervous audience "it was a magic trick". To prove this he flexed his arm and pushed the needle in and out. This resulted in a bloody wound.

FiveUS must be having a season of Anderson films as tomorrow(Thur) at the same time they are showing 'Harvey' a 1996 remake with Anderson in the role Jimmy Stewart made famous. This could be really bad, hopefully it will surprise me and by OK.