So the spouse has a vague memory of seeing a version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” performed on Laugh-In when he was about 6 years old (early 70s). He thinks it was done by Rowan and Martin. The only things he can remember about it are:
“A chicken in a palm tree”
“Five golden hula hoops”
He thinks JoAnn Worley and Arte Johnson were involved too.
I tried googling it but all I found were some references (including an old one right here on the Dope) of people asking about the words to the same song or poem done by Bob Newhart.
Spouse admits he might be confusing the two, but either way, he’d still like to have the full lyrics to this. Anyone know them or can top my usually decent google-fu?
After all these years, someone else remembers this skit!
As I said back then, I am pretty sure it was Bob Newhart because I clearly remember him on the phone trying to get the props he needed, and saying “Okay, we’ll have to work with that.”
(But, I have not been able to find any supporting documentation. Not that I’ve been looking so very hard.)
Bob Newhart performed a spot called “The Twelve Days of Christmas” on the Judy Garland Show on November 30, 1963 (Air Date: December 29, 1963); I couldn’t find a transcript, but the show is in The Judy Garland Show Collection. By all accounts, this set sucks, but if $25 isn’t too much to set your mind at ease, there you are. Here’s a clip from the show, but it’s Garland and Newhart – kinda funny.
There is also a Twelve Days of Christmas routine on Newhart’s album Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart, but that’s not what you’re looking for.
I have a tape of a Christmas-themed Laugh-In clip show that was broadcast in the '90s. I’ll watch that and report back if the bit in question is included.