Someone posted an old photo on Facebook of their parents at a department store from old-timey days. The photo had a counter person who reminded me of an old 50s comedian. He was a frequent-enough guest star that I was aware of him, but for the life of me, I can’t think of his name.
This guy had a standard gimmick: a person on a 50s TV show, let’s just say Jackie Gleason, walks up to a seemingly un-manned counter in a store hoping to get some help. After ringing a bell to summon help, the guy would dramatically spring up from the other side of the counter (he’d been crouching down) and exclaim “EEE-yessssss???”
They’d then go through a routine where he’d make a series of unhelpful, ridiculous suggestions and goofy double entendres.
I think “the Simpsons” even did a character based off him at one point. What was that guy’s name?
Although he appeared on a lot of shows, his primary claim to fame was the Jack Benny Show. There was a running gag that every time Jack would go to a store he would be waited upon by the same guy.
I think you’re right, if he’s facing the camera in “pitchman” mode, and says something like “Ooh, DO I !”; I wondered who he was for years. Until your post. If that’s who he is.
Bingo. Google quickly gave me a 1981 Mac’s commercial with FN at the end. It’s not the commercial I remember, but it’s the same guy wearing the same costume.
And I saw one show where Nelson complained that everyplace he had a different job, this one guy (Benny) always came up to his counter as if he were following him around!
Once, as a clerk in a store where Fred buys a bowling ball. My brothers and I were fascinated with how he was non-stop with the snappy answers. We imagined that he spent all his spare time reading wisecrack books.
And another time, he was “the only caterer in town - that’s why I’m such a wiseguy!”
