Just wanted to thank you for your recent article on Ernie Kovacs (U.S. 1, August 16). I usually never comment on media articles or write op-ed letters, but felt I had to comment on your piece. I remember seeing his TV shows when I was a kid, and I have always thought he was the funniest and most original comedian ever, especially since so many more recent entertainers credit him as one of their influences.
I even read once that Saturday Night Live’s video character, Mr. Bill, was inspired by one of Ernie’s skits where a giant human foot crushes a toy city, a la Godzilla. I’ve always wondered if New Jerseyans realized that Ernie grew up and had his early career in Trenton, also Philadelphia and New York.
Thanks also for mentioning the new book about him. I hadn’t been aware it had been written and published.
Keep up the good work.
— Aileen Mroz
