Don Rickles, YouTube star? The late, great insult comedian, who died a year ago Friday, might be the unlikeliest – which is most definitely not to say undeserving – Webby Award nominee among the many announced this week.
Dinner with Don, produced by AARP Studios, is a 13-episode series – Rickles’ final project – that featured the comic chatting with – and clearly delighting – celebrities including Jimmy Kimmel, Paul Rudd, Snoop Dogg, Sarah Silverman and more.
The series was Webby-nominated in the Unscripted Film & Video (Branded Entertainment) category (he’s up against, among others, a sentimental, heart-tugging video from card company American Greetings, which Rickles surely would have found ripe for insult).
“So why were you not part of the Rat Pack?,” Billy Crystal asks in one episode. “Because I was too talented,” came the quick response, which might or might not have been a joke.
In a dinner conversation with Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese – Rickles could certainly bring in the names – the Raging Bull actor glances around the restaurant and asks, “What is this show?” To which Rickles shoots, “This show is Keep Your Name Alive, okay?”
Another episode worth checking out is the Kimmel dinner, with the clearly enamored late night host recalling his meetings with Rickles over the years, and obviously delighted when Mr. Warmth offers some praise.
The series, produced by AARP Studios, Winbrook Entertainment and Stamper Lumber Company, is worth checking out as we near Friday’s anniversary. You can find the series here.
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