How Jerry Lewis Was Responsible For One Of The Worst Flops In TV History

Between The Nutty Professor, his long-running telethons, and partnership with Dean Martin, there is no doubt that Jerry Lewis cemented himself as a comedy legend. That legacy, however, relies on audiences ignoring more than a few flops. Slapstick fans have largely forgotten that Lewis was behind one of the most expensive failures in TV history. Of course, Jerry remembered it all too well for the rest of his life.

Martin and Lewis

The project was born out of a broken friendship. By the mid-1950s, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had been the world's biggest comedy duo for about a decade. But hit movies and frequent variety show appearances couldn't stop the inevitable.

Just Jerry

Jealousy and typecasting drove the pair apart, to the point where they didn't speak to each other for years. Lewis, in particular, wanted to prove that he could shine on his own.

The Movie Star

And shine he did. A string of films with Jerry as the star, writer, and director proved he was a veritable A-lister. But following the success of 1963's The Nutty Professor, the funnyman received an offer that lured him back to the small screen.

Taking Down Carson

Late night talk shows were reaching a crossroads, as the young Johnny Carson recently took over for Jack Paar on The Tonight Show. Some network executives thought that Carson could be easily outclassed by a more established talent.