gaypalmsprings
07-29-2010, 12:54 PM
Hee Haw creator John Aylesworth dies in Palm Springs
BRUCE FESSIER • THE DESERT SUN • JULY 29, 2010
John Aylesworth, a veteran television comedy writer best known as a creator of “Hee Haw” died in Palm Springs on Wednesday night surrounded by his wife and children.
The Canadian-born Palm Springs resident had just released his history of the hillbilly comedy, “The Corn Was Green: The Inside Story of Hee-Haw.” He was 80.
Before “Hee Haw,” Aylesworth as known for writing comedy for some of the biggest names in traditional pop music, including Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Perry Como and Andy Williams.
In 1965, Aylesworth co-wrote “Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music,” which was immortalized by Gay Talese’s 1966 Esquire magazine, article “Frank Sinatra Has a Cold.”
Aylesworth won Emmy nominations for outstanding writing for “The Julie Andrews Show” in 1972 and “The Sonny and Cher Show” in 1976.
He also wrote for “The Jonathan Winters Show” and an episode of “The Kraft Music Hall” titled “Woody Allen Looks At 1967.”
Aylesworth initially wrote “Hee Haw” as a spoof of hillbilly music, but after selling the rights to the show for syndication, it became a celebration of all things hillbilly.
He and pianist Bill Marx later wrote a musical spoof of Palm Springs culture titled “Palm Springs Confidential.”
His wife, Anita Rufus, said “He was totally present with all of us right through to the end. He was strong and brave and sweet and funny through it all.”
Funeral and memorial information has yet to be announced.
BRUCE FESSIER • THE DESERT SUN • JULY 29, 2010
John Aylesworth, a veteran television comedy writer best known as a creator of “Hee Haw” died in Palm Springs on Wednesday night surrounded by his wife and children.
The Canadian-born Palm Springs resident had just released his history of the hillbilly comedy, “The Corn Was Green: The Inside Story of Hee-Haw.” He was 80.
Before “Hee Haw,” Aylesworth as known for writing comedy for some of the biggest names in traditional pop music, including Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Perry Como and Andy Williams.
In 1965, Aylesworth co-wrote “Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music,” which was immortalized by Gay Talese’s 1966 Esquire magazine, article “Frank Sinatra Has a Cold.”
Aylesworth won Emmy nominations for outstanding writing for “The Julie Andrews Show” in 1972 and “The Sonny and Cher Show” in 1976.
He also wrote for “The Jonathan Winters Show” and an episode of “The Kraft Music Hall” titled “Woody Allen Looks At 1967.”
Aylesworth initially wrote “Hee Haw” as a spoof of hillbilly music, but after selling the rights to the show for syndication, it became a celebration of all things hillbilly.
He and pianist Bill Marx later wrote a musical spoof of Palm Springs culture titled “Palm Springs Confidential.”
His wife, Anita Rufus, said “He was totally present with all of us right through to the end. He was strong and brave and sweet and funny through it all.”
Funeral and memorial information has yet to be announced.