Famous Grumps, Grouches & Curmudgeons


Andy Rooney, grump and curmudgeonAndy Rooney
A humorist and commentator since 1978 on the CBS News program, "60 Minutes," Rooney has been taking 3 minutes to explain everything that's wrong with the world. In true curmudgeon form, he wonders about all the things that aren't as good as they used to be. And for the most part, he's right! Nothing is as good as it used to be, unless it was invented just a couple of years ago. And even then, the quality probably is going down as companies make everything cheaper and cheaper!
 
Grampa Abe Simpson, cartoon curmudgeonGrampa Abe Simpson ("The Simpsons")
Abraham J. Simpson was a sergeant in the army, then got older and realized his true mission in life is to explain why everyone younger is wrong. As with all professional curmudgeons, most of his stories about the past are wildly inaccurate, patently made up, or just fantasy. So? Who says history has to be accurate? What matters is that it proves that young people don't know anything! That's what counts!
 
Ruth Buzzi & Arte Johnson (Ruth Buzzi & Arte Johnson ("Laugh-In")
Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" ran from 1968-1973 and changed American culture. The show was an hour of almost controlled insanity and rapid-fire jokes, many of which didn't have any punch lines. Gladys Ormphby (Buzzi) was a classic sad-sack old maid with pure virtue. She constantly was pursued by Wolfgan, the German soldier; and Tyrone F. Horneigh, a dirty old man. Both of them (Arte Johnson) wanted sex immediately, and would invariably be clobbered over the head with Buzzi's purse. If you remember the show, you likely have curmudgeon potential!