As I show up for work every morning, I pass a collection of photographs from CBC's history. On it, from 1961 is that picture of Leslie Nielsen, in a dramatic role. It's before my time and I'm not sure which role it is, but it does serve to remind me that the CBC and Leslie Nielsen share some history.

Mr. Nielsen died this past weekend, and I think we'd be remiss if we didn't take a moment to doff our caps to one of Canada's funniest men.

I was lucky enough to have met Leslie, and in the short time that we spent together he was gracious, funny, and quick to laugh! Some people call what he did "easy laughs" or "lowest common denominator" stuff, but I disagree.

He was committed to what he did. Deadpan all the while, making his turns of phrase, pratfalls, sight-gags, and yes, even fart jokes, even funnier than they were to begin with. Leslie Nielsen made me laugh in spite of myself. At a time when intellectual, observational humour was king, Leslie reigned supreme aiming straight for the heart and gut.

Admit it, you laughed at Airplane.

Here's an archival clip from 1991 of Leslie and his politician brother, Erik, in an hilarious conversation with Peter Gzowski on Morningside.

~Craig