S3E28: Is Charlie Fleischer Nuts (Or Is He Just Smarter Than Everybody Else)?

The How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast

You know how you meet someone – on the set of a movie – say TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS DEMON KNIGHT, and the first thought that hits you (after “wow, he’s a nice guy”) is “Wow – that guy is smart, too!”? That’s Charlie Fleischer!

Being smart – especially that smart – has a lot of the same hallmarks as being nuts. Those kinda people tend to focus with manic intensity on things.

And when they do, they kinda look like they know things no one else does.

Yeah – that, too, is what it’s like meeting and knowing Charlie Fleischer.

Most people know Charlie as THE VOICE OF ROGER RABBIT.

CHARLIE AS ROGER

But that was hardly Charlie’s first time at the rodeo.

Since the 1970’s, he’s appeared regularly in human form as an actor and standup, on TV and movies.

He was a regular on “Welcome Back Kotter” and “Laverne & Shirley”. He appeared on “Laugh-In” and “The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson”. The second time Charlie did the Carson show, he did panel. Sitting beside Johnny was the point of the exercise. Charlie had – and has – a solid body of acting work to his name and credit.

But, Charlie Fleischer is way , waaaaay more than just an actor and comedian. He’s a Renaissance Person who paints, creates music – and writes scientific papers.

We’ll get into all of it as we try and answer the question we posed in the episode’s title.

Is Charlie nuts? Or is he just smarter than everyone else?

You be the judge…

Here are the art pieces we reference in the podcast –

The Rhythmnic shimmer Of Glimmer Waves

Museum Of Self Reflection

Monroe Boat

Here is a link to one of Charlie’s Ted Talks –