"Right Down to the Orange Roof on Howard Johnson's Outhouse"

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I was saddened to read of the death of John Hillerman today. Hillerman was best-known as the co-star of Magnum P.I. But that's not how I'll remember him. He was Howard Johnson. Hillerman was one of the members of the fabulous ensemble cast of one of the greatest comedy films in history, Blazing Saddles. In a movie loaded with great lines he had one of the best puns: when rehearsing his welcome speech to the new sheriff he said, "As honorary chairman of the welcoming committee, it is my privilege to extend to you a laurel, and hearty handshake." One of the gags in the film was that everyone in town was named Johnson. Hillerman's character was Howard Johnson....as in the hotel/restaurant Howard Johnson. That's obvious when Bart tells the townsfolk that they need to make a copy of Rock Ridge, "Right down to the orange roof on Howard Johnson's outhouse." I love Blazing Saddles. And I'll miss John Hillerman, who was 84. A laurel, and hearty handshake: