David Brenner was a ubiquitous presence on the talk show circuit in the 70s and early 80s, but his appearances were always fresh and funny. Whenever he was scheduled to be on a show, I made a point to watch.

He was Jerry Seinfeld before Jerry Seinfeld, and I'm sure Breener was a major influence on Seinfeld. Both of them are masters of observation and finding hilarity out of nuance.

He was a Philly boy too. Funny to the end he made a last request that a hundred dollars in small bills be tucked into his sock in case tipping is required wherever he's going. He also asked that his gravemarker read, "If this is a joke, I don't get it."