Latka Gravas or Balki Bartokomous

[horsemen4ever]

Okay here is a good debate, legendary foreign sitcom characters, Latka and Balki. I will say right off the bat, the structure of the two shows are very different and their roles are different. Perfect Strangers was a two main leads show with Balki being one of the two lead, while Taxi was a more ensemble cast show. And Latka as per Andy Kaufman, so even among the rest of the cast, he appeared even less.

I like to say though Latka walked so Balki could run. Though comparing the two actors, nothing against Bronson Pinchot, but Andy Kaufman is one of a kind talent, though his greatness is his non Latka stuff.

[Allie Kitsune]

Balki pretty much wins for the "Boochi Tag" and "Hongi Bongi" scenes alone.

[Tenshigure]

Who am I to doubt Fresh Young Balki B?

[jason1980s]

Balki for the character and the man. I didn't care for Andy's gimmick or him acting like he was better than the co-stars. I am so sorry he died so young, I do wish it was all a prank he's been playing on everyone all these years but his character and act was just never entertaining to me. Bronson Pinchot could have been a mid to late 80s version of Andy but he wasn't. Some may say he didn't have the talent Andy did, to pull off a foreign man gimmick and act like Andy did on set but I would say it's being classy and having consideration for all the other talents who made the show possible.

I do wonder what would happen to Andy if he had made it in JCP/WCW or WWF. I can see a Roddy Piper not wanting to do business and destroying the gimmick the first day.

[cosmo]

Feb 6, 2022 21:16:39 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Balki for the character and the man. I didn't care for Andy's gimmick or him acting like he was better than the co-stars. I am so sorry he died so young, I do wish it was all a prank he's been playing on everyone all these years but his character and act was just never entertaining to me. Bronson Pinchot could have been a mid to late 80s version of Andy but he wasn't. Some may say he didn't have the talent Andy did, to pull off a foreign man gimmick and act like Andy did on set but I would say it's being classy and having consideration for all the other talents who made the show possible.

I do wonder what would happen to Andy if he had made it in JCP/WCW or WWF. I can see a Roddy Piper not wanting to do business and destroying the gimmick the first day.

Maybe it's a good thing Andy was in Memphis, where crazy stuff like his could get over.

[Glitch]

Balki does the dance of joy. So winner just by that. That's what he should do after beating a face wrestler in a match.

[horsemen4ever]

Feb 6, 2022 21:16:39 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Balki for the character and the man. I didn't care for Andy's gimmick or him acting like he was better than the co-stars. I am so sorry he died so young, I do wish it was all a prank he's been playing on everyone all these years but his character and act was just never entertaining to me. Bronson Pinchot could have been a mid to late 80s version of Andy but he wasn't. Some may say he didn't have the talent Andy did, to pull off a foreign man gimmick and act like Andy did on set but I would say it's being classy and having consideration for all the other talents who made the show possible.

I do wonder what would happen to Andy if he had made it in JCP/WCW or WWF. I can see a Roddy Piper not wanting to do business and destroying the gimmick the first day.

Well the way I feel about Andy the performer to Andy the human being, similar to how he feel about Prince. They were both genius at their field, and what Andy did for comedy and what Prince did for music just can't be measured, but I know as human beings they were a lot to be desired, they sacrifice a lot for their heart, that is socially cost them. (though Prince he is self aware, he made himself such an a - hole in Purple Rain, so he owns it)

Anyway if Mr. Twinkie stayed on, he could have been the show's Louie De Palma.

[unc40]

I never found Andy that entertaining and his Latka character was way too cartoonish and annoying. Balki could be cartoonish but he was much more likeable. I vote for Balki.