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Classic celebrity roasts · Video spotlight

Howard Cosell
Roasts Telly Savalas

Howard Cosell Roasts Telly Savalas — a classic television roast performance.

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Howard Cosell Roasts Telly Savalas

Howard Cosell was an unmistakable sports broadcaster whose booming voice, elaborate phrasing and combative interviewing style made him both famous and easy to parody. Telly Savalas was an actor best known as the stylish, tough-talking detective Kojak, whose distinctive voice and personality made him instantly recognizable.

In this clip, Howard Cosell turns that contrast into roast material, teasing Telly Savalas with the affectionate exaggeration and show-business one-upmanship that defined the format.