“I saw my doctor. He told me to watch my drinking,” New York-based comedian Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) said in his act. “Now I drink in front of a mirror.”
It’s not known when Dangerfield first told the joke. “My doctor said I should watch my drinking” (caption for a newspaper comic strip showing a man at a bar, drinking while holding up a mirror) is a line that was cited in print in 1971.
Wikipedia: Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield (born Jacob Rodney Cohen, November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004) was an American comedian and actor, known for the catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme. He is also remembered for his 1980s film roles, especially in Easy Money, Caddyshack, and Back to School.
10 December 1971, Boston (MA) Herald Traveler, “This Funny World” comic strip, pg. 26, col. 7:
(A man is drinking at a bar, but is holding up a mirror.—ed.)
“My doctor said I should watch my drinking.”
30 May 1982, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA), pg. 16, col. 2 ad:
I’ve decided I’m really gonna watch my drinking from now. Ill just sit in front of the mirror.
(National Lumber.—ed.)
Google Groups: alt.humor.jewish
Puns of the Weak 03/08/02
Stan Kegel
3/9/02
(...)
I saw my doctor. He told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror. (Rodney Dangerfield)
Google Books
Miss Charming’s Guide for Hip Bartenders and Wayout Wannabes
By Cheryl Charming
Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, Inc.
2007
Pg. 137:
Rodney Dangerfield:
My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror.
Google Books
The Biggest Joke Book Ever
By Jack Jacoby
Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing
2008
Pg. 560:
My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror.
Twitter
Jewish Comedians
@JewishComedians
Rodney Dangerfield: My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror. | #Quotes
11:53 PM - 11 Oct 2015
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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