Gracie Allen example), Gracie never used the phrase. The confusion may have been caused by "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In". Stars Dan Rowan and Dick Martin used a similar sign-off routine wherein Rowan would tell Martin to "Say good night, Dick." Martin's reply was always "Good night, Dick." It seemed like something Gracie Allen would have said. George Burns himself said as much in an interview years later, adding that, surprisingly enough, no one ever thought of having Allen say "Good night, Gracie". However, the former "Burns and Allen" head writer, Paul Henning, did use the "say good night" bit in at least
Goodnight, Irene #1 on September 2, 1950, and lasted at #1 for 13 weeks. The song was the basis for the 1950 parody called "Please Say Goodnight to the Guy, Irene" by Ziggy Talent. It also inspired the 1954 "answer" record "Wake Up, Irene" by Hank Thompson, a #1 on Billboard's country chart. Television host Jack Narz recorded his version of "Goodnight, Irene" for his album "Sing the Folk Hits With Jack Narz" in 1959. Roots musician Ry Cooder performed a version of the song on his album "Chicken Skin Music" in 1976, which was released as a single in the Netherlands