Ray Jay Johnson and The Simpsons
Does it get any better than season four of The Simpsons? Season three, maybe... or season five... but without a doubt, season four is peak Simpsons and appointment viewing for me.
This scene is from Krusy Gets Kancelled, the season four finale. I originally watched it on May 13, 1993.
You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay... the reference went right over my head. Eventually I'd learn it was a reference to Ray Jay Johnson, a character performed by William Saluga. Here's a sample of his schtick when in the guise of Ray Jay.
"NOOO!!! You don't have to call me Johnson! My name is Raymond J. Johnson Jr. Now you can call me Ray, or you can call me J, or you can call me Johnny, or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me Junie, or you can call me Junior; now you can call me Ray J, or you can call me RJ, or you can call me RJJ, or you can call me RJJ Jr. . . but you doesn't hasta call me Johnson!"
This one of many refenences to pop culture before my time that I was introduced to by watching The Simpsons.
William Saluga died in Los Angeles on March 28, 2023, at the age of 85.