Richard Dawson

Richard: I abhor grades - if a child does his best, that's all that should be asked.

Richard's Farewell Speech on Family Feud: I've had the most incredible luck in my career. I've done lots and lots of jobs, and I've never, ever had a job like Family Feud. I've never dreamed I would ever have a job where so many people could touch me and I could touch them. And it was a great magic about this show that I've never seen on any other show. I want to publicly acknowledge Howard Felsher, who is our executive producer. He was our producer in the beginning of this show, and he helped steer and guide the way that we went. And he and I fought a lot of times, but I tell you that he's important and I should acknowledge him, because he's the one, with me, that, we said, "Let anybody come on this show, anyone that can play this game, no matter what color or creed, no matter if they're in a wheelchair or they have no sight." And we've had everybody on this show, and he was very, very important in that and I acknowledge and thank him for it. I thanked my crew, and I thanked my director already. I had the best staff you've ever dreamed of. You can't... and you don't have to dream of them, 'cause I'm gonna take them with me. Even if I never work again, they'll just be near me. They are so special and wonderful. ABC, Jackie Smith, Polly Welkman, Joe C. Alba -- they kept us on the air probably a year more than they should have, 'cause we weren't really helping them. You know, our ratings weren't that good, and they were so great. They buried themselves carrying us, and I love them for that, not that I wanted to hurt 'em, 'cause I love 'em. They were good people. There were people I know that got upset that I kiss people. I kiss them for luck and love, that's all. That's what my mother did to me. There were people upset that I would embrace or hug someone of a different color. The first time I ever saw people of any color was when D-Day left from my hometown in England, to go and free Europe in the war. And there was every color you could imagine, and I'd not seen that in England. And I'd asked my mother about it. I said, "Is there something wrong?" She said, "God... God makes people. You understand that, don't you?" And I said, "Yeah!" She said, "Who makes a rainbow?" I said, "God." She said, "I never presumed to tell anyone who could make a rainbow what color to make children." And she changed my whole life with that statement. All I can tell you is, this has been a very special nine years of my life. If I never do another thing, I've met the good, sweet people of the world. So I leave you, with love, and for the little girl that, nine years ago, I first signed to -- I guess she's 13 now -- I'll think of you every day. God bless all the little children in the world. Thank you.

Richard Dawson: Be nice to each other. You can make a whole day a different day for everybody.

Richard Dawson: (from the Family Feud book) ABC has told me that a sponsor has complained about my making anti-Nixon jokes. I would just like to say that I believe Mr. Nixon did his best to destroy this country. Mr. Nixon tried to abrogate freedom of speech, our freedom of the press. He did all kinds of dishonest things. He wiretapped people's phones. He had an enemies list. This is an occasion for crying, not really for joking. But my way, a comedian's way, is to make jokes. So, I intend to keep on making jokes about Richard Nixon. And I have one thing to say to you, Mr. Sponsor, whoever you are - don't sponsor our show. We don't need you.

Richard Dawson: I'm a hustler. I'm a smarta**, but I love people.