His supper cost a song

DON’T go anywhere. I got more. Jackie Gleason’s TV cash register “The Honeymooners.” Coming back to CBS in a female-driven remake. Lady writer. Lady director.

Can’t recall if I told this before — so I’m retelling it in case I haven’t. My late husband, comedian Joey Adams, and I lived on Fifth Avenue, same building as our friend Jackie. We had the 10th floor. He, the penthouse. His bedroom was in red flocked wallpaper. One day our doorbell rang. Gleason. On hands and knees. “Tell Joey I’m broke. I need bread. Tell him I need three grand.” Understand, Gleason was then TV’s No. 1 comedy star. Earning millions. ”Honeymooners,” his weekly show, on for years, was the big number.

In those days, before credit cards, guys had access to cash. No questions asked, Joey peeled off $3,000. That very night we all had dinner together in a restaurant. Gleason blew the whole $3,000 on hiring a band to serenade Joey.