Video: 'Sock It To Nixon | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | George Schlatter'

(Monday, September 16, 1968, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Republican presidential nominee Richard Nixon broke precedent tonight by joining the many celebrities who had cameo appearances on the popular American fast-paced sketch comedy television series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in a pre-recorded, three-second clip where he awkwardly feigned surprise and asked the show’s catchphrase “sock it to me”? as the program opened its second season.

Nixon was not doused with water or otherwise comically assaulted was the case with most other celebrities who uttered the “sock it to me” phrase on the show.

An invitation was extended to Nixon’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, but he declined.

Video: 'PBS Documentary "Television" - Episode 2 of 8 (edited)' (Nixon on 'Laugh-In' at 39:14)