TV & VIDEO - Nov. 2, 1987

RALPH, the Royal Assn. for the Longevity and Preservation of the Honeymooners, a fan club that helped uncover lost episodes of “The Honeymooners” and brought the classic sitcom back on the air, has folded because of the death of Jackie Gleason. Founders Peter Crescenti and Bob Columbe of Old Brookville, N.Y., recently sent out a final newsletter to members--who include Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper--memorializing Gleason, who starred as bus driver Ralph Kramden. The club, Crescenti said, was never meant to be a lifelong pursuit, but only an attempt to get the show back on the air. “We felt we’ve essentially put ourselves out of business,” he said. But he added that any thoughts of continuing the organization were dashed with Gleason’s death.