Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

Ruth Buzzi has been on our episode schedule for a few weeks now, so we were both shocked and saddened to see the news of her passing -- but pleased that the response from the public was filled with so much admiration and affection. Best known for her stint on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In -- she was the only cast member to appear in every episode, Ruth's credits are much more extensive and diverse including appearing on Broadway, being a favorite on early variety shows (Gary Moore Show, Steve Allen Comedy Hour), and after Laugh-In, keeping a full slate of sitcom, variety show, and movie appearances. She even was a semi-regular on Sesame Street! Much beloved, Ruth is a reminder of when we all bonded over television -- all three or four channels of it -- and hit characters like Gladys Ormphby could take the nation by storm overnight. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. And Ruth, thanks for the laughs and say hi to Dick and Dan for us. Want more Ruth? Here is Ruth in full on Gladys Ormphby having a daydream about romancing John Wayne. Yes, the handbag is deployed. https://youtu.be/srA-w9W5yeM?si=kB0lce_Dd8a6qJcP You can't think of Laugh In without thinking of Ruth, and here is a nice cut of some of her best bits. Bonus! It also feature some of the best of a fellow legend JoAnne Worley!https://youtu.be/fTdmORyVVg0?si=XNrlmMUJ_D2xoYL1 After Laugh In, Ruth was a regular on tv variety shows and specials such as the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. Here Ruth -- as Gladys Ormphby -- gives the business to Muhammed Ali. https://youtu.be/zC0If3uP85o?si=xT5MvuHHFm8To94J

From shock jock to The Man Show -- to elder statesman of late night tv? That's the path Jimmy Kimmel has taken on his way to a legendary career. Along the way, Jimmy has also become a reliable and popular host for the Oscars and the Emmy -- as well as helping bring to the screen the Crank Yankers prank phone call show. A pretty diverse resume! As Kimmel has matured he has also developed a political voice which he deploys to great effect on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, most notably when he helped galvanize opposition to repealing Obamacare during the first Trump administration. Not to fear, Jimmy shows no signs of hanging up his microphone for a political career any time soon. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our show. Want more Kimmel? Every comic needs a faux running "feud" and Jimmy has a great one with Matt Damon -- and here is one of the videos that made it a comedy hit. https://youtu.be/eSfoF6MhgLA?si=kpspFQK___c54SG9 Jimmy got his start in commercial radio at just 22 -- and it didn't go great as he recently told Kelly and Mark. https://youtu.be/J3mmVviKRpg?si=rBb85ZDFmZg_xW5h This is a great bit! From the 20th anniversary show of Jimmy Kimmel Live! 2023 Jimmy chats with 2003 Jimmy.https://youtu.be/oqZvxAQRU9A?si=F0RXi8oOnCJUw5e_ You know you are a big dog in Hollywood when you get to host the Oscars -- and for Jimmy Kimmel it was a comic's dream, especially helming the show after Will Smith infamously clocked Chris Rock. Here's Jimmy's monologue highlights from that show. https://youtu.be/Ylj_Omeqg0I?si=xgIyygmXxV950kiS

OK, with golf season fully underway, it's time to salute Caddyshack, one of the classic 1980s comedy that featured the directorial debut of Harold Ramis, the big screen breakthrough for Rodney Dangerfield, some arrogant Ted Knight, some crazed Bill Murray and a lineage that drew heavily from both Saturday Night Live and the National Lampoon. Don't worry too much about the plot -- it's merely a launchpad for comedy bits galore. Whether you're a hacker, a duffer, or a scratch golfer, Caddyshack has something for you. And if you are a real big fan, you can watch it wearing your "William Murray" golf gear and finish with a pint at the "Murray Brothers Caddyshack Restaurant" (yes it's real). As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Caddyshack? Bill Murray has had far larger roles over time, but he makes the most of his Caddyshack persona Carl Spackler, a groundskeeper who is just a little, shall we say, disturbed. https://youtu.be/X48G7Y0VWW4?si=QGiCSvUEMJQYbGRo Chevy Chase has never been better than as Ty Webb, a pro-level golfer who smirks his way through life. Here are some of Chevy's best bits. https://youtu.be/Al3Yt5gxExY?si=CwIlxkEJFpXJIbTG Rodney Dangerfield was the perfect choice to play Al Czervik, a loud, crass, and hilarious "slob" dropped in the middle of a bunch of country club "snobs". Here Al tries to goad the arrogant Judge Smalls (a brilliant Ted Knight) into a slice. https://youtu.be/RrOhjHC28PQ?si=MFzVjclP0mKa6fxi

Meet Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie -- known to comedy fans as Fry and Laurie -- one of the funniest and best loved British comedy duos to emerge in the 1980s. Introduced to each other by Emma Thompson when they were students at Cambridge, Stephen and Hugh got their biggest boost when BBC hosted A Bit of Fry and Laurie from 1989 to 1995. Their sketch interplay was stellar, as was their bit of breaking the fourth wall to address the audience directly. And their acting chops served them well when they were cast as Jeeves and Wooster in an adaptation of the PG Wodehouse "Jeeves stories". They also lent their wit to the Ben Elton "Black Adder" series, including some brutal satire in the final series, set in WW I. In recent years the lads have mostly performed solo, but they remain close friends and who knows, perhaps a Bit *More* of Fry and Laurie might be in our future -- at least we can hope. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Fry and Laurie? As with many of their Brit contemporaries, Fry and Laurie were happy -- almost gleeful -- to smash comedy tradition including a gift for breaking the fourth wall. https://youtu.be/s4bPsGsNGi4?si=wgteHCLcf4ucTabu Fry and Laurie were both excellent comic actors and their chemistry was put to good use when they starred in a television adaptation of the PG Wodehouse Jeeves and Wooster series. https://youtu.be/LObPaCloY8E?si=QlsCtBp0B2upTXZa   The Black Adder series of English historical comedies have a devoted fan base, and Fry and Laurie were right in the mix as in this darkly comic bit from the final series, Black Adder Goes Forth. https://youtu.be/RcIV5tU_Zik?si=R2o_WtJkMXwdadWq

Be honest, how many of you majored in bong hits at college? If so, you are in good company with today's legend -- Jon Stewart -- who claims he did just that back in the day. It doesn't seem to have lowered his productivity -- after three decades in the public eye Jon is as busy as ever with his second stint on the Daily Show. Since his early days, Jon has shown his ability to mix serious factual news with razor sharp satire first as a standup, then as an MTV host, and finally at the Daily Show where he turned a late night oddity into a cultural juggernaut. And, when he is in the mood, Jon can also conjure up a little Catskills comedy vibe as well. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Jon Stewart? Jon's first national standup exposure was on David Letterman in 1992 -- from the start he was insightful, literate -- and very funny. https://youtu.be/wxUBJYzJrYg?si=zSUyqjkEqWIAkSXR Jon had a much loved MTV talk show in the early 1990s and one of his guests was another tv legend -- Dick Clark! https://youtu.be/38BPMKLckVY?si=XMOA2PEzkwDnxJxj Jon's second stint as Daily Show host was a delightful surprise that landed just before the 2024 presidential election -- and Jon's election night coverage was masterful. https://youtu.be/ZjMAfRq7V_s?si=DTiXEpJj73tg1YRa  

Grab a bottle of Courvoisier and some "quiet storm" music because Leon Phelps, the Ladies' Man is in the house! Well, ok, it's actually Tim Meadows, the talent behind Leon who became an SNL favorite throughout the 1990s and who has built a solid career as a comic actor ever since. A product of Michigan, Tim learned improve there and at the Second City in Chicago where Lorne Michaels discovered him and added him to a strong cast. When Tim left he was (at that time) the longest serving SNL cast member and he turned that into a busy schedule of movie and TV appearances including Mean Girls, Inside Amy Schumer, The Goldbergs, and more. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Tim Meadows? Tim's SNL breakout character was the always smooth Leon Phelps -- here's a full sketch. https://youtu.be/UNVn-Rpl7DI?si=MqezkJyagXSWYlNY Tim provided SNL with a lot of impersonations over the years, but perhaps none more pointed than his take on OJ Simpson lawyer Johnnie Cochran. https://www.reddit.com/.../tim_meadows_hilarious.../... Tim had a key role in the 2004 hit Mean Girls playing a beleaguered high school principal -- here dressing down a gymnasium full of students for circulating a "burn book". https://youtu.be/GGGBbxXgFug?si=4499G0KGo0wPOJP0 Tim can still bring the sketch comedy as a recent appearance on Stephen Colbert's Late Show demonstrates. https://youtu.be/YT1uE5x4zNw?si=Pu2rDACaLS5JpaRm

The name may not ring too many bells today, but from the 1960s through the 1990s you just had to turn on your television or (hit up your local comedy record store) and you were sure to run into the work of Sandy Baron who rose from playing the Catskills "borscht belt", to improv and satirical shows (including the US version of "That Was The Week That Was), to becoming a fixture in Vegas, in movies, and on television talk and game shows. In 1984 Sandy was introduced to a new generation of fans with his a role in Broadway Danny Rose, Woody Allen's tribute to shtickmeisters (and struggling agents), then in the 1990s he had a juicy late-career triumph on Seinfeld as Jack Klompus who was a comic antagonist of Jerry's dad. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Sandy Baron? We don't usually include other artists in an episode, but how can we fail to give you the whole Lou Rawls classic "A Natural Man" -- with lyrics courtesy of Sandy Baron. https://youtu.be/y9tS0loD3vQ?si=BkE-OA-wTpBUV701 Sandy had one shot at his own sitcom (Hey Landlord!) and it tanked after just one year. Being a great standup comic, Sandy was able to turn his pain to laughs in this routine from shortly after the cancellation. https://youtu.be/jdr0GcxAoQo?si=q-YB2UAcumQDJTdK Woody Allen's Broadway Danny Rose was a love letter to the shtickmeisters of the past (and their sometimes hapless agents). Much of the story is told in flashback during a gathering of comics at the Carnegie Deli -- and Sandy was right in the middle of it. https://youtu.be/mXIM1JXWjm4?si=ZViQ3NSLjeJ4R3-g Longtime fans were delighted when Sandy surfaced in the 1990s playing a pesky rival of Jerry Seinfeld's dad on the classic sitcom Seinfeld. Here are some of of the best "Jack Klompus" moments from the show. https://youtu.be/XLK1eqK2kEo?si=-9LZ0EwUQ1o4BDVw

OK, we're a day late but it's still a Happy St. Patrick's Day here at Laugh Tracks. And why wouldn't it be when we are featuring Irish comedy star of the small and big screen, Chris O'Dowd. From early roles in British tv, Chris got his breakout role on the classic British sitcom The IT Crowd playing Roy Trenneman, an information tech worker who is a master at avoiding work. The show's success launched Chris onto the big screen with a number of juicy supporting roles before he scored the role of Officer Nathan Rhodes in the 2011 blockbuster Bridesmaids -- a role that earned him a Screen Actor's Guild award. Chris remains busy with tv work, recently appearing in the lead role of Get Shorty, a comedy-drama loosely based on the 1990 book. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Chris O'Dowd? Chris gained wide fame in Britain with his role as Roy Trenneman a snarky and slacking information tech worker in The IT Crowd. https://youtu.be/wXEsldiW9Xg?si=V4dkLgceu75UJ0e- For American audiences, Chris had his breakout role in 2011's smash hit Bridesmaids. Chris played Officer Nathan Rhodes, winning a Screen Actor's Guild award for his work. https://youtu.be/6rJdK0_3BL0?si=0cy6Xpmlhiu4CYUF Recently Chris could be seen in Apple TV's Get Shorty, a loose adaptation of the 1990 book. https://youtu.be/U-3gjXz_HJk?si=obwykf_M_XQA2EKw        

Have an extra cup of coffee because you are going to need to be on your toes to keep up with this week's Legend, improv comedy superstar, as well as a a fine television actor, Ryan Stiles. Born in the US, Ryan was raised in Vancouver, BC and got his start doing standup and writing for the CBC when he was tapped for the British version of Whose Line is it Anyway. He was lured back to the US as a regular in the Drew Carey show, then what do you know -- Drew launches a US "Whose Line" with Ryan front and center in the cast. That show has also spawned successful improv tours by the cast which continue to this day. Ryan also had a long run as a regular on the Two and a Half Men sitcom, and in his spare time he founded and occasionally appears at an improv comedy theater and school in his home of Bellingham, Washington. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Ryan Stiles? Ryan is known for improv but this is a fun bit -- produced by the Second City in a film noir fashion. https://youtu.be/CpSXAO-N_qQ?si=wB6qeA8Neyl0AGQB Whose Line started in the UK and one of the fun games was Questions Only! (yes, you can speak only in questions). Here's the UK cast in action (also including Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood). https://youtu.be/JcDzy6IgIcg?si=9NZHEC3T8sLr0lFF On the Drew Carey show, Ryan played Lewis Kinski, a buddy of Drew's, who was known for having the lamest pickup lines in town. Here's a few to avoid!https://youtu.be/mzIYmvhyyDk?si=JJ3231qEynqn-GvK Ryan is a community-minded guy, living in Bellingham, Washington. After his Whose Line fame he set up an improv theater where he occasionally appears as in this parody of a late night talk show -- Bellingham T'nite! https://youtu.be/tEc0mBm1lRs?si=FYLKnVH6nkNabWxx  

Grab your best duds, we're hopping in the Time Machine for Las Vegas in the 1950s to catch up with The Rat Pack -- or at least the comic relief -- in the form of Joey Bishop who was a presence in Vegas showrooms, in movies, and on television well into the 1980s. A product of the New York nightclub scene, where Frank Sinatra caught and liked his act, Joey was Frank's opener for years and when Sinatra took the helm of the Rat Pack, he brought Joey along for the ride. That association would end in the early 1960s, but Joey remained a celebrity and hosted his own ABC late night talk show in the mid-60s. A deadpan comic, Joey later became a frequent game show panelist, as well as a talk show guest host. Frank Sinatra's death in 1998 left Joey as the Rat Pack's "last man standing" -- as we always say, comedy keeps you young! Find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Bishop? In the late 1990s snarky record fans started discovering records with celebrities not known for their singing having at it nonetheless. Joey weighs in here with Your Cheatin' Heart from his 1968 album Joey Bishop Sings Country and Western. It even won an award from the Academy of Country Music. https://youtu.be/_ghzOy3X1uE?si=fDIdIQWd-E07JjX8 Here's a nice sample of Joey's standup comedy from an appearance on the Dinah Shore Show back in 1960, when the Rat Pack still ruled. https://youtu.be/VR2j8nDwNbs?si=PW8wboAyjoLHz55o Joey's 1967 late night ABC talk show didn't last long, but it's a great period piece and a chance to see his co-host -- a very young Regis Philbin. The "Nehru jacket" bit we excerpted is in the first few minutes, but this whole clip is great including a visit from Sammy Davis Jr. https://youtu.be/sM7Fzz0qjuM?si=svjee052G_5QHU4A As with so many 50s/60s starts, in the 1970s Joey found his footing as a reliable game show panelist -- here Joey plays a bit of the Match Game. His bit is about 12:15 in, but the whole thing is a blast of 1976 nostalgia. https://youtu.be/Ad7IENuxZZw?si=rn6_XdQ-2UWprQd8

If we were playing television trivia and said "Sally Rogers" you would say "Rose Marie" -- this week's legend. But there was a whole lot more to Rose Marie than her role as a comedy writer on The Dick Van Dyke show. A child singing sensation, Rose Marie spent time on the vaudeville circuit, eventually making it to Broadway with a featured role in South Pacific. She frequently guested on early tv sitcoms before she landed the role of a lifetime and became part of television history along with Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner, and Richard Deacon. In particular, Rose Marie's Sally Rogers and Morey Amsterdam's Buddy Sorrell were fan favorites and appeared from time to time as a duo act. When Rose Marie died, Nell Scovell, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, said that Rose Marie's Sally Rogers was the "patron saint of female comedy writers." Not a bad way to be remembered! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Rose Marie? Rose Marie got her start as a child singing sensation (known as Baby Rose Marie) -- and here is one of her hits. https://youtu.be/XGBqxkqAvMk?si=4yB0AhtS2YppRZfW Rose Marie landed a prime role in the Broadway production of Top Banana back in 1951 as well as the 1954 movie version. Here she is at a 1978 Johnny Mercer retrospective, singing her spotlight song from that show.https://youtu.be/NYWcwPMArXg?si=QyT0ebw4dZL_CC-2 Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam sometime reprised their Sally and Buddy act for live audiences including this fun spot on the Hollywood Palace. You even get Groucho Marx as the host. https://youtu.be/cQik0KEpgZY?si=Qn_SQ8hT2WHEZYIP Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam appeared together in a sweet episode of Caroline in the City in 1996. (It also turned out to be one of Morey's final appearances).https://youtu.be/zMNHiXrGqDk?si=7VO-SABFUGUTK2An

Take a wooden puppet, a guy who can't quite keep his lips from moving, and add impeccable comic timing and you just might come up with Edgar Bergen, often considered the premiere ventriloquist of the 20th century. With his "dummies" Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, Bergen was a hit in vaudeville, then on radio -- quite a feat for someone whose act generally requires the audience to see the artist. But Bergen's rapid verbal repartee with his puppets -- especially Charlie McCarthy -- captivated audiences and led to movie roles and tv appearances down the line. Bergen earned not one, not two, but three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to movies, radio, and television. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Edgar Bergen? Here's a nice long sample of Edgar and Charlie in action, from their 1950 Thanksgiving special. https://youtu.be/oJVrK408nyQ?si=-nhi_PPPvj9JfsBZ Bergen's other comic foil was Mortimer Snerd -- as slow-witted as Charlie McCarthy is quick-witted. It led to fun, as in this bit with Bing Crosby.https://youtu.be/_8YBiWU5Ok4?si=o-Dum7JIiABl9hVk In 1939 Bergen and Charlie starred in You Can't Cheat on Honest Man with WC Fields and Charlie wasted no time in annoying his co-star. https://fb.watch/xQv-XqQbRm/ Bergen and McCarthy made their final screen appearance in 1978's The Muppet Movie -- a fitting farewell to a master puppeteer. https://youtu.be/5EDVCevIB-Q?si=sh9Nhmus0fSxWQ-P

Let's venture downunder to meet Adam Hills, a superb standup comedian and television presenter who has charmed Australians since the late 1980s with comedy that is sharp and playful -- and by the way, that often focuses on the fact that since birth he has been missing a foot. After starting as a radio host, Hills turned to standup and was a smash in Australia, the UK, and Canada. He became host of a popular Aussie game show in 20005, followed by a talk show. At the same time, Adam has become a star in the world of Paralympic sports both as a player (rugby) and a commentator. His sports journey has been covered in a fine documentary (Adam Hills: Take His Legs) and a memoir (Best Foot Forward). As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!   Want more Adam Hills?   Adam is a titan in the world of Paralympic sports as a participant (rugby), commentator, and advocate. Here's a fun recent interview (with comedy clips). https://youtu.be/74Ce7NH2C7o?si=NkrA4-MgK1m8l-3w   Adam is first and foremost a superb standup and this is a fun clip of him at work. https://youtu.be/NxpkgqBSOPY?si=BrurhBYHHTDawHIL   Adam continues as a top standup draw and this recent clip has a fun bit about the expectations of being an Aussie.https://youtu.be/z9xOIvVI1nw?si=rTQVdhQHh2oh5tJX  

Talk about political comedians and people are sure to mention Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, George Carlin and the like, but don't forget Will Rogers who blended sharp political points with homespun humor to become a huge star in the 1920s and 30s. From his beginnings as a vaudeville rope trick artist, Will developed patter that made his audience both laugh and think. When the Great Depression impoverished much of America he became a much more pointed commentator, especially about the inequality of rich and poor. In 1935 a tragic plane crash claimed Will's life, but his legacy lives on with a Broadway musical about his life, a one-man show starring James Whitmore as Will, and as the namesake for Route 66 -- The Will Rogers Highway -- proclaimed by Congress after his death. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Will Rogers? Will's most famous line is "I never met a man I didn't like" and that became the title for a Tony Award-winning musical about his life. Here's the title song. https://youtu.be/UnyHX7LqIGM?si=Ub0gnCX_0nD1xYYZ Will's weekly broadcasts were required listening in American households and Will was a master of the craft including this talk, recorded during the Depression. https://youtu.be/kyfvamwM4Yo?si=HliLiu6zp6yzUXJz After the Great Depression impoverished much of the country Will became more overtly political, endorsing FDR in 1932 -- but not without a sharp line or two.https://youtu.be/sKxaqK2ggcA?si=Qmp4sUCRX4hS7M1e

Each generation has their favorite SNL cast member and for those who started watching in the 1990s it wouldn't be surprising if Chris Farley topped their list. Chris' ability to match physical shtick with over the top characters was uncanny, whether Chris was doing a Chippendale's strip off with Patrick Swayze, extolling the superiority of Da' Bears, or ranting as Matt Foley, the world's most unlikely motivational speaker. A promising movie career (Tommy Boy, Black Sheep) had just begun when Chris followed his idol John Belushi (almost to the letter) and succumbed to an overdose at the age of 33. The death struck his cast members hard and they mourn him to this day with Adam Sandler providing a suitably goofy but thoughtful song about Chris when Adam hosted SNL in 2019. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. And just make sure you don't end up living in a van down by the river! Want more Chris Farley? Chris' most enduring character is Matt Foley, a highly unlikely motivational speaker with a great payoff line about his living situation. https://youtu.be/Xv2VIEY9-A8?si=WkmITF4d-mXk3RUQ Chris had a promising start in the movies and his debut pairing with David Spade in Tommy Boy is a gem. https://youtu.be/S2XvxDaIwCw?si=Flg7OXRuxMDWBy-H Adam Sandler has a way with songs, and his tribute to Chris Farley from SNL in 1989 is one of his best -- funny and touching. https://youtu.be/25IOsvWPQGQ?si=OHOd0Y3WfwJN33Xd

One of the titans of early tv sitcoms, as well as a massively successful producer, singer, and philanthropist, Danny Thomas earned his stripes as a radio comedian (especially on The Bickersons) in the 1940s, then hosted his own radio variety show, then in the early 1950s jumped to television and began his classic show "Make Room for Daddy". After that, while Danny would continue to make tv and stage appearances (including a 1970's reboot called Make Room for Granddaddy), he also conquered the tv production world with shows including The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mod Squad, and That Girl (starring real-life daughter Marlo Thomas). Closest to Danny's heart, though, was the word he did to establish the world-famous St. Jude Children's Medical Center, the result of a promise a young and struggling Danny made to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Danny Thomas? A signature theme song was a must for early tv stars -- think of The Honeymooners -- and Danny Thomas was no exception with this fine jazz version of the Irish classic Danny Boy. https://youtu.be/rAMrzvqU2RQ?si=RutT59t7anfOh3_J To get a feel for Danny's comedy style, here's a great full episode of Make Room for Daddy from season six, back before tv discovered the world was in color. https://youtu.be/sJjFeM9ZvbU?si=lGXBgUiHE9RvTDI_ Late in his career Danny would take the occasional guest spot, as he did in Happy Days in 1978. https://youtu.be/qWxNS202fV4?si=vZaFGX990ROP5vF0 As with may 1960s(ish) era tv stars, Danny was happy to be a pitchman when needed and this is a great example -- a Maxwell House Coffee ad. Sorry for the video quality, but enjoy the "Brady Bunch house" vibes of the set.https://youtu.be/sJjFeM9ZvbU?si=lGXBgUiHE9RvTDI_

A chance meeting in 1950s Orange County, California led Bill Skiles and Pete Henderson to create a comedy team that lasted all the way until 2010. Henderson was a singer and pianist who played the straight man, and Skiles was a sound effects madman who could punctuate (and puncture) anything Pete was trying to say or sing. The boys got their start at Disneyland as a song and dance team, then got their first Vegas break in 1960 at the Golden Nugget. Serving as regular openers for musicians such as Andy Williams and The Carpenters, Skiles and Henderson worked clean, making them regulars on tv variety and talk shows in the 1960s and 70s. In their later years they worked the showroom and corporate circuit, including stints in Branson, Missouri. As Pete Henderson described their act, "it was ad-libbing, very visual, and Bill was like something someone had left running." As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Skiles and Henderson? Many stars got their show business start at Disneyland -- Steve Martin worked in the magic store for example -- and Skiles and Henderson were no exception, being hired as a song and dance team back in 1958https://youtu.be/6R7HahXz1Bw?si=AA2L6v1AEur_3zFD. kiles and Henderson were all over TV variety shows in the 70s and 80s -- here's what those spots looked like. https://youtu.be/eiF8CIqPiWo?si=drwm2pi3vvUDB7Bv Bill Skiles was a sound effects master but he also was a superb impressionist including this bit which places John Wayne on the Mayflower.https://youtu.be/izjURzLAqKU?si=1UQPb-sFH8tLVAGp

Time for some country comedy today, courtesy of the legendary Sheb Wooley who was a fine actor and songwriter as well as comic performer. Sheb started out as a rodeo rider, as well as a guitar and fiddle man. When injuries from the rodeo kept him out of the military in WWII, Sheb pivoted to music scoring his first his with a bona-fide rock and roll novelty classic, The Purple People Eater. From there Sheb kept racking up the hits, using the name Ben Colder when contractual issues kept him from issuing new material. He also was a solid western actor with key roles in Rawhide and High Noon and Sheb's theme song for the long-running show Hee Haw became an ear worm in the 1970s (and beyond). So with his singing, songwriting, and acting all winning awards you can say Sheb was a rural renaissance man. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Sheb? One bit of Sheb trivia -- he was responsible for recording a scream that was subsequently used in many movies over the years. Known as the Wilhelm scream, Sheb laid it to tape back in 1951. https://youtu.be/rksd5v43zxI?si=ZiKwMhgjmzNQoLMj Sheb's first hit was a rock and roll novelty classic -- The Purple People Eater. Here's Sheb performing the song on The Ed Sullivan Show back in 1958.https://youtu.be/67tKNEsJjTI?si=flFb593sqlzYaWwO When legal issues prevented Sheb from releasing songs under his own name it was no problem -- Sheb simply morphed into Ben Colder -- a parody of a frequently inebriated country songwriter -- who would lampoon the country hits of the day. Sheb continued to release songs under both names for the rest of his career. https://youtu.be/NVGtxbN2yGs?si=7Ah1rXPiCxd0qKeE If you have ever had the theme to the television show Hee Haw stuck in your brain you have Sheb to thank or curse. Besides being a frequent guest, Sheb composed the theme way back in 1969. https://youtu.be/KBEreTkQbds?si=RTvcGJfy6VZom0mr      

Take a cigar, a tumbler of scotch, a twinkle in the eye. and some salty opinions and you get Ron White, a stand-up star for nearly 40 years and one of the original "Blue Collar" comedians who mounted one of the most successful comedy tours ever back in the early 2000s. Ron's most famous catch phrase is "you can't fix stupid" which fit right in with Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck," Bill Engvall's "Here's your sign" and Larry the Cable Guy's "Get R Done" delighting the audience and turning a 26 show tour into six years of shows. Since Blue Collar, Ron has continued as a top standup draw and occasional guest star in television comedies. in 2020, he announced, then abandoned plans to retire from the road, a relief to fans who like their southern-style comedy with a bit of edge. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Ron? Ron's right on this point. https://youtu.be/UQv7Tr8HbGE?si=9LCrjh0_m1IfF69V People who haven't seen clips of early Ron White are surprised to see a long-haired wild man in place of the nattily attired gentleman who appears today. https://youtu.be/uOQHwiiI9nU?si=66f2T7EXTd3JN9Ow Ron has the ability to connect with every person who just wants to get a beer on a hot day. Case in point. https://youtu.be/ClQuI8ds_dg?si=0ZgAlK-sVmqQOj0R Ron's most recent Netflix special finds him in fine form, tumbler and cigar still in hand (though more for props now). https://youtu.be/68hvA_vR-0Q?si=rn8KY4Ssk-EVCKe-  

In the 1940s and 50s Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were on top of the comedy world with a smash act that dominated nightclubs, the silver screen, and that new-fangled television thing. The premise was simple -- Dean was a crooner and straight man who tried to keep the show going according to plan, while Jerry was an overactive man-child who would mug shamelessly, croon off key, walk around in the crowd, and generally cause chaos. The crowds loved it, but as you can imagine those were two large talents (and in Jerry's case ego) to contain in one act. They split after a decade with both going on to solo success but never quite recapturing the magic they had as a duo. Thanks to Frank Sinatra they reconciled though they never re-teamed -- but there is a lot of video that captures Dean and Jerry in action during their heyday. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Dean and Jerry? Dean and Jerry got their big nightclub break at Atlantic City's famed 500 Club. The picture quality on this one is poor, but it's fascinating -- an episode of the Today Show from 1956 featuring a number of stars from the club including Martin & Lewis who appear about 40 minutes in. https://youtu.be/x-2BHMfa5do?si=flVl7TyFSC4EPkUU Martin & Lewis were mainstays of early television with numerous guest shot on the top shows of the day along with their own series. This bit from Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater is from 1949. https://youtu.be/u7O3I0uww3U?si=PiWtq_-Qhfixq-Ap Jerry and Dean were big screen sensations, eventually making 16 features. 1953's The Caddy is one of their best -- dip in anywhere to get a taste of the boys in action. https://youtu.be/qrlbr4ziDL0?si=iwQBxX8lc2z_w5sp After splitting up Martin and Lewis famously didn't speak for 20 years, but that changed at the 1976 Jerry Lewis MDA telethon, courtesy of the Chairman of the Board. https://youtu.be/RRq2ed1fK2k?si=hj1l5xCFC_JCHoT0

This time out we have a real treat from across the pond. Neil Innes may not be the most recognizable name in comedy, but without him the Monty Python movies would be much the poorer (and we wouldn't have a Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band at all). Coming up as part of the British satire boom of the early 1960s, Neil was an artist and musician with a flair for the absurd. That certainly came to the fore in the Bonzos, where Neil often sang lead and wrote their biggest hit. He soon crossed paths with the Pythons who used his music in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (among others), and he later collaborated with Eric Idle on the faux-Beatles parody, The Rutles. An all-around good bloke, Neil remained a well-loved fixture in British comedy, including Bonzos and Rutles reunions, for the rest of his life. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Neil? Neil was a key member of the dada-influenced rockers The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. He wrote and sang lead on their biggest hit -- I'm The Urban Spaceman. https://youtu.be/olGXtohOs7c?si=C-yLWjWHi27hxE_u Monty Python and the Holy Grail is beloved by fans and the clever tunes by Neil are part of the reason why. Here Neil foretells the fate of his boss, the very very brave Sir Robin. https://youtu.be/ACajzIlzvH0?si=ZdJZ8X2TpQzpP1M George Harrison was a great patron of the Pythons and was always ready to take a piss out of his old band. This clip from Eric Idle's Rutland Weekend Television finds George in fine voice singing . . .what?https://youtu.be/zJFLiW10ZrE?si=MOI5msq9MPQUaHHp

One of the most popular comics of the 2000s, Amy Schumer is gifted with a tart tongue, superb timing, and a willingness to put TMI out there in search of a laugh. Amy also has turned her comedy into television and movie gold with an Emmy winning tv show ("Inside Amy Schumer"), cable specials, and juicy roles in films such as "Trainwreck." Her memoir -- "The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo" was a New York Times bestseller and more recently she made her Broadway debut in "Meteor Shower", (written by Steve Martin) and nabbing a Tony nomination in the process. How do you follow that up? By having a kid of course -- and performing a Netflix standup special in a very pregnant condition! As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Amy? Here's a big slice of early Amy from a Comedy Central special. It's always fun to see a comic on the cusp of becoming a huge star. https://youtu.be/HlJbSzNwR9I?si=rscd_S9PFJlHcBZL Amy's sketch show "Inside Amy Schumer" won two Emmy's and a Peabody award over it's five year run and a lot of the comedy still bites hard!https://youtu.be/m7NKKh8ocVA?si=s4TzVxFYwfGBjO5T Amy had a starring role in the Judd Apatow film "Trainwreck" and her chemistry with Bill Hader was perfect. https://fb.watch/wocx6k-zvo/ Amy uses every bit of her life for material and when she became pregnant -- check out this Netflix special to see how she deals with it. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1257604364890190

When we say today's comic is a real scream, we mean it! For most of us, our first introduction to Sam Kinison was his scream, often played as part of a radio station's "5:20 Funny". But there was so much more to Sam -- a bad boy who conquered the world of standup comedy (and music videos) for a few years back in the 1980s. Originally starting as a pentecostal preacher -- no doubt where he acquired his lung power -- Sam set down his bible and picked up a standup microphone as part of the Texas Outlaw Comics (which also included fellow Legend Bill Hicks). Rodney Dangerfield dug his act and gave him a slot on his 1985 HBO Young Comedian's Special. From there Sam rocketed into the comedy stratosphere with best selling albums, guest roles in movies and tv shows, and even a hit song (a remake of Wild Thing). Along with the fame came struggles with addiction but he appeared to have tamed his demons when a tragic car accident claimed him in 1992. But Sam's scream lives on anywhere there is someone who has just about had it with their current situation! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Kinison? Sam's scream was his trademark and one of the first times he showed it off to a wide audience was on David Letterman in 1985. https://youtu.be/m_VURr6jnWQ?si=9Lo2yVqmgp6e-bFG Sam's breakout routine came on Rodney Dangerfield's 1985 Young Comedians' Special on HBO. Here's the part that made Sam a star -- edgy humor at its peak. https://youtu.be/K44DriPrLUk?si=RMdVcvDLAfI3HsfX Sam was a hit with the hard rock crowd and the video for his 1990 remake of The Troggs' Wild Thing featured a slew of cameos from hard rockers including Aerosmith and Billy Idol. https://youtu.be/0DbDI32y9tU?si=pt_Acjzu3_af8btN

In the 1950s Leslie Nielsen was best known as a dramatic actor in movies and on television. But in 1980, that was about to change. Leslie took a role in a new comedy movie that was looking for a solid, deadpan type to be in the center of "joke-a-minute" action. That movie was Airplane! and it launched Leslie on a comedic career that would include the Police Squad tv show and the Naked Gun movie franchise. Along the way, Leslie became a master at poking fun at his own image, hosting Saturday Night Live and being a frequent guest on game shows and talk shows. While his later movies didn't reach the artistic or commercial heights of his early comedy career it didn't matter -- his Legend was secure. And nobody gets to call him Shirley. Find extra cuts below and, as always, thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Leslie Nielsen? Back when there were watercoolers, this bit got used a lot by office wits. https://youtu.be/ixljWVyPby0?si=fveuiJdk9qiwAShe While Airplane! made Leslie a comedy star, the Naked Gun movies made him a box office titan. Here Leslie engages in a little old fashioned bribery with a source. https://youtu.be/uxviBxaSjyc?si=VvtVvpiiFP0_DAv9 In 1989 Leslie was tapped to host Saturday Night Live and, of course, they built on his ability to say the most outrageous things in a smooth and relaxed style. https://youtu.be/ooPJQZZ1ZCE?si=z1fcUZVRyQKktOJp Leslie was a regular in talk shows in the 1990s including Conan O'Brien's where Leslie demonstrated his favorite prank. https://youtu.be/k1ztkOcJrNE?si=fklwI-QQC1ByzOcY

When Chelsea Handler exploded onto the standup scene in 1994 her bracingly honest style was an instant hit with fans, launching a career as a standup comic and a talk show host that is still going 30 years later. Chelsea has always embraced her flaws -- her best selling memoir is "Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea" after all. But her candor also brought that out in her talk show guests starting with the long running Chelsea Lately on the E! Network. A recent guest hosting stint on The Daily Show was a success as was her most recent Netflix standup special "Revolution". Mix in some fearless observations about the current world scene and you have a comic who was made for these times! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Chelsea? Chelsea's approach to standup was apparent from the start -- just talk about highly inappropriate things in a playful and snarky manner. Here's Chelsea in 2004 doing just that. https://youtu.be/yp7ep5PO7uo?si=a1KCS_kTl6eR3a-W As part of the search to replace Trevor Noah, Chelsea guest hosted The Daily Show for a week. This little bit of banter with the audience during a break is fun. https://youtu.be/GEmTUdTkRDU?si=oC_XrRrryY2ot2XD Chelsea remains a top draw on the standup circuit and her recent Netflix special "Revolution" finds her in top form. https://youtu.be/9vo7nJmKOSc?si=YgD48RejY2o3tKrv

Well it isn't St. Patrick's Day, but we still have the luck of the Irish with us because today's Legend is Brian Doyle-Murray. The older brother of Bill Murray, Brian has carved our a fine for career for himself with work at Second City, The National Lampoon Radio Hour, Saturday Night Live, and a slew of classic comedy flicks including Caddyshack, Wayne's World, and Groundhog Day. He even voices a great character (The Flying Dutchman) on Spongebob SquarePants. Brian -- like his brother Bill -- is also an avid golfer, co-hosting a Murray Brother golf tourney, and being part owner of two Caddyshack Restaurants, one in Illinois and one in Florida. And to all of that we say "well played"! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Brian Doyle-Murray? Brian joined SNL when the show was at a low ebb, but he still had some fine moments as in the SNL Newsbreak segment with Mary Gross. https://youtu.be/EyK5v_YmQrk?si=SRvrxFkWaoJBrr3U Caddyshack is one of the great movie comedies of the 80s and Brian has a fine turn as caddy boss Lou Loomis. https://fb.watch/vPd2A27BwW/ Brian had a juicy role in Groundhog Day as Buster Green, the master of the groundhog ceremony in Punxsutawny PA! https://youtu.be/dWLA3OavSgM?si=6iQJ0JU6a6SvMD-M In recent years Brian has become an sought after voice actor including a stint on SpongeBob SquarePants as The Flying Dutchman. https://youtu.be/lOdh2zKhufA?si=WJHU-96FBPOfe_tU

Without these guys, there may well not have been Monty Python or Firesign Theatre yet to much of the world they are just a distant (and very funny) memory. Who are these titans? It's the Goon Show which tickled British comedy fans during the 1950s with comedy that was smart, surreal, and sometimes just plain silly. The core Goons -- Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, and Harry Secombe worked off scripts penned by Milligan, playing a variety of off the wall characters. The voice work was superb and the structure of the shows is best described as avant-garde and four dimensional. Secombe and Milligan went on to successful entertainment careers and Sellers became an international movie star. But it all started with some guys who wouldn't play by traditional comedy rules -- and aren't we glad they wouldn't. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Goons? If you have time, crack open your favorite beverage and enjoy a complete Goon Show, this one from 1955.https://youtu.be/VuVFFNvyUT8?si=Rci_cSflpvqo7lrI Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers provided some of the favorite character voices for the Goons and this clip from 1954 shows their chemistry. https://youtu.be/clX7FInbQ58?si=xPNBPwV5ZZkyyTh6 While the Goon Show ended it run in 1960, the Goons did reunite for one final blowout for the BBC's 50th anniversary in 1972. It delighted their fans and probably mystified everyone else -- perfection!https://youtu.be/XF745ywyvVY?si=8JxivMO8DSBOielA

An absolute titan of 20th century comedy, Carl Reiner also was one of the most beloved writers/actors/producers/directors that Hollywood has ever produced beginning with his work on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, then creating The Dick Van Dyke Show, then directing Steve Martin in The Jerk and George Burns in Oh God! And, oh yeah, he also created The 2000 Year Old Man routine with his best friend Mel Brooks. It was a simply amazing comedy career and, as always, you can find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Carl Reiner? With The Dick Van Dyke show, Carl created one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and he got in on the acting fun playing the egotistical boss Alan Brady. Here's some Alan's best. https://youtu.be/bHUfCA9EcE4?si=CJin7dTU-Ab5aG28 With Mel Brooks, Carl created one of the greatest two man bits ever, the 2000 Year Old Man. Carl supplied the questions, Mel supplied the answers, and comedy gold was spun. https://youtu.be/XOTKDgrdvdg?si=coNPQPn1iEYfteoA Later in life, Carl was seen as a wise elder to comedy writers and performers so it's no surprise that Jerry Seinfeld featured him on his great show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. https://youtu.be/grUEiFY1XUg?si=hbEv6LReCj1OcLkj

One of the brightest stars in comedy today, Andy Samberg started out just wanting to make some funny experimental films with his buddies. When some of those films reached Lorne Michaels he recognized the talent behind the movies and signed Andy (and his Lonely Island comedy mates) up as SNL writers, also adding Andy to the cast. A couple of years later Andy (teaming with Chris Parnell) unleashed a great video sketch -- Lazy Sunday - and a new SNL megastar was born. After SNL, Andy had a long run as Jake Peralta in the Fox sitcom Brooklyn 99, and he has continued to mix sketch comedy, tv guest roles, movies, and comedy albums to the delight of fans. Most recently, Andy "stars" in a comic book series (Holy Roller) in which he plays a bowling ball wielding Jewish superhero. And he has been tapped to play another Jewish superhero -- Doug Emhoff -- on SNL as the election nears. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Andy? Andy's first huge breakout bit on SNL was in a digital short called Lazy Sunday, which also featured Chris Parnell. Who knew that cupcakes and Narnia were so dope?https://youtu.be/sRhTeaa_B98?si=hO9l2RIpNKkjNPKx The Lonely Island was on fire when they released their first CD "Incredibad" in 2009, featuring this on the water, off the wall hip hop gem featuring T-Pain.https://youtu.be/k8F3UE9qFsg?si=r05EEFt5l-6LaXzW After leaving SNL, Andy scored a great role as Jake Peralta, a wiseass cop in a precinct full of oddballs. Brooklyn 99, which just wrapped up a decade long run, also earned Andy a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Jake.https://youtu.be/ygPBddnvhwY?si=EbXVW2_pSawrfoOn Andy has returned to SNL to play Doug Emhoff who in Andy's words is seeking to be "First Gentlemensch". It's great, as is this entire cold open for the first episode in season 50(!)https://youtu.be/pg4Z1M_GjhQ?si=3Yp1-_tRU0ORXzOm

Fans of classic Vegas lounge comics rejoice, one of your idols awaits this week and we guarantee a "slap-happy" time. We refer, of course, to Slappy White -- a legendary standup who opened for (among others) Dean Martin and Dinah Washington as well as headlining the big rooms himself. A veteran of the "chitlin' circuit" Slappy also became a frequent guest star in 1970s movies and tv shows with a particularly juicy role as Melvin White (Slappy's real name) on Sanford and Sons (courtesy of Redd Foxx, another chitlin' circuit graduate). Later in his career, Slappy teamed up with Steve Rossi when Marty Allen bowed out of that team, but he eventually returned to solo standup as well as frequent appearances on Friar's Club and Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Slappy? Here's Slappy with a fun bit from Redd Foxx's variety show -- dig the hair!https://youtu.be/e0NSxAhgMqk?si=Q3sZ3CyyROU2qfEy Slappy became friends with Redd Foxx when they both toured as comics with the Billy Eckstine band and that friendship was repaid with a key role in Sanford and Son, with Slappy playing Melvin White (his real name), a pal of Fred's. https://youtu.be/SjFcpNsC3hQ?si=4c8V_S4KX4OtBgCQ Like the Love Boat, the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts became a "must do" show for celebs on their way up and (mostly) on their way down. The "roasting" bits could be lame in the hands of regular actors, but in the hands of a pro like Slappy they came to life. Here's a time capsule for you -- Slappy's bit starts at 25 minutes in. https://youtu.be/BJrOzV5UrTQ?si=UpA9HusPYkRIm2un

This week we meet an architect of 1960s British Satire and a titan of 20th century media, Sir David Frost. From humble beginnings, David found his true course in college where he edited the school paper, edited the literary magazine, and for our purposes most importantly joined the Cambridge Footlights Society where he dove head first into the evolving British comedy scene. A genial presenter, David's first big break came as host of That Was The Week That Was, and he followed it up with more clever series including the Frost Report. Drawing on a writing and acting staff that included (among others) Roald Dahl, The Two Ronnies, and much of the Monty Python Troupe, Frost's shows were literate, topical, and very funny. Over time, David leaned into his interviewing skills (looking at you Dick Nixon) more than comedy, but his place in the comedy firmament is secure! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Frost? This clip is over 60 years old -- it's a great bit from That Was the Week that Was back in 1963 -- a consumer guide to religion -- and in true British comedy fashion David and crew take the piss out of everyone! https://youtu.be/tRZWyfERiCc?si=-iX3n5lUM0wEKr-n David followed TW3 with The Frost Report, another brilliant series. Here's a sample episode looking at "trends". https://youtu.be/dnD1WP5wt4s?si=hu2aVAVkkJk6j-oc David specialized in satire, but he also could be silly as in this appearance by the Beatles on his show. He persuaded the lads to play a shaggy version of his theme and they oblige!https://youtu.be/bVI7UWa5K3E?si=NFRMvcDR-oPNKDBB

The 50th (!) anniversary of Saturday Night Live has spawned a "biopic" focused on the debut show and the original cast. A fond look back is certainly deserved for Garrett Morris who battled stereotypes (think Chico Escuela and "Beisbol has been bery-bery good to me") to become part of television history. A fine actor and singer, Garrett was initially hired as part of the writing staff, then added to the cast after Lorne Michaels saw his work in Cooley High. After SNL, Garrett didn't enjoy the starring movie and tv roles of some of his colleagues, but he carved out a fine career in supporting roles and he periodically makes live appearance telling jokes and showing off his vocal chops. Garrett is a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame, but he will be forever in our minds shouting the headlines over Chevy Chase's shoulder in the bit "News for the Hearing Impaired." As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Garrett Morris? Garrett didn't get too many solo sketches tossed his way at SNL so he made the most of them, including this bit on the White Guilt Relief Fund. https://youtu.be/JxAoPcZZatY?si=oVegkbGFXtu1-OwL When Steve Harvey welcomed Garrett to Celebrity Family Feud it was time for the master to toss a little playful crap at the student. https://youtu.be/g-H-09zdweY?si=DrihXb1pOJXFgduV Garrett remains a playful presence on screen and in the occasional live show -- telling jokes and singing. Here's a clip from the Catalina Jazz and Blues Club in 2017. https://youtu.be/f8fturBS6xM?si=mBDopchmLgv3zu-N

Meet Margaret Cho who emerged in the 1990s from a difficult childhood in San Francico to become a quadruple threat: stand-up comedian; actress; musician; and activist. In 1994 Margaret became the first Asian American to have her own TV sitcom (All American Girl) and after that was cancelled, she endured a period of drug and alcohol addiction before resurfacing with comedy that was far more pointed and personal. Margaret has also staged a burlesque style revue (The Sensuous Woman) and been a reliable guest star on television shows including HBO hits The Flight Attendant and Hacks. A prolific creator, she has recorded nine comedy albums and hosts two successful podcasts, along with a number of well-received books. As always, find more clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Cho? One of Margaret's earliest major appearances was as part of the Just For Laughs comedy festival. Here's a sample. https://youtu.be/34lLm_gFTEY?si=7ZMcmn0MSio-6Y0j After some rough years following cancellation of her sitcom, Margaret remerged with an act that had much more edge, including the well-received special "The Notorious C.H.O". https://youtu.be/2EkMNnNnYFI?si=G2_4GIzWtLb94eaC Margaret continues to be a draw on the stand-up circuit with a routine that is playful and pointed. https://youtu.be/pyTZ_LGU7QI?si=Nq461hjl0VJh7fb7

A master of improv, sketch comedy, and impressions, Phil Hartman was the "glue" that held Saturday Night Live together in the 1980s and early 90s. He also was part of the Groundlings Improv troupe, helping Paul Reubens develop his Pee Wee Herman show, he was a frequent voice actor on the Simpsons, and he had a juicy role in the hit sitcom Newsradio. And oh yeah, he also was a fine graphic designer with a speciality in designing rock album covers and band logos. We would tell you what he did in his spare time, but it doesn't appear he had any -- he was too busy leaving huge footprints across the landscape of modern American comedy and pop culture. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Hartman? Phil was a member of the Groundlings Improv troupe at the same time as Paul Reubens and was a key player in helping Paul shape his Pee Wee Herman character. Here's Paul and Phil -- I mean Pee Wee and Captain Carl from the original stage show. https://youtu.be/AFyWQTtIqkk?si=fIo_1DEtryQyVeo4 Phil had many standout impressions, but none more timely than Bill Clinton during his Presidency. This classic sketch will have you looking at McDonald's in a whole new way. https://youtu.be/eYt0khR_ej0?si=IcHXNVfMs5LZBZTp Phil's last major role was as arrogant newsman Bill McNeal on the Newsradio sitcom. Here's Phil, as Bill, issuing a rare retraction.https://youtu.be/lipkFJNcKns?si=QA9sBhGXHx1NIXEf

Nate Bargatze's career has taken a rocket ride over the last few years from small comedy clubs to selling out big arenas including the Hollywood Bowl. Nate's comedy is playful and observational, and it's clean to boot, making it easy for radio to feature a cut now and then. Nate's Dad is a performing magician and motivational speaker, so getting up on stage and making people laugh is in the family tree. But Nate has taken fame to a new level, with a number of comedy specials, sold out arena tours, and frequent appearances on late night tv to his credit. Last year he added the credit that comedians crave -- he was asked to host Saturday Night Live. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Nate? The comedy game show @midnight (recently revived) was a showcase for standup's who were asked for quick responses to unusual prompts. This segment on "Florida Man" gives Nate a chance to shine. https://youtu.be/JrGmDagufy8?si=qV3eU2lnbY7TQMSB This clip from Jimmy Fallon is Nate's first big late night spot and he kills with his memories of being in the delivery room for the birth of his first child. https://youtu.be/VcY28eKMM3I?si=jb__q142QS9KB2Yf Nate received great reviews for his hosting stint on Saturday Night Live and his monologue was among the best of the season. https://youtu.be/ED5RX-fou34?si=QznPVfeJyfib8m8O

Meet Richard Lewis, most recently of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but before that a groundbreaking comic considered a key influence on modern humor. From befriending Larry David at summer camp in the early 1960s, Richard might have been expected to have a comic career. He was "discovered" by fellow Legend David Brenner in Greenwich Village where Richard's dark sense of humor was a major hit. Later work included a television starring role (Anything But Love) and movie roles including a key role in the Mel Brooks gem Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Always bracingly honest about his flaws, Richard wrote a best selling memoir and was a frequent talk show guest, especially for David Letterman. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Richard Lewis? Going back to 1981 for this early clip of Richard on the Young Comedian's Special (including an intro by Dick Smothers). https://youtu.be/A-AERjATaMI?si=DjVpkLxctsquSwUy Richard had a fun role in the Mel Brooks film "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" as Prince John, here not really wanting any bad news. https://youtu.be/f_95eB4V2Jg?si=bMMb7Mb4EtxInrs6 Richard was favorite of David Letterman and this is a nice package of some of his finest moments on the show. https://youtu.be/hKqCf2ADRyA?si=laZ4kmgxGxKyI_p2

If you like your comedy with a healthy dose of snarking on celebrities, this week's Legend is right down your alley. Kathy Griffin likes to style herself as a "D-List" comic -- but one completely unafraid to share here thoughts. Coming out of the Groundlings improv company in the 1980s, Kathy rode her quick wit and self-described "potty mouth" to a stellar standup career and her own Bravo reality show (Life on the D-List), as well as several years co-hosting the CNN New Year's Eve show with Anderson Cooper. It all came to a screeching halt when she posted an inflammatory protest against then-President Trump in 2017 but over time she has rebuilt her career. That's great news for her fans, perhaps not so great news for celebrities with egos that need deflating! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Kathy? Kathy was initially a member of The Groundlings, but soon her standup comedy became her calling card. This early bit -- before her full celebrity trashing incarnation -- has a lot of fun and sharp slice of life comedy. https://youtu.be/3jZSDfYcQFE?si=aJPhIVIGfQsM1Ka7 Here's a fun sample of Kathy's standup show just before she started her Bravo show. Definitely NSFW, there is plenty of flame throwing "D-List" observations of "A-List" celebrities!https://youtu.be/JXGH1_3t4sU?si=K2_okjJnt6CDbu0E After being shunned by networks and promoters after her Trump protest, Kathy eventually rebuilt her standup career -- though she picked up PTSD in the process. In true comic fashion she has incorporated some of the mean tweets she received into her act. https://youtu.be/TDA2NPwipgU?si=ifSdgQqIaaqYMHiz

Dave Broadfoot was a stalwart of Canadian comedy for years, from his work with the Royal Canadian Air Farce, to solo tours and well-received books. Part of the secret was that Dave was proudly Canadian in his craft -- he once said he didn't want to do "Americana" comedy -- his roots and humor were strictly north of the border. It showed in his classic characters including hockey legend Bobby Clobber, Sgt. Renfrew of the RCMP, and a clueless member of Parliament from Kicking Horse Pass (and a member of the New Apathetic Party). He did it all with a style that was affectionately irreverent and full of details only a true Canadian would know. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows, eh." Want more Broadfoot? Most of the clips in our show this week comes from this fine collection of the Best of Dave Broadfoot from his days on the Royal Canadian Air Farce -- all of his beloved characters are here so crack open a Molson and enjoy a master of Canadian comedy. https://fb.watch/tXbKsxCC-V/ Dave was a fine standup and a favorite at Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. This is one of his most famous riffs -- looking at the differences between Canadians and Americans. https://youtu.be/MBxLNs1_xhY?si=4gWJmUyYUacOjLoa  

Prepare to get a bit silly as we salute a Python -- Eric Idle! While best known for his stint in Monty Python's Flying Circus, Eric has carved out a fine solo career including creating a stellar Beatles parody (The Rutles), writing the Broadway version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Spamalot), penning books, and touring the world. Oh yeah, he also was the creative force behind Monty Python's Farewell Shows in 2014. Not bad work if you can get it! A Tony and Grammy award winner, Eric shows no signs of slowing down with a new book (Spamalot Diaries) on the way and an accompanying tour. See him while you can -- he's a Legend's Legend. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Idle? One of Eric's best tunes came in Monty Python's Meaning of Life in which Eric explains the galaxy. https://youtu.be/EntOjHJvYtY?si=B0Gvvzcn3gZUSTYa After Python, Eric's first huge project was The Rutles -- a parody of The Beatles that managed to be affectionate and snarky, all at the same time. Plus, it's pretty darned musical as seen in "Ouch" in which Eric's "Dirk McQuickly" takes the lead. https://youtu.be/6VNDZKa3ewE?si=jbHjqubWDrvlyX90 Eric hasn't made too many movies outside of Python, but Nuns on the Run (with Robbie Coltrane) is a perfect fit. Here Eric and Robbie, bank robbers trying to pass as nuns, try to explain the Holy Trinity. https://youtu.be/LBYs__VRqBs?si=-IsRmxqZfmFw7Jqu Eric's song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Live" has become a staple at UK funerals but during this chat with Craig Ferguson, Eric pulls out a somewhat darker companion piece! https://youtu.be/AUhu1CVzYjk?si=lpCsPwZ5icOS0JI9

Bold and bawdy, for a time in the 1970's LaWanda Page was the Queen of Comedy -- at least the type featured on numerous x-rated "party records". From early days as a "Fire Dancer", LaWanda worked the "chitlin' circuit" of clubs in the south, developing her standup act and developing friendships with other comics including Redd Foxx. After issuing a number of naughty albums on the Laff label, LaWanda got a call from Redd asking her to join the cast of his new sitcom Sanford and Son". She said yes, and the producer blew a gasket because her acting skills were at best limited. Redd famously said "if she goes, I go" and the rest is sitcom history. So take yourself back to the days when you would put on certain records "after the kids go to bed" and have a laugh with LaWanda, The Queen of Comedy. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more LaWanda? Most of LaWanda's albums are very NSFW -- though if you want a quick primer in urban slang of the 70s they are a great source. This track is taken from the one mainstream comedy record she did and while the language was toned down, the point was still sharp. https://youtu.be/Evsd1jpiMuQ?si=MzW09WALAqYyVhBn LaWanda's Aunt Esther was a cornerstone of Sanford and Son -- and LaWanda played it to the hilt (as did Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford). Here's some of Aunt Esther's best.https://youtu.be/0ppXVtCoA_E?si=-o_JFFQSPEYLI5fK Here's a time capsule -- it the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Angie Dickinson -- featuring LaWanda as one of the roasters -- only she turned most of her fire on Dino. And dig the 1970s color scheme -- you can feel the shag carpet!https://youtu.be/WjzbQXVywk8?si=PUUwKjxqYzTHXgTV

Sometimes you know someone will be a star just because of their voice. In Carol Kane's case that's true, but she is also a superb comic actress who has been a welcome fixture on tv and movie screens since the early 1970s. While her early dramatic work in "Carnal Knowledge" and "Hester Street (for which she scored an Oscar nomination) was promising, it was" her turn to comedy in the late 1970s that made her a legend. Small but key roles in Gene Wilder's "The World's Greatest Lover" and Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" led to a long run as Andy Kaufman's wife on "Taxi" -- the somewhat ditzy and delightfully eccentric Simka. She followed that up with great roles in "The Princess Bride" and "Scrooged". Since then she has continued with juicy guest spots, most recently playing the upstairs neighbor and landlady Lillian Kaushtupper in the Netflix hit "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt". As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Carol Kane? Carol's big tv break came on Taxi as she played Simka, wife to Andy Kaufman's Latka, and her strange ways and accent captivated audiences. https://youtu.be/tfYnJK8AbU0?si=bXQmhoNoV6S5MYKb Carol had a central role in the Bill Murray film "Scrooged" playing the Ghost of Christmas Passed with just a little naughtiness. https://youtu.be/lKVVQiJ7gKo?si=qXB7RWTGEt6DyYXV Most recently Carol had a juicy role as the upstairs landlady Lillian in the Netflix hit "The Unbreakable Jimmy Schmidt." This feature from CBS News has a fun interview with Carol along with a few highlights from that role. https://youtu.be/rocllq7SS3g?si=ERwuIKpmOwnZmltG

This time out we meet a man who turned a sly wit and mild disposition into a top flight comic acting career -- plus an unlikely and enduring friendship with on of Hollywood's leading tough guy actors. We speak of the great Wally Cox, a midwestern boy who got his career break, as so many did back in the day, on the old Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts show. He parlayed that break into a steady stream of supporting roles in film and on tv, then was cast as junior high school science teacher Robinson J. Peepers in "Mr. Peepers", which was a smash it in the early days of television. While the role typecast him a bit, Wally maintained a full book of roles -- including a cartoon turn as Underdog -- plus frequent appearances on talk, game, and variety shows. He died prematurely at age 48 but not before making a legendary impression. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Wally? Wally's iconic role was as junior high school science teacher Robinson J. Peepers in Mr. Peepers. He was a STEM education God long before we knew there was such a thing!https://youtu.be/9YZ5i3vf77o?si=6YmVfPj9cZtznx6K To a generation born after his Mr. Peepers fame, Wally may be best known by voice, not sight. That's because the voice he provides is that of the cartoon superhero Underdog which Wally played in the mid 1960s. Here's a complete episode from 1964 -- grab a bowl of Sugar Frosted Choco-bombs and your footy pajamas and park yourself in front of the screen, just like old times. https://youtu.be/fhDxSrK5TWw?si=lWhG9APFvMtZkkeJ As with so many character actors of his day, Wally found a ready home for his wit on tv game shows and one of the best was Hollywood Squares where he was a regular for years. Here's an episode from 1971. https://youtu.be/uA1ii8dF3lQ?si=bw0T-3TRwRReceQl

Set the dials of the Wayback Machine for 1973 because the National Lampoon Radio Hour is on the air. In the early 1970s the NatLamp was at the top of the magazine world with content that was outrageous, satirical, and rendered with loving detail. To expand their empire, the 'Poon hired Michael O'Donoghue to create and produce an audio version. With studios located in the Lampoon headquarters in New York, the show featured many writers and performers who would soon go on to create Saturday Night Live and SCTV. The whole thing eventually collapsed because of high production costs and low interest from national sponsored worried about the show's sometimes caustic content. A few attempted reboots have come and gone, but the original is still out there on the internet if you want a taste of the real deal. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more National Lampoon Radio Hour? Perhaps the most played Lampoon cut features Christopher Guest and Bill Murray in Mr. Roberts -- a spot on parody of Mr. Rogers.https://youtu.be/mLxGiXMEbEM?si=s5w5cjXTYl4MbUnz When the Radio Hour debuted it was right smack in the middle of the Watergate scandal. Here's Chevy Chase with the Lampoon's take. https://youtu.be/QvyHl3zMOlQ?si=Fm6ZO__Dns2jhWQV Genre spoofs were big with the Lampoon and this one skewers the then-common ads offering to teach you a valuable skill in just ten days. https://youtu.be/XDg7OI9q6LU?si=_EHMegF6r54JMTix

When Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele teamed up, both brought solid backgrounds including time with Second City and Mad TV. Together, they built a classic sketch comedy show that could make you think and make you laugh. Key & Peele ran for just four seasons, but racked up numerous awards including a Peabody Award for distinguished achievement in media. The secret to Key & Peele's comedy was taking one unusual character or occurrence and slowly, inevitably taking it to more absurd and hilarious levels. Since the show wrapped, Key has gone on to a busy and varied acting career and Peele has become an Oscar-winning director, with a gift for horror films. Citing Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as an example, the duo may come together for the occasional project. But for now they have left us with hundreds of sharp and very funny sketches that remain favorites on YouTube and Comedy Central. As always find extra clips below and thanks for watching our shows. Want more Key & Peele? Key had a breakout moment as President Obama's anger translator Luther. He eventually did the bit with Obama at a White House Correspondent's Dinner, but here's the original with Peele doing a spot-on Obama. https://youtu.be/-qv7k2_lc0M?si=-KsEB4jwV6umR7Gn The first episode of the show set the tone for the series, including this slyly pointed parody of an Ancestry.com commercial. (Sorry for the picture quality on this one). https://youtu.be/_RmtT2R3gIY?si=hcc6mThWpE6uZlAr Key & Peele didn't rely on recurring characters, but they did have some great ones including the Valets, who in this case kill time between parking cars with some overly enthusiastic love for Liam Neeson. https://youtu.be/hhfHu6IHBiI?si=c3qE_-u6yns0x39l Perhaps the show's best loved sketch featured Key as substitute teacher Mr. Garvey, a no-nonsense sort with a bit of a pronunciation problem. https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?si=H3D3CsIl54bPJmGn

Born in Shakespeare's home of Stratford-upon-Avon, Simon Pegg found his fame first as a standup comic, then as a self-described "nerd" starring in the great British science-fiction sitcom "Spaced". From there he has acted with zombies (Shaun of the Dead), marathoners (Run Fatboy Run), Klingons (in the Star Trek reboot), and Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible). Simon also has become a voice actor of some repute with roles in the Ice Age movies and The Chronicles of Narnia. Not bad for a guy who playfully calls himself a "geek"! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Simon Pegg? Simon's first role was in Spaced and he leaned into his "geeky" image for all it was worth.https://youtu.be/egieZjmoCV0?si=1IQ32r2SU_7gnuH2 Simon is a superb standup comic and this 1995 set was part of what led executives to cast him in Spaced. https://youtu.be/MtFNpXlwUU4?si=Qf4BMVejuC5ybKbS Run Fatboy Run showed a softer but still very funny side of Simon as he tries to reform his slothful ways. The bit we excerpt starts about 15 min in. https://youtu.be/W_LB7Sn_HY0?si=JsliTTW2eMy086Tn Simon Pegg has become a favorite talk show guest, especially on James Corden's show, and it's no wonder with stories like these where Simon recounts his goth youth. https://youtu.be/oPfxkQ9xscw?si=MneV_t0XcA4_jJTV  

Cue the rim-shot, because Jack Carter is in the house. Best known as the purveyor of rapid fire jokes in the best Vegas tradition, Jack was also a fine singer, dancer, and actor with numerous stage and screen credits to his name. Early on he claimed a bit of television history as an early host of both the Texaco Star Theater and the Cavalcade of Stars. Those gigs earned him his own show on NBC which was the lead in to Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca's Your Show of Shows. A tireless performer, Jack was a mainstay at the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and on game shows (Password, The Match Game), as well as continuing with stand up appearances well in to his 80s. A comedy historian once referred to Jack's style as 'slick, fast, and furious" -- an apt description and one worthy of a 21 rim shot salute! As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Carter? This is a treat -- Jack's full routine on the Ed Sullivan Show from back in the days when television was in glorious black and white. This is a good intro to Jack's style. https://dai.ly/x2w04mb With a rapid fire style, it's no wonder that Jack was a favorite at the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts -- here he ostensibly roasts Monty Hall, but it's the other panelists who take most of the fire, https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1kx411e7aK/ Jack was a television pioneer and for a while his own variety show was the lead in to Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca's legendary "Your Show of Shows". At a school reunion Jack was called on for some memories those times and he sure delivered. https://youtu.be/DqIbXfTF708?si=Oprzg0A0MBN-D6ke

Meet one of the most charmingly eccentric of our Legends, Judy Tenuta. From a start at Chicago's Second City, Judy created an immediate sensation with her unusual style -- sort of a Far Side cartoon brought to life. In the era of early MTV, that style proved to be perfection and soon Judy could be regularly seen on the small screen. A 1986 Letterman appearance and 1987 HBO special turbocharged her career and she won the American Music Award for best female comic in 1987. Through multiple albums and books, Judy dove into her persona as the "love goddess", wearing an accordion and slinging pointed and sometimes salty jokes. And she was part of "Weird Al" Yankovic's cast for his offbeat kid's show -- you can't get more Legendary that that! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Judy Tenuta? Judy was fearless as a performer -- and sometimes it took audiences a while to catch on -- check out how the response builds to her style during her first Letterman appearance in 1986. https://youtu.be/BEqznn2kEcg? Judy sometimes played a psychic and perhaps she was judging by this clip from the American Comedy Awards back in 1990. It's way ahead of its time!https://youtu.be/R9IigIWiqis?si=SIAJADhu8RVHWfi7 "Weird Al" Yankovic mounted a hilarious (and unfortunately short-lived") Saturday morning kids show (that was really for adults) in 1997 -- and of course Judy was there!https://youtu.be/vdaXddNyP2Q?si=uqrRzCbB47QFOk2w What happens when two niche comedy legends meet? This clip of Judy on the Space Ghost Coast to Coast shows the results! https://youtu.be/b2XzUq3uf8s?si=OPbrzulMJJJ5zItu  

Sometimes pointed, but always playful, Cedric the Entertainer first came to attention as host of BET's Def Comic Jam and Comic View programs. But it was in Spike Lee's classic "Kings of Comedy" that Cedric really got to own the stage, charming audiences with routines that mixed observational humor with some nice pokes at race relations. Cedric reached new heights as the salty Eddie the Barber in the Barbershop movie franchise and he now mixes acting (both comedic and dramatic) with his comedy career. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Cedric? Eddie broke out to the nation in Spike Lee's hilarious Kings of Comedy. Here's a fun routine on why white America supports the space shuttle (and why it won't work out). https://youtu.be/fiTC8GfBFSE? Cedric's iconic role is bound to be that of Eddie in the Barbershop movies. Eddie is sweet and salty, and some of his opinions are just a tad controversial. Here's a fun package of some of Eddie's best. https://youtu.be/zMuRN7w3Wsc?si=KwrUVTJGLDV64VEa Cedric remains a top standup draw some thirty years after his start and it's no wonder -- his recent Netflix special shows him still full of playful charm. https://youtu.be/Qmz5U2Txi9E?si=x2AVEY70Rov3I9L5

Meet "Lonesome" George Gobel who turned a gift for low-key stories and funny songs into a comedy career that lasted over 40 years. George was a pioneer of television comedy, starring in his own show beginning in 1954 and winning an Emmy in the process. George's playful meandering (plus completely clean material) made him a favorite on variety and talk shows, and he became a welcome guest star on sitcoms during the 60s and 70s. Later George could often be seen working the game show circuit and he became a regular on Hollywood Squares. For a guy who's nickname was "Lonesome" he sure seemed to have a lot of friends. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Gobel? George was there in the early days of television and a feature of his show was a monologue, often reference his TV wife -- "Spooky old Alice." https://youtu.be/BJoOKG-laZU?si=uMgkVa-DDw9CJyd0 Here's a real time capsule for you. Set the wayback machine for 1969, set the location for Burbank, and settle yourself in for a bit of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show with George -- PLUS Bob Hope and Dean Martin. https://youtu.be/hLIZPOvQQrE?si=tE-2CeQUMvRbv-Tu George was an influence on other comedians who mixed music and comedy -- especially Victor Borge and Tommy Smothers (who cited George as his motivation when he got into comedy). Here's George on the Smothers Brothers' show in 1968.https://youtu.be/G_jSnpw5RIQ?si=i5cCYl4_ZXB2wIVn

His name may not be as recognizable as other modern comedy titans, but whether for screenwriting (The Graduate, Catch 22?) or tv series creation (Get Smart) or sketch comedy genius (SNL's first five time host), Buck Henry has his fingerprints all over American comedy. Buck's comedy was literate, topical, and often just a little naughty -- a perfect fit for comedy fan's tired of comedy's old-school "joke machines". And for those who like a bit of trivia, Buck got his NY theater start as the faux spokesperson for a (fictional) group advocating for clothing naked animals. Who can't get behind that? Buck remained active well into his 80s, and Tina Fey brought him to a new generation when she cast him as Liz Lemon's dad on 30 Rock. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Buck? Buck's first notable gig was as Clifford Prout, the "spokesperson" of the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals (a creation of prankster Alan Abel). Judging by this British newsreel, Buck succeeded in making the narrator have to guess just how much of a put on it all was. https://youtu.be/qMHPe576mCY?si=QYcdns9d4v38NsFm Early on Saturday Night Live almost always came up with a word or phrase that you couldn't believe they got away with. Here's a case in point from 1980.https://youtu.be/C6XF4RxU7xQ?si=b65ejxQFQokE4Y0O Buck got (and gave) a big boost for SNL when it debuted in 1975 and it was repaid when Tina Fey cast him as Liz Lemon's dad in 30 rock. Here's Buck and the fam meeting Liz's boss (Alec Baldwin). https://youtu.be/9_SBzb_mQOQ?si=urqBSBXJX1vP6Cai

A groundbreaking comic from the 1950s who blended standup skill with sly racial and social commentary, Dick Gregory went on to a career that mixed writing, performing, and social activism for 5 decades. As was common in the 50s, Dick's gift for comedy was discovered by his army buddies. Hugh Hefner gave him his first big career break, filling in for Professor Irwin Corey at the Playboy Club (a gesture that Dick never forgot to acknowledge). From there Dick played top clubs, becoming increasingly political in his approach. In 1968 he ran for President on a "peace" platform, and he became a frequent sight at all manner of movement events, from anti-apartheid to feminism to Native American rights. Dick also became known for his strong commitment to vegetarianism and animal welfare. As always, find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Dick Gregory? Dick Gregory always credited Hugh Hefner for booking him into the Playboy Club at a time when black comics found it hard to get a gig. Here's Dick telling the story at a Hefner roast. https://youtu.be/M5vYNrtGmsk?si=N9gQufZe3fHfjQUg Playing the Hungry I club in San Francisco was a right of passage for topical comics (Mort Sahl! The Smothers Brothers!) so it's no surprise that Dick Gregory was a frequent feature there. https://youtu.be/tg7Pnre__a8?si=ZP1nnGpybxB5SNdB Dick managed to get booked on the top talk shows of the day without compromising his topical material. Here's a bit from the Merv Griffin Show taped during the Watts riots in 1965.https://youtu.be/xRJRMQZ9p84?si=ivyyLfDS36xqMCMo