Comedy History 101

SCTV, MADtv & SNL Stories with Emmy Winning Writer Chris Cluess

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:01:00 -0000

Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Chris Cluess has had a legendary career writing for SCTV Network, Cheers, Night Court, MADtv, and The Simpsons.

Chris shares stories about John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, National Lampoon, and what made the SCTV Network writers’ room so special with John Candy, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, and Joe Flaherty.

We also dive into MADtv, the SNL rivalry, and what it was like watching Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele rise before Key & Peele. A must-listen for fans of comedy history, SCTV, MADtv, SNL, and classic TV comedy.

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Conan O'Brien, Team Coco & Clueless Gamer with Will Becton

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:29:00 -0000

CH101 SELECT: We go inside Team Coco, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and Clueless Gamer with Will Becton.

Will shares his comedic journey from UCB and working on the documentary aka Tommy Chong, to becoming an original member of Team Coco, where he worked the entire run of CONAN on TBS and was the engineer of the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.

Will tells us what its like to be the Zelig of comedy — working alongside such legends as Conan, Andy Richter, Amy Pohler, and Will Ferrell - to operating Jett Road Studios

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Marc Maron Documentary: Are We Good? w/ Producer Julie Seabaugh

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:13:00 -0000

The Marc Maron documentary “Are We Good?” follows the comedian/WTF podcast host as he processes grief while creating some of the most personal stand-up material of his career.

The film features insights from John Mulaney, David Cross, Nate Bargatze, W. Kamau Bell, and Laurie Kilmartin, exploring Maron’s rise from alt-comic to podcast pioneer.

Producer/writer Julie Seabaugh joins CH101 for a deep dive into Maron’s evolution as a comic, the rise of WTF, and how comedians turn personal pain into comedy material on stage.

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The State: MTV's Cult Comedy Sketch Show

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:07:00 -0000

CH101 Reprise: The State was the MTV sketch show that launched the careers of Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Kevin Allison—and several more (the troupe had 11 members).

From dorm-room sketches at NYU to comedy milestones like Reno 911, Stella, Viva Variety, and the cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, The State helped redefine alternative comedy for a generation.

Director Matthew Perniciaro joins CH101 to talk about his new documentary Long Live The State and how this pioneering sketch group shaped the future of alt-comedy.

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Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! w/ Director Michael Bonfiglio

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:01:00 -0000

I talk with Michael Bonfiglio, who, along with Judd Apatow, directed the new HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!.

Michael shares behind-the-scenes stories from Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and Spaceballs, and we explore how Mel Brooks reshaped American comedy.

We also talk about Bonfiglio’s collaborations with Apatow, including co-directing George Carlin’s American Dream, and how Mel Brooks’ influence extends to comedy and filmmaking legends like Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, and even David Lynch.

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Stairway to Stardom: The Greatest Public Access TV Show Ever w/ Mitch Friedman

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:15:00 -0000

Stairway to Stardom was a NYC public access TV show, described in The Onion as "without exaggeration, it was one of the greatest shows ever to be on television."

Airing in the 70s through the early 90s, Stairway to Stardom was YouTube, before YouTube, and has fans ranging from Bjork to the Found Footage Festival.

Performers of very questionable talent, ranging from off-key lounge singers to interpretive dancers, attempted to stairway to stardom – and performed their hearts out – without fear of snark and comment trolls tearing them down.

Archivist Mitch Friedman joins CH101 to explore how the show was nearly lost to history, how he helped save it, and why its' awkward sincerity helped inspire the comedy of Tim & Eric, Adult Swim, and SNL.

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The Daily Show, MST3K, & Joke Farming w/ Elliott Kalan

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0000

Former Daily Show head writer Elliott Kalan (MST3K, The Flop House), Joke Farming) joins CH101 to discuss his new book, Joke Farming, and the nuts-and-bolts behind professional joke writing.

We go inside the Daily Show writers’ room with Jon Stewart, why MST3K once had too many jokes, how comedians write jokes on deadline, why inspiration is overrated, and how audiences complete every joke.

A behind-the-scenes look at joke writing, comedy craft, and how humor helps us make sense of the world.

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Comedy History 101: Best of 2025

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:18:00 -0000

We pulled together the sharpest moments from our 2025 interviews with comedy impresario guests - who shaped modern comedy:

• Larry Charles: Writer and director of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, & Borat
• Kevin McDonald: Founding member of Kids in the Hall
• Ryan Cunningham: Producer of Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer
• Alex Braverman: Director of Thank You Very Much on Andy Kaufman
• Will Becton: Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Team Coco, Clueless Gamer
• Paul Myers: Author of John Candy: A Life in Comedy

• Michael Seth Starr: Author of Rodney Dangerfield: Nothing Comes Easy
• Seth Porges: Director of Class Action Park and the new Santacon documentary

Plus Jean-François Brisson with the Nubian Show and a special Canadian Comedy History 101 recap.

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Broad City and the Comedy of Inclusion

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:42:00 -0000

Reprise Episode: Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer producer Ryan Cunningham and Gold Comedy founder Lynn Harris take us deep into the world of inclusive comedy and comedy as social change.

From behind-the-scenes Broad City stories (yes, that pegging episode) to how diverse voices are reshaping the comedy landscape, we explore why women being “gross” on screen was a cultural breakthrough—and how laughter can be a tool for empowerment, visibility, and social impact.

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Larry Charles: Borat, Seinfeld & Comedy Samurai

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:16:00 -0000

CH101 Reprise: Larry Charles won an Emmy writing for Seinfeld, directed Borat, Brüno, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and has collaborated with Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Bob Dylan .

Larry joins CH101 for some serious comedy inside baseball:

How he helped shape the voice of Seinfeld with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld
The chaos behind Borat's infamous poop-bag dinner scene
What it was really like making subversive comedy with Sacha Baron Cohen

Get the inside scoop on one of comedy's most fearless minds and check out Larry's new book: Comedy Samurai.

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SantaCon w/ Director Seth Porges

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:49:00 -0000

Before SantaCon became the most hated event in NYC history, it began as a San Francisco subversive experiment of fun by the same anarchic collective that spawned Burning Man and inspired Fight Club’s Project Mayhem.

We talk to filmmaker Seth Porges, who has a new documentary about SanCon on how a subversive performance-art happening turned into a worldwide holiday of drunken chaos that’s now belittled by the likes of John Oliver, Colin Jost, Jimmy Fallon and all of NYC.

You might know Seth’s previous HBO Max documentary, Class Action Park, about America’s most dangerous amusement park.

SantaCon premieres at DocNYC, Nov 13th

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Kevin McDonald & Kids in the Hall

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 16:42:00 -0000

CH101 Reprise: Kevin McDonald is best known as a founding member of the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe – Kids in the Hall –which appeared on CBS, HBO, and Comedy Central, and had a revival season aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2022.

Kevin joins CH!01 with tales of KITH, Winnipeg, & comedy in general.

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United States of Comedy w/ Director Habib Yazdi

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0000

We go inside the PBS documentary series United States of Comedy with director Habib Yazdi. The five-part series spotlights diverse voices shaping stand-up comedy across America—capturing the next comedic generation redefining American comedy culture.

Habib shares stories from filming United States of Comedy, as we dive into creative resilience and what unites comedians across America.

WATCH: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/united-states-of-comedy/

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Jimmy Kimmel Live w/ Adam Spiegelman

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:01:00 -0000

As you heard, they yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air - because the Trump administration has declared a War on Comedy. Holy Overton window!

In this reprise episode, we celebrate Jimmy Kimmel Live, and talk to Adam Spiegelman, who was a comedy producer for this iconic late-night talk show.

Adam was at Jimmy Kimmel Live right from the start, and we do a deep dive into producing comedy and comedians for Kimmel, where he brought such comedians as Neil Hamburger, Eddie Pepitone, and Andy Dick to the airwaves.

Adam gives the lowdown of what he looked for when booking standup comedians for the Kimmel show.

Also, remember, boycott parent company Disney, for yanking Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air!

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Comedy Cellar w/ Dave Juskow

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:32:00 -0000

The legendary Comedy Cellar - is the Yankee Stadium of NYC comedy clubs. Founded in 1982, the club has helped launch the careers of Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle, Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, Amy Schumer, Ray Romano...(you get the idea).

In this reprise episode, we talk to comedian Dave Juskow, who is a Comedy Cellar regular and host of the Comedy Cellar Tuesday podcast, on the history of this beloved and iconic club.

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John Candy, SCTV & Second City w/ Author Paul Myers

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Before Hollywood, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and Splash, John Candy was the heart of SCTV and Toronto’s Second City.

Paul Myers, author of John Candy: His Life in Comedy, shares Candy’s comedic rise alongside Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Aykroyd, and Joe Flaherty—and his iconic collaborations with John Hughes and Steve Martin.

Paul also reveals how his brother, Mike Myers, met Candy as a teen—and how Candy encouraged him to start his comedy journey at Second City. Candy’s influence didn’t stop at comedy: he even partnered with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to buy the Toronto Argonauts football team.

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Grease Airplane Rocky Horror Picture Show w/Casting Director Joel Thurm

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:36:00 -0000

Joel Thurm was the casting director for such iconic movies as Airplane, Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well being the head of NBC casting for a solid decade. He is also the author of the new book, Sex, Drugs, and Pilot Season.

We do a deep dive into casting in Hollywood, turning down Tom Cruise and Madonna, and insider stories on Taxi, David Hasselhoff, and what role Bob Hope played in getting Seinfeld on the air.

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Conan O'Brien, Team Coco & Clueless Gamer with Will Becton

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0000

We go inside Team Coco, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and Clueless Gamer with Will Becton.

Will tells us what its like to be the Zelig of comedy — working alongside such legends as Conan, Andy Richter, Amy Pohler, and Will Ferrell - to operating Jett Road Studios

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Andy Kaufman with Director Alex Braverman

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:08:00 -0000

CH101 Reprise: We dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of comedian Andy Kaufman with director Alex Braverman, helmer of the new documentary Thank You Very Much.

The doc explores Kaufman’s legendary career of comedy as performance art, wrestling women, and the high art of confusing audiences. We talk Foreign Man, performance-as-prank, and what it’s like digging through Kaufman’s surreal legacy.

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Johnny Carson: The King of Late Night

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:29:00 -0000

Before there was Fallon, Kimmel, or Colbert — there was Johnny Carson, the undisputed King of Late Night.

We talk with Howard Smith, author of the book, My Friend Johnny, who was Carson's longtime Malibu neighbor, friend, and tennis partner.

Howard pulls back the curtain on Carson’s private world — from secret card games with Steve Martin, Don Rickles, Carl Reiner, and Martin Short, to the personal joke-writing advice Johnny gave Jay Leno.

We also get tales of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Weintraub, and even a Carson monologue name-drop that sent Howard’s high school friends into a frenzy.

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Larry Charles: Borat, Seinfeld & Comedy Samurai

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:35:00 -0000

Larry Charles won an Emmy writing for Seinfeld, directed Borat, Brüno, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and has collaborated with Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Bob Dylan .

Larry joins CH101 for some serious comedy inside baseball:

How he helped shape the voice of Seinfeld with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld
The chaos behind Borat's infamous poop-bag dinner scene
What it was really like making subversive comedy with Sacha Baron Cohen

Get the inside scoop on one of comedy's most fearless minds and check out Larry's new book: Comedy Samurai.

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Arrested Development w/ Writer/Producer Jim Vallely

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:18:00 -0000

CH101 Select: Jim Vallely was a writer/producer on the iconic comedy show: Arrested Development – which earned him an Emmy.

Jim also worked on The Golden Girls, Two and a Half Men, The John Larroquette Show, and got his start on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - with his comedy duo: The Funny Boys.

We do a masterclass deep-dive with Jim on comedy writing, producing, and what it was like having Larry David as a neighbor.

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The State: MTV's Cult Comedy Sketch Show

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:06:00 -0000

The State was the MTV sketch show that launched the careers of Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Kevin Allison—and several more (the troupe had 11 members).

Director Matthew Perniciaro joins CH101 to talk about his new documentary Long Live The State and how this pioneering sketch group shaped the future of alt-comedy.

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CH101 Select: The Mr. Bill Show - SNL Origins with Creator Walter Williams

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:50:00 -0000

Mr. Bill is one of the most iconic characters in the history of Saturday Night Live.

This lovable, unlucky bundle of Play-Doh first appeared in the very first season of SNL as a viewer-submitted Super 8 film—and quickly rose to cult status. At the peak of his fame, Mr. Bill was ranked the third most beloved character on SNL, right behind John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

We talk to Walter Williams, the creator of Mr. Bill, who later became an SNL staff writer. Walter shares behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of SNL, what it was like working with Lorne Michaels, the time Andy Kaufman got his Christmas special bumped, and how Mr. Bill evolved from a $10 homemade short into a fan-favorite SNL sketch series.

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The Def Jam Comedy of Canada: The Nubian Show

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:26:00 -0000

The Nubian Show — created by comedian Kenny Robinson — changed Canadian comedy forever.
The Toronto showcase was the very first comedy show in Canada to feature comedians of color.

Kenny and his monthly showcase at Yuk Yuk’s are also the subject of the new documentary People of Comedy (now streaming on Crave).

The Nubian Show helped launch comedians Russell Peters and Kevin Hart, and has welcomed the likes of Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Jamie Foxx through its doors.

For over 30 years, The Nubian Show has given voice to comics of color, becoming a launchpad for global stars, a stage for fearless material, and a blueprint for what inclusive comedy can look like.

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Broad City and the Comedy of Inclusion

Tue, 27 May 2025 12:16:00 -0000

Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer producer Ryan Cunningham and Gold Comedy founder Lynn Harris take us deep into the world of inclusive comedy and comedy as social change.

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CH101 Select: Just for Laughs w/ Darren Frost

Mon, 19 May 2025 15:07:00 -0000

CH101 Select: Just for Laughs is the largest comedy festival in the world. Based in Montreal, the festival has helped launch the careers of such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Mitch Hedberg, Jimmy Fallon, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, etc...

Last year, the festival was canceled due to bankruptcy, but its back for 2025.

We talk to Darren Frost - a Canadian comedian who started performing at the festival in the mid-90s - on the history of Just for Laughs.

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Rodney Dangerfield w/ Author Michael Seth Starr

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:58:00 -0000

We dive deep into the life and career of the comedian who gets “no respect,” Rodney Dangerfield.

Author Michael Seth Starr joins Comedy History101 to talk about his new biography Nothin’ Comes Easy, revealing how Dangerfield clawed his way back into comedy at age 45, the origins of his famous catchphrase, how he rewrote his persona, and finally got the respect he deserved. From aluminum siding to The Ed Sullivan Show to Caddyshack, we trace the underdog rise of one of comedy’s most iconic voices.

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Andy Kaufman & Thank You Very Much with Director Alex Braverman

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:51:00 -0000

We dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of comedian Andy Kaufman with director Alex Braverman, helmer of the new documentary Thank You Very Much.

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Kevin McDonald & Kids in the Hall

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Kevin McDonald is best known as a founding member of the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe – The Kids in the Hall –which appeared on CBS, HBO, and Comedy Central, and had a revival season aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2022.

Kevin joins CH!01 with tales of KITH, comedy in general, and his upcoming appearance at

The Second City on April 11th & 12th.

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Comedy History 101: Best of 2024

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Comedy History 101 wraps up the year with our best interviews from 2024. Featuring episode excerpts from Arrested Development’s Emmy-winning writer Jim Vallely, Paul Bellini from Kids in the Hall, Joel Thurm – casting director Airplane and Grease, plus histories of The Comedy Cellar, Yuk-Yuks, Moms Mabley with Rhonda Hansome, Sean Cullens, Susan Silver, Stan Zimmerman, directors Brent Hodge, Josh Forbes, Alan Bernstein, and more…

Also, our friend Jean-François Brisson gives a recap of all our Canadian comedy episodes from the year.

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CH101 Select: Chris Farley w/ Director Brent Hodge

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:48:00 -0000

CH101 Select: Chris Farley was one of the most dynamic and beloved comedians to ever grace the stage at both Second City and Saturday Night Live.

And I talk to Brent Hodge, director of the documentary, I Am Chris Farley. We do a deep dive into the life and times of this amazing comedian.

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Gallagher w/ Director Josh Forbes

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:14:00 -0000

We talk to Josh Forbes, director of the new documentary on Gallagher, the comedian known for his signature bit, the Sledge-O-Matic, and his watermelon-smashing antics.

Gallagher was one of the biggest comedians of the 80s and 90s and then drifted off to obscurity. You might remember Gallaher from his infamous WTF episode with Marc Maron - or feuds with his brother: Gallagher Too.

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CH101 Select: Kliph Nesteroff: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:03:00 -0000

CH101 Select: Kliph Nesteroff is one of the leading comedy historians and the author of the new book: Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars.

And we talk about his book, censorship in comedy, how every generation declares that "comedy is over" - and how the old guard often refuses to accept culture shifts in the comedy biz.

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The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0000

A teenage hustler makes his living selling counterfeit tickets at Grateful Dead shows, hawking his fakes on every Shakedown Street around the country.

A cat-and-mouse game ensues between Steven Marcus - the head of Grateful Dead ticketing and this teenage counterfeiter, which comes to a head at a Madison Square Garden Dead show.

But as the heat turns up - an unexpected tragedy puts an end to the game for both of them.

CH101's first audio documentary.

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Trailer: The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 18:12:00 -0000

Trailer For Our Upcoming Audio Documentary: The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

A teenage hustler makes his living selling counterfeit tickets at Grateful Dead shows. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between the head of Grateful Dead ticketing and this teenage counterfeiter. But as the heat turns up - an unexpected tragedy puts an end to the game for both of them.

Dropping this week on iTunes & comedyhistory101.com

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Trailblazing Sitcom Writer Susan Silver

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Susan Silver is a trailblazer in the world of sitcom writing. She began her career on The Mary Tyler Moore Show—during an era when comedy writing was overwhelmingly dominated by men. Starting as a casting director on the iconic show Laugh-In, she went on to write for The Bob Newhart Show, Maude, The Partridge Family, and Square Pegs.

Like a showbiz Zelig, Susan’s path has crossed with icons such as Elvis, Jim Morrison, Lenny Bruce, and Clint Eastwood.

Susan is also the author of Hot Pants in Hollywood, and we deep dive into her comedy history.

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The Comedy Store w/ Joey Camen

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:12:00 -0000

Joey Camen is a Comedy Store OG. He first started performing at the iconic club in Los Angeles in 1974, alongside such up-and-coming comedians as David Letterman, Sam Kinison, Jay Leno, Jim Carrey – and the legendary Richard Pryor.

Joey has appeared on WTF and is also a renowned voice actor who got his start as one of The Smurfs. We dive into his voice work, Comedy Store history, and his Nov 9th solo show at United Solo in NYC.

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Paul Bellini & Kids in the Hall

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Paul Bellini is noted as being the unofficial 6th Kids in the Hall, alongside Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson.

Paul was one of the key writers for the Kids in the Hall's TV series and is also known onscreen as 'the guy in the towel.' Paul was there from the very start, at the legendary sketch group's early Toronto shows, and he gives us a deep dive into his history of Kids in the Hall, his collaboration with Scott Thompson, and the healing power of dark, twisted comedy.

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The Golden Girls & Roseanne w/ Writer Stan Zimmerman

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 11:54:00 -0000

Stan Zimmerman was a writer for The Golden Girls, Roseanne, Gilmore Girls, and the feature film, A Very Brady Sequel. He is also the author of the new book: The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore.

We do a deep-dive on TV comedy writing, pitching, and what it was like working on the Russian version of Roseanne.

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Arrested Development & Golden Girls w/Jim Vallely

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Jim Vallely was a writer/producer on the iconic comedy show: Arrested Development – which earned him an Emmy.

Jim also worked on The Golden Girls, Two and a Half Men, The John Larroquette Show, and got his start on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - with his comedy duo: The Funny Boys.

We do a masterclass deep-dive with Jim on comedy writing, producing, and what it was like having Larry David as a neighbor.

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Grease, Airplane, Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Casting Director Joel Thurm

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:06:00 -0000

Joel Thurm was the casting director for such iconic movies as Airplane, Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well being the head of NBC casting for a solid decade. He is also the author of the new book, Sex, Drugs, and Pilot Season.

We do a deep dive into casting in Hollywood, turning down Tom Cruise and Madonna, and insider stories on Taxi, David Hasselhoff, and what role Bob Hope played in getting Seinfeld on the air.

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Moms Mabley with Rhonda Hansome

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 12:45:00 -0000

Moms Mabley bridged the gap between vaudeville and modern standup comedy. She was the first successful female standup comedian who had a career that spanned over 50 years.

Our guest Rhonda Hansome, who has appeared on SNL, The Arsenio Hall Show, and has performed with Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross, recently portrayed Moms on stage, and we do a deep dive into the history of this iconic comedian

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Ch101 Select: The Kids in the Hall with Paul Myers

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:09:00 -0000

CH101 Select: The Kids in the Hall are one of the most iconic sketch comedy groups in history. We do a deep dive into their origin story with Paul Myers - who knew KITH in their early days.

Paul is the author of The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy, the executive producer of the documentary The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks, as well as the brother to Mike Myers - and he gives insights into what it was like to see the group emerge onto the Toronto comedy scene.

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When We Went MAD: A Documentary of Ecch-ic Proportions!

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:05:00 -0000

MAD Magazine poked fun at everything - and changed the comedy world. And we talk to Alan Bernstein, director of the documentary When We Went MAD. Modern satire, from The Simpsons to The Daily Show was influenced by MAD.

Alan's documentary celebrates the nutty geniuses behind MAD, and features interviews from such fans as Bryan Cranston, Gilbert Gottfried, Judd Apatow, and Quentin Tarantino.

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CH101 Select: 2 Comedians Complain About The Edinburgh Festival

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:50:00 -0000

CH101 Select: The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the biggest performance festival in the world. It takes place during August and has launched the comedy careers of Monty Python, Eddie Izzard, Fleabag - and just about every major comedy figure in the UK. It's where comedians go to get their Beatles' 10,000 hours of Hamburg performing skills.

The Edinburgh Festival is both amazing and soul-crushing at times. And on this CH101 Short, Irish comedian Johnny Candon and I highlight the grueling grind of the festival - that makes you a better performer.

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Comedian Sean Cullen

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:46:00 -0000

Sean Cullen is a Canadian comedian, actor, and author - who you might know from his numerous TV appearances on The Tonight Show, MadTV, The Ellen Show, and with his legendary musical comedy group, Corky and the Juice Pigs.

We do a deep dive into comedy Sean's history, the Canadian comedy scene, and how he had to turn down Lorne Micheals when offered a spot on SNL.

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Jimmy Kimmel Live w/ Adam Spiegelman

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:23:00 -0000

Adam Spiegelman was a comedy producer for Jimmy Kimmel Live. He was there right from the start - and he’s our guest today. Adam gives us a deep dive into producing comedy and

and comedians for this iconic late-night talk show, where he brought such comedians as Neil Hamburger, Eddie Pepitone, and Andy Dick to the airwaves.

Adam gives the lowdown of what he looked for when booking standup comedians for the Kimmel show.

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Comedy Portrait Photographer Dan Dion

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:49:00 -0000

Dan Dion is the world’s most prolific comedian portrait photographer. He has photographed such icons as Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Maria Bamford, Zack Galifianakis…

His work has been exhibited at the Gotham Comedy Club, Montreal’s Just for Laughs, and the Edinburgh Festival – and we are pleased to have him as our guest today on Comedy History 101.

Dan dives deep into his process of photographing the most iconic comedians on the planet.

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Yuk Yuk’s w/ Evan Carter

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:22:00 -0000

Yuk Yuk’s is the cornerstone of Canadian standup comedy. The Toronto club was founded in 1976 and has helped launch the careers of such iconic Canadian comedians as Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel, Russell Peters, and Norm Macdonald.

And we talk to comedian Evan Carter - who was there at the very beginning on the history of this legendary

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Dangerfield's w/ Dave Juskow

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 13:05:00 -0000

Dangerfield’s was a NYC comedy club – named after part-owner Rodney Dangerfield. It opened in 1969 (and closed in 2020) and was plain CREEPY. Dangerfield’s can be seen in the movie, The Joker and the legendary Young Comedian’s special that launched Sam Kinison, Andrew Dice Clay, and Louie Anderson.

And we talk to comedian Dave Juskow about the history of this creepy comedy club.

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CH101 Select: The Harvard Lampoon w/ Michael Small

Thu, 23 May 2024 17:38:00 -0000

CH101 Select; Michael Small was a staff member of The Harvard Lampoon. He is our guest today - on his history at one of the oldest and most prestigious humor magazines in the world. The alumni of The Harvard Lampoon include such icons in comedy as Conan O'Brien, Greg Daniels, Jim Downey, Colin Jost, BJ Novak - and numerous writers for SNL, The Simpsons, Letterman, Curb Your Enthusiasm - as well as almost every known comedy entity in TV and movies.

Be sure to check out Michael's podcast: I Couldn't Throw It Out.

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OJ Simpson's Hidden Camera Prank Show, Juice'd!

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:25:00 -0000

CH101 Select: In 2006, a producer thought it would be a good idea for double-acquitted murderer OJ Simpson's comeback project to be a zany hidden camera prank show called Juice'd. As in, a prank is pulled, OJ Simpson pops out, and goes, "You've been Juiced," at which point the person pranked goes, "HEY, AREN'T YOU THAT GUY WHO MURDERED THOSE PEOPLE?!

And I, Harmon Leon, was hired off an ad on Craigslist to be OJ's funny little sidekick..I pulled hidden camera pranks alongside OJ Simpson. What followed was the worst trainwreck in reality television history.

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Chris Farley w/ Director Brent Hodge

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:31:00 -0000

Chris Farley was one of the most dynamic and beloved comedians to ever grace the stage at both Second City and Saturday Night Live.

And I talk to Brent Hodge, director of the documentary, I Am Chris Farley. We do a deep dive into the life and times of this legendary comedian.

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Jews and Comedy in America with Eddy Portnoy

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:04:00 -0000

Jewish comedians, such as Lenny Bruce, Joan Rivers, Gilbert Gottfried, have always broke norms and challenged taboos of American culture.

We talk to Eddy Portney of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research - historian and curator of the course: Is Anything Okay? The History of Jews and Comedy in America.

We dive into the roots of Jewish humor from the Borscht Belt to modern times.

More at Yivo

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Just for Laughs with Darren Frost

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:40:00 -0000

Just for Laughs is (was) the largest comedy festival in the world. Based in Montreal, the festival has helped launch the careers of such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Mitch Hedberg, Jimmy Fallon, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, etc...

And it was announced last week that this year's festival has been canceled - due to bankruptcy.

We talk to Darren Frost - a Canadian comedian who started performing at the festival in the mid-90s - on the history of Just for Laughs.

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Comedy Cellar with Dave Juskow

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:27:00 -0000

And we talk to comedian Dave Juskow, who is a Comedy Cellar regular - and host of the Comedy Cellar Tuesday podcast, on the history of this beloved club.

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CH101 Select: The Mr. Bill Show with Creator Walter Williams

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:18:00 -0000

CH101 Select: Mr. Bill is one of the most iconic characters in the history of Saturday Night Live.

Mr. Bill got his start in the first season of SNL - as a viewer-submitted Super 8 film. In his heyday, this bundle of Play-Do was the third most beloved character on SNL - right behind John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

And we talk to Walter Williams - the creator of Mr. Bill - who also became a staff writer at SNL.

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The Best of 2023!

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:12:00 -0000

We wrap up the year with a sampling of the best of 2023 Comedy History 101 interviews.

Featuring episode excerpts on Kids in the Hall, Mr. Bill, Comedy Culture Wars, Shemp Howard, Found Footage Festival, the Dublin Comedy Scenes, Michael Richards Infamous Meldown, Last Comic Standing, The Harvard Lampoon, Revenge of the Nerds, and more..

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Writing Jokes for President George W. Bush w/Bruce Cherry

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 23:28:00 -0000

Bruce Cherry is a comedian who wrote jokes and comedy material for George W. Bush and a host of other politicians. And we do a deep dive into the writing process on creating humor for the Commander-in-Chief.

I originally interviewed Bruce for a story I did in Vice.

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Shemp Howard and The Three Stooges

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:14:00 -0000

In the world of The Three Stooges, Shemp Howard deserves more love.

Shemp was the original Stooge who appeared in 76 Stooge shorts. He also virtually saved The Three Stooges, was noted as the Ugliest Man in Hollywood, and is responsible for the phenomenon of 'The Fake Shemps.'

And we talk to Geoff Dale, the only man in history to have written a biography of Shemp Howard, aptly titled: Much More Than a Stooge: Shemp Howard.

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Kliph Nesteroff: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0000

Kliph Nesteroff is one of the leading comedy historians and the author of the new book: Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars.

And we talk about his book, censorship in comedy, how every generations declares that "comedy is over" - and how the old guard often refuses to accept culture shifts in the comedy biz.

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Writing Jokes for President Bill Clinton w/ Mark Katz

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:56:00 -0000

Mark Katz is a former joke writer for President Bill Clinton. He shares stories about writing humor in the White House, writing presidential jokes during a time of impeachment - and his take on which presidents are natural comedians. (Spoiler: Trump does not fit the mold.)

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CH101 Select: Last Comic Standing with Rob Cantrell

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 17:29:45 -0000

A CH101 Select: The iconic TV show Last Comic Standing - ran from 2003 to 2015. It was a reality show, where comedians competed to be, well, the last comic standing. The show helped launch the careers of such comedians as Amy Schumer, Gary Gulman, Nicky Glaser - and our guest today: Rob Cantrell.

Rob was a finalist on Season One of Last Comic Standing - where he lived in a house in the Hollywood Hills with such comedians as Ralphie May, Rich Vos, and Cory Kahaney. Rob tells what it was like to go from obscurity to being on an NBC prime time TV show - as well as tales of the San Francisco comedy scene in the 2000s.

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The Jerry Springer Show Infiltration

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:05:00 -0000

The Jerry Springer Show has the notoriety of being the trashiest of all the trashy daytime talk shows. In 1995, a group of Canadian comedians pranked the Springer Show - and appeared on a segment entitled: My Husband Slept with the Babysitter.

The prank made international news - and inspired many other Jerry Springer infiltrators followed over the years - including yours truly. Our guest today is Canadian comedian, Ian Sirota - who was part of the comedy team that infiltrated the Springer Show - and we share insights on the sleaze that went on behind the scenes.

Here's a link to the story on my Jerry Springer in Vice.

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Celebrity Journalism of the 1980s

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:32:00 -0000

Irate encounters with Bill Murray. Cary Grant at The Friar's Club. Margarita lunches at The Russian Tea Room. This was all part of being a celebrity journalist at People Magazine in the 1980s - for our guest Michael Small.

And check out Michael's podcast: I Couldn't Throw It Out.

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The Harvard Lampoon w/Michael Small

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:43:00 -0000

Michael Small was a staff member of The Harvard Lampoon. He is our guest today - on his history at one of the oldest and most prestigious humor magazines in the world. The alumni of The Harvard Lampoon include such icons in comedy as Conan O'Brien, Greg Daniels, Jim Downey, Colin Jost, BJ Novak - and numerous writers for SNL, The Simpsons, Letterman, Curb Your Enthusiasm - as well as almost every known comedy entity in TV and movies.

Be sure to check out Michael's podcast: I Couldn't Throw It Out.

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Satan Wants You with Directors Steve Adams & Sean Horlor

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:59:04 -0000

I interview the directors behind the new documentary, Satan Wants You - which tells the story how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s was ignited by the book, Michelle Remembers. Find out how the book was used by law enforcement to convict innocent people - and was later determined to be a complete hoax.

The episode I produced for 99 Percent Invisible, mentioned in our show, can be found at: 99percentinvisible.org/episode/devil-in-the-details

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Found Footage Festival and Chop & Steele

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:59:47 -0000

I talk to Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher curators of the Found Footage Festival - on their love of found videos, infiltrating TV shows, sabotaging America's Got Talent, and their new documentary, Chop & Steele. Learn how posing as a strongman duo landed Joe and Nick in a major lawsuit and what was the reaction when they peed in their pants in front of Howie Mandal, Simon Cowell, and Scary Spice on NBC TV.

More at: foundfootagefest.com

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Grateful Dead Ticketing Office: PART TWO

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:44:00 -0000

More Grateful Dead stories? We talk to Frankie Accardi-Peri who co-managed Grateful Dead ticket sales from 1984- 1995- and she has some Dead insider stories to tell. This is a companion episode to my interview with Steven Marcus who was the Dead's ticketing head honcho.

My interview with Frankie was part of research for a fiction script I wrote for the podcast Paperless - and my episode entitled: Blinkers. Check it out: https://shows.acast.com/paperless/episodes/blinkers

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Mad Magazine with Former Editor Joe Raiola

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:17:00 -0000

Joe Raiola was a writer and editor of Mad magazine for 33 years. And he has some stories to tell on how Mad shaped comedy in America - and whose voice resonates through such entities as The Onion, The Daily Show, The Simpsons - and beyond.

Take time to 'like,' subscribe, and comment on ComedyHistory 101.

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CH101 Short: 2 Comedians Complain about the Edinburgh Festival

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:38:00 -0000

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the biggest performance festival in world. It takes place during the month of August and has launched the comedy careers of Monty Python, Eddie Izzard, Fleabag - and just about every major comedy figure in the UK. Its where comedians go to get their Beatles 10,000 hours of Hamburg performing skills.

The Edinburgh Festival is both amazing and soul-crushing at times. And on this CH101 Short, Irish comedian Johnny Candon and I highlight the grueling grind of the festival - that makes you a better performer.

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Revenge of the Nerds with Wormser aka Andrew Cassese

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:55:00 -0000

Revenge of the Nerds is one of the classic comedies of the 1980s. And we talk to Andrew Cassese who played child-genius: Wormser in the movie.

Revenge of the Nerds featured early roles from such actors as John Goodman, James Cromwell, Anthony Edwards - and Andrew tells us some behind the scenes antics of what it was like to be an onscreen members of the Lamda Lamda Lamda fraternity.

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Seinfeld's Michael Richards Infamous Meltdown with Freddy Lockhart

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 13:51:00 -0000

Comedian Freddy Lockhart has the notoriety of being the very last person to EVER bring up Seinfeld's Michael Richard on stage as a comedian - the night he had his infamous meltdown at the Laugh Factory. Freddy was also there, at the Comedy Store - the night Joe Rogan confronted Carlos Mencia on stage for being a joke thief.

Freddy shares these tales & his recent experience taking on an A.I. in a comedy roast battle - at our recent ComedyBytes show at The Ice House in Los Angeles.

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CH101 Select: Comedy Central Origin Story

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:22:49 -0000

Reprise: Our guest is Art Bell; the man who pitched the idea that became Comedy Central. Art was also the head of programming at the network.

We do a deep dive into the origin of such iconic shows as Mystery Science Theater 3000, South Park, The Daily Show - and talk about the early careers of Jon Stewart, Marc Maron, and Bill Maher.

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The Mr. Bill Show with Walter Williams

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 13:09:00 -0000

Mr. Bill is one of the most iconic characters in the history of Saturday Night Live. He got his start in the first season of SNL - as a viewer submitted Super 8 film. In his heyday, this bundle of Play-Do was the third most beloved character on SNL - right behind John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

And we are talking to Walter Williams - the creator of Mr. Bill - who also become a staff writer at SNL.

Please, like, subscribe, and comment on Comedy History101.

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History of Irish Stand Up Comedy with Johnny Candon

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:04:00 -0000

Some of the best comedians in the world come from Ireland. We're talking your Dylan Morans, your Ardal O'Hanlons, your Tommy Tiernans - and just about every comedian you've seen on the TV show: Father Ted. And we have Irish comedian Johnny Candon - who joins us to give a brief history of stand up comedy on the Emerald Isle - whose modern day roots begin at a venue called The Comedy Cellar, upstairs at the International Bar.

Like, subscribe, and comment on Comedy History101...

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The Wolf of Wall Street with Jordan Belfort

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:01:00 -0000

I talk to Jordan Belfort - the man whose life story was told onscreen in the Martin Scorsese movie: The Wolf of Wall Street (as well as in the movie: The Boiler Room) - where he was portrayed on screen by Leonardo DiCaprio.

We dive into the history of The Wolf Wall Street - as well as what it was like to share a jail cell with legendary comedian Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong.

Take time to 'like," subscribe, and comment on Comedy History101.

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The Kids in the Hall with Paul Myers

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0000

The Kids in the Hall are one of the most iconic sketch comedy groups in history. And we do a deep dive into their origin story with Paul Myers - who knew KITH in their early days.

Paul is the author of The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy, the executive producer of the documentary The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks, as well a the brother to Mike Myers - and he gives insights into what it was like to see the group emerge onto the Toronto comedy scene.

Also, take time to 'like,' subscribe and comment on Comedy History101

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CH101 Select: Rick Overton and Set List

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 17:07:00 -0000

Legendary comedian Rick Overton joins us to talk comedy. Rick's IMDB page is the size of a phone book; and includes Beverly Hills Cop, playing Matt Damon's boss in Steven Soderbergh's, The Informant! - and Showtime's: I'm Dying Up Here.

We do a deep dive into Rick's comedy origin story - spanning back to his jazz musician father who played with Thelonious Monk.

Like, subscribe and comment on Comedy History101 - where ever you get your podcasts.

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Last Comic Standing with Rob Cantrell

Thu, 25 May 2023 16:03:00 -0000

The iconic TV show Last Comic Standing - ran from 2003 to 2015. It was a reality show, where comedians competed to be, well, the last comic standing. The show helped launch the careers of such comedians as Amy Schumer, Gary Gulman, Nicky Glaser - and our guest today: Rob Cantrell.

Take some time to like, subscribe and comment on Comedy History101

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CH101 Select: Wayne Federman and the History of Stand Up Comedy

Fri, 19 May 2023 18:15:00 -0000

Our special guest is Wayne Federman author of the new book: The History of Stand-Up: From Mark Twain to Dave Chappelle.

Wayne's impressive creds include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Larry Sanders Show, Silicon Valley - as well as head monologue writer for The Tonight Show. We do some serious deep cuts into the history of stand-up comedy.

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Jackie Mason & Caddyshack 2

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:49:31 -0000

As a tribute to the great Jackie Mason - who passed away this weekend - we have a reprise of our episode on Caddyshack 2. Jackie starred in the movie - which has the notoriety of being the worst sequel OF ALL TIME! Jackie took on the Rodney Dangerfield role for the movie - in this classic battle of the snobs vs. the slobs, (Spoiler Alert: The slobs win in the end!)

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Rick Overton and Set List

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 16:03:00 -0000

Legendary comedian Rick Overton joins us to talk comedy. Rick's IMDB page is the size of a phone book; which includes Beverly Hills Cop, playing Matt Damon's boss in Steven Soderbergh's, The Informant! - to Showtime's: I'm Dying Up Here.

Rick also has a new comedy special, out called: Rick Overton's Set List.

We do a deep dive into Rick's comedy origin story - spanning back to his jazz musician father who played with Thelonious Monk.

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CH101 Select: Abbie Hoffman and The Second City

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 16:40:00 -0000

From the archives: Sasha Baron Cohen plays activist Abbie Hoffman in the Netflix film, The Trial of the Chicago 7.

As seen in the film, by day, Hoffman was in the courtroom - fighting conspiracy charges. By night, he would regularly perform at The Second City. Hoffman's stage appearance marked a transition at the theater - from a bunch of squares doing sketches; to progressive radicals that changed the face of comedy; marked by the addition of Harold Ramis as a cast member.

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CH101 Select: Comedy After 9/11

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:28:00 -0000

To bookend the pandemic, we have a CH101 reprise on comedy helping to deal with tragic events.

We look at comedy right directly after 9/11. They said irony was dead - but comedy help us pull through tragedy - especially with The Onion, SNL, Letterman, The Daily Show, and Gilbert Gottfried's legendary joke at the Friar's Club Roast.

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Comedy Central's Origin Story

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:30:00 -0000

Our guest is Art Bell; the man who pitched the idea that became Comedy Central. Art was also the head of programming at the network.

We do a deep dive into the origin of such iconic shows as Mystery Science Theater 3000, South Park, The Daily Show - and talk about the early careers of Jon Stewart, Marc Maron, and Bill Maher.

Art also has a new book out: Constant Comedy: How I Started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor.

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CH101 Select: Obama's Joke Writer: David Litt

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:55:00 -0000

From the archives: I talk to David Litt- former head joke writer for President Obama. We dive into what made Obama funny in the Oval Office; and contrast that to Trump's vastly different sense of presidential humor. (Trump's humor wheelhouse: mocking a disabled reporter and making fun of a sexual assault victim.)

You might also know David Litt from his recent appearance on Newsmax - where he was booked to discuss Elon Musk hosting SNL_ but instead blasted the network for spreading election fraud lies.

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CH101 Select: Dick Gregory: From Comedian to Activist

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 16:35:00 -0000

From the archives: In 1961, Dick Gregory was the first African American comedian to headline a white club.

A pioneer in the world of stand-up comedy, Gregory's material mocked the bigotry and racism of the time. Gregory is equally known for his activism as well as his comedy. He's one of the most influential comedians in comedy history; inspiring the likes of Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Rock.

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Wayne Federman and the History of Stand Up Comedy

Fri, 14 May 2021 19:04:00 -0000

Our special guest is Wayne Federman author of the new book: The History of Stand-Up: From Mark Twain to Dave Chappelle. Wayne's impressive creds include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Larry Sanders Show, Silicon Valley - as well

as head monologue writer for The Tonight Show. We do some serious deep cuts into the history of stand-up comedy.

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CH101 Select: Comedians, The Mob, and the Copacabana

Fri, 07 May 2021 22:10:10 -0000

From Our Archives: Remember in Goodfellas when mobster Henry Hill took his date, Karen, to The Copacabana? That was pretty true to form. The mob actually owned the legendary club. We saw this recently in the movie The Irishman - when Don Rickles was on stage performing for Crazy Joe Gallo.

We dive into the mob’s connection with The Copacabana - where you’ll learn such interesting tidbits as what happened to comedian Allan Drake’s wife when she had an affair with a mobster. Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t end well…

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CH101 Select: Slipping on a Banana Peel

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 14:46:00 -0000

From the Archives: Since the beginning of the 20th century, slipping on a banana peel has been a comedy trope. We’ve seen such legendary silent comedians as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy - all do a variation of the slipping on a banana peel gag.

But how did the “slipping on a banana peel” gag come into our lexicon? And why don’t we see people slipping on banana peels in 2021? Listen on....

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(Pt 4) John Belushi: The Sad Final Years

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:29:00 -0000

We conclude our 4-part series on John Belushi - with his sad final years. This involves the film disaster, Neighbors - and what happened the night he died at the Chateau Marmont.

Ending on a good note - Belushi is ranked #1 by Rolling Stone - as the best sketch performer on SNL. He also has an Albanian stamp with his likeness.

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(PT 3) John Belushi: Making of the Blues Brothers

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:52:00 -0000

The Blues Brothers is one of the most iconic screen comedies of all time. The movie held the record for the amount of cars destroyed - and actually had a budget for cocaine. That's why production was a nightmare - largely due to John Belushi and his proclivity for drugs.

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(PT 2) History of John Belushi: SNL Years

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 16:41:00 -0000

John Belushi, at the height of his fame - was on top-rated TV show, SNL, had the #1 movie with Animal House, and had the #1 album with his band, the Blues Brothers. Belushi created

iconic comedy characters while on SNL - but backstage, he was kind of turning into a mess. We cover all this and more in Part 2 - of the History of John Belushi.

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History of John Belushi: The Early Days

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:01:00 -0000

In this episode we cover the John Belushi origin story. From his early days growing up in Wheaton, IL - to his stint in Second City and starring in National Lampoon's Lemmings. Plus, all the other theatrical twists-and-turns Belushi took before being cast on SNL - and changing the face of comedy.

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CH101 Select: History of Trump Attempting to be Funny

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:00:00 -0000

In celebration of the end of a shitshow era - we bring this CH!01 Select: From mocking a disabled reporter to making fun of a sexual assault victim - Donald J. Trump has proven there is a vastly different sense of presidential humor coming from the White House. I interviewed David Litt - head joke writer for President Obama - for a story in the NY Observer, to get his take on Trump as a purveyor of jokes and humor. We discuss his insights and the history of humor coming from the White House.

Trump is no comedian. But I’m sure he’d claim to be the funniest president in history – EVER!

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(PT 2) History of Richard Pryor, The Black Panthers, and Berkeley

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:13:00 -0000

Part Two of our episode on the Richard Pryor comedy origin story. We cover his time underground in Berkeley, CA and discovering his true comedic voice.

We also talk about the time that Richard Pryor guest starred on The Partridge Family.

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History of Richard Pryor, The Black Panthers, and Berkeley

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:47:00 -0000

In the early 60s, Richard Pryor was a clean cut, mainstream comedian who appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Then he had a meltdown in Las Vegas. Retreating from showbiz, he moved to Berkeley, California and began hanging out with The Black Panthers, the counterculture movement, and African American intellectuals. The experience changed the face of Richard Pryor's comedy.

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History of Freddie Prinze

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:18:00 -0000

Showtime has a new series on the History of the Comedy Store. Comedian Freddie Prinze was the first big breakout star of The Store. At 19, he appeared on The Tonight Show - and shortly after he got his own sitcom, Chico and the Man.

Prinze seemed to have everything in the world. But it was all too much, too fast for Freddie Prinze...

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History of Sasha Baron Cohen and Borat

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:37:00 -0000

Sasha Baron Cohen is back - with his new movie: Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm. This time the confused Kazakhstan journalist takes on the pandemic and Trump America.

In this episode we dive into both the Borat and Sasha Baron Cohen origin story. Where did they both come from and how did they get here? From the early days performing in the Cambridge Footlights - to international stardom and duping international ass-clown Rudy Giuliani - we cover it all.

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History of Abbie Hoffman and The Second City Theater

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 17:45:00 -0000

Sasha Baron Cohen plays activist Abbie Hoffman in the new Netflix film, The Trial of the Chicago 7.

As seen in the film, by day, Hoffman was in the courtroom - fighting conspiracy charges. By night, he would regularly perform at The Second City theater. Hoffman's stage appearance marked a transition at the theater - from a bunch of squares doing sketches; to progressive radicals that changed the face of comedy; marked by the addition of Harold Ramis as a cast member.

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CH101 Select: History of The Comedy Store Strike

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 14:32:00 -0000

Showtime has a new documentary series on the legendary Comedy Store in Las Angeles.

That's why we're bringing back a CH101 Select on the history of the 1979 Comedy Store strike - which was lead by comedians David Letterman, Tom Dressen, and Jay Leno.It was a pinnacle moment in comedy history, when comedians walked out of the Comedy Store and demanded that they get paid for performing; changing the face of modern comedy history.

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Ch101 Select: History of the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 15:45:00 -0000

What a week. Within the last seven days, Trump's tax returns have been revealed, there was an unhinged presidential debate, and now the president has tested positive for coronavirus - after spending months mocking people who wear masks. But back in 2011, Comedy Central decided to send up Trump in a televised roasts. Trump only agreed to doing the roast if jokes about his hair, bankruptcies, and assumed wealth were made off-limits. it was a major joke among the roasters that Trump would consider running for president. Now look where that joke has taken us.

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History of Pepe the Frog

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 18:17:00 -0000

In 2005, Pepe the Frog was created by cartoonist Matt Furie And then his lovable creation got coopted by the alt-right. Ugh! Coinciding with the release of the new documentary, Feels Good Man - we chronicle the crazed, insane journey of Pepe the Frog.

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CH101 Select: History of XXX Party Records

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:09:00 -0000

Party Records were albums that people would play at night after the kids went to bed. Known for its XXX humor - Party Records helped launch the careers of Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, LaWanda Page, Skillet & Leroy, and numerous other classic comedians. You couldn't find these albums on the shelves at record stores; they were sold under the counter in paper bags.

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History of the Animal House Sitcom

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:27:00 -0000

Animal House starred John Belushi - and was a game changer in movie history. So less than a year after its release, ABC tried to cash in on the film's success with the sitcom: Delta House.

Despite having some of the original cast members, and episodes written by the likes of John Hughes, Harold Ramis, and Doug Kenney - the show was a huge flop. It featured a laugh track, Josh Mostel filling in for Belushi, and not an ounce of raunchy humor - which made Animal House a success.

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History of The Chevy Chase Show

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 14:37:00 -0000

The Chevy Chase Show premiered in 1993. It starred Chevy Chase - and was FOX's talk show answer to The Late Show with David Letterman.

The former SNL star looked lost, uncomfortable, and out of his element. Not only did the show only last 5 weeks - but this late night disaster is also ranked as the one of the worst TV shows of all time.

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CH101 Select: History of the Comedy Store Condo

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 15:11:00 -0000

From the archives: The Comedy Store in Los Angeles is home to a zillion famous (and not so famous) comedians. The condo, directly behind The Store - was literally home to numerous comedians who went on to change the face of comedy. Sam Kinison, Andrew Dice Clay, Robin Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Marc Maron, and more...

This comedy frat house was both a humor incubator and a dark den of drugs and destruction.

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History of the Blazing Saddles Sitcom

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:20:00 -0000

In 1975, Warner Brothers filmed a sitcom spinoff of the hit movie, Blazing Saddles, called: Black Bart.

The sitcom starred Lou Gossett Jr., featured pale imitations of the original cast, and had a canned laugh track. The only reason Warner Bros filmed the sitcom was due to a clause in Mel Brooks' contract - with the intent of producing a Blazing Saddles film franchise. Four seasons were filmed - and it was never meant to see the light of day.

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History of the Unknown Comic

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 17:03:00 -0000

The Unknown Comic skyrocketed to fame - from his appearances on The Gong Show in the 70's. His schtick was to perform with a paper bag on his head - and rattle off a series of paper bag-related puns.

But did you know that Murray Langston - the man behind the bag - got his start on Laugh-In and was a series regular on the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour? Well, he was.

In this episode, we'll dive into the Unknown Comic origin story -and how the paper bag on his head came to be...

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CH101 Select: History of George Martin & The Beatles

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 17:42:00 -0000

Yes, the man behind creating the soundscape for A Day in the Life - also produced comedy albums for Peter Sellers, The Goon Show, and Beyond the Fringe (featuring Dudley Moore). Producing comedy is where Martin learned his chops to produce such Beatles classics as Strawberry Fields Forever.

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History of Carl Reiner

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 16:42:00 -0000

Let’s salute Carl Reiner! The comedy legend passed away this week at the age of 98. Here’s a man responsible for kickstarting the film career of Steve Martin, was a comedy partner of Mel Brooks, and created the iconic television sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show.

It doesn’t get anymore comedy legend than the work of Carl Reiner!

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History of Dick Gregory: From Comedian to Activist

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:31:00 -0000

In 1961, Dick Gregory was the first African American comedian to perform at a white club.

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History of Fred Willard

Wed, 20 May 2020 14:09:00 -0000

Fred Willard was a true comedy legend. Not only did he appear in the classic Christopher Guest mockumentaries - but he also got his start at Second City in Chicago and was a member of a comedy team that was featured on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and Get Smart.

As a tribute to the great Fred Willard - we dive into his comedy history that spanned decades.

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History of Comedy After 9/11

Sat, 02 May 2020 16:59:00 -0000

Needless to say, we are currently living through a crisis. But we know that laughter is the best medicine - and comedy will help us prevail.

It’s helped us in the past - in dealing with tragic events.

This episode, we look at comedy right directly after 9/11. They said irony was dead - but comedy help us pull through tragedy - especially with The Onion, SNL, Letterman, The Daily Show, and Gilbert Gottfried's legendary joke at the Friar's Club Roast.

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History of Sam KInison & the Texas Outlaw Comics

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 17:28:58 -0000

We dive into the Sam Kinison origin story - and his role as a member of the Texas Outlaw Comics in Houston, Texas during the mid-1980s..

Kinison was a former preacher who turned to stand up comedy. During his Houston years, Kinison found his comedy voice - working alongside

another future comedy legend: Bill Hicks.

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History of Bill Hicks & the Texas Outlaw Comics

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 17:11:00 -0000

The Texas Outlaw Comics were a group of comedians based in Houston that formed at the Comedy Workshop in the mid-1980s. This collective of

like-minded comedians became an incubator of a unique style of comedy - that brought the world such legends as Bill Hicks and Sam Kinison.

In Part One, we'll dive into the Bill Hicks origin story; from clean-cut suburban kid - to full-blown Texas comedy outlaw.

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History of Yakov Smirnoff

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 16:34:00 -0000

Yakov Smirnoff is a comedian from Russia. He's known for his catchphrase: "What a country."

Yakov's comic persona was of a naive immigrant who was perpetually confused and delighted by life in the United States.

And then came the fall of the former Soviet Union. What happened to Yakov's career? We have a surprise twist that will make you say....what a country!

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CH101 Select: History of Gallows Humor

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 23:02:04 -0000

From the archives: Gallows humor is witticism in the face of – and in response to – a hopeless, tragic, or deathly situation. Gallows humor is typically made by or about the victim of such a situation. In this episode of CH!01 - we actually chart gallows humor - made by people in history right before they’re about to be executed.

Yes, gallows humor on the gallows.

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History of Spuds MacKenzie: The Original Party Animal

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 13:56:00 -0000

Spuds MacKenzie was the original party animal - that women adored. The fictional dog made his debut in a Bud Light beer commercial during the Super Bowl in 1987.

Spuds appeared in a series of commercials and became a marketing sensation. The premise of every ad: once Spuds arrived, the party could really begin. And there was the Spudettes, of course. Long after the ads dried up, Spuds MacKenzie lives on in our pop culture through references on The Simpsons and The Family Guy.

Let's hear it for the “Ayatollah of Partyollah!”

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History of Fake Charlie Chaplins

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 17:33:00 -0000

When Charlie Chaplin hit the silver screen - the country suffered from a case of ‘Chaplinitis’. Audiences couldn’t enough of his films - so in 1917 a fake Charlie Chaplin, named Billy West, popped onto the scene. West stole Chaplin’s character and starred in 24 films - as a “tramp” character.

Yes, being a hack was even a thing back in old-timey days.

We also explore other comedians who tried to rip-off Charlie Chaplin - such as in 1920: Charlie Aplin.

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History of Where's the Beef?

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:55:00 -0000

"Where's the beef?" became the legendary commercial catchphrase for Wendy's.

Back in 1984, the ad starred cantankerous old lady, Clara Peller, who uttered: "Where's the beef?" The commercial skyrocketed 81-year old Keller to fame - and the catchphrase is now in our pop culture lexicon. But things didn't go smooth with Keller and Wendy's - she was eventually fired from the ad campaign appearing in a Prego's commercial that broke her contract.

Still: Where's the beef?

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History of Yo Mama Jokes

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 15:31:00 -0000

Yo Mama jokes are a comedic staple. But did you know Yo Mama jokes date all the way back to ancient Babylon? Making fun of one’s mother was also mentioned in the Bible - and Shakespeare even utilized this comedy device.

We also dive into the history of The Dozens - an interactive insult game - where participants try to one up each other - and saw the rise of Yo Mama jokes.

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CH101 Select: History of SCTV

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 19:38:00 -0000

From the archives: We dive into the history behind the legendary sketch comedy show: SCTV.

Learn how SCTV was an offshoot of the original Toronto company of Second City - and find out more about the original SCTV cast that consisted of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, and Dave Thomas.

Hear what about our favorite episodes - and learn the meaning behind, "Crane shot!"

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History of Mother-In-Law Jokes

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:09:00 -0000

Mother-in-law jokes were big back in the era of Mad Men and the ‘50s. The joke genre was once a mainstay for stand up comedians. The premise includes the stereotype that mothers-in-law are generally overbearing, obnoxious, and unattractive.

What’s the historical origins of mother-In-law jokes - and what change in society led to their demise?

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History of Comedians, The Mob, and The Copacabana

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 19:18:00 -0000

Remember in Goodfellas when mobster Henry Hill took his date, Karen, to The Copacabana? That was pretty true to form. The mob actually owned the legendary club. We saw this recently in the movie The Irishman - when Don Rickles was on stage performing for Crazy Joe Gallo.

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CH101 Select: History of the Comedy Straight Man

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 22:14:00 -0000

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History of Don Rickles, The Irishman, and The Mob

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 19:23:00 -0000

Have you seen The Irishman? There’s a scene where Don Rickles (played by comedian Jim Norton) is performing at the Copacabana for mobster, Crazy Joe Gallo - on the night he was gunned down. The incident is pretty true. And Don Rickles, much like other comedians of that era, had a history of working at clubs owned by the mob.

We jumped into Don Rickles history with the mob - that eventually led him to a role in Scorsese’s Mob film: Casino

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History of the World's Oldest Jokes

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 15:45:26 -0000

The oldest recorded joke in the world - dates back to 2,300 BC. It’s attributed to the Sumerians, Back in those old-timey days - fart jokes were all the rage. Go figure.

In this episode, we dive into several of the world’s oldest jokes - to see what was making ancient people laugh.

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CH101 Select: HIstory of Moms Mabley

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:46:32 -0000

From the archives: The history of Moms Mabley, who was the first successful female standup comedian and had a career that spanned over 50 years. Moms bridged the gap between vaudeville and modern stand up comedy. She was also the first woman comic to play the Apollo theater and Carnegie Hall in 1962.

Moms influenced the style of comedy legends Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Whoopie Goldberg, and Eddie Murphy -who modeled the grandma character in Nutty Professor after her.

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History of Gallows Humor

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:59:00 -0000

Gallows humor is witticism in the face of – and in response to – a hopeless, tragic, or deathly situation. Gallows humor is typically made by or about the victim of such a situation. In this episode of CH!01 - we actually chart gallows humor - made by people in history right before they’re about to be executed.

Yes, gallows humor on the gallows.

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(Pt 2) History of Dolemite

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 14:48:00 -0000

We continue our history of: Dolemite. Eddie Murphy has a new Netflix bio-pic on comedian Rudy Ray Moore - and the making of the movie Dolemite. The movie was made for $100,000 in 1974- and in this episode we cover everything that went wrong during production; including a drunk director, hiring a real-life junky, and basically filming without permits.

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(Pt1) History of Dolemite

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 18:32:00 -0000

“Dolemite is my name and f*cking up motherf*ckers is my game!” says Dolemite - the comedy creation of Rudy Ray Moore.

There’s a new Netflix bio-pic coming out on Rudy Ray Moore called: Dolemite is My Name. It stars Eddie Murphy - and chronicles how Moore went DYI and produced the movie: Dolemite. In this episode we dive into the early days of Rudy Ray Moore, producing XXX Party Records - to the Dolemite origin story.

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History of Here Comes the Judge: Comedy's First Meme

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:17:00 -0000

Here Comes the Judge is a 1968 song by legendary comedian Pigmeat Markham. It become one of comedy’s first memes when Sammy David Jr. made it a catchphrase on the TV show: Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In.

The song, and Laugh In comedy sketch, became so huge - that 4 other versions of Here Come the Judge were released in the same year - all them making the charts. (The most famous by Shorty Long.)

Here Comes the Judge - also inspired the Baskin-Robbins flavor: Here Comes the Fudge.

Find out more about one of comedy’s first memes - long before there was the Internet.

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History of SNL Firing Cast Members

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 13:30:00 -0000

This week, Saturday Night Live fired new cast member, Shane Gillis. Turns out he made racist comments on podcasts.

Ugh!

But there’s been numerous famous comedians who have been fired by SNL over the years. Adam Sandler. Fired! Chris Rock. Fired! Sarah Silverman. Fired! Not to mention, Norm Macdonald, Damon Wayons, Rob Riggle, Chris Farley, and of course, Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr….ALL FIRED!

In this episode of CH101 - we cover all the performers who have been fired by SNL over the years.

More at ComedyHistory101.com

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History of Monty Python's German Episodes

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:32:00 -0000

In 1971, the legendary comedy troupe, Monty Python, went to Germany to film two episodes of: Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus.

The Pythons were reluctant to do the episodes - largely because they had to do the shows..in German. The only problem was - none of the members of Monty Python could speak German. The Pythons had to phonetically learn the scripts - to appear like they knew German - to very mixed results.

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History of Traveling Salesman/Farmer's Daughter Jokes

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 12:23:00 -0000

Traveling salesman and farmer’s daughter jokes - are the product of a bygone era. When these two joke genres collide, it involves a farmer, his daughter, and a salesman who is stranded in the country. Without fail, the salesman is warned to stay away from the daughter. Comedy ensues.

Believe it or not - this joke has its origins in 13th century Iceland.. We give you the full traveling salesman/farmer’s daughter scoop in this episode.

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CH101 Select: History of CADDYSHACK 2 - THE WORST SEQUEL EVER!

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 06:00:00 -0000

In this CH101 Select - we dissect Caddyshack 2 - which is the worst comedy movie sequel OF ALL TIME!

Sure, it's still a classic battle of the snobs vs. the slobs, but Caddyshack 2 has none of the charm of the original Caddyshack. And none of the original cast (except for a cameo by Chevy Chase). But what it lacks in all those other areas, the movie makes up with Dan Aykroyd in the most embarrassing supporting role in history.

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CH101 Select: History of Devo

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 06:00:00 -0000

We explore the comedy history behind the band DEVO - one of the funniest music groups of all time.

DEVO first described their music as bombs dropping mixed with Alka Seltzer jingles and the overall mood of the band as a combination of Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Ronald McDonald.

Find out about such carnations as Boogi Boy (Mothersbaugh's alter-ego), the red energy dome hats, and where they came up with the idea for the yellow jumpsuits.

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History of Frankie Fay: America's First Stand Up Comedian and Horrible Racist

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 06:00:00 -0000

Frankie Fay was a vaudeville comedian - who in 1919 is said to have created modern day stand up comedy. Fay was the first comedian to come out on stage in regular clothes and just talk to the audience. He is also credited for creating the role of MC in comedy shows. Legendary comedians Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and George Burns all admired Fay’s stage persona.

So why haven’t you heard of Frankie Fay - and why is he lost to history? Because he was also a horrible racist.

In fact, in 1946 - a group called “Friends of Frankie Fay - held a pro-fascist rally at Madison Square Garden - that praised Hitler…and Frankie Fay.

Learn more about the man who pioneered stand up comedy - but was eventually blacklisted from show biz for being a notorious bigot.

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History of Mad Magazine (PT 2)

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:00:00 -0000

We dive into Part Two of your history of the magazine. - covering some of the controversies over the years. Longtime editor, Joe Raiola tells us what happened when they had an article where the prophet Muhammad appeared in a pancake.

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History of Mad Magazine

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 18:22:19 -0000

Sadly, Mad magazine is ending its 67-year print run in August. Gone. Vanished. No more. But Mad will live on through how it influenced every comedic force that has ever thumbed its nose at authority, from The Simpsons and the Onion to Howard Stern, and Stephen Colbert. I recently got a chance to interview longtime editor/writer for Mad, Joe Raiola - for a story I did in the Observer. Joe provided some great insights on his 33 years working for Mad.

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CH101 Select: History of the Andrew "Dice" Clay Controversy

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 18:51:41 -0000

In the 80's, Andrew Dice Clay was one of the biggest comedians in America. He came into prominence with a brash, offensive persona known as "The Diceman." His material was heavily homophobic and misogynistic. He was banned from MTV and there were protests of his appearance on SNL. Then his entire career came crashing down.

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CH101 Select: History of Beavis and Butt-head's Frog Baseball

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 22:26:41 -0000

From the CH101 archives: We discuss the making of the Mike Judge animated short, Frog Baseball, which launched the MTV series: Beavis and Butt-head. We also dive into some of Judge's early animation work, such as Inbred Jed and Office Space. But how did Beavis and Butt-head get it's start. What's the origin story? Listen on to learn more….

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History of Comedians Getting the Hook

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 13:15:43 -0000

A classic comedy trope is the comedian getting the hook - and being pulled off stage. But how did this come about in your comedic lexicon? It’s usually depicted as a shepherd’s crook. that pulls off a horrible act. We dive into the history of comedians getting the hook - from the early days at the Bowery Theater to the legendary Howard "Sandman" Sims at The Apollo in Harlem.

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(Pt 2) History of Lenny Bruce, Censorship, and Free Speech

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 12:49:10 -0000

We continue with the literal trials of Lenny Bruce - and the nature of free speech in comedy clubs. Does free speech mean that we occasionally have to listen to what we don’t want to hear? We dive into the gamut of free speech from the controversy of Milo Yiannopoulos appearing at a NYC comedy club - to comedian Ahmed Ahmed having a comedy club patron call 911 on him for making ‘Middle Eastern’ jokes. Are there limits to Lenny Bruce’s plight?

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History of Lenny Bruce, Censorship, and Free Speech

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 12:56:06 -0000

Lenny Bruce was a comedian who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. And because of that, he became a martyr for free speech. Between 1961 to 1964, he was arrested on obscenity charges 8 times - for performing stand up comedy. You might have seen a fictional portrayal of Bruce on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. In this CH101 episode we dive into the history of Lenny Bruce, censorship, and free speech in stand up comedy.

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History of Beatles Producer George Martin's Ties To Comedy

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 10:50:48 -0000

The late George Martin will always be best remembered for his legendary work as the producer of The Beatles. Did you know that the man who made the Fab Four sound amazing got his start as a producer of comedy albums? Yes, the man behind creating the soundscape for A Day in the Life - also produced comedy albums for Peter Sellers, The Goon Show, and Beyond the Fringe (featuring Dudley Moore). Producing comedy is where Martin learned his chops to produce such Beatles classics as Strawberry Fields Forever.

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History of Right-Wing Comedians Punching Down

Tue, 28 May 2019 17:08:43 -0000

Roseanne was supposed to be the big comedy breakout star of Trump’s America… and look how that turned out. So, why are there so few right-wing Republican comedians who can extend the comedic olive branch across both sides of the political aisle? And how come every time there’s a Republican version of The Daily Show - it fails? We dive into the fine art of right-wing comedy and its proclivity to punch down rather than punch up….

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History of Tim Conway

Tue, 21 May 2019 15:14:54 -0000

Tim Conway was one of the greatest second bananas in comedy history. Sadly, he passed away on May 14th at the age of 85. Conway’s comedy career started on a local TV station in Ohio, and he made his mark in sketches alongside Harvey Korman on the Carol Burnett Show. He also starred in the much overlooked TV movie: Roll Freddy, Roll. We love the comedy work of Tim Conway - and today’s CH101 episode is a tribute!

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History of Alex Jones on Austin Public Access TV

Tue, 14 May 2019 11:51:18 -0000

Alex Jones began his career in Austin, Texas, back in the ’90s, as a local cable access cult figure - and He built a rabid national audience by spewing out conspiracy theories. To set the stage, ACTV (Austin Community Access TV) in the ’90s was pure Austin at it’s weirdest. Find out how Jones jumped on the scene as an amped up 22-year old - and originally wanted to be a standup comedian. Learn what happened when he got in a fight in the parking lot of ACTV - and claimed he was attacked by a man with “strange goat eyes.”

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History of Slipping on a Banana Peel

Mon, 06 May 2019 13:11:46 -0000

Since the beginning of the 20th century, slipping on a banana peel has been a fixture in physical comedy. A comedy trope, if you will. We’ve seen such legendary silent comedians as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy - all do a variation of the slipping on a banana peel gag. But how did the “slipping on a banana peel” gag come into our lexicon? And why don’t we see people slipping on banana peels in 2019? Find out all this and more as we do a CH101 deep dive into the history of slipping on banana peels!

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History of Knock-Knock Jokes

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:51:59 -0000

Knock knock? Who’s there? It’s time for the history of knock-knock jokes… Knock-knock jokes are the classic question and answer kid joke. But did you know that its origin goes all the way back to Shakespeare’s Macbeth? Well it does. In the episode we dive into the joke’s origin - and how Rowen and Martin’s Laugh In - helped it’s comeback into pop culture.

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History of Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 16:13:58 -0000

You know the classic childhood joke: Why did the chicken cross the road? Seems harmless, right? Well, this seemingly carefree joke has ugly disturbing origins - rooted in American racism. Eeewww! We dive into the origins of this anti-joke - and show how things aren’t what they seem to be…

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Comedy History 101 - Live

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:31:06 -0000

Comedy History 101 Podcast: Live is coming to NYC: Tues, 3/19, 7pm, The PIT Loft Harmon Leon (Vice) and Scott Calonico (Sundance Film Festival) are joined by Chris O'Neil (StoryFest) will be bringing you: The History of XXX Party Records

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(Pt 2) HIstory of the Purple Onion Comedy Club

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:33:09 -0000

Yes, we dive further into the history of the legendary San Francisco comedy club, The Purple Onion - up until it closed in 2012. In the early days, the club launched the careers of Woody Allen, Richard Pryor, and Phyllis Diller. In this episode we cover the decline of the Purple Onion in the 70s and 80s - and how it resurrected as a garage rock club, and eventually returned to its comedy roots in the 90s. In fact, Zach Galifianakis filmed his comedy special, Live at the Purple Onion, ironically, live at the Purple Onion.

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History of the Purple Onion Comedy Club in San Francisco

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 16:41:27 -0000

The Purple Onion was a legendary comedy club in San Francisco. It was a small, basement club that had its heyday in the 1950s and 60s -and helped launch the careers of Phyllis Diller, The Smothers Brothers, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, and Richard Pryor. Opened in 1952, the Purple Onion ran for roughly 60 years before closing its doors in 2012.

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History of the Smothers Brothers Meeting President Reagan

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 18:17:30 -0000

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from 1967-1970. It was considered the edgiest comedy show of the time. It also launched the careers of Steve Martin - who was a writer for the show, along with Rob Reiner and Bob Einstein aka Super Dave Osborne. The Smothers Brothers constantly butt heads with the censors. But on November 12, 1987 President Ronald Reagan welcomed the duo into the White House. What went down? Find out more in this episode of Comedy History 101…

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(Pt 2) History of National Lampoon Radio Hour

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:12:26 -0000

We continue with Part 2 of our history of the National Lampoon Radio Hour; the show that evolved into Saturday Night Live and featured such iconic comedy figures as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Christopher Guest, Richard Belzer, and Chevy Chase. We cover our favorite episodes of the NL Radio Hour and how Lorne Michaels scooped up all the talent for SNL.

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History of National Lampoon Radio Hour

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:08:20 -0000

The National Lampoon Radio Hour hit the airwaves in 1973 and was a direct offshoot of National Lampoon magazine. But it gets better - the evolved into the first season of Saturday Night Live and launched the careers of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Chevy Chase. When the National Lampoon Radio Hour ran its course, nearly everyone involved - both writers and performers - were scooped up by Lorne Michaels to create SNL history.

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(Pt2) CH101 Select: Comedy That Crosses The Line

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:35:00 -0000

It’s Part Two of our episode on comedy that crosses the line. You know, the edggggy comedy that goes too far for the times. We dive into Bill Hicks getting censored on the David Letterman show to the revolutionary comedy of Dick Gregory in the early ‘60s - to the cartoons of Charlie Hebdo. Like us on iTunes - and please subscribe and comments.

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(Pt1) CH101 Select: Comedy That Crosses The Line

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 17:08:12 -0000

On this episode of CH101, we explore the history of comedy that crosses the line. You know, the edggggy comedy. Sometimes it’s comedy that’s revolutionary and creates change, such as the comedy of George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. And sometimes, its comedy that goes too far - and is there just for shock value. (Michael Richards - we are talking to you.) Please subscribe and “like” on iTunes!

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(Pt 2) History of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Comedy Influences

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:14:38 -0000

Rachel Brosnahan won for Best Actress at the Golden Globes for her portrayal of the Mrs. Maisel. On this episode, we dive into Part Two of the real-life comedy influences on the fictional Mrs. Maisel - and cover such legendary comics as Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Anne Meara, Moms Mabley, Elaine May, Totie Fields, and Jean Carroll. Please subscribe and ‘like” use on iTunes.

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History of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Comedy
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:55:17 -0000

Did you see the Golden Globe Awards? The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was nominated for several. Rachel Brosnahan won for Best Actress for her portrayal of the Mrs. Maisel. The show is about a stand up comedian in New York City during the 1950s. But who were the real-life standup comedy influences on the fictional character? We do a deep dive into the comedians that helped shape the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
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(Pt 2) CH101 Select: History of SCTV

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 17:37:11 -0000

We continue with Part Two of our history of SCTV, the iconic TV comedy sketch show that launched the careers of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, and Dave Thomas. This episode we dive into the later years of SCTV with such movie spinoffs as Strange Brew, starring Bob and Doug Mackenzie. Be sure to subscribe and like us on iTunes. We love you comments.

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Ch101 Select: History of SCTV

Sat, 22 Dec 2018 19:12:13 -0000

We dive into the history behind the legendary sketch comedy show: SCTV. Learn how SCTV was an offshoot of the original Toronto company of Second City - and find out more about the original SCTV cast that consisted of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, and Dave Thomas. Hear what about our favorite episodes - and learn the meaning behind, "Crane shot!"

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(Pt 2) History of Peep Show And Its American Pilot

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 15:00:34 -0000

We continue with Part Two of our history of the pilot for the American version of Peep Show. How did they take one of the funniest shows ever and turn it into one of the most unfunniest TV pilots of all time? David Mitchell and Robert Webb must be rolling in their graves. (Despite the fact that they are still very much alive.) We love your comments - and please subscribe on iTunes!

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History of Peep Show and Other US Versions of British Comedy Shows

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 20:56:16 -0000

Peep Show is one the greatest British comedy shows of all time. So what did they do? They tried to bring the beloved show to the U.S. and make an American version. Do you know what? They failed miserably. We dive into the history of the Peep Show American pilot and other British comedy shows that came stateside and completely missed the mark; including The IT Crowd, Spaced, and Fawlty Towers.

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History of National Lampoon Lemmings

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 15:39:08 -0000

National Lampoon: Lemming was a 1973 live stage show that spun out of National Lampoon magazine - and helped launch the careers of John Belushi, Christopher Guest, and Chevy Chase. Lemmings was a take-off of Woodstock - and was toted as three days of peace, love and death - and Belushi acted as the festival emcee who encouraged everyone to kill themselves. Lorne Michaels saw the show and scooped the talent for a show he was going to launch, called Saturday Night Live. Plus, for us New Yorkers, the show was performed at a venue on Bleeker Street and Thomas in the Village.

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History of Kentucky Fried Movie

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:26:05 -0000

Kentucky Fried Movie is a flick that not only launched the career of the Zucker Brothers but also film director John Landis. The movie was made in 1977 right before their comedies, Animal House and Airplane, became international sensations. We dive into the origins of Kentucky Fried Movie, what it took to get made, and it’s place in comedy history.

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History of Tunnel Vision: Comedy That Led to SNL

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:02:30 -0000

Tunnel Vision is a 1976 movie that tried to predict what television would be like in 1985. It also laid the groundwork for the humor of early Saturday Night Live. Basically, it’s a sketch comedy movie that features cameos from such future comedy stars before they were famous: John Candy, Chevy Chase, Joe Flaherty, Laraine Newman, and Al Franken. Much like SCTV, the movie follows a typical day's programming on the network - while the president of Tunnel Vision has to defend his network in front of a Senate sub-committee.

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History of The Groove Tube: Comedy That Led to SNL

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 13:13:19 -0000

The Groove Tube is a 1974 comedy film that gave both Chevy Chase and Richard Belzer their first screen roles. It’s also a film that laid the groundwork for the humor of early Saturday Night Live. The low-budget movie, which satirizes TV and counterculture of the early 70s, began as an innovative theater show in NYC’s Lower East Side - with the Channel One Theater Company. Directed by Ken Shapiro, The Groove Tube was the brainchild of the humor of the first generation of comedians coming to age in the TV generation.

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History of the Biggest Flop in TV Comedy History

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 12:46:56 -0000

Turn-On is considered the biggest flop in TV comedy history. The sketch comedy show was created in 1969 by George Schlatter - who was trying to capitalize on his other show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Only one episode ever aired. In fact, some stations pulled the show after the very first commercial break. A young Albert Brooks was one of the staff writers and the first episode of Turn-On was hosted by Tim Conway. Perhaps the show was too ahead of its time, or perhaps it was truly awful? We’ll just never know…

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CH101 Select: History of Dead Baby Jokes

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 18:51:59 -0000

From the CH!01 archives: We explore the history of dead baby jokes - a popular joke genre that began the 60’s and ran through the 80s. Like gallows humor tried to make light the worst of human atrocities. But social climate brought about this type of dark comedy. Did you know the advent of the pill, the women's liberation movement, and the Vietnam War - were all factors in the rise of Dead Baby Jokes?

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HIstory of Trump Attempting Humor in the White House

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 19:15:04 -0000

From mocking a disabled reporter to make fun of a sexual assault victim - Donald J. Trump has proven there is a vastly different sense of presidential humor now coming from the White House. I recently interviewed David Litt - head joke writer for President Obama - for an upcoming story in the NY Observer, to get his take on Trump as a purveyor of jokes and humor. We discuss his insights and the history of humor coming from Trump - The President. Trump loves laughing at the misfortunes of others. Trump doesn’t love laugh

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History of Richard Pryor's Children’s TV Show: Pryor's Place

Sat, 06 Oct 2018 18:09:49 -0000

In 1984, Richard Pryor had a children’s TV show called: Pryor’s Place. This was two years after his classic concert film, Live on the Sunset Strip, - and four years after lighting himself on fire while freebasing cocaine. The Pryor’s Place only lasted one season and was produced by Sid & Marty Krofft. The show takes place in an inner-city neighborhood. There’s puppets, celebrity guest stars, and Pryor giving moral lessons to kids. The best part is the theme song to Pryor’s Place performed by Ray Parker Jr. who did the Ghostbuster’s theme. It’s so catchy - that it will haunt you forever.

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History of Bill Cosby's Creepy Comedy Bits

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 12:39:59 -0000

This week comedian/sexual predator Bill Cosby went to prison. Even before Hannibal Buress helped call him out in 2014—Cosby peppered his work with a multitude of references to sexual misconduct. Take his Spanish Fly routine from the 1969 comedy album, “It’s True! It’s True!.” Or his reference to his secret BBQ sauce recipe - that renders women helpless, from an episode of The Cosby Show Not to mention his monologue where he cites knocking women out - in his 1971 PBS performance, Bill Cosby on Prejudice. We do a deep dive into the creepy Cosby clues that were always there.

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History of Richard Pryor and Comedians Who Attempt Comebacks

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 18:37:13 -0000

Part Two of our history of comedians who f-up and attempt comebacks. We dive into the greatest comeback of all time - with Richard Pryor who lit himself on fire while freebasing and then came back and filmed the stand up masterpiece, Live on the Sunset Strip. Along with this, we cover the worst comedy comeback of all time with Michael Richards - after he had a meltdown on stage at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.

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History of Louie CK and Comedians Who Attempted Comebacks

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 12:43:29 -0000

We dive into the history of comedians who f-ed up - and then attempted comebacks. We cover the fall, and attempted rise, of Louie CK, Roseanne Barr, Kathy Griffin, Samantha Bee, Kramer from Seinfeld, and Richard Pryor. How did these comedians succeed with their comebacks? What was their apology? Can we separate the person from the art?

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(PT 2) History of Meatballs 4: Worst Movie Sequel Ever

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 14:56:55 -0000

We continue with Part 2 of the History of Meatballs 4. Crazy fact: the movie costarred Jack Nance - who not only played Eraserhead, but was also in almost every single David Lynch movie after the cult classic. In a very low point in his career - Nance played the director of a failing waterski camp and shared wisecracks with Corey Feldman. And there's even more creepier trivia about Nance's time filming Meatballs 4.

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History of Meatballs 4: Worst Movie Sequel Ever

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 15:28:00 -0000

Meatballs 4 is one of the worst movie sequels of all time. It stars Corey Feldman in the Bill Murray role. It's a classic hackneyed story of the slobs vs. snobs. But the twist here; they have to save a failing water ski camp. But did you know that Meatballs 4 wasn't the original title of the film? Find out some deep cuts into on the worst movie sequels ever to be filmed.

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(PT2) CH101 Select: History of Louie Theroux

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 13:59:02 -0000

We dive into Part 2 of the history of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux. We discuss his long range of BBC specials - and his most recent project: My Scientology Movie. Also, find out about both Louie and Harmon's connection with the infamous Westboro Baptist Church.

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(PT 1) CH101 Select: History of Louie Theroux

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 11:41:14 -0000

Our CH101 Select this week: We dive into the work of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux. Find out about Louie's early days alongside Michael Moore on TV Nation. Get acquainted with Louie's first TV series: Louie Theroux's Weird Weekend; where he immersed himself into such subcultures as swingers, pro-wrestling, and porn stars.

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(PT 2) History of Sasha Baron Cohen and Who Is America?

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 14:01:38 -0000

Part 2 on the history of Sasha Baron Cohen and his new show: Who Is America? We dive into the early career of Cohen with such notable characters as Borat, Ali G - and lesser known work as DJ Greg and hosting the show Pump TV.

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History of Sasha Baron Cohen and Who Is America?

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:20:18 -0000

Sasha Baron Cohen has a new show: Who Is America? Is it funny? Is it not funny!? We explore the history behind the making of Who Is America? - and compare it to Cohen's other classic shows/characters: Borat and Ali G. Come do a deep dive with us as we find out the "who" behind Who Is America?

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(Pt 2) CH101 Select: History of Rutland Weekend Television

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 15:16:34 -0000

We continue on with Part 2 of the history of Rutland Weekend television - and dive into the origins of The Beatles parody band: The Rutles. A segment on Rutland Weekend Television later spun off into the full-length mockumentary, The Rutles; which was a direct influence on Spinal Tap and the other films of Christopher Guest.

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(Pt 1) CH101 Select: History of Rutland Weekend Television

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 14:36:06 -0000

It's summer, so we are bringing you a CH101 Select What did Eric Idle right after Monty Python? Rutland Weekend Television. Harmon and Scott dive into the history behind the 1975 cult TV show that was responsible for launching the legendary Beatles parody: The Rutles. Idle teamed with musician Neal Innes - from the Bonzo Dog (Doo-Dah) Band - who was considered the seventh member of Monty Python and crooned songs in Monty Python in the Holy Grail.

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(Pt 3) History of William Topaz McGonagall: The Worst Poet in Scottish History

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 19:00:14 -0000

Our last part on the history of William Topaz McGonagall (1825 –1902) - the worst poet in Scottish history. We dive into who are the modern day McGonagalls - artists who are so bad, that they unwittingly cross into genius. We cover such artistic horrors as The Room, The Shaggs, the poetry of Susan Somers, and Nicholas Cage in the movie: The Wicker Man.

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(Pt 2) History of William Topaz McGonagall: The Worst Poet in Scottish History

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 12:28:35 -0000

We continue on with the history of William Topaz McGonagall (1825 –1902) - the worst poet in Scottish history, whose performances usually ended with being pelted with rotten eggs, peas, and herring. Not only did McG once walk 60 miles through a thunderstorm - to read his poetry for the Queen (though not invited), but he also went on to influence the likes of Monty Python, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, The Muppets, and Harry Potter.

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History of William Topaz McGonagall: The Worst Poet in Scottish History: Part One

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 19:45:35 -0000

William Topaz McGonagall (1825 –1902) has the notoriety of being the worst poet in Scottish history. What they said about McGonagall back in the day was: “He was so giftedly bad he unwittingly backed in genius.” When McGonagall would perform his poetry, it usually resulted in being pelted with rotten eggs, peas, and herring. The comedy legacy of McGonagall is he went on to influence the likes of Monty Python, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, The Muppets, and of course, Harry Potter.

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CH101 Select: History of the Imrov Comedy Club

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 13:20:12 -0000

We dive into the history of the legendary Improv comedy club. Learn about Bud Friedman and his club that launched the careers of Andy Kaufman, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman, and just about everyone else who is famous in the world of comedy. Find out about the humble beginnings in Hell's Kitchen. When did the iconic brick wall come about? How did the Improv became a megalopolis comedy brand?

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History of Racist British Comedians: PART TWO

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 11:37:24 -0000

We continue our deep dive into the history of racist British comedians. In this episode we talk about such racist British sitcoms as Til Death Do Us Part, Curry and Chips, and Peter Sellers role in The Party. Plus we recap some of the highlights of the racist comedy careers of comedian Jim Davidson, Roy Chubby Brown, and Bernard Manning. And what finally changed the face of British comedy?

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History of Racist British Comedians: PART ONE

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 17:43:21 -0000

Roseanne Barr was on top of the world again - until she wrote a racist tweet. ABC responded by yanking her show off the air. Meanwhile, over in the UK, the country has a long history of racist comedians - who say things on stage that are even worse than what Roseanne wrote. Such comedians as Roy Chubby Brown, Bernard Manning, and Jim Davidson are fixtures into British comedy history; despite doing very racist material. In this episode we dive deep into the history of racist British comedy.

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History of OJ Simpson's Hidden Camera Prank Show Juiced

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:22:09 -0000

In 2006, a producer thought it would be a good idea for double-acquitted murderer OJ Simpson's comeback project project to be a zany hidden camera prank show called Juice'd. As in, a prank is pulled, OJ Simpson pops out, and goes, "You've been Juiced," at which point the person pranked goes, "HEY, AREN'T YOU THAT GUY WHO MURDERED THOSE PEOPLE?! And I, Harmon Leon, was hired off an ad on Craigslist to be OJ's funny little sidekick.. I actually got to pull hidden camera pranks alongside OJ Simpson. What followed was the biggest train wreck in reality television history. In this episode of CH101, we dive into the full history behind the scenes. You been Juiced!

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History of the Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump

Wed, 30 May 2018 00:26:34 -0000

Back in 2011, Donald Trump was a reality TV star. Comedy Central decided to send up the star of The Apprentice with one of their televised roasts. Hosted by Seth MacFarlane, Trump sat with a smug smile as he was roasted by such stars as Jersey Shore's "The Situation." Trump only agreed to doing the Trump if jokes about his hair, bankruptcies, assumed wealth were made off limits. He also made it mandatory that the roasters referred to him as "Mr. Trump." Still, in 2011, it was a major joke among the roasters that Trump would consider running for president.

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History of Trump Hitting on Giuliani in Drag

Fri, 18 May 2018 13:41:30 -0000

Donald Trump has once again reunited with Rudy Giuliani. But they’ve known each other for years. You’ve seen the video. Giuliani is dressed drag. Trump tries to play the lady’s man - and makes a inappropriate sexual advance by “motorboating” Giuliani’s faux breasts. With present-day context, the video is like something out of illuminati treasure trove But where the hell did this video come from? What was the context? Was this the first time Giuliani dressed up in public in drag? Why is Trump our president? Harmon and Scott dive deep into the history behind the Trump hitting on Giuliani in drag.

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History of the Comedy Store Condo

Fri, 11 May 2018 13:15:12 -0000

The Comedy Store in Los Angeles is home to a zillion famous (and not so famous) comedians. But at one time, directly behind The Store, the condo at 8420 Cresthill Road - was literally home to numerous comedians who went on to change the face of comedy. Sam Kinison, Andrew Dice Clay, Robin Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Richard Pryor, and Marc Maron - either lived or hung out at this comedy habode. This comedy frat house was both a humor incubator and a dark den of drugs and destruction. Harmon and Scott dive deep into the history of the Comedy Store condo.

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History of White House Correspondents' Dinner Comedy

Sat, 05 May 2018 02:55:06 -0000

Comedian Michelle Wolf caused controversy at the recent White House Correspondents' Dinner. The annual Washington event, that celebrates the media and free speech, has a long history of comedy. From the early days with Bob Hope to notable comedians as Richard Pryor, Stephan Colbert, and Jon Stewart - comedy has been an integral part of the gala. Harmon and Scott take a deep dive into the history of comedy and controversies - at what Washington insiders call "nerd prom."

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History of Dead Baby Jokes

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 17:40:56 -0000

We explore the history of dead baby jokes - a popular joke genre that began the 60’s and ran through the 80s. Like gallows humor tried to make light the worst of human atrocities. But social climate brought about this type of dark comedy?

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History of the Andrew "Dice" Clay Controversy

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 05:04:06 -0000

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HIstory of Caddyshack 2: The Worst Sequel Ever

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 14:31:35 -0000

Harmon and Scott dissect the history of the movie Caddyshack 2 - which is not only a sequel to the much beloved movie, Caddyshack, but it's also the worst sequel OF ALL TIME!

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History of National Lampoon's A Futile and Stupid Gesture

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 01:32:50 -0000

Harmon and Scott discuss the biopic: A Futile and Stupid Gesture which chronicles comedy writer Doug Kenney, during the rise and fall of National Lampoon. They compare it to the 2015 documentary: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon, which chronicles comedy writer Doug Kenney, during the rise and fall of National Lampoon

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History of South Park's Spirit of Christmas

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 19:23:20 -0000

So, how did the TV show South Park come about? Well, it goes back to the animated short: The Spirit of Christmas. In, 1992, film students Trey Parker and Matt Stone.created the animated short; Jesus vs. Frosty - which pitted the beloved holiday character again Jesus. That set their career rolling - but there were a few hurdles along the way...

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History of Moms Mabley

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 16:06:22 -0000

Harmon and Scott dive into the history of Moms Mabley, who was the first successful female standup comedian and had a career that spanned over 50 years. Moms bridged the gap between vaudeville and modern stand up comedy. She was also the first woman comic to play the Apollo theater and Carnegie Hall in 1962.

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HISTORY OF BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD'S FROG BASEBALL

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 05:32:36 -0000

Harmon and Scott discuss the making of the Mike Judge animated short, Frog Baseball, which launched the MTV series: Beavis and Butt-head

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History of Weird Japanese Game Shows

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 15:07:13 -0000

Harmon and Scott revel over the history of crazy Japanese game shows. Learn about Takeshi's Castle - the granddaddy of all weird Japanese game shows. And find out about Candy No Candy - where contestants have to eat objects, like shoes, and determine if it's candy or not candy

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History of Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 21:06:22 -0000

Harmon and Scott discuss the new documentary, Jim and Andy, which is about Jim Carrey transforming into Andy Kaufman during the filming of the 1999 movie, Man on the Moon.

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History of XXX Party Records

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:23:26 -0000

Harmon and Scott dive into the history of Party Records; particularly Laff Records, a small independent comedy label known for XXX humor and helped launch the careers of Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, LaWanda Page, and Skillet & Leroy

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History of the Comedy Straight Man

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:55:15 -0000

Harmon and Scott dive into the history and value of the straight man in comedy teams.

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History of Comedy Crossing the Line

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:10:00 -0000

We explore the history of comedy that crosses the line. Scott and Harmon discuss comedy that's revolutionary and comedy that goes too far.

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History of Joke Thieves

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 06:10:04 -0000

We explore the comedy history behind comedians stealing jokes - from Abbot and Costello to Carlos Mencia

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History of DEVO

Fri, 26 May 2017 01:54:00 -0000

We explore the comedy history behind DEVO - one of the funniest bands in history.

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History of SCTV

Thu, 04 May 2017 17:19:02 -0000

Harmon Leon and Scott Calonico discuss the history behind the legendary TV show: SCTV

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History of Louie Theroux

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 18:07:06 -0000

We dive into the work of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux. We discuss his long range of BBC specials - and his most recent project: My Scientology Movie.Find out about Louie's early days as an intern at the San Jose Metro - and his work alongside Michael Moore on TV Nation. Get acquainted with Louie's first TV series: Louie Theroux's Weird Weekend; where he immersed himself into such subcultures as swingers, pro-wrestling, and porn stars.Also, find out about both Louie and Harmon's connection with the infamous Westboro Baptist Church.

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History of Rutland Weekend Television

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 18:01:45 -0000

What did Eric Idle right after Monty Python? Rutland Weekend Television. Harmon and Scott dive into the history behind the 1975 cult TV show that was responsible for launching the legendary Beatles parody: The Rutles. Idle teamed with musician Neal Innes - from the Bonzo Dog (Doo-Dah) Band - who was considered the seventh member of Monty Python and crooned songs in Monty Python in the Holy Grail. Rutland Weekend Television (RWT) was a television sketch show on BBC2 that was written by Eric Idle with music by Neil Innes. The show lasted for two series; with six episodes filmed for the first series in 1975, and seven episodes for the second series in 1976. A Christmas special was also produced and broadcasted on Boxing Day 1975. Monty Python's Flying Circus had just ended the year before. And Eric Idle was the first of the Pythons to have his own comedy series. (Faulty Towers ran later in 1975.) The production studio for the show was tiny. The cast and crew had to carry the entire set up flights of stairs before each filming. The premise of RWT was that the show was "Britain's smallest television network," and broadcasted from England's smallest county, Rutland. The pairing of Innes and Idle meant a lot of funny musical parodies - such as The Gay Whistle Test: Did you know that former Beatles member, George Harrison, played a role in Rutland Weekend Television; as a pirate? Also, the bands Toad the Wet Sprocket and Death Cab for Cutie - got their names from references connected to the show. A segment on Rutland Weekend Television later spun off into the full-length mockumentary, The Rutles. In 2002, there was a sequel to The Rutles called Can't Buy Me Lunch. It wasn't very good. But Rutland Weekend Television's legacy is that it created the musical mockumentary and begot other comedy's set in TV studios, such as SCTV.

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History of the Improv Comedy Club

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 17:50:00 -0000

Harmon and Scott talk about the history of the legendary Improv comedy club. Learn about Bud Friedman and his club that launched the careers of Andy Kaufman, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman, and just about everyone else who is famous in the world of comedy.

Find out about the humble beginnings in Hell's Kitchen. When did the iconic brick wall come about? How did the Improv became a megalopolis comedy brand?

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