Comedy History 101

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... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1961, Dick Gregory was the first African American comedian to perform at 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Be sure to subscribe and like CH101 on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“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. Be sure to subscribe and like CH101 on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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…. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices