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Randy Hodgins and Steve McLellan’s lifelong love of comedy was kindled when they met more than 40 years ago in graduate school in Seattle. While managing family and professional work responsibilities, they hosted a one hour comedy radio program on Saturday mornings for 10 years on a small radio station in Olympia, WA and also co-authored two books on northwest popular culture – Seattle on Film (1995) and Wet and Wired (2000). Stuck at home during the early days of the pandemic with hundreds of comedy albums, cassettes and CD’s gathering dust on their shelves, they launched Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy in May 2020, a weekly mini-program featuring a different comedy icon, with biographical bits and a nice slice of the comedy that made them famous. From standup stars, to stellar sketch teams, to novelty music maestros -- they are all part of our Legends.
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Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
This week it's across the pond to meet one of Great Britain's most beloved comedians, Frankie Howerd. After serving in WWII, Frankie launched his show business career, first gaining fame on radio and in music hall revues. When his popularity began to wane, Frankie tried different formats but it was a regular spot on David Frost's hit show That Was The Week That Was that brought him back into pubic view. After that, Frankie mixed movie roles. stage appearances, and television guest spots. He even had a key role as Mr. Mustard in the Bee Gee's ill-fated movie version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. A recipient of the Order of the British Empire, Frankie has also been remembered with documentaries and a biopic. As always find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!
Want more Frankie?
Frankie was part of the cast of That Was the Week That Was -- a seminal slice of British satire and one that showcased his unusual delivery. https://youtu.be/oLk4g3TL6Rk?si=5_KsO6KbRpGqd_1c
After a stint on TW3 returned Frankie to the public eye he got his own variety show. Not much exists online from that show, but this episode will give you a taste. https://youtu.be/Jys5-x-Flew?si=DNCrGxx1g8oYYqs3
After Frankie starred in a smash revival of A Funny Think Happened on the Way to the Forum, which led to a fun series -- Up Pompeii! -- set in Ancient Rome. Frankie played a smart aleck slave named Lurcio who would often talk directly to the audience. Here's a full episode. https://youtu.be/SoyuS1niq6E?si=uEnsYVkiHpQ3grjo
Later in his career, Frankie was a mainstay on tv variety programs, including this bit from the Royal Variety Performance in 1982.https://youtu.be/Qw6kSF0ZLZw?si=tzdzr45Oymtdfp0j
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