Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

Dave Barry

Here's a guy who has been a Pulitzer-winning columnist, a best-selling novelist, a much sought-after speaker, and guitarist in a garage band that also features Stephen King. It's Dave Barry and his one of a kind career makes him a legend of comedy. From humble beginnings as a beat reporter, Dave eventually became the king of newspaper humor columnists and his affectionately irreverent humor connect with a boomer audience from the start. While he has dialed back his output in recent years, fans still look forward to his annual year in review column and snarky holiday gift guide and he found a new outlet during the pandemic cutting short videos for the Miami Herald filled with the patented Barry wit. Find more Dave Barry below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Dave isn't a standup comic, but his popular keynote speeches are filled with humor nonetheless. Here a slice of Dave talking about one of his favorite topics -- adulthood! https://youtu.be/mlBvneYoH0E

Dave's World was a sitcom based loosely on Barry's life, starring Night Court vet Harry Anderson as Dave. This bit features costars Shadoe Stevens and Meshach Taylor on Dave's decision to get a vasectomy.https://youtu.be/iEM69OSqi3A

Dave Barry still surfaces from time to time with a special column or video and his dispatches during Covid were classic -- especially this one on America's rarest and most valuable commodity -- TP! https://www.youtube.com/live/w5IE

Roy D. Mercer

If that guy on the phone starts to threaten you with "opening a can of whup-ass" don't panic -- you probably just got a call from Roy D. Mercer, the king of countrified prank phone calls. The invention of two Tulsa DJs, Brent Douglas and Phil Stone, Roy was first unleashed on the public 30 years ago and he soon caught on with listeners, particularly long-distance truckers who sent album sales into gold record territory. 24 albums and a music video (with Charlie Daniels!) later, Brent and Phil "retired" Roy, but his catalog lives on anywhere a little "whup-ass" is needed. As always find more cuts below and thank you for sharing our shows!

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Roy's setups usually revolve around some minor dispute which soon escalates into Roy threatening to open a can of "whup-ass" on the other party. Part of the reasons these work is that friends of the victim usually provided Brent and Phil with some insider knowledge. Here's a bit where Roy wants his money after a fender bender. https://youtu.be/68cflgA-2wo

One of Roy's greatest bits involved a dead hamster and a guy with the most infectious laugh on the other end of the line. https://youtu.be/VA4DUYwoJWs

Back in the 80s a star-studded music video was a must for any comic (see "Rappin' Rodney"). Most weren't very good, but Brent and Phil pulled it off in style by having country star Charlie Daniels provide the music while some of Roy's greatest bits floated through.https://youtu.be/kUqMDamYMkM

Chris Rock

Chris Rock is one of the greatest standup comics of all time, and he has parlayed that success into a career that has lasted 40 years (and counting). His standup style is edgy and NSFW, but his tv and movie work has something for all ages -- from flamethrower HBO specials to the sweet and funny sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" to an animated role as a zebra in Madagascar to recent dramatic turns in Fargo and Spiral. And we feel safe in predicting that Chris will always have a singular accomplishment -- that of being the only person slapped by a nominee on an Oscar stage! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Chris Rock first came to fame as a smart standup comic with a flamethrower style. No topic was off limits and a typical Rock set would have audiences both howling with laughter and squirming with discomfort. Here is an early clip of Rock taken from the Comedy Club Network. And check out the hair! https://youtu.be/bdBq-i2C4cA

 

Chris Rock's time on Saturday Night Live was tense and he left after just three seasons. But in that time he came up with some enduring characters including talk show host Nat X -- a man "so black he's navy." https://youtu.be/vLqnKq1IsUY

 

For a very R rated comedian, Chris has managed to weave in some family friendly projects including the animated hit Madagascar in which he plays Marty the Zebra -- here showing off his "circus afro." https://youtu.be/NQ3A7P3k8mI

 

Chris likely wouldn't pick the "slap heard round the world" as a career highlight, but it sure got (and continues to get) people's attention! Check out this news coverage of Chris' recent standup special where he finally address just what was going through his mind. https://youtu.be/lmRJoHCu8Ts

 

 

 

 

Billy Crystal

He sings, he acts, he dances, and he shticks! It's the masterful Billy Crystal who has been a beloved presence on the standup and theater stage, on tv, and in movies since the 1970s. From a groundbreaking role on the ABC show "Soap" to joining a cast of heavy hitters to save Saturday Night Live to an amazing string of hit movies to an award winning Broadway show - - it would proably be easier to list what he hasn't done! As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Even if you have never seen one of Billy's movies, tv shows, theater appearances, or stand up gigs you almost certainly know him -- from his many appearances as the host of the Oscar telecast. Known for flamboyant entrances and gentle pokes, Billy's hosting spots still are held up as a gold standard for other hosts. Here's his monologue from the 1993 telecast. https://youtu.be/CF6fpn8Ts68

Soap was a revolutionary soap opera satire and Billy was part of the revolution, playing the first unambiguously gay characters on a prime time show -- with his customary affectionate irreverence. https://youtu.be/vudJivvHWqI

After the original Saturday Night cast left in the late 70s the show floundered for a while, and it looked like it might be canceled. The call went out for a group of proven sketch comedy stars and Billy answered it. One of his breakout bits was as latin lothario Fernando Llamas hosting a talk show that had one thing on its mind -- looking Mahvelous! https://youtu.be/9NdcinOjbPI

Billy was a legit leading man after a string of romantic comedy hits, but one of his most beloved roles is a small but pivotal one in The Princess Bride. Billy plays Miracle Max, a wizard of dubious skills, who reminds us a lot of Mel Brooks! https://youtu.be/d4ftmOI5NnI

Paul Lynde

Turn the camp and snark volume to 11 -- this time out we feature the great Paul Lynde who became a gay icon in the 1960s and 70s by hiding in plain sight. From a start doing stand up, then a turn on the Broadway stage, Paul later added to his resume a character on the sitcom classic Bewitched, a LONG run as the flippant and sarcastic "center square" on The Hollywood Squares game show, and a surreal Halloween television special that is a Hall of Fame entry in the "so bad it's good" sweepstakes. As always, find full cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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You can't do a Paul Lynde episode without including a sampling of his snarky answers on the Hollywood Squares. You really can't think of one without the other -- in fact, one biography of Paul is titled "Center Square." https://youtu.be/1wCXr_6wgns

Paul's flamboyance was made for the stage, so it's fitting his first breakout role was as the father in the Broadway show (and later movie) Bye Bye Birdie. Here's Paul's big number -- talking about what's wrong with kids these days (yes, some things never change). https://youtu.be/1wCXr_6wgns

Paul's most famous sitcom role was a recurring character on Bewitched, playing the incorrigible warlock prankster Uncle Arthur. Here's some of Arthur's best. https://youtu.be/92pJ3ea-0tk

After Paul's turn on Bewitched, the networks wanted to feature him but couldn't find the right role -- one that had just enough camp but not so much it scared straight America. One result was this bizarre Halloween special featuring (among others) Margaret Hamilton from The Wizard of Oz and the first TV appearance of Kiss. We've started the clip where Kiss first appears, but by all means rewind and watch the whole thing. A true "what exactly were they thinking" enterprise! https://youtu.be/CCJ0D4pI0tI?t=2469

 

Ruth Wallis

Meet Ruth Wallis who playfully scandalized America in the 1950s and 60s with her naughty ditties. First a cabaret singer specializing in big band jazz, Ruth found the double entendre novelty numbers she slipped in her set got the biggest response. She reworked her set around those tunes and many albums and tours followed until she was eclipsed by newer comics willing to work much more "blue". But after she retired, Ruth found a new audience courtesy of Dr. Demento and she kept reissuing her recordings for years. As always, find full cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Here's a bonus -- the full version of Davy's Dinghy -- a classic Ruth number that introduced her to a new generation of fans thanks to heavy airplay on the Dr. Demento show. https://youtu.be/bGHLCeDjH_E

Ruth had a gift for novelty tunes, and they weren't always blue. Her first effort, which reached the lower rungs of the music charts, was Dear Mr. Godfrey, based on Arthur Godfrey's firing of singer Julius LaRosa for "lacking humility." Ruth nominates herself to fill the void! https://youtu.be/-wpznMXAuG4

In the 1950s naughtiness was frowned on by the authorities in most countries, usually with the result that the targeted works became even more popular. Ruth had her tunes "banned in Boston" and her records were confiscated by Australian customs. This rare skit from an Aussie variety show features Ruth in song and a great skit about her legal travails. And as always, it only made her more famous! https://youtu.be/HPf7TRAJkSg

Ruth's songs usually were based on double entendres and there is no better example than this -- The Hawaiian Lei Song, one of her most popular. https://youtu.be/H4PnSX5Oruc

Kids in the Hall

We think Kids in the Hall are one of the few sketch comedy troupes worthy of a favorable comparison with Monty Python. They specialize in surreal silliness, they link their sketches together in delightfully absurd ways, and they all dress as women when needed! And if you don't agree -- we'll crush your head! Seriously, KITH is one of Canada's finest exports from their first series in the 1980s to the recently released "Season 6". Find out more here, with additional cuts in the comments. And thanks, as always, for sharing our shows!

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Part of what made KITH special was how they placed normal human interactions into an absurd context. Here's a clip from the original series in which the idea of a "hard day at the office" is paired with an unusual line of work. https://youtu.be/e1KWyvL9ous

KITH wrapped their original series in 1995, so it was a real surprise when they returned to CBC in 2010 with "Death Comes to Town". Instead of short, separate sketches, this show was an eight episode miniseries revolving around one theme. Whatever the structure, the show was a hit and the Kids were in fine form! https://youtu.be/f0pbK5qCmS8

Fans were delighted when KITH announced they would regroup for a sixth season, which was released in May 2022. Reviews were stellar, with Rotten Tomatoes clocking in at 100%. Here's the season six trailer -- and the whole season is well worth your time! https://youtu.be/zm2rAjmH_JQ

Phil Silvers

Phil Silvers was one of the early stars of television and his Sgt. Bilko character remains a small screen classic. Never a standup comic, Phil instead graced tv, movies, and the Broadway stage (winning a Tony Award in the process). Silvers specialized in playing characters who were just a bit shady, but lovable all the same. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Phil Silvers was best known for his classic Sgt. Ernie Bilko character that he debuted on The Phil Silvers Show back in 1955. A slightly shady -- yet lovable -- character, Bilko was a master of chutzpah. https://youtu.be/yBLtqMeUCQE

Phil Silvers was old school all the way, becoming a welcome presence in movies, on tv, and on the Broadway stage for decades. Here's Phil with Jonathan Winters in the over the top comedy "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."https://youtu.be/wCGg2dU8bSU

 

 

Pat Paulsen

A master of hang dog expressions, laconic delivery, and sharp political satire, Pat Paulsen charmed America in the 1960s with his "editorials" on The Smothers Brothers variety show, eventually launching a (tongue firmly-in-cheek) Presidential campaign. He would go on the reprise the bit in 1992, actually finishing second to George H.W. Bush in the North Dakota GOP primary. And much later, Pat charmed wine lovers with a boutique winery (one that still exists today). As always, find more clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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When Pat launched his faux campaign in 1968 on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour it took the nation by storm -- and these were the days in which you couldn't rent it, tape it, or stream it -- you had to sit yourself down and watch it. Here Pat in action (and dig Tom and Dick's outfits!)https://youtu.be/0n-kMI25ZcI

Pat was best known for his work on the Smothers Brothers variety show, but he also was a fine standup. This clip is taken from his 1970 "Live at the Ice House" set. https://youtu.be/7EnOZA1dcrs

Comedy fans were delighted when Pat appeared on the 1992 Smothers Brothers 20 year reunion special. What did he do? Just what he does! https://youtu.be/qn69wP-jD2Y

Harvey Korman

Say hello to the inimitable Harvey Korman who brought his mastery of sketch comedy to the small and big screens for decades. From a humble start voicing cartoons, Harvey became a comic acting powerhouse with a long run on The Carol Burnett Show and many juicy movie roles, especially in Mel Brooks classics such as Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety. And remember -- "It's Head-LEY"! As always, find more Harvey below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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When Harvey was first getting started he did some cartoon voice work, most notably as space alien "The Great Gazoo" in the Flintstones. Here's a nice collection of some of Harvey/Gazoo's best bits on the show. https://youtu.be/ekfR6RKpfmI

Harvey's iconic tv turn came on the Carol Burnett variety show where he was featured for a decade, winning four Emmys and a Golden Globe in the process. There is so much good stuff to choose from, but this sketch stands out. It's Harvey as a nervous dental patient meeting Tim Conway's fresh out of school dentist. No nitrous needed -- these guys supply their own laughing gas. https://youtu.be/9IUSM4EKcRI

It's hard to pick just one Harvey character as his best, but in the running has to be his over the top portrayal of crooked Attorney General Headley Lamar in Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles. His scenes with Mel's corrupt Gov. William J. LePetomane (named for the French "flatulist") are masterclasses in comic timing. https://youtu.be/g2Bp8SqYrnE