Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

Ben Elton

Meet Ben Elton, who has kept UK audiences (plus a huge worldwide fanbase) laughing with stellar standup, superb comedy writing, movies and tv shows, plays and musical theater projects, and 16 books. Busy lad! Ben was a comedy prodigy, becoming the BBC's youngest ever scriptwriter. Since then he has remained at the top of the pack, with his work on the classic "Blackadder" show, hosting Britain's late night show "Saturday Live, collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and mounting a triumphant return to the standup stage. Ben Elton always delivers comedy that is witty, erudite, and yes -- sometimes silly (as only the Brits can do). Find more Ben Elton clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Britain's "Saturday Live" is similar to Saturday Night Live in the US, so it was a BIG deal when Ben was chosen to host that program back in 1986. Here's a sample of his standup from that show. https://youtu.be/Ptx_H2XWGV8

Almost 40 years ago fellow Legend Lenny Henry founded Britain's "Comic Relief", a charity that uses humor to raise funds to fight poverty, and Ben has been a frequent and enthusiastic participant throughout. This bit from 1993 is a great slice of Ben's standup. https://youtu.be/wEmraVcf7QQ

While many know Ben best through his writing, he is also a superb standup (a skill he developed to showcase his writing). In this recent bit, Ben spends some time recounting classic British town names with special attention reserved for his hometown -- Catford. https://youtu.be/dd2s_13wDd0

Morey Amsterdam

Back to the 1950s to meet an all-time tummler, a man known as the "human joke machine," Morey Amsterdam. A close brush with violence at one of Al Capone's Chicago speakeasies sent Morey packing for LA and a career than included being a comedy writer, stand-up star, and sitcom icon for his portrayal of comedy writer Buddy Sorrell on the Dick Van Dyke show. Morey even copped a role in the "beach movies" of the early 1960s!  As always, find more Morey below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Morey often used music in his act, delivering one-liner after one-liner in the context of a silly song. There isn't much early Morey that exists on tape, but this old clip (sorry for the quality) shows him belting his newest hit -- "Cheese and Cracker" with a host of groaning gags mixed in. https://youtu.be/JskPfuzGlVU

Morey's biggest claim to fame was his role as gag writer Buddy Sorrell on the Dick Van Dyke show. His writers room chemistry with Rose Marie (who played fellow writer Sally Rogers) was infectious and they were able to take their personas to other shows, such as this guest spot on the Hollywood Palace back in 1964 (and yes, that is Groucho hosting). https://youtu.be/cQik0KEpgZY

Morey stayed active well into his 70s, as evidenced by this spot on the "Here it is -- Burlesque!" special. Yes, he is still doing the same act he was in the 40s. And yes, the audience still loves him! https://youtu.be/qH0wjYQRm3U

Allan Sherman

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with some Allan Sherman, the master of novelty songs who burned brightly (but quickly) in the 1960s? One of the few performers of the day who embraced his Jewish heritage, Allan had a knack for putting clever lyrics to popular tunes. After President Kennedy was overheard quoting a Sherman song (Sarah Jackman), his career ignited. A later song (Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah) captured the public imagination by capturing the summer camp experience that most kids ACTUALLY have. The JFK assassination, which chilled US comedy, and the British invasion ended Sherman's fame as quickly as it began. But in recent years an excellent biography and a stage review have rekindled interest in Allan and his silly songs. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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You can't do an Allan Sherman show without his magnum opus. "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (A Letter from Camp) resonated with anyone who had ever been near a summer camp. Very little video evidence of his work was saved, but this appearance on the Kraft Music Hall in 1963 does a good job of capturing his appeal. https://youtu.be/4yFTOvO0utY

Allan's big break came when JFK was overheard singing his first hit -- "Sarah Jackman". It really captures his style -- clever lyrics set to familiar tunes. And it also features an excellent vocal assist from Christine Nelson. https://youtu.be/vpzLcFBv5zA

Allan embraced his Jewish roots, never mores than on this opus -- a trip through punchlines galore -- "Shticks of One, Half a Dozen of the Other". Cue the rimshot! https://youtu.be/K2Cut3XwJxM

Allan was reputed to have written many song parodies of Broadway musicals, but they never saw the light of day because of licensing issues. In recent years, though, a number of these gems have surfaced including this spot on parody of "76 Trombones" from The Music Man, except in Allan's version the sleepy town is replaced by a country club. And what does Allan find there? Why "76 Sol Cohens" of course! https://youtu.be/VjGe5kXqfQw

Christmas Dragnet

Some holiday cheer this week with Stan Freberg's epic Christmas Dragnet! Stan Freberg is a comedy renaissance man -- a superb writer, a great voice actor, and a comedically fearless satirist. After building his reputation voicing cartoons, Stan talked Capitol records into issuing satirical singles. He started with song parodies, then turned his eye to the then-new medium of television. After scoring a hit with a Dragnet parody (St. George and the Dragonet), Stan quickly worked up a Christmas version and it has become a classic, earning a spot on Dr. Demento's list of the all-time best Christmas comedy records. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows.

 

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Here's the whole cut -- and you don't even have to flip it over for side two. Happy Holidays! https://youtu.be/oUdFLyNCeI4

Stan played the lead in Christmas Dragnet but the rest of the wonderful character voices including Grudge and the elf, were the creation of voice acting legend Daws Butler. Here is a short fan-made video that samples his amazing array of voices. https://youtu.be/ssDu2SjfObo

Here's the original Dragnet parody that captivated radio listeners and that became the springboard for Christmas Dragnet. As usual, Stan plays Detective Wednesday, and voice acting MVP Daws Butler plays just about everything else. https://youtu.be/oUdFLyNCeI4

Mark Russell

With a style that owed a lot to vaudeville -- using sheer enthusiasm to blow past limited piano and singing skills -- Mark Russell playfully roasted politics and pop culture for over 60 years. Setting up shop at Washington DC's Shoreham Hotel in the 1960s, Mark came from an era in which a politician could take a joke and he gleefully doled them out, often on one of his regular PBS television specials or as a special guest on Good Morning America or as a co-host on Real People in the 1980s. Find more Mark Russell clips below, and thanks for sharing our shows.

 

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Mark Russell got his comedy inspiration from the newspaper which kept his act fresh. This is a good example. When Libyan strongman Muammar Gadaffi announced he was imposing a 'line of death' it sent military strategists and international political analysts scrambling for a policy response. It sent Mark to his trusty piano for his more tuneful response. https://youtu.be/oZczL-P_5Ps

 

Mark's satire was often more playful than pointed which led to him being satirized by Saturday Night Live in this clip from 1986.https://youtu.be/Pk5AAHvb71Y

 

Mark Russell tried retiring in 2013 -- but he couldn't resist being a musical smartass and unretired shortly thereafter. This clip, from 2018, has Mark giving his patented "Old McDonald" treatment to the then-current White House occupant. And we can add Mark to our "comedy keeps you young" list -- this show was recorded when he was 86! https://youtu.be/hGXp-xkpfIg

Paula Poundstone

Meet standup stalwart Paula Poundstone this time out. Since emerging as a comedy star in the 1980s (including an American Comedy Award win), Paula has remained a favorite on tv talk shows, game shows, and the standup stage. Her comedy is thoughtful but pointed, calling out the absurdities of daily life and popular culture. As always, find additional cuts below. Want an easily searchable archive of past shows? Check out our YouTube Channel (Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy). And thanks for sharing our shows!

 

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Paula had great chemistry with Craig Ferguson, so it was no surprise that she was among is final guests as he wound down his late night show. This clip is vintage Paula, pulling big laughs from everyday life -- such as her son's first efforts at filling out a job application. https://youtu.be/G6WnBZ5G6fc

In recent years Paula may be best known as a regular panelist on the NPR news quiz "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me" where her brand of plain spoken snark is right at home. Here is Paula riffing on Suze Orman. And yes, we know "Wait Wait" is a radio show -- this footage was taken from BBC's attempt to create a video version. https://youtu.be/gR47v_2a8Lw

Paula remains a top standup draw both here and in Canada where this clip was filmed. It has Paula musing a little with her audience about the differences in tolerance between the two countries. https://youtu.be/AYHzVxhhSZA

 

 

Dennis Miller

Set the snark phasers to stun -- Dennis Miller is in the house. A Pittsburgh lad, Miller was a smart standup comic, full of obscure (yet perfect) pop culture references when Lorne Michaels spotted him and offered him Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update anchor chair. He followed that with an Emmy-winning HBO show, radio talk shows, several best-selling books, and the occasional standup gig. Find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Dennis Miller's breakout standup special came in 1988, while he was still on SNL. Called the "Off White Album" it holds up as one of the most quotable (at least by us) bit of snarky standup ever set to tape.https://youtu.be/N5xmmybtEDg

While Dennis Miller became famous at the Weekend Update anchor desk, his best work was his HBO show (Dennis Miller Live) which opened each week featuring a Miller "rant" (which led to a series of books based on the concept). Here is Dennis ranting away in 1996. https://youtu.be/uhHiPaJB1_0

While Dennis Miller's sharp turn into conservative politics cost him some fans, he still has plenty left judging by this clip from his most recent standup special -- which is vintage Miller, full of razor sharp observations about the foibles of pop culture. https://youtu.be/ejrxhNC7jRU

David Brenner

A master of observational comedy, David Brenner was much more over a career lasting nearly 50 years. Starting as a documentary filmmaker, Brenner took a left turn into standup and never looked back. Along the way he penned several best-selling books, hosted his own talk show(s), and set the record for most appearances on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.  Find more cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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David Brenner holds the record for most appearances on Johnny Carson's version of the Tonight Show (158!!). Here's Davids memorable debut from 1971. https://youtu.be/ZV2RxtVIZQY

David Brenner was a favorite on college campuses -- his observational style had just the right blend of snark and satire. This clip from the Midnight Special, captures David at the top of his career in 1975. https://youtu.be/lAx3_mEXxz4

David Brenner stayed active well into is 70s -- this fun late-career profile fills in a lot of his biography, plus it contains some excellent riffs from his standup act. https://youtu.be/7hRkyZChzjA

 

Frank Gorshin

For those of us of a certain age (ok, our age), Adam West was our first Batman and the legendary Frank Gorshin was our first Riddler. A gifted comic impressionist, Gorshin built a long career as a standup comic and character actor. And while his maniacal Riddler is best known, you couldn't have watched television in the 1960s and 70s without catching Frank in a sitcom, on a talk show, or logging time on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. As always, find longer clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. To find an easy to search archive of our past shows find us on YouTube at "Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy." And thanks for sharing our shows!

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While Frank is best remembered for his Batman work, he was first a fine comic impressionist with a long list of credits. Here is a bit of Frank's act from 1964 on Ed Sullivan -- the time he "opened" for the Beatles. https://dai.ly/x4wd08m

Frank Gorshin's Riddler was the breakout villain of the Adam West version of Batman. Frank played the role 10 times, plus he took the character to other shows and even issued a single in character that scraped the Billboard Top 40. Here is a nice fan-made supercut of some of the Riddler's best bits from 1966.https://youtu.be/C9aCdP83eAw

 

Frank Gorshin did an uncanny Burt Lancaster and an even better Dean Martin -- so what better time to deploy them both than on a Dean Martin Celebrity Roast!https://youtu.be/mJzcU8z2U14

 

 

 

Jimmie Walker

Meet Jimmie Walker, who turned an "explosive" catch phrase into comedy gold back in the 1970s. When Jimmie was hired to play the son of Esther Rolle and John Amos on Norman Lear's Good Times he was intended to be a a supporting actor who would periodically lighten the mood. Instead, driven by his infectious enthusiasm, he became THE breakout star (much to the consternation of Amos and Rolle). Jimmie still is a road warrior over 40 years into a career that began with a bit of "Dyn-o-mite"! As always, look for extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Before landing the Good Times gig, Jimmie was an up and coming standup. This short set from NBC's Midnight Special (remember that?) is a good taste of Jimmie's early standup style. https://youtu.be/KBV70C0skC8

Jimmie Walker's breakout role was as J.J. on the groundbreaking Good Times sitcom. The show was the first to feature a two parent African American household and Jimmie's infectious style (and way with the word "Dyn-o-mite" stole the show. https://youtu.be/HlbygyToHXc

Jimmie Walker continues to be a road dawg, touring top comedy clubs around the nation. This recent set from the Gotham Comedy Club shows he hasn't lost his audience connection. https://youtu.be/rbi3YQCsyFM