Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

David Frye

Meet Richard Nixon in this week's episode. OK, actually meet David Frye -- widely acclaimed as the best Nixon impersonator ever -- who rode his brilliant impression to a series of hit albums in the 1970s. Frye was a struggling impressionist when he hit on lampooning politicians rather than the Hollywood stars favored by most comics. He did a great Bobby Kennedy and LBJ, but his Nixon is transcendent and Frye captured it all -- not just the voice but Tricky Dick's unique mannerisms and facial expressions. As always, look for full clips in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Wayland Flowers and Madame

Meet Wayland Flowers and Madame, a top draw in nightclubs and on tv during the 1970s and 80s. Wayland was a fine ventriloquist and his puppet Madame -- who he styled as a saucy southern lady -- was a great character, full of sass and snark. From frequent variety show gigs, to a faux talk show (Madame's Place), to a short run as center square on the Hollywood Squares, Wayland and Madame were all over the entertainment map during their decade long run. Find extra cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Madeline Kahn

Here's a treat -- one of the funniest women ever to grace the Broadway stage and the silver screen. Madeline Kahn started out as a singing waitress and worked her way onto Broadway, but it was her movies with Mel Brooks -- especially Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein -- that made her a comedy icon. Look fo extra clips in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

 

Colin Quinn

Meet Colin Quinn who has risen from game-show sidekick (MTV's Remote Control) to become a comedian's comedian by blending history, politics, and culture -- with just the right amount of Brooklyn snark. From SNL (where he hosted Weekend Update for a spell) to a long run as host of the scathing Comedy Central talk show Tough Crowd, to a series of one-man shows focusing on American history, to a number of juicy character roles on movies and tv, Colin is a thinking person's comic. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Stu Gilliam

Meet Stu Gilliam, a fine standup and character actor in this week's episode. From humble beginnings, Stu found his comedy groove in the military during the Korean War, entertaining his fellow soldiers with ventriloquism and quick one liners. After serving, Stu began a slow climb up the comedy ladder, catching a career break when Hugh Hefner began to book him in Playboy Clubs around the country. Those gigs led to many tv appearances, both as a standup and a sitcom actor, as well as some fun projects as a voice talent (Scooby Doo!) As always, look for extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.

Harold Ramis

Reading Harold Ramis' resume is like reading a history of classic comedy from the 1970s to the 2000s. The National Lampoon Radio Hour, Animal House, Meatballs, Caddy Shack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and SCTV -- Harold was a driving force in all of them as a writer, producer, actor, and/or director. He once said he liked to channel the wit of Groucho and the charm of Harpo and boy did he ever succeed. Plus he left us with one of the all time great safety tips (in the guise of Egon Spengler): "Don't cross the streams -- it would be bad." As always, look for extended cuts in the comments and thanks for sharing our shows. #HaroldRamis, #Ghostbusters,#SCTV

Beyond the Fringe

This time out we visit the birth of modern British satire with Beyond the Fringe. Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Jonathan Miller, and Alan Bennett were University students who joined forces in 1960 to produce a stage revue that still is timely today. The Fringe is everything great about British satire -- irreverant, political, snarky, and even a bit silly at times. All four went on to distinguished careers (both inside and outside of comedy), but their early work truly stands the test of time (even if sometimes on one leg). As always find extra cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows. #Beyondthefringe, #britishcomedy, #satire.

Yogi Yorgesson (Harry Stewart)

Meet Yogi Yorgesson, the creation of Harry Stewart, who delighted audiences in the 1940s and 50s with parody songs delivered in a comically thick Scandinavian accent. A product of Tacoma, WA, Stewart developed his "Yogi" persona for a local radio station, then took it national when a series of holiday song parodies clicked with listeners. A long run of novelty tunes followed including the immortal "Who Hid The Halibut On The Poopdeck?"  As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.

Charlie Callas

Meet Charlie Callas, a rubber-faced wildman who was a ubiquitous figure on nightclub stages and tv talk and variety shows in the 1960s and 70s. Callas had a gift for punctuating his routines with wild sound effects which made him an audience favorite as well as a long-time opener for Frank Sinatra. He later became a frequent sitcom guest star -- and his voice graced many cartoons, including the classic "Pete's Dragon." As always find extra cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman)

Meet Paul Reubens -- better known as Pee-Wee Herman -- who came out of left field in the 1980s with a character for the ages. Paul was an improv player in Los Angeles when a failed audition for Saturday Night Live led him to create a stage show that was essentially an adult version of a kids tv show. There were cartoonish sets, wild supporting characters, and corny gags galore -- and presiding over it all was a man-child with an indescribable voice named Pee-Wee. That first success led to movies, tv, and Broadway (with a few bumps along the way). As always find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!