Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

Johnny Yune

Meet Johnny Yune, godfather of Korean stand-up comedy in this miniprogram. The name may not ring an immediate bell, but if you watched the Tonight Show in the late 70s and early 1980s, caught any of a number of variety shows from that era, or had a thing for Kung Fu parody flicks, you know his comedy. An extended first set on the Tonight Show back in 1979 (Charlton Heston was late!) was Yune's big break and he made the most of it, eventually hosting his own Americanized talk show in Korea and a local talk fest in LA. As always find extended cuts in the comments at laughtrackscomedy.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Homer & Jethro

Henry "Homer" Haynes and Kenneth "Jethro" Burns ruled the country comedy world for decades with parody versions of hit songs (paging "Weird Al") and a stage act that showcased their superb musicianship as well as their comedy chops. An early takedown of Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans" called "The Battle of Kookamonga" topped the Billboard charts, won a Grammy award, and remains a favorite on the Dr. Demento radio show. From there, Homer & Jethro went on to variety shows and the nightclub circuit, eventually being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. As always, find additional cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.

Orson Welles

This time out we have a masterpiece of "found comedy" courtesy of film icon and gloriously overstuffed ego Orson Welles. Welles' place in the comedy pantheon was secured by material he never released -- outtakes from different commercial recording sessions (which he had undertaken to replenish his perpetually depleted funds). Leaked by long-suffering crews, these audio gems were passed around among aficionados but thanks to the internet Orson's rants are now part of the permanent record. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.

 

Dana Carvey

Meet Dana Carvey, master of standup comedy and impressions, and a stalwart of one of Saturday Night Live's best casts. From his youthful win at the San Francisco International Standup Comedy Competiton, to his long run at SNL, to a late career return to the standup stage, Dana has charmed audiences with his impish wit. And his razor sharp takes on everyone from dim Austrian weightlifters to a cable access second banana to a rather scoldy church lady continue to earn big laughs today. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Burns and Schreiber

Jack Burns and Avery Schreiber, better known as Burns and Schreiber were mainstays of tv and nightclub comedy throughout the 1970s with an act that drew from their Second City training to create memorable and hilarious sketches. Their best known bit, which they updated frequently, had Jack's annoying conventioneer climb into Avery's cab, commenting on everything and anything along the way. Both men also had very visible post-team careers including Jack's run as producer of ABC's Fridays and Avery's crunchy run as the spokesperson for Doritos! As always find extended cuts in the comments at laughtrackscomedy.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Mitch Hedberg

Mix surreal and offbeat one liners with an indelible stage presence and you get Mitch Hedberg, an icon of alternative comedy. Mitch's cadence was low-key and jazzlike while his subject matter took on the absurdities of everyday live. The result was like bringing the best Far Side cartoons to life. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Gabe Kaplan

Meet Gabe Kaplan, standup star, sitcom legend, and world-class professional poker player (!) in this miniprogram. Gabe mined his real-life high school experience for laughs early in his standup career and good thing because it led to the comedy classic "Welcome Back Kotter" in which Gabe returns as a teacher to his alma mater. It was a sweet gig and when it ended Gabe returned to standup and launched a new passion -- playing professional poker. With over $2 million in lifetime winnings we'd say he might have a future with the cards! As always, extended cuts are in the comments at laughtrackscomedy.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

Jane Curtin

Meet Jane Curtin, an original SNL cast member who went on to more fame on tv and the big screen in a career now nearing 50 years. Jane could play both funny and straight and she created some indelible characters in the process from tough consumer reporter Joan Face to Conehead matriarch Prymaat to Allie Lowell in the hit sitcom Kate and Allie, Kate's cool and cerebral approach to comedy provided a strong center around which other comedy could build. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!

The Rutles

Meet The Rutles -- the comic creation of Eric Idle and Neil Innes who took a short Beatles parody on BBC's "Rutland Weekend Television" and turned it into a full length mockumentary, several excellent albums, and sold out worldwide tours. Dirk, Barry, Stig, and Nasty -- the "Prefab Four" -- managed the rarest of feats in making a mockumentary that had just the right amount of snark and sweetness (it also helped that Neil Innes wrote some great tunes). As always, find extra cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.

Lewis Black

Meet Lewis Black, master of tightly wrapped comedic rage in this miniprogram. Lewis Black went from local theater to a legendary standup career when a pal who saw his backstage rants suggested that he take the stage and "start yelling up there." Through multiple comedy specials, sold out worldwide tours, and even a role in a Pixar flick (as "Anger", naturally), Lewis expertly channels the frustration we all feel and gets us to laugh in the process. As always find extended cuts in the comments at laughtrackscomedy.com and thanks for sharing our shows!