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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.
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Meet Robin Williams, whose comedy act resembled a one man improv troupe and whose films -- whether comedies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, serious fare such as Good Will Hunting, or in-between such as Good Morning Vietnam -- made his a global star. And in his spare time, he helped launch Comic Relief which brought help to the homeless. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Meet Wanda Sykes, sharp of wit and tart of tongue, in this miniprogram. Over the last 30 years, Wanda has worked her way up from comedy writer, to sold out club and theater tours, to award-winning standup specials, to hosting the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner! Not bad for a woman whose first job was reviewing contracts for the National Security Agency! Find extended cuts at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.
Wednesday Nov 04, 2020
Wednesday Nov 04, 2020
Meet the Capitol Steps, who rose from an impromptu group convened to entertain at an office holiday party into a nationally touring political comedy juggernaut. Mixing sharp song parodies, witty wordplay, and far better than needed musical chops, Capitol Steps albums (and shows) are a fast and funny snapshot of the current political mood. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Meet Richard Pryor, the person Rolling Stone magazine ranked top standup comic of all time, in this miniprogram. Pryor's comedy was personal, political, and highly profane -- traits that endeared him to millions through his standup specials and popular movies. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows!
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Meet Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner -- and their classic creation, The 2,000 Year Old Man, in this miniprogram. From a writer's room gag, to a party gag, to an iconic routine Mel and Carl's 2,000 Year Old Man act never varied. Carl would toss Mel a question and Mel would improv an answer, the wilder the better.
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Meet Ellen DeGeneres who rose from humble beginnings in Metarie, Louisiana to becoome a 21 time Daytime Emmy winner, sitcom pioneer, and standup superstar in this miniprogram. As always, find extended cuts in the comments at laughtracksradio.com.
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Meet Tom and Dick -- the Smothers Brothers -- in this miniprogram. Comedy favorites for over 50 years, the Smothers Brothers mixed a classic "brother" comedy act with sharp and controversial political satire -- and tossed in some fine folk music to boot. Look for additional cuts at laughtracksradio.com. Thanks for listening!
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Meet one of comedy's iconic wildmen in this miniprogram. Jonathan Winters was a master of improv comedy, inventing classic characters and situations on the fly and inspiring legions of future comedians such as Robin Williams. Find extended clips at laughtracksradio.com!
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Meet Godfrey Cambridge, purveyor of smart standup comedy, insightful social commentator. and star of groundbreaking movies in this miniprogram. As always, find additional clips in the comments at laughtracksradio.com and thanks for sharing our shows.
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Meet Phyllis Diller who made an improbable journey from midwestern housewife to comedy superstar. With wild dresses, outlandish hair, and an unmistakable cackle, Phyllis was one of a kind. More at laughtracksradio.com