Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

Danny Kaye

One of the most popular film and tv comics ever (with some novelty tunes tossed in for good measure), Danny Kaye delighted audiences with his wordplay whether remembering if "the vessel with the pestle has the brew that it true," speeding through the names of dozens of Russian composers, or engaging is some good natured "faux-Swedish" dialogue on the Muppet Show. Danny was also a humanitarian, serving as the first goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' children's charity UNICEF. Danny was also a part owner of a famed Seattle recording studio (Kaye-Smith) and an initial investor in the Seattle Mariners. We would report what he did in his spare time, but it appears he didn't have any! As always find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! 

Want more Danny Kaye?

Any child of the 50s knows this bit of wordplay magic. The vessel with the pestle. . .https://youtu.be/WzmnSyqv37A?si=v6TNh8A2FZfYStpA

See if you can keep up with Danny as he rolls through Russian composers in this gem taken from the musical "Lady in the Dark". https://youtu.be/KJm1pvOyyXc?si=_Zq_e893UXJh635_

Danny was a prolific novelty song artist and one of his best was a tribute to his beloved Dodgers. Oh, really? No -- O'Malley!" https://youtu.be/zBQlbtJqjUI?si=jtCNe9wP00UZAo4M

Danny Kaye was a welcome presence on television anytime he appeared, and one of his best late career spots was on The Muppets Show. https://youtu.be/MyLTknMEiR4?si=vrftANsa7RmPx_eP

 

Rob Reiner

Say hello to this week's Legend Rob Reiner -- director, actor, writer, producer, activist and all-around mensch. Son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob found his own path in Hollywood first as a writer for the Smothers Brothers, then with a breakout role in All in the Family, then as a movie director and actor. Rob practically invented the "mockumentary" format in the 1980s with This Is Spinal Tap (and boy are we eager for the sequel). His run of directorial credits in the 1980s is a murderer's row of classics and his periodic on-screen appearances are always welcome. And Rob still has no problem speaking his mind! As always, find extended clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Rob?

As we have all recently learned again the crew at South Park has no boundaries on their satire so when Rob popped up as an antismoking activist the South Park crew was there. Ouch! https://youtu.be/VvpK998H6Kk?si=1dsnRgFfKG-cR9Up

All in the Family was a stunning departure from typical sitcom fare when it debuted in 1971 and the full volume battles between Rob's uber-liberal Michael Stivic and his bigoted father-in-law Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O'Connor) were a highlight. https://youtu.be/7toc7JDoFPk?si=RSS05fOj5Ohqrh2_

This is Spinal Tap was a cult classic from the start, one of the first "mockumentary" films of that era. A sequel is about to come out (over 40 years later!) and fans are salivating. Here's a short clip of one of the classic bits from the original.https://youtu.be/uMSV4OteqBE?si=_C8dkCvCrYrbK1iN

Rob doesn't appear on camera that often but when he does it's a gem such as this clip from Sleepless in Seattle in which Rob explains to Tom Hanks the realities of dating in the 1990s.https://youtu.be/CVwwYxZzlSM?si=kVCQFe1JlKY9GoUI

Frankie Howerd

This week it's across the pond to meet one of Great Britain's most beloved comedians, Frankie Howerd. After serving in WWII, Frankie launched his show business career, first gaining fame on radio and in music hall revues. When his popularity began to wane, Frankie tried different formats but it was a regular spot on David Frost's hit show That Was The Week That Was that brought him back into pubic view. After that, Frankie mixed movie roles. stage appearances, and television guest spots. He even had a key role as Mr. Mustard in the Bee Gee's ill-fated movie version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. A recipient of the Order of the British Empire, Frankie has also been remembered with documentaries and a biopic. As always find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Frankie?

Frankie was part of the cast of That Was the Week That Was -- a seminal slice of British satire and one that showcased his unusual delivery. https://youtu.be/oLk4g3TL6Rk?si=5_KsO6KbRpGqd_1c

After a stint on TW3 returned Frankie to the public eye he got his own variety show. Not much exists online from that show, but this episode will give you a taste. https://youtu.be/Jys5-x-Flew?si=DNCrGxx1g8oYYqs3

After Frankie starred in a smash revival of A Funny Think Happened on the Way to the Forum, which led to a fun series -- Up Pompeii! -- set in Ancient Rome. Frankie played a smart aleck slave named Lurcio who would often talk directly to the audience. Here's a full episode. https://youtu.be/SoyuS1niq6E?si=uEnsYVkiHpQ3grjo

Later in his career, Frankie was a mainstay on tv variety programs, including this bit from the Royal Variety Performance in 1982.https://youtu.be/Qw6kSF0ZLZw?si=tzdzr45Oymtdfp0j

 

Daws Butler

Get your pjs on, grab a big bowl of cereal, and plant yourself in front of the TV (at least in your mind) -- its Saturday Morning Cartoon time with one of the seminal voices of animation. The name Daws Butler may not ring as many bells as Mel Blanc, but his characters sure do -- Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw and many more. A fortuitous early partnership with Stan Freberg paid off for Daws with tons of voice work in 1950s Hollywood, and when William Hanna and Joseph Barbera started their namesake studio in the 1960s, Daws was their as a key voice talent. Along the way Daws also was a mainstay of commercials (Captain Crunch anyone?) and founded a voice workshop that trained many of the next generation(s) of voice actors. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Daws Butler?

When the Beatle's stormed America, drummer Ringo Starr was a sensation and Daws caught the wave with Bingo Ringo -- featuring Daws as Huckleberry Hound fantasizing about being a rock and roll star. https://youtu.be/j8l-UakqV28?si=Puvt-4UbfQ67TuR9

Early in his career Daws worked with Stan Freberg on the Beany and Cecil kids who's, then on Stan's series of groundbreaking Capitol records releases including Christmas Dragnet -- a parody of the Dragnet television show -- and Daws was a perfect partner to Stan Freberg's Joe Friday parody. https://youtu.be/VUcEnZZxO9Y?si=vOtthAGBgz1Xn7wo

Daws was the king of Hanna Barbera studios which popularized "limited animation" as a way to cut costs and keep cartoons on the air. With the motion limited, solid voice work was essential. Daws says -- no problem!https://youtu.be/kT_ykjMWDGc?si=sqhJ87kitSfNp6f5

Gabriel Iglesias

When you think of adjectives starting with 'f' that describe comedians you might think of "funny," "fast," and "fierce" -- but you may not think of "fluffy" -- not unless you are fans of Gabriel Iglesias who has ridden family-friendly and playful comedy to the top of the business. Always rotund, Gabriel was nicknamed "fluffy" by his mom -- we hope she gets a cut because it has become his trademark. From an early spot on the Nickelodeon kids show All That to a turn at Last Comic Standing Gabe kept climbing the career ladder. Along the way he also starred in a popular sitcom and has developed a fine resume of voice acting work. But Gabriel has never wandered far from the stand-up stage, hosting a Comedy Central Stand Up series and starring in numerous specials of his own. And to put the cherry on top, in 2022 Gabriel became the first comic to sell out a show at Dodger Stadium -- not bad for a kid called "fluffy"! As always find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Fluffy?

Fluffy has turned out to be a great, if unusual, nickname for Gabe and her he tells Jimmy Fallon the origin story. https://www.tiktok.com/@fallont.../video/7476524565150223662

When Gabe was on Last Comic Standing he was disqualified for using a cellphone to talk with family. Always a standup he turned that setback into instant material for his next special. https://youtu.be/A0BsqoMndz8?si=R5HM2qAt2zSwh3h7

From 2019-21 Gabe starred in a fun sitcom -- Mr. Iglesias -- which starred him as a high school history teacher. Here's the first episode. https://youtu.be/qGIPoodveZM?si=j2Y0jE03pYK7ffaV

Gabe continues to be a top standup draw and his latest Netflix special -- 2025's Legend of Fluffy -- shows him in top form. https://youtu.be/ybzJy_jdJgA?si=iBS9ZUo6Zdtcb7Lf

David Cross

David Cross is one of the best of the alternative stand-up comics who emerged in the 1990s. He also co-created a legendary HBO sketch show AND was the actor behind one of the most cringe-inducing characters in a show full of them. We wonder what he does in his spare time! A self-described "misfit" in his Georgia hometown, David found his people when he moved first to New York, then to LA in search of comedy stardom. He found it -- but in an alternative way issuing a number of well-received comedy albums on the SubPop label (at that time mostly known for grunge music), then teaming with Bob Odenkirk on Mr. Show, then owning the role of Tobias Funke on Arrested Development -- a therapist who doesn't really want to be a therapist -- instead he dreams of show business success (without a lick talent to back those dreams). As always, find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more David Cross?

Here's a little bonus if you are a Strokes fan -- David sets up this video for "Juicebox" with a perfect take on a bad Morning Zoo style DJ.https://youtu.be/GoltwBHXCx8?si=DUDE1CugtU1IY0j4

Mr. Show remains a favorite many years after its final episode. Created by and starring David and Bob Odenkirk, the show tied together sharp sketches on the oddest topics such as this most unusual talk show. https://youtu.be/mhVbLJvYP8s?si=JHuycsQ5XJjI8kr1

David was a hit in the alternative comedy movement of the 1990s and this 1994 appearance on Conan O'Brien is a good example of his style at the time. Nice sweater, too. https://youtu.be/CNzEK9_4Qyw?si=LIBCwnM2oir-pvPy

David was part of the cast that made Arrested Development a cult classic, playing Dr. Tobias Funke, a therapist who really wants to be as star. https://youtu.be/r52Z-GscUwU?si=E5_AKVUUkGzGjhTQ

Joe Flaherty

Every great comedy troupe has a cast member who provides "glue" as well as laughs and for the brilliant cast of SCTV, that "glue" was provided by Joe Flaherty. A bit older than the rest of the cast, Joe was part of the Second City Chicago troupe who went north in the early 1970s to establish one in Toronto. Good move -- that cast attracted young comics such as Dan Ackroyd and Gilda Radner (who would be poached by SNL) and the comedic "murderers row" who joined Joe at SCTV -- Dave Thomas, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Catherine O'Hara and Andrea Martin (later joined by Rick Moranis). Joe served as a mentor, as well as creating some hilarious characters including scary movie host Count Floyd and painfully sycophantic talk show host Sammy Maudlin. After SCTV Joe's career was lower profile but filled with great supporting roles in movies and tv shows, as well as voice acting gigs. Much loved by fellow cast members and fans, later in his career Joe also helped polish future Canadian comedy stars, teaching comedy writing at Humber College in Toronto. As always find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Joe Flaherty?

You can't do a Joe Flaherty episode without Count Floyd -- a loving parody of late night local tv horror movie hosts. https://youtu.be/MEjdt_n1l-4?si=sEavRmMwmg7H-geg

Joe's Sammy Maudlin was a highlight of SCTV -- a wicked parody of dying Vegas culture and "knee slapping" talk show love fests. Add in John Candy as a boot licking co-host and a host of fading stars as guests and you have a comedy classic. https://youtu.be/jBXHFjpoW3o?si=BezMRwMcJ8dmM96j

Joe had many small but key roles in movie comedies in the 1980s and 90s -- here is one with a slightly more serious vibe -- but still unmistakably Joe -- as he sets up a legendary cliff hanger in Back to the Future II. And Western Union got their money's worth from that product placement!https://youtu.be/9S3nJTnDZno?si=DtQWXZVUTW71wt0o

Joe had a juicy role in the cult-classic tv show Freaks and Geeks, playing the Dad, Mr. Weir, with the cringe observations dialed up to 11. https://youtu.be/vOrSZQs2FBU?si=evrEpLmn7-ryaKjv

 

Tenacious D

Time to get your rock and roll shoes on with Tenacious D -- the musical comedy creation of Jack Black and Kyle Gass -- who turned a fun novelty act into an ever more fun worldwide recording and touring machine. When Black and Gass first met in an LA theater troupe they couldn't have known how much their futures would be intertwined. While an early HBO show didn't catch fire, their debut album was a smash -- earning airplay on traditional hard rock stations as well as on comedy shows. The secret is that their music is REALLY good. Both Jack and Kyle are fine musicians and Black is possessed of a voice that would make metal vocalists the world over envious. There is a reason that in their movie "The Pick of Destiny" Jack Black's character (in a flashback to his youth) has a picture of Ronnie James Dio on his wall that he worships (and that talks to him). From there the boys have mixed albums with concert tours and they show no signs of stopping after 30 years. Rock on! And, as always, find extra cuts below (NSFW for sure) and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Tenacious D?

Tenacious D's first breakout song was Tribute -- and it's perfect that they purport to record this version in one of those cheesy recording booths that pop up at parties and clubs. https://youtu.be/_lK4cX5xGiQ?

The movie The Pick of Destiny really catapulted The D into a new level of fame -- and it included this gem. https://youtu.be/kVbbtuJfgIc?si=qehn_vlPjJhM_S7t

Tenacious D is about nothing if not the love of METAL music. Case in point, this great live version of The METAL!

https://youtu.be/Ceo8E40vdiI?si=r-bFUKLUyRMP-jJz

 

Ray Romano

Sometimes comics start down unusual career paths (at least for a comic). How about accountancy? Bob Newhart famously plied that trade early in life. And today's Legend -- Ray Romano -- figured out his comedy path after studying accountancy in college. We suspect that Ray can hire out for an accountant these days after a career that includes a wildly successful sitcom, juicy voice acting roles, frequent guest spots on television (sometimes in dramatic roles), and a little professional poker tossed in the mix. Ray's family friendly brand of humor has gone down well with audiences since he first emerged in the late 1980s. Everybody Loves Raymond debuted in 1996 and launched him to the next level, along with wining him three Emmy awards over nine seasons. Most recently Ray has started taking dramatic roles as in Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman" and he continues to be a popular draw on the standup stage. As always find extended cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Ray?

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson was legendary for the comics it featured early in their careers. Here's Ray from his first Tonight Show appearance in 1991. https://youtu.be/1VcdnqH0PJc?si=wuX4NQ1GyzRopK6h

Everybody Loves Raymond was a smash focusing on the day-to-day live of a large Italian family. Here are some highlights. https://youtu.be/r6uuxO-sHT0?si=JuYxQDhW_M-kP5FD

Ray is a key part of the Ice Age animated movie franchise playing Manny the Wooly Mammoth with just the right amount of sarcasm and grumpiness! https://youtu.be/mVkDXaeqkHA?si=4_YmPEmIuJ_3M1Hg

Richard Belzer

While today he is best remembered for an iconic television character, today's Legend also has deep roots as a stand-up comic -- one with a particularly biting and intelligent approach. We're talking about Richard Belzer, who surmounted a difficult childhood through comedy. After moving to New York as a young man Belzer immersed himself in a burgeoning satirical scene, cutting tracks for the National Lampoon Radio Hour, serving as the warm-up comic for SNL, and even acting as the opening act for Warren Zevon on his Excitable Boy tour. Today, Belzer has a whole different fan base who discovered him during his 23 year run as Detective John Munch in the long-running Law and Order television franchise (beginning with Homicide: Life on the Streets). As played by Belzer, Munch was sarcastic, whip-smart, cynical, prone to conspiracy theories, and highly entertaining -- just like his creator. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

Want more Belzer?

Belzer's first appearance on Letterman broke him with a much wider audience and is a great sample of his style. https://youtu.be/r5uK9pGIzW8?si=G-_nnBFyVuv2kCds

Belzer's character John Munch on Homicide: Life on the streets was streetwise, cynical, and very funny. Here's a cut of some of Munch's best asides. https://youtu.be/7wOxN3P0BDo?si=8vpXiMm37mLmFY3t