Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

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!

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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!

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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

 

 

Comic Relief US

Sometimes wrangling comedians can seem like herding cats -- but in 1986 everyone and everything came together for Comic Relief US -- a charity originally focused on helping America's homeless population which mounted a series of comedy spectaculars right up until the early 2000s. The organization continues to do good work today -- even staging a live LA Fire benefit -- but it's those early televised events (aired on HBO) that cemented its legendary status. The Comic Relief shows were hosted for many years by Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams and they featured top stand-up, sketch, and musical comedians -- and boy was the bullpen loaded! Over time Comic Relief has raised over $50 million for charity and created a brilliant time capsule of comedy at its most generous and collaborative. Plus -- the shows were really funny! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

 

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Here's a nice slice of the very first Comic Relief US show back in 1986. A lot of legends here!https://youtu.be/pAVpBl5YzHI?si=rPA-j8Z03iu92BKs

Comic Relief 6 was another triumph -- the whole thing is worth watching but the onstage banter among Billy, Whoopi, and Robin is great!https://youtu.be/x6npULKsfCA?si=p4WrQkSBTc6J3DPJ

Talk about legendary -- here are Peter Cook and Dudley Moore reprising their classic Beyond the Fringe sketch "One Leg Too Few."https://youtu.be/k-3Mi9A9kWA?si=rt2pSaXZO27-lWCm

Goldie Hawn

Think of late 1960's television comedy shows and Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In is sure to come to mine, and you can't think of Laugh-In without thinking of today's legend -- Goldie Hawn! On Laugh-In she played a sweet but ditzy blonde who would frequently steal the show. But there was so much more to Goldie than that as she has shown over an Oscar-winning film career. Goldie radiated star-power and was a top draw in movies including Cactus Flower, Shampoo, Foul Play, and Private Benjamin. Goldie has also won the Harvard "Hasty Pudding" woman of the year award, a Golden Globe, a People's Choice award and many others -- but she may be proudest of her 40 year relationship with actor Kurt Russell -- a Hollywood pairing that has stood the test of time. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Goldie will always be linked with Laugh-In and here is a fun "highlight reel" of Goldie's best from that show. https://youtu.be/L5Y1lt2rqGk?si=FSuKghlgUTizBlbG

In 1978 Goldie had a hit with Foul Play, also starring Chevy Chase and Dudley Moore. Here Dudley puts his best moves on Goldie. https://youtu.be/V7rn04Tp5HY?si=6lxQDjcqnNeVNQdn

One of Goldie's best films is Private Benjamin, a fish out of water story about a sheltered high-society woman who joins the Army. The chemistry between salty drill instructor Eileen Brennan and Goldie is superb. https://youtu.be/rbH_RrOAAfA?si=QeD7V7nMWQQLg0xN

 

Arsenio Hall

Get you best "woof woof woof" on for today's Legend, standup comic, television host, and television and movie star Arsenio Hall. From humble beginnings Arsenio graduated from Kent State University then headed west to follow his comedy dreams. After some early success, Arsenio vaulted to national prominence when he played Eddie Murphy's friend in the comedy hit Coming to America. Hall played several roles and was so popular that Fox tapped him as a late night host, first as a substitute for Joan Rivers, then with his own show -- one that opened with that "woof woof woof" chant. In later years, Arsenio has hosted a revival of Star Search, and had solid supporting roles in both tv shows and movies. A 2021 sequel to Coming to America restored Arsenio to prominence (and was a very nice surprise during the pandemic). As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Arsenio's career breakout came In 1988's Coming to America -- he played several roles including the local pastor -- and his take on a black beauty pageant was a comic highlight of the film. https://youtu.be/ExG7Ut6DJ1E?si=pvHEKqMHqTGPI11R

Arsenio was an instant smash on late night tv with his energy and appeal to a younger demographic. Here's a taste of his show from 1991. https://youtu.be/jEdlsU7s-tA?si=cKeNKoayoCMEtWlV

In 2021, Arsenio had a major career boost when he reprised several roles in Coming 2 America, a sequel to the 1988 film Coming to America. Here's some fun bits with Arsenio and Eddie Murphy. https://youtu.be/-J4cPbGP4pA?si=209n5it4eKSoawHf

 

 

 

Ruth Buzzi

Ruth Buzzi has been on our episode schedule for a few weeks now, so we were both shocked and saddened to see the news of her passing -- but pleased that the response from the public was filled with so much admiration and affection. Best known for her stint on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In -- she was the only cast member to appear in every episode, Ruth's credits are much more extensive and diverse including appearing on Broadway, being a favorite on early variety shows (Gary Moore Show, Steve Allen Comedy Hour), and after Laugh-In, keeping a full slate of sitcom, variety show, and movie appearances. She even was a semi-regular on Sesame Street! Much beloved, Ruth is a reminder of when we all bonded over television -- all three or four channels of it -- and hit characters like Gladys Ormphby could take the nation by storm overnight. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. And Ruth, thanks for the laughs and say hi to Dick and Dan for us.

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Here is Ruth in full on Gladys Ormphby having a daydream about romancing John Wayne. Yes, the handbag is deployed. https://youtu.be/srA-w9W5yeM?si=kB0lce_Dd8a6qJcP

You can't think of Laugh In without thinking of Ruth, and here is a nice cut of some of her best bits. Bonus! It also feature some of the best of a fellow legend JoAnne Worley!https://youtu.be/fTdmORyVVg0?si=XNrlmMUJ_D2xoYL1

After Laugh In, Ruth was a regular on tv variety shows and specials such as the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. Here Ruth -- as Gladys Ormphby -- gives the business to Muhammed Ali. https://youtu.be/zC0If3uP85o?si=xT5MvuHHFm8To94J

Jimmy Kimmel

From shock jock to The Man Show -- to elder statesman of late night tv? That's the path Jimmy Kimmel has taken on his way to a legendary career. Along the way, Jimmy has also become a reliable and popular host for the Oscars and the Emmy -- as well as helping bring to the screen the Crank Yankers prank phone call show. A pretty diverse resume! As Kimmel has matured he has also developed a political voice which he deploys to great effect on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, most notably when he helped galvanize opposition to repealing Obamacare during the first Trump administration. Not to fear, Jimmy shows no signs of hanging up his microphone for a political career any time soon. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our show.

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Every comic needs a faux running "feud" and Jimmy has a great one with Matt Damon -- and here is one of the videos that made it a comedy hit. https://youtu.be/eSfoF6MhgLA?si=kpspFQK___c54SG9

Jimmy got his start in commercial radio at just 22 -- and it didn't go great as he recently told Kelly and Mark. https://youtu.be/J3mmVviKRpg?si=rBb85ZDFmZg_xW5h

This is a great bit! From the 20th anniversary show of Jimmy Kimmel Live! 2023 Jimmy chats with 2003 Jimmy.https://youtu.be/oqZvxAQRU9A?si=F0RXi8oOnCJUw5e_

You know you are a big dog in Hollywood when you get to host the Oscars -- and for Jimmy Kimmel it was a comic's dream, especially helming the show after Will Smith infamously clocked Chris Rock. Here's Jimmy's monologue highlights from that show. https://youtu.be/Ylj_Omeqg0I?si=xgIyygmXxV950kiS

Caddyshack

OK, with golf season fully underway, it's time to salute Caddyshack, one of the classic 1980s comedy that featured the directorial debut of Harold Ramis, the big screen breakthrough for Rodney Dangerfield, some arrogant Ted Knight, some crazed Bill Murray and a lineage that drew heavily from both Saturday Night Live and the National Lampoon. Don't worry too much about the plot -- it's merely a launchpad for comedy bits galore. Whether you're a hacker, a duffer, or a scratch golfer, Caddyshack has something for you. And if you are a real big fan, you can watch it wearing your "William Murray" golf gear and finish with a pint at the "Murray Brothers Caddyshack Restaurant" (yes it's real). As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Bill Murray has had far larger roles over time, but he makes the most of his Caddyshack persona Carl Spackler, a groundskeeper who is just a little, shall we say, disturbed. https://youtu.be/X48G7Y0VWW4?si=QGiCSvUEMJQYbGRo

Chevy Chase has never been better than as Ty Webb, a pro-level golfer who smirks his way through life. Here are some of Chevy's best bits. https://youtu.be/Al3Yt5gxExY?si=CwIlxkEJFpXJIbTG

Rodney Dangerfield was the perfect choice to play Al Czervik, a loud, crass, and hilarious "slob" dropped in the middle of a bunch of country club "snobs". Here Al tries to goad the arrogant Judge Smalls (a brilliant Ted Knight) into a slice. https://youtu.be/RrOhjHC28PQ?si=MFzVjclP0mKa6fxi

Fry and Laurie

Meet Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie -- known to comedy fans as Fry and Laurie -- one of the funniest and best loved British comedy duos to emerge in the 1980s. Introduced to each other by Emma Thompson when they were students at Cambridge, Stephen and Hugh got their biggest boost when BBC hosted A Bit of Fry and Laurie from 1989 to 1995. Their sketch interplay was stellar, as was their bit of breaking the fourth wall to address the audience directly. And their acting chops served them well when they were cast as Jeeves and Wooster in an adaptation of the PG Wodehouse "Jeeves stories". They also lent their wit to the Ben Elton "Black Adder" series, including some brutal satire in the final series, set in WW I. In recent years the lads have mostly performed solo, but they remain close friends and who knows, perhaps a Bit *More* of Fry and Laurie might be in our future -- at least we can hope. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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As with many of their Brit contemporaries, Fry and Laurie were happy -- almost gleeful -- to smash comedy tradition including a gift for breaking the fourth wall. https://youtu.be/s4bPsGsNGi4?si=wgteHCLcf4ucTabu

Fry and Laurie were both excellent comic actors and their chemistry was put to good use when they starred in a television adaptation of the PG Wodehouse Jeeves and Wooster series. https://youtu.be/LObPaCloY8E?si=QlsCtBp0B2upTXZa

 

The Black Adder series of English historical comedies have a devoted fan base, and Fry and Laurie were right in the mix as in this darkly comic bit from the final series, Black Adder Goes Forth. https://youtu.be/RcIV5tU_Zik?si=R2o_WtJkMXwdadWq

Jon Stewart

Be honest, how many of you majored in bong hits at college? If so, you are in good company with today's legend -- Jon Stewart -- who claims he did just that back in the day. It doesn't seem to have lowered his productivity -- after three decades in the public eye Jon is as busy as ever with his second stint on the Daily Show. Since his early days, Jon has shown his ability to mix serious factual news with razor sharp satire first as a standup, then as an MTV host, and finally at the Daily Show where he turned a late night oddity into a cultural juggernaut. And, when he is in the mood, Jon can also conjure up a little Catskills comedy vibe as well. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Jon's first national standup exposure was on David Letterman in 1992 -- from the start he was insightful, literate -- and very funny. https://youtu.be/wxUBJYzJrYg?si=zSUyqjkEqWIAkSXR

Jon had a much loved MTV talk show in the early 1990s and one of his guests was another tv legend -- Dick Clark! https://youtu.be/38BPMKLckVY?si=XMOA2PEzkwDnxJxj

Jon's second stint as Daily Show host was a delightful surprise that landed just before the 2024 presidential election -- and Jon's election night coverage was masterful. https://youtu.be/ZjMAfRq7V_s?si=DTiXEpJj73tg1YRa