Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve

Iliza Shlesinger

Meet Iliza Shlesinger, one of the breakout comics of the last decade, who has ridden sharp character voices, a prowling stage presence, and pointed observations about millennial life to the top. But there is more to Iliza than her fantastic standup including starring in her own sketch comedy show and inhabiting great character roles on film and tv. As always you can find more Iliza below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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NBC's Last Comic Standing comedy competition has launched numerous careers, including Iliza who was the first female and youngest-ever winner back in 2008. https://youtu.be/WCclz_TxY9o

Iliza has the gift of making comedy about the smallest everyday dilemma -- like what to do when you first get to a bar. Adjust your lipliner, of course!https://music.apple.com/.../plunge-that.../1520110602...

Iliza does a lot of character work on stage, so it's no wonder she has begun to make a mark with character roles in film and tv. In 2020, Netflix released Spenser Confidential, a Mark Wahlberg led take on the beloved mystery novel series. The movie wasn't great -- but Iliza was as Spenser's salty ex-girlfriend. https://youtu.be/csAReby4VF8

Julia Louis Dreyfus

Meet Julia Louis Dreyfus who rose from a 21 year old SNL cast member to starring turns on Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and most recently Veep, earning enough awards hardware to require another room! A gifted producer as well as actor and writer, Julia has the gift of balancing world class snark with just the right amount of sweetness to make enduring and lovable characters. No wonder she won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2018! As always, find more clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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At the tender age of 21, Julia was plucked from The Second City to join the SNL cast. It was a transitional time but there were still many highlights, including this great bit with Mary Gross and Jim Belushi about a newly liberal and vegetarian daughter coming home for Thanksgiving. Bon Appetit! https://youtu.be/gsTckudUVL8

After her role on Seinfeld, Julia hit TV paydirt again with the New Adventures of Old Christine, in which she plays a single mom running a gym. Sure it's a network sitcom, but the writing is solid and the interplay between Christine and her best friend -- played by Wanda Sykes (!) -- is great fun. Here's some highlights. https://youtu.be/T8yrCzyzZ44

In Veep, Julia created the role of a lifetime -- that of Vice President Selina Meyer. With the help of a gifted supporting cast, Julia nailed the thankless and irrelevant role of a VP -- except when it's not! Here's a nice sample of some of Selina's best lines. https://youtu.be/YtRVGdT6c3E

 

The Arrogant Worms

Meet some nice guys from Canada who once on stage turn into some arrogant worms. Make that THE Arrogant Worms -- a long running musical comedy trio who blend bouncy melodies and sharp lyrics. From their humble roots on college radio, the Worms have gone on to release nearly two dozen albums and compilations and they remain a top touring act to this day. As always find extra clips below (including one that finds the true culprit behind climate change) and thanks for sharing our shows.

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One of the Worms' most popular songs takes concerns over animal welfare and extends them to the next logical place, asking the question: What if veggies have feelings? https://youtu.be/KmK0bZl4ILM

When it was revealed that methane from cow farts was harming the Ozone layer every middle school boy came up with a joke and the Worms -- well they came up with a novelty music classic. https://youtu.be/JohcbfO0OjA

Have you ever wondered the best way to make it into the history books? If so, the Worms have you covered! https://youtu.be/xgun4yFSsuU

Benny Hill

For Decades Alfred Hawthorne Hill -- known to us as Benny Hill -- was a titan of British (and later American) television comedy with a show that blended slapstick, parody, mime, and a generous helping of double entendre. Benny presided over the show with a rascally gleam in his eye and Boots Randolph's hit "Yakety Sax" was used as the theme -- to the point people had no idea it wasn't written just for the show. Feeling Benny had run his course (after 35 years!) tv bigwigs axed the program in 1989, but the British public begged to differ, keeping it popular in reruns and DVD reissues to this day. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Benny was a high energy host and this 1965 clip catches a bit of that, along with a great take on a German English instructor.https://youtu.be/EmMZ9J-EKlQ

Benny's shows always featured a lot of double entendre and general naughtiness. That style eventually fell out of favor, though Hill noted the butt of his "hanky panky" jokes always were the guys. Here's Benny in a sketch about a reluctant bridegroom. https://youtu.be/jZMcP9SoTVc

Parodies of American television were stock in trade for Benny Hill, particularly of crime and detective shows. Hill was a fine mimic, and here he takes on three top cops -- Frank Cannon, McCloud, and Hercule Poirot. https://youtu.be/EMId43b-fWA

Tracey Ullman

Meet one of the most talented and creative comics around, the legendary Tracey Ullman. A master of sketch comedy and impersonation (and a fine singer to boot), Tracey has racked up dozens of awards over a career now spanning 40 years. From her early days in West End Musicals, to her breakthrough Fox TV show (with also saw the debut of The Simpsons) to her current sketch comedy work, Tracey has built a truly global following. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Tracey's first breakthrough in the US actually came via the radio airwaves. Signed to Stiff Records (home of Elvis Costello and many other new wave giants), Tracey hit the charts with "I Know What Boys Like" back in 1984. Get your skinny ties out for this one. https://youtu.be/ww2R2q_w7JU

Tracey isn't a standup comic. Rather, she lets the comedy flow from perfectly realized characters as in this bit in which Tracey's very drunk driver tries to talk her way out of a ticket. https://youtu.be/64mlGnEEAF8

A lot of impressionists can do the classics but how many can deliver a spot on Angela Merkel? The answer is "Tracey Ullman". In this bit from her most recent HBO series, Tracey envisions a Skype call between Merkel and then-newly elected US President Donald Trump. Needless to say, it's delicious! https://youtu.be/-rMo87P-nDc

Dickie Goodman

You may never have heard the name Dickie Goodman, but no doubt you've heard his work -- at least if you have heard any comedy bit that has someone ask a question that is rapidly answered by a snippet of a popular song. It's called cut-in comedy and Dickie was the pioneer, releasing records from the 1950s into the 1980s and scoring the occasional hit along the way. From an early smash envisioning the first flying saucer landing on earth to later discs parodying Watergate, Jaws, and King Kong, Dickie was one of the pioneers of sampling (even if he didn't know it at the time). As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Dickie's first hit (with Bill Buchanan) capitalized on UFO mania, envisioning the first visit by a space alien to earth. It was a smash and launched a career that lasted 40 years. https://youtu.be/A1s8vsWP7sY

The success of Dickie's records usually was correlated to the success of his underlying topic -- so hit movies were fertile ground indeed. One of his biggest hits riffed of the smash movie Jaws. https://youtu.be/JeYCOFblZRg

When Dickie passed on it seemed that his style of comedy might fade away but examples still pop up from time to time including some from his son Jon who has kept Dickie's original recording in circulation, updating some along the way, and issuing new cut in discs including this recent take on events in Ukraine. https://youtu.be/KGRQCiylMRg

Dave Barry

Here's a guy who has been a Pulitzer-winning columnist, a best-selling novelist, a much sought-after speaker, and guitarist in a garage band that also features Stephen King. It's Dave Barry and his one of a kind career makes him a legend of comedy. From humble beginnings as a beat reporter, Dave eventually became the king of newspaper humor columnists and his affectionately irreverent humor connect with a boomer audience from the start. While he has dialed back his output in recent years, fans still look forward to his annual year in review column and snarky holiday gift guide and he found a new outlet during the pandemic cutting short videos for the Miami Herald filled with the patented Barry wit. Find more Dave Barry below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Dave isn't a standup comic, but his popular keynote speeches are filled with humor nonetheless. Here a slice of Dave talking about one of his favorite topics -- adulthood! https://youtu.be/mlBvneYoH0E

Dave's World was a sitcom based loosely on Barry's life, starring Night Court vet Harry Anderson as Dave. This bit features costars Shadoe Stevens and Meshach Taylor on Dave's decision to get a vasectomy.https://youtu.be/iEM69OSqi3A

Dave Barry still surfaces from time to time with a special column or video and his dispatches during Covid were classic -- especially this one on America's rarest and most valuable commodity -- TP! https://www.youtube.com/live/w5IE

Roy D. Mercer

If that guy on the phone starts to threaten you with "opening a can of whup-ass" don't panic -- you probably just got a call from Roy D. Mercer, the king of countrified prank phone calls. The invention of two Tulsa DJs, Brent Douglas and Phil Stone, Roy was first unleashed on the public 30 years ago and he soon caught on with listeners, particularly long-distance truckers who sent album sales into gold record territory. 24 albums and a music video (with Charlie Daniels!) later, Brent and Phil "retired" Roy, but his catalog lives on anywhere a little "whup-ass" is needed. As always find more cuts below and thank you for sharing our shows!

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Roy's setups usually revolve around some minor dispute which soon escalates into Roy threatening to open a can of "whup-ass" on the other party. Part of the reasons these work is that friends of the victim usually provided Brent and Phil with some insider knowledge. Here's a bit where Roy wants his money after a fender bender. https://youtu.be/68cflgA-2wo

One of Roy's greatest bits involved a dead hamster and a guy with the most infectious laugh on the other end of the line. https://youtu.be/VA4DUYwoJWs

Back in the 80s a star-studded music video was a must for any comic (see "Rappin' Rodney"). Most weren't very good, but Brent and Phil pulled it off in style by having country star Charlie Daniels provide the music while some of Roy's greatest bits floated through.https://youtu.be/kUqMDamYMkM

Chris Rock

Chris Rock is one of the greatest standup comics of all time, and he has parlayed that success into a career that has lasted 40 years (and counting). His standup style is edgy and NSFW, but his tv and movie work has something for all ages -- from flamethrower HBO specials to the sweet and funny sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" to an animated role as a zebra in Madagascar to recent dramatic turns in Fargo and Spiral. And we feel safe in predicting that Chris will always have a singular accomplishment -- that of being the only person slapped by a nominee on an Oscar stage! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Chris Rock first came to fame as a smart standup comic with a flamethrower style. No topic was off limits and a typical Rock set would have audiences both howling with laughter and squirming with discomfort. Here is an early clip of Rock taken from the Comedy Club Network. And check out the hair! https://youtu.be/bdBq-i2C4cA

 

Chris Rock's time on Saturday Night Live was tense and he left after just three seasons. But in that time he came up with some enduring characters including talk show host Nat X -- a man "so black he's navy." https://youtu.be/vLqnKq1IsUY

 

For a very R rated comedian, Chris has managed to weave in some family friendly projects including the animated hit Madagascar in which he plays Marty the Zebra -- here showing off his "circus afro." https://youtu.be/NQ3A7P3k8mI

 

Chris likely wouldn't pick the "slap heard round the world" as a career highlight, but it sure got (and continues to get) people's attention! Check out this news coverage of Chris' recent standup special where he finally address just what was going through his mind. https://youtu.be/lmRJoHCu8Ts

 

 

 

 

Billy Crystal

He sings, he acts, he dances, and he shticks! It's the masterful Billy Crystal who has been a beloved presence on the standup and theater stage, on tv, and in movies since the 1970s. From a groundbreaking role on the ABC show "Soap" to joining a cast of heavy hitters to save Saturday Night Live to an amazing string of hit movies to an award winning Broadway show - - it would proably be easier to list what he hasn't done! As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Even if you have never seen one of Billy's movies, tv shows, theater appearances, or stand up gigs you almost certainly know him -- from his many appearances as the host of the Oscar telecast. Known for flamboyant entrances and gentle pokes, Billy's hosting spots still are held up as a gold standard for other hosts. Here's his monologue from the 1993 telecast. https://youtu.be/CF6fpn8Ts68

Soap was a revolutionary soap opera satire and Billy was part of the revolution, playing the first unambiguously gay characters on a prime time show -- with his customary affectionate irreverence. https://youtu.be/vudJivvHWqI

After the original Saturday Night cast left in the late 70s the show floundered for a while, and it looked like it might be canceled. The call went out for a group of proven sketch comedy stars and Billy answered it. One of his breakout bits was as latin lothario Fernando Llamas hosting a talk show that had one thing on its mind -- looking Mahvelous! https://youtu.be/9NdcinOjbPI

Billy was a legit leading man after a string of romantic comedy hits, but one of his most beloved roles is a small but pivotal one in The Princess Bride. Billy plays Miracle Max, a wizard of dubious skills, who reminds us a lot of Mel Brooks! https://youtu.be/d4ftmOI5NnI