Comedy History 101

We continue on with the history of William Topaz McGonagall (1825 –1902) - the worst poet in Scottish history, whose performances usually ended with being pelted with rotten eggs, peas, and herring. Not only did McG once walk 60 miles through a thunderstorm - to read his poetry for the Queen (though not invited), but he also went on to influence the likes of Monty Python, Peter Sellers, Spike Mill...

William Topaz McGonagall (1825 –1902) has the notoriety of being the worst poet in Scottish history. What they said about McGonagall back in the day was: “He was so giftedly bad he unwittingly backed in genius.” When McGonagall would perform his poetry, it usually resulted in being pelted with rotten eggs, peas, and herring. The comedy legacy of McGonagall is he went on to influence the likes of M...

We dive into the history of the legendary Improv comedy club. Learn about Bud Friedman and his club that launched the careers of Andy Kaufman, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman, and just about everyone else who is famous in the world of comedy. Find out about the humble beginnings in Hell's Kitchen. When did the iconic brick wall come about? How did the Improv became a megalopolis come...

We continue our deep dive into the history of racist British comedians. In this episode we talk about such racist British sitcoms as Til Death Do Us Part, Curry and Chips, and Peter Sellers role in The Party. Plus we recap some of the highlights of the racist comedy careers of comedian Jim Davidson, Roy Chubby Brown, and Bernard Manning. And what finally changed the face of British comedy? Learn m...

Roseanne Barr was on top of the world again - until she wrote a racist tweet. ABC responded by yanking her show off the air. Meanwhile, over in the UK, the country has a long history of racist comedians - who say things on stage that are even worse than what Roseanne wrote. Such comedians as Roy Chubby Brown, Bernard Manning, and Jim Davidson are fixtures into British comedy history; despite doing...

In 2006, a producer thought it would be a good idea for double-acquitted murderer OJ Simpson's comeback project project to be a zany hidden camera prank show called Juice'd. As in, a prank is pulled, OJ Simpson pops out, and goes, "You've been Juiced," at which point the person pranked goes, "HEY, AREN'T YOU THAT GUY WHO MURDERED THOSE PEOPLE?! And I, Harmon Leon, was hired off an ad on Craigslist...

Back in 2011, Donald Trump was a reality TV star. Comedy Central decided to send up the star of The Apprentice with one of their televised roasts. Hosted by Seth MacFarlane, Trump sat with a smug smile as he was roasted by such stars as Jersey Shore's "The Situation." Trump only agreed to doing the Trump if jokes about his hair, bankruptcies, assumed wealth were made off limits. He also made it ma...

Donald Trump has once again reunited with Rudy Giuliani. But they’ve known each other for years. You’ve seen the video. Giuliani is dressed drag. Trump tries to play the lady’s man - and makes a inappropriate sexual advance by “motorboating” Giuliani’s faux breasts. With present-day context, the video is like something out of illuminati treasure trove But where the hell did this video come from? W...

The Comedy Store in Los Angeles is home to a zillion famous (and not so famous) comedians. But at one time, directly behind The Store, the condo at 8420 Cresthill Road - was literally home to numerous comedians who went on to change the face of comedy. Sam Kinison, Andrew Dice Clay, Robin Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Richard Pryor, and Marc Maron - either lived or hung out at this comedy habode. This...

Comedian Michelle Wolf caused controversy at the recent White House Correspondents' Dinner. The annual Washington event, that celebrates the media and free speech, has a long history of comedy. From the early days with Bob Hope to notable comedians as Richard Pryor, Stephan Colbert, and Jon Stewart - comedy has been an integral part of the gala. Harmon and Scott take a deep dive into the history o...

We explore the history of dead baby jokes - a popular joke genre that began the 60’s and ran through the 80s. Like gallows humor tried to make light the worst of human atrocities. But social climate brought about this type of dark comedy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 80's, Andrew Dice Clay was one of the biggest comedians in America. He came into prominence with a brash, offensive persona known as "The Diceman." His material was heavily homophobic and misogynistic. He was banned from MTV and there were protests of his appearance on SNL. Then his entire career came crashing down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more a...

Harmon and Scott dissect the history of the movie Caddyshack 2 - which is not only a sequel to the much beloved movie, Caddyshack, but it's also the worst sequel OF ALL TIME! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harmon and Scott discuss the biopic: A Futile and Stupid Gesture which chronicles comedy writer Doug Kenney, during the rise and fall of National Lampoon. They compare it to the 2015 documentary: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon, which chronicles comedy writer Doug Kenney, during the rise and fall of National Lampoon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

So, how did the TV show South Park come about? Well, it goes back to the animated short: The Spirit of Christmas. In, 1992, film students Trey Parker and Matt Stone.created the animated short; Jesus vs. Frosty - which pitted the beloved holiday character again Jesus. That set their career rolling - but there were a few hurdles along the way... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

Harmon and Scott dive into the history of Moms Mabley, who was the first successful female standup comedian and had a career that spanned over 50 years. Moms bridged the gap between vaudeville and modern stand up comedy. She was also the first woman comic to play the Apollo theater and Carnegie Hall in 1962. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad ch...

Harmon and Scott discuss the making of the Mike Judge animated short, Frog Baseball, which launched the MTV series: Beavis and Butt-head Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harmon and Scott revel over the history of crazy Japanese game shows. Learn about Takeshi's Castle - the granddaddy of all weird Japanese game shows. And find out about Candy No Candy - where contestants have to eat objects, like shoes, and determine if it's candy or not candy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

Harmon and Scott discuss the new documentary, Jim and Andy, which is about Jim Carrey transforming into Andy Kaufman during the filming of the 1999 movie, Man on the Moon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harmon and Scott dive into the history of Party Records; particularly Laff Records, a small independent comedy label known for XXX humor and helped launch the careers of Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, LaWanda Page, and Skillet & Leroy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harmon and Scott dive into the history and value of the straight man in comedy teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We explore the history of comedy that crosses the line. Scott and Harmon discuss comedy that's revolutionary and comedy that goes too far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We explore the comedy history behind comedians stealing jokes - from Abbot and Costello to Carlos Mencia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We explore the comedy history behind DEVO - one of the funniest bands in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harmon Leon and Scott Calonico discuss the history behind the legendary TV show: SCTV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices