What's So Funny!

Redd Foxx is most known for his role on Sanford and Son, but his career dates back all the way to the ’40s. When he was 17 he was a member of the trio “The Bon Bons,” for a while he wanted to be a singer and even released 5 singles, and he was friends with Malcolm X. Most of Redd’s comedy career consisted of blue party albums, but there is so much more to his lengthy career. Listen in to find out...

Freddie Prinze was an overnight sensation. He was invited to sit by Johnny Carson during his first appearance on the show which was an instant game changer. He starred on the show Chico and The Man where he coined the phrase “lookin’ good!” Ultimately this fame led to his demise: a drug problem, depression, and eventually suicide. Listen in as Dave, Tom, and Logan introduce us to the incredible Fr...

Freddie Prinze was an overnight sensation. He was invited to sit by Johnny Carson during his first appearance on the show which was an instant game changer. He starred on the show Chico and The Man where he coined the phrase “lookin’ good!” Ultimately this fame led to his demise: a drug problem, depression, and eventually suicide. Listen in as Dave, Tom, and Logan introduce us to the incredible Fr...

The first housewife to break out of the mold, Phyllis Diller broke into the scene with her famous one-liners, fright wigs, and out of this world costumes! Phyllis is the first female stand up comedian, paving the way for all those who came after her. She loved getting plastic surgery and was known as the queen of the gays. She became friends with Bob Hope and traveled the world with him doing come...

The first housewife to break out of the mold, Phyllis Diller broke into the scene with her famous one-liners, fright wigs, and out of this world costumes! Phyllis is the first female stand up comedian, paving the way for all those who came after her. She loved getting plastic surgery and was known as the queen of the gays. She became friends with Bob Hope and traveled the world with him doing come...

 Season 2 of What's So Funny! is coming very soon and, let me tell you, we are talking about some great comedians! With the same great hosts! And all-new comedy albums! But, this time around it's just all us all the time. Coming Nov. 10 our season includes Phyllis Diller, Freddie Prinze, Redd Foxx, and many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Season 2 of What's So Funny! is coming very soon and, let me tell you, we are talking about some great comedians! With the same great hosts! And all-new comedy albums! But, this time around it's just all us all the time. Coming Nov. 10 our season includes Phyllis Diller, Freddie Prinze, Redd Foxx, and many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dick Gregory broke barriers for African American comics. In fact, he was the first black comedian to sit next to Jack Paar becoming a trailblazer for other black comedians. He had a very successful comedy career, but he felt the call of civil rights activism which took priority over making people laugh. Not only did Dick Gregory run for mayor of Chicago, a year later he ran for President of the Un...

Dick Gregory broke barriers for African American comics. In fact, he was the first black comedian to sit next to Jack Paar becoming a trailblazer for other black comedians. He had a very successful comedy career, but he felt the call of civil rights activism which took priority over making people laugh. Not only did Dick Gregory run for mayor of Chicago, a year later he ran for President of the Un...

Our final episode of the season features the one, the only, Shelley Berman and his album “Inside Shelley Berman!” Before becoming a comedian, Shelley worked quite a few odd jobs, but he didn’t let that stop him from becoming the comedian we know of today! He is most known for his role on Curb Your Enthusiasm but, he was one of the premiere comics of his time. . Listen in to find out what makes She...

In this episode of What’s So Funny! we are listening to the one and only Moms Mabley and her 1970 album “Live at Sing Sing.” Jackie Moms Mabley is not only known as the funniest woman in the world, but she is also known as the first black stand up comedienne, the first black woman to take the stage at the Apollo theater, and the first black woman to play at Carnegie Hall. Her career spans over 30...

In this episode of What’s So Funny! Dave Schwensen and Tom Megalis listen to original one hit wonder Vaughn Meader. His comedy album broke records when it was released in 1962 skyrocketing to the top of the charts, but his career took a turn for the worse when national tragedy hit. As the original presidential impersonator he changed the face of the nation as John F. Kennedy. Let’s go back in time...

It’s hard to believe, but the parents of improvisational comedy didn’t even like each other the first time they met! In this episode of What’s So Funny! we take a listen to the live recording of their Broadway show “An Evening With Nichols and May,” by Mike Nichols and Elaine May. This comedy duo rose to fame in just 2 short years and paved the way for improvisational comedy that we see today! Lea...

In this episode of What’s So Funny! We meet Lily Tomlin’s famous character Ernestine the Telephone Operator in her 1971 album This Is A Recording. Ernestine shows us what a day in the life of the telephone company is like. She persuades Gore Vidal to pay his bill, introduces us to the hunky Vito the Repairman, and we get to hear about the upcoming telephone company pageant. Lily Tomlin has done it...

We all know Steve Martin the actor, but in this episode we go back in time to his comedy roots with the album “A Wild and Crazy Guy.” From Disney Land to sold out stadiums Steve Martin’s career exploded onto the scene forever changing the way people viewed comedy. He can juggle, he can lasso, he can play the banjo, he appreciates art, and he’s been on SNL almost as many times as Alec Baldwin, is t...

One of the most controversial comedians of his time, Lenny Bruce, was the original bad boy of comedy. In this episode we will be listening to his 1961 album “American.” We will find out how Lenny got his start doing stand up, the influence of jazz on his comedy, and why he wore a trench coat on stage. Listen in as we discover what made Lenny Bruce so controversial! Learn more about your ad choices...

It’s the first episode of the new season of What’s So Funny! and we are listening to the first recorded modern comedy album, “The Future Lies Ahead” by Mort Sahl. Mort is the master of political satire, he was the first comedian to be on the cover of Time Magazine, the original comedy game changer. Listen in to find out how Mort Sahl transformed the comedy scene one newspaper at a time! Learn more...