Comedy History 101 Podcast: Live is coming to NYC: Tues, 3/19, 7pm, The PIT Loft Harmon Leon (Vice) and Scott Calonico (Sundance Film Festival) are joined by Chris O'Neil (StoryFest) will be bringing you: The History of XXX Party Records

Yes, we dive further into the history of the legendary San Francisco comedy club, The Purple Onion - up until it closed in 2012. In the early days, the club launched the careers of Woody Allen, Richard Pryor, and Phyllis Diller. In this episode we cover the decline of the Purple Onion in the 70s and 80s - and how it resurrected as a garage rock ...…

The Purple Onion was a legendary comedy club in San Francisco. It was a small, basement club that had its heyday in the 1950s and 60s -and helped launch the careers of Phyllis Diller, The Smothers Brothers, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, and Richard Pryor. Opened in 1952, the Purple Onion ran for roughly 60 years before closing its doors in 2012.…

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from 1967-1970. It was considered the edgiest comedy show of the time. It also launched the careers of Steve Martin - who was a writer for the show, along with Rob Reiner and Bob Einstein aka Super Dave Osborne. The Smothers Brothers constantly butt heads with the censors. But on November 12, 1987 President ...…

We continue with Part 2 of our history of the National Lampoon Radio Hour; the show that evolved into Saturday Night Live and featured such iconic comedy figures as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Christopher Guest, Richard Belzer, and Chevy Chase. We cover our favorite episodes of the NL Radio Hour and how Lorne Michaels ...…

The National Lampoon Radio Hour hit the airwaves in 1973 and was a direct offshoot of National Lampoon magazine. But it gets better - the evolved into the first season of Saturday Night Live and launched the careers of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Chevy Chase. When the National Lampoon Radio Hour ran its course, ne ...…

It’s Part Two of our episode on comedy that crosses the line. You know, the edggggy comedy that goes too far for the times. We dive into Bill Hicks getting censored on the David Letterman show to the revolutionary comedy of Dick Gregory in the early ‘60s - to the cartoons of Charlie Hebdo. Like us on iTunes - and please subscribe and comments.…

On this episode of CH101, we explore the history of comedy that crosses the line. You know, the edggggy comedy. Sometimes it’s comedy that’s revolutionary and creates change, such as the comedy of George Carlin and Lenny Bruce. And sometimes, its comedy that goes too far - and is there just for shock value. (Michael Richards - we are talking to ...…

Rachel Brosnahan won for Best Actress at the Golden Globes for her portrayal of the Mrs. Maisel. On this episode, we dive into Part Two of the real-life comedy influences on the fictional Mrs. Maisel - and cover such legendary comics as Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Anne Meara, Moms Mabley, Elaine May, Totie Fields, and Jean Carroll. Please subs ...…

Did you see the Golden Globe Awards? The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was nominated for several. Rachel Brosnahan won for Best Actress for her portrayal of the Mrs. Maisel. The show is about a stand up comedian in New York City during the 1950s. But who were the real-life standup comedy influences on the fictional character? We do a deep dive into the ...…

We continue with Part Two of our history of SCTV, the iconic TV comedy sketch show that launched the careers of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, and Dave Thomas. This episode we dive into the later years of SCTV with such movie spinoffs as Strange Brew, starring Bob and Doug Mackenzie. Be sur ...…

We dive into the history behind the legendary sketch comedy show: SCTV. Learn how SCTV was an offshoot of the original Toronto company of Second City - and find out more about the original SCTV cast that consisted of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, and Dave Thomas. Hear what about our favori ...…

We continue with Part Two of our history of the pilot for the American version of Peep Show. How did they take one of the funniest shows ever and turn it into one of the most unfunniest TV pilots of all time? David Mitchell and Robert Webb must be rolling in their graves. (Despite the fact that they are still very much alive.) We love your comm ...…

Peep Show is one the greatest British comedy shows of all time. So what did they do? They tried to bring the beloved show to the U.S. and make an American version. Do you know what? They failed miserably. We dive into the history of the Peep Show American pilot and other British comedy shows that came stateside and completely missed the mark; i ...…

National Lampoon: Lemming was a 1973 live stage show that spun out of National Lampoon magazine - and helped launch the careers of John Belushi, Christopher Guest, and Chevy Chase. Lemmings was a take-off of Woodstock - and was toted as three days of peace, love and death - and Belushi acted as the festival emcee who encouraged everyone to kill ...…

Kentucky Fried Movie is a flick that not only launched the career of the Zucker Brothers but also film director John Landis. The movie was made in 1977 right before their comedies, Animal House and Airplane, became international sensations. We dive into the origins of Kentucky Fried Movie, what it took to get made, and it’s place in comedy history.…

Tunnel Vision is a 1976 movie that tried to predict what television would be like in 1985. It also laid the groundwork for the humor of early Saturday Night Live. Basically, it’s a sketch comedy movie that features cameos from such future comedy stars before they were famous: John Candy, Chevy Chase, Joe Flaherty, Laraine Newman, and Al Franken ...…

The Groove Tube is a 1974 comedy film that gave both Chevy Chase and Richard Belzer their first screen roles. It’s also a film that laid the groundwork for the humor of early Saturday Night Live. The low-budget movie, which satirizes TV and counterculture of the early 70s, began as an innovative theater show in NYC’s Lower East Side - with the ...…

Turn-On is considered the biggest flop in TV comedy history. The sketch comedy show was created in 1969 by George Schlatter - who was trying to capitalize on his other show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Only one episode ever aired. In fact, some stations pulled the show after the very first commercial break. A young Albert Brooks was one of the s ...…

From the CH!01 archives: 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. Did you know the advent of the pill, the women's liberation movement, and the Viet ...…

From mocking a disabled reporter to make fun of a sexual assault victim - Donald J. Trump has proven there is a vastly different sense of presidential humor now coming from the White House. I recently interviewed David Litt - head joke writer for President Obama - for an upcoming story in the NY Observer, to get his take on Trump as a purveyor ...…

In 1984, Richard Pryor had a children’s TV show called: Pryor’s Place. This was two years after his classic concert film, Live on the Sunset Strip, - and four years after lighting himself on fire while freebasing cocaine. The Pryor’s Place only lasted one season and was produced by Sid & Marty Krofft. The show takes place in an inner-city neigh ...…

This week comedian/sexual predator Bill Cosby went to prison. Even before Hannibal Buress helped call him out in 2014—Cosby peppered his work with a multitude of references to sexual misconduct. Take his Spanish Fly routine from the 1969 comedy album, “It’s True! It’s True!.” Or his reference to his secret BBQ sauce recipe - that renders women ...…

Part Two of our history of comedians who f-up and attempt comebacks. We dive into the greatest comeback of all time - with Richard Pryor who lit himself on fire while freebasing and then came back and filmed the stand up masterpiece, Live on the Sunset Strip. Along with this, we cover the worst comedy comeback of all time with Michael Richards ...…

We dive into the history of comedians who f-ed up - and then attempted comebacks. We cover the fall, and attempted rise, of Louie CK, Roseanne Barr, Kathy Griffin, Samantha Bee, Kramer from Seinfeld, and Richard Pryor. How did these comedians succeed with their comebacks? What was their apology? Can we separate the person from the art?…

We continue with Part 2 of the History of Meatballs 4. Crazy fact: the movie costarred Jack Nance - who not only played Eraserhead, but was also in almost every single David Lynch movie after the cult classic. In a very low point in his career - Nance played the director of a failing waterski camp and shared wisecracks with Corey Feldman. And t ...…

Meatballs 4 is one of the worst movie sequels of all time. It stars Corey Feldman in the Bill Murray role. It's a classic hackneyed story of the slobs vs. snobs. But the twist here; they have to save a failing water ski camp. But did you know that Meatballs 4 wasn't the original title of the film? Find out some deep cuts into on the worst movie ...…

We dive into Part 2 of the history of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux. We discuss his long range of BBC specials - and his most recent project: My Scientology Movie. Also, find out about both Louie and Harmon's connection with the infamous Westboro Baptist Church.

Our CH101 Select this week: We dive into the work of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux. Find out about Louie's early days alongside Michael Moore on TV Nation. Get acquainted with Louie's first TV series: Louie Theroux's Weird Weekend; where he immersed himself into such subcultures as swingers, pro-wrestling, and porn s ...…

Part 2 on the history of Sasha Baron Cohen and his new show: Who Is America? We dive into the early career of Cohen with such notable characters as Borat, Ali G - and lesser known work as DJ Greg and hosting the show Pump TV.

Sasha Baron Cohen has a new show: Who Is America? Is it funny? Is it not funny!? We explore the history behind the making of Who Is America? - and compare it to Cohen's other classic shows/characters: Borat and Ali G. Come do a deep dive with us as we find out the "who" behind Who Is America?

We continue on with Part 2 of the history of Rutland Weekend television - and dive into the origins of The Beatles parody band: The Rutles. A segment on Rutland Weekend Television later spun off into the full-length mockumentary, The Rutles; which was a direct influence on Spinal Tap and the other films of Christopher Guest.…

It's summer, so we are bringing you a CH101 Select What did Eric Idle right after Monty Python? Rutland Weekend Television. Harmon and Scott dive into the history behind the 1975 cult TV show that was responsible for launching the legendary Beatles parody: The Rutles. Idle teamed with musician Neal Innes - from the Bonzo Dog (Doo-Dah) Band - wh ...…

Our last part on the history of William Topaz McGonagall (1825 –1902) - the worst poet in Scottish history. We dive into who are the modern day McGonagalls - artists who are so bad, that they unwittingly cross into genius. We cover such artistic horrors as The Room, The Shaggs, the poetry of Susan Somers, and Nicholas Cage in the movie: The Wic ...…

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 influenc ...…

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 o ...…

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 co ...…

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 wh ...…

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 a ...…

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?! ...…

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, a ...…

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 treasur ...…

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 ...…

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 ...…

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?

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.…

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!

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…

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...…

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.…