In 2005, Pepe the Frog was created by cartoonist Matt Furie And then his lovable creation got coopted by the alt-right. Ugh! Coinciding with the release of the new documentary, Feels Good Man - we chronicle the crazed, insane journey of Pepe the Frog.
(Pt 2) History of Dolemite
We continue our history of: Dolemite. Eddie Murphy has a new Netflix bio-pic on comedian Rudy Ray Moore - and the making of the movie Dolemite. The movie was made for $100,000 in 1974- and in this episode we cover everything that went wrong during production; including a drunk director, hiring a real-life junky, and basically filming without permits.
(Pt1) History of Dolemite
“Dolemite is my name and f*cking up motherf*ckers is my game!” says Dolemite - the comedy creation of Rudy Ray Moore.
There’s a new Netflix bio-pic coming out on Rudy Ray Moore called: Dolemite is My Name. It stars Eddie Murphy - and chronicles how Moore went DYI and produced the movie: Dolemite. In this episode we dive into the early days of Rudy Ray Moore, producing XXX Party Records - to the Dolemite origin story.
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History of Here Comes the Judge: Comedy's First Meme
Here Comes the Judge is a 1968 song by legendary comedian Pigmeat Markham. It become one of comedy’s first memes when Sammy Davis Jr. made it a catchphrase on the TV show: Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In.
The song, and Laugh In comedy sketch, became so huge - that 4 other versions of Here Come the Judge were released in the same year - all them making the charts. (The most famous by Shorty Long.)
Here Comes the Judge - also inspired the Baskin-Robbins flavor: Here Comes the Fudge.
Find out more about one of comedy’s first memes - long before there was the Internet.
History of SNL Firing Cast Members
This week, Saturday Night Live fired new cast member, Shane Gillis. Turns out he made racist comments on podcasts.
Ugh!
But there’s been numerous famous comedians who have been fired by SNL over the years. Adam Sandler. Fired! Chris Rock. Fired! Sarah Silverman. Fired! Not to mention, Norm Macdonald, Damon Wayons, Rob Riggle, Chris Farley, and of course, Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr….ALL FIRED!
In this episode of CH101 - we cover all the performers who have been fired by SNL over the years.
CH101 Select: History of Devo
We explore the comedy history behind the band DEVO - one of the funniest music groups of all time.
DEVO first described their music as bombs dropping mixed with Alka Seltzer jingles and the overall mood of the band as a combination of Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Ronald McDonald.
Find out about such carnations as Boogi Boy (Mothersbaugh's alter-ego), the red energy dome hats, and where they came up with the idea for the yellow jumpsuits.
(Pt 2) History of Mad Magazine
Look at Jimi Hendrix. He loved Mad magazine. I’d like to think that when Hendrix played his rendition of The National Anthem at Woodstock, he was doing his Mad magazine interpretation of the song—thumbing his legendary nose at authority.
And Mad is ending it’s 67 year run in August. We dive into Part Two of your history of the magazine. - covering some of the controversies over the years. Longtime editor, Joe Raiola tells us what happened when they had an article where the prophet Muhammad appeared in a pancake.
You can also read my entire interview with Joe at the Observer.
History of Mad Magazine
Sadly, Mad magazine is ending its 67-year print run in August. Gone. Vanished. No more. But Mad will live on through how it influenced every comedic force that has ever thumbed its nose at authority, from The Simpsons and the Onion to Howard Stern, and Stephen Colbert.
I recently got a chance to interview longtime editor/writer for Mad, Joe Raiola - for a story I did in the Observer. Joe provided some great insights on his 33 years working for Mad.
History of Tim Conway
Tim Conway was one of the greatest second bananas in comedy history. Sadly, he passed away on May 14th at the age of 85. Conway’s comedy career started on a local TV station in Ohio, and he made his mark in sketches alongside Harvey Korman on the Carol Burnett Show. He also starred in the much overlooked TV movie: Roll Freddy, Roll.
We love the comedy work of Tim Conway - and today’s CH101 episode is a tribute!
(Pt 2) History of National Lampoon Radio Hour
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 scooped up all the talent for SNL.
(Pt2) CH101 Select: Comedy That Crosses The Line
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.
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(Pt1) CH101 Select: Comedy That Crosses The Line
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 you.)
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History of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Comedy Influences
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 comedians that helped shape the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
(Pt 2) History of Peep Show And Its American Pilot
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.)
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Here is the shitshow that is the American pilot of Peep Show:
History of Peep Show and Other US Versions of British Comedy Shows
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; including The IT Crowd, Spaced, and Fawlty Towers.
Remember, America is where British comedy shows come to die!
History of Kentucky Fried Movie
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.
Also, a shout out to our new sponsor: Drunk Bible Study.
History of The Groove Tube: Comedy That Led to SNL
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 Channel One Theater Company.
Directed by Ken Shapiro, The Groove Tube was the brainchild of the humor of the first generation of comedians coming to age in the TV generation.
History of the Biggest Flop in TV Comedy History
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 staff writers and the first episode of Turn-On was hosted by Tim Conway. Perhaps the show was too ahead of its time, or perhaps it was truly awful? We’ll just never know…
HIstory of Trump Attempting Humor in the White House
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 a new story in the NY Observer, to get his take on Trump as a purveyor of jokes and humor. We discuss his insights and the history of humor coming from Trump - The President.
Trump loves laughing at the misfortunes of others. Trump doesn’t love laughing at himself. Trump is no comedian. But I’m sure he’d would claim he’s the funniest president in history – EVER!
History of Richard Pryor's Children’s TV Show: Pryor's Place
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 neighborhood. There’s puppets, celebrity guest stars, and Pryor giving moral lessons to kids.
The best part is the theme song to Pryor’s Place performed by Ray Parker Jr. who did the Ghostbuster’s theme. It’s so catchy - that it will haunt you forever.