History of Frankie Fay: America's First Stand Up Comedian and Horrible Racist

Frankie Fay was a vaudeville comedian - who in 1919 is said to have created modern day stand up comedy. Fay was the first comedian to come out on stage in regular clothes and just talk to the audience. He is also credited for creating the role of MC in comedy shows. Legendary comedians Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and George Burns all admired Fay’s stage persona.

So why haven’t you heard of Frankie Fay - and why is he lost to history? Because he was also a horrible racist.

In fact, in 1946 - a group called “Friends of Frankie Fay - held a pro-fascist rally at Madison Square Garden - that praised Hitler…and Frankie Fay.

Learn more about the man who pioneered stand up comedy - but was eventually blacklisted from show biz for being a notorious bigot.

(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.