Cedric the Entertainer

Fans of classic Vegas lounge comics rejoice, one of your idols awaits this week and we guarantee a "slap-happy" time. We refer, of course, to Slappy White -- a legendary standup who opened for (among others) Dean Martin and Dinah Washington as well as headlining the big rooms himself. A veteran of the "chitlin' circuit" Slappy also became a frequent guest star in 1970s movies and tv shows with a particularly juicy role as Melvin White (Slappy's real name) on Sanford and Sons (courtesy of Redd Foxx, another chitlin' circuit graduate). Later in his career, Slappy teamed up with Steve Rossi when Marty Allen bowed out of that team, but he eventually returned to solo standup as well as frequent appearances on Friar's Club and Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Slappy? Here's Slappy with a fun bit from Redd Foxx's variety show -- dig the hair!https://youtu.be/e0NSxAhgMqk?si=Q3sZ3CyyROU2qfEy Slappy became friends with Redd Foxx when they both toured as comics with the Billy Eckstine band and that friendship was repaid with a key role in Sanford and Son, with Slappy playing Melvin White (his real name), a pal of Fred's. https://youtu.be/SjFcpNsC3hQ?si=4c8V_S4KX4OtBgCQ Like the Love Boat, the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts became a "must do" show for celebs on their way up and (mostly) on their way down. The "roasting" bits could be lame in the hands of regular actors, but in the hands of a pro like Slappy they came to life. Here's a time capsule for you -- Slappy's bit starts at 25 minutes in. https://youtu.be/BJrOzV5UrTQ?si=UpA9HusPYkRIm2un

This week we meet an architect of 1960s British Satire and a titan of 20th century media, Sir David Frost. From humble beginnings, David found his true course in college where he edited the school paper, edited the literary magazine, and for our purposes most importantly joined the Cambridge Footlights Society where he dove head first into the evolving British comedy scene. A genial presenter, David's first big break came as host of That Was The Week That Was, and he followed it up with more clever series including the Frost Report. Drawing on a writing and acting staff that included (among others) Roald Dahl, The Two Ronnies, and much of the Monty Python Troupe, Frost's shows were literate, topical, and very funny. Over time, David leaned into his interviewing skills (looking at you Dick Nixon) more than comedy, but his place in the comedy firmament is secure! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Frost? This clip is over 60 years old -- it's a great bit from That Was the Week that Was back in 1963 -- a consumer guide to religion -- and in true British comedy fashion David and crew take the piss out of everyone! https://youtu.be/tRZWyfERiCc?si=-iX3n5lUM0wEKr-n David followed TW3 with The Frost Report, another brilliant series. Here's a sample episode looking at "trends". https://youtu.be/dnD1WP5wt4s?si=hu2aVAVkkJk6j-oc David specialized in satire, but he also could be silly as in this appearance by the Beatles on his show. He persuaded the lads to play a shaggy version of his theme and they oblige!https://youtu.be/bVI7UWa5K3E?si=NFRMvcDR-oPNKDBB

The 50th (!) anniversary of Saturday Night Live has spawned a "biopic" focused on the debut show and the original cast. A fond look back is certainly deserved for Garrett Morris who battled stereotypes (think Chico Escuela and "Beisbol has been bery-bery good to me") to become part of television history. A fine actor and singer, Garrett was initially hired as part of the writing staff, then added to the cast after Lorne Michaels saw his work in Cooley High. After SNL, Garrett didn't enjoy the starring movie and tv roles of some of his colleagues, but he carved out a fine career in supporting roles and he periodically makes live appearance telling jokes and showing off his vocal chops. Garrett is a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame, but he will be forever in our minds shouting the headlines over Chevy Chase's shoulder in the bit "News for the Hearing Impaired." As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Garrett Morris? Garrett didn't get too many solo sketches tossed his way at SNL so he made the most of them, including this bit on the White Guilt Relief Fund. https://youtu.be/JxAoPcZZatY?si=oVegkbGFXtu1-OwL When Steve Harvey welcomed Garrett to Celebrity Family Feud it was time for the master to toss a little playful crap at the student. https://youtu.be/g-H-09zdweY?si=DrihXb1pOJXFgduV Garrett remains a playful presence on screen and in the occasional live show -- telling jokes and singing. Here's a clip from the Catalina Jazz and Blues Club in 2017. https://youtu.be/f8fturBS6xM?si=mBDopchmLgv3zu-N

Meet Margaret Cho who emerged in the 1990s from a difficult childhood in San Francico to become a quadruple threat: stand-up comedian; actress; musician; and activist. In 1994 Margaret became the first Asian American to have her own TV sitcom (All American Girl) and after that was cancelled, she endured a period of drug and alcohol addiction before resurfacing with comedy that was far more pointed and personal. Margaret has also staged a burlesque style revue (The Sensuous Woman) and been a reliable guest star on television shows including HBO hits The Flight Attendant and Hacks. A prolific creator, she has recorded nine comedy albums and hosts two successful podcasts, along with a number of well-received books. As always, find more clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Cho? One of Margaret's earliest major appearances was as part of the Just For Laughs comedy festival. Here's a sample. https://youtu.be/34lLm_gFTEY?si=7ZMcmn0MSio-6Y0j After some rough years following cancellation of her sitcom, Margaret remerged with an act that had much more edge, including the well-received special "The Notorious C.H.O". https://youtu.be/2EkMNnNnYFI?si=G2_4GIzWtLb94eaC Margaret continues to be a draw on the stand-up circuit with a routine that is playful and pointed. https://youtu.be/pyTZ_LGU7QI?si=Nq461hjl0VJh7fb7

A master of improv, sketch comedy, and impressions, Phil Hartman was the "glue" that held Saturday Night Live together in the 1980s and early 90s. He also was part of the Groundlings Improv troupe, helping Paul Reubens develop his Pee Wee Herman show, he was a frequent voice actor on the Simpsons, and he had a juicy role in the hit sitcom Newsradio. And oh yeah, he also was a fine graphic designer with a speciality in designing rock album covers and band logos. We would tell you what he did in his spare time, but it doesn't appear he had any -- he was too busy leaving huge footprints across the landscape of modern American comedy and pop culture. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Hartman? Phil was a member of the Groundlings Improv troupe at the same time as Paul Reubens and was a key player in helping Paul shape his Pee Wee Herman character. Here's Paul and Phil -- I mean Pee Wee and Captain Carl from the original stage show. https://youtu.be/AFyWQTtIqkk?si=fIo_1DEtryQyVeo4 Phil had many standout impressions, but none more timely than Bill Clinton during his Presidency. This classic sketch will have you looking at McDonald's in a whole new way. https://youtu.be/eYt0khR_ej0?si=IcHXNVfMs5LZBZTp Phil's last major role was as arrogant newsman Bill McNeal on the Newsradio sitcom. Here's Phil, as Bill, issuing a rare retraction.https://youtu.be/lipkFJNcKns?si=QA9sBhGXHx1NIXEf

Nate Bargatze's career has taken a rocket ride over the last few years from small comedy clubs to selling out big arenas including the Hollywood Bowl. Nate's comedy is playful and observational, and it's clean to boot, making it easy for radio to feature a cut now and then. Nate's Dad is a performing magician and motivational speaker, so getting up on stage and making people laugh is in the family tree. But Nate has taken fame to a new level, with a number of comedy specials, sold out arena tours, and frequent appearances on late night tv to his credit. Last year he added the credit that comedians crave -- he was asked to host Saturday Night Live. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Nate? The comedy game show @midnight (recently revived) was a showcase for standup's who were asked for quick responses to unusual prompts. This segment on "Florida Man" gives Nate a chance to shine. https://youtu.be/JrGmDagufy8?si=qV3eU2lnbY7TQMSB This clip from Jimmy Fallon is Nate's first big late night spot and he kills with his memories of being in the delivery room for the birth of his first child. https://youtu.be/VcY28eKMM3I?si=jb__q142QS9KB2Yf Nate received great reviews for his hosting stint on Saturday Night Live and his monologue was among the best of the season. https://youtu.be/ED5RX-fou34?si=QznPVfeJyfib8m8O

Meet Richard Lewis, most recently of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but before that a groundbreaking comic considered a key influence on modern humor. From befriending Larry David at summer camp in the early 1960s, Richard might have been expected to have a comic career. He was "discovered" by fellow Legend David Brenner in Greenwich Village where Richard's dark sense of humor was a major hit. Later work included a television starring role (Anything But Love) and movie roles including a key role in the Mel Brooks gem Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Always bracingly honest about his flaws, Richard wrote a best selling memoir and was a frequent talk show guest, especially for David Letterman. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Richard Lewis? Going back to 1981 for this early clip of Richard on the Young Comedian's Special (including an intro by Dick Smothers). https://youtu.be/A-AERjATaMI?si=DjVpkLxctsquSwUy Richard had a fun role in the Mel Brooks film "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" as Prince John, here not really wanting any bad news. https://youtu.be/f_95eB4V2Jg?si=bMMb7Mb4EtxInrs6 Richard was favorite of David Letterman and this is a nice package of some of his finest moments on the show. https://youtu.be/hKqCf2ADRyA?si=laZ4kmgxGxKyI_p2

If you like your comedy with a healthy dose of snarking on celebrities, this week's Legend is right down your alley. Kathy Griffin likes to style herself as a "D-List" comic -- but one completely unafraid to share here thoughts. Coming out of the Groundlings improv company in the 1980s, Kathy rode her quick wit and self-described "potty mouth" to a stellar standup career and her own Bravo reality show (Life on the D-List), as well as several years co-hosting the CNN New Year's Eve show with Anderson Cooper. It all came to a screeching halt when she posted an inflammatory protest against then-President Trump in 2017 but over time she has rebuilt her career. That's great news for her fans, perhaps not so great news for celebrities with egos that need deflating! As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Kathy? Kathy was initially a member of The Groundlings, but soon her standup comedy became her calling card. This early bit -- before her full celebrity trashing incarnation -- has a lot of fun and sharp slice of life comedy. https://youtu.be/3jZSDfYcQFE?si=aJPhIVIGfQsM1Ka7 Here's a fun sample of Kathy's standup show just before she started her Bravo show. Definitely NSFW, there is plenty of flame throwing "D-List" observations of "A-List" celebrities!https://youtu.be/JXGH1_3t4sU?si=K2_okjJnt6CDbu0E After being shunned by networks and promoters after her Trump protest, Kathy eventually rebuilt her standup career -- though she picked up PTSD in the process. In true comic fashion she has incorporated some of the mean tweets she received into her act. https://youtu.be/TDA2NPwipgU?si=ifSdgQqIaaqYMHiz

Dave Broadfoot was a stalwart of Canadian comedy for years, from his work with the Royal Canadian Air Farce, to solo tours and well-received books. Part of the secret was that Dave was proudly Canadian in his craft -- he once said he didn't want to do "Americana" comedy -- his roots and humor were strictly north of the border. It showed in his classic characters including hockey legend Bobby Clobber, Sgt. Renfrew of the RCMP, and a clueless member of Parliament from Kicking Horse Pass (and a member of the New Apathetic Party). He did it all with a style that was affectionately irreverent and full of details only a true Canadian would know. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows, eh." Want more Broadfoot? Most of the clips in our show this week comes from this fine collection of the Best of Dave Broadfoot from his days on the Royal Canadian Air Farce -- all of his beloved characters are here so crack open a Molson and enjoy a master of Canadian comedy. https://fb.watch/tXbKsxCC-V/ Dave was a fine standup and a favorite at Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. This is one of his most famous riffs -- looking at the differences between Canadians and Americans. https://youtu.be/MBxLNs1_xhY?si=4gWJmUyYUacOjLoa  

Prepare to get a bit silly as we salute a Python -- Eric Idle! While best known for his stint in Monty Python's Flying Circus, Eric has carved out a fine solo career including creating a stellar Beatles parody (The Rutles), writing the Broadway version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Spamalot), penning books, and touring the world. Oh yeah, he also was the creative force behind Monty Python's Farewell Shows in 2014. Not bad work if you can get it! A Tony and Grammy award winner, Eric shows no signs of slowing down with a new book (Spamalot Diaries) on the way and an accompanying tour. See him while you can -- he's a Legend's Legend. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows! Want more Idle? One of Eric's best tunes came in Monty Python's Meaning of Life in which Eric explains the galaxy. https://youtu.be/EntOjHJvYtY?si=B0Gvvzcn3gZUSTYa After Python, Eric's first huge project was The Rutles -- a parody of The Beatles that managed to be affectionate and snarky, all at the same time. Plus, it's pretty darned musical as seen in "Ouch" in which Eric's "Dirk McQuickly" takes the lead. https://youtu.be/6VNDZKa3ewE?si=jbHjqubWDrvlyX90 Eric hasn't made too many movies outside of Python, but Nuns on the Run (with Robbie Coltrane) is a perfect fit. Here Eric and Robbie, bank robbers trying to pass as nuns, try to explain the Holy Trinity. https://youtu.be/LBYs__VRqBs?si=-IsRmxqZfmFw7Jqu Eric's song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Live" has become a staple at UK funerals but during this chat with Craig Ferguson, Eric pulls out a somewhat darker companion piece! https://youtu.be/AUhu1CVzYjk?si=lpCsPwZ5icOS0JI9