It was the worst of times, it was the shittiest of times.
Gripped by fear that the Soviets were undermining democracy through comedy, brave white Senators held serious hearings about the country's need for seriousness.
Joy buzzers and seltzer bottles were banned, and dropping one's pants in public to reveal boxer shorts with little hearts on them became a felony.
The grim era ended when Senator Frederick Payne of Maine (our least-funny state) tried to blame a chambers-rattling fart on a whoopie cushion.
We dedicate this compilation to the comedians whose careers were ruined during the "Scourge of Scowls."
The good ones, not Milton Berle, who eluded scrutiny by never being funny.
