Shows
Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJoe FlahertyEvery great comedy troupe has a cast member who provides "glue" as well as laughs and for the brilliant cast of SCTV, that "glue" was provided by Joe Flaherty. A bit older than the rest of the cast, Joe was part of the Second City Chicago troupe who went north in the early 1970s to establish one in Toronto. Good move -- that cast attracted young comics such as Dan Ackroyd and Gilda Radner (who would be poached by SNL) and the comedic "murderers row" who joined Joe at SCTV -- Dave Thomas, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Catherine O'Hara...2025-06-2403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveTenacious DTime to get your rock and roll shoes on with Tenacious D -- the musical comedy creation of Jack Black and Kyle Gass -- who turned a fun novelty act into an ever more fun worldwide recording and touring machine. When Black and Gass first met in an LA theater troupe they couldn't have known how much their futures would be intertwined. While an early HBO show didn't catch fire, their debut album was a smash -- earning airplay on traditional hard rock stations as well as on comedy shows. The secret is that their music is REALLY good...2025-06-1703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRay RomanoSometimes comics start down unusual career paths (at least for a comic). How about accountancy? Bob Newhart famously plied that trade early in life. And today's Legend -- Ray Romano -- figured out his comedy path after studying accountancy in college. We suspect that Ray can hire out for an accountant these days after a career that includes a wildly successful sitcom, juicy voice acting roles, frequent guest spots on television (sometimes in dramatic roles), and a little professional poker tossed in the mix. Ray's family friendly brand of humor has gone down well with audiences since he first...2025-06-1103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRichard BelzerWhile today he is best remembered for an iconic television character, today's Legend also has deep roots as a stand-up comic -- one with a particularly biting and intelligent approach. We're talking about Richard Belzer, who surmounted a difficult childhood through comedy. After moving to New York as a young man Belzer immersed himself in a burgeoning satirical scene, cutting tracks for the National Lampoon Radio Hour, serving as the warm-up comic for SNL, and even acting as the opening act for Warren Zevon on his Excitable Boy tour. Today, Belzer has a whole different fan base who discovered...2025-06-0303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveComic Relief USSometimes wrangling comedians can seem like herding cats -- but in 1986 everyone and everything came together for Comic Relief US -- a charity originally focused on helping America's homeless population which mounted a series of comedy spectaculars right up until the early 2000s. The organization continues to do good work today -- even staging a live LA Fire benefit -- but it's those early televised events (aired on HBO) that cemented its legendary status. The Comic Relief shows were hosted for many years by Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams and they featured top stand-up, sketch, and musical...2025-05-2703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveGoldie HawnThink of late 1960's television comedy shows and Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In is sure to come to mine, and you can't think of Laugh-In without thinking of today's legend -- Goldie Hawn! On Laugh-In she played a sweet but ditzy blonde who would frequently steal the show. But there was so much more to Goldie than that as she has shown over an Oscar-winning film career. Goldie radiated star-power and was a top draw in movies including Cactus Flower, Shampoo, Foul Play, and Private Benjamin. Goldie has also won the Harvard "Hasty Pudding" woman of the year award, a...2025-05-2003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveArsenio HallGet you best "woof woof woof" on for today's Legend, standup comic, television host, and television and movie star Arsenio Hall. From humble beginnings Arsenio graduated from Kent State University then headed west to follow his comedy dreams. After some early success, Arsenio vaulted to national prominence when he played Eddie Murphy's friend in the comedy hit Coming to America. Hall played several roles and was so popular that Fox tapped him as a late night host, first as a substitute for Joan Rivers, then with his own show -- one that opened with that "woof woof woof" chant...2025-05-1403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRuth BuzziRuth Buzzi has been on our episode schedule for a few weeks now, so we were both shocked and saddened to see the news of her passing -- but pleased that the response from the public was filled with so much admiration and affection. Best known for her stint on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In -- she was the only cast member to appear in every episode, Ruth's credits are much more extensive and diverse including appearing on Broadway, being a favorite on early variety shows (Gary Moore Show, Steve Allen Comedy Hour), and after Laugh-In, keeping a full slate...2025-05-0603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJimmy KimmelFrom shock jock to The Man Show -- to elder statesman of late night tv? That's the path Jimmy Kimmel has taken on his way to a legendary career. Along the way, Jimmy has also become a reliable and popular host for the Oscars and the Emmy -- as well as helping bring to the screen the Crank Yankers prank phone call show. A pretty diverse resume! As Kimmel has matured he has also developed a political voice which he deploys to great effect on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, most notably when he helped galvanize opposition to repealing Obamacare during...2025-04-2903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveCaddyshackOK, with golf season fully underway, it's time to salute Caddyshack, one of the classic 1980s comedy that featured the directorial debut of Harold Ramis, the big screen breakthrough for Rodney Dangerfield, some arrogant Ted Knight, some crazed Bill Murray and a lineage that drew heavily from both Saturday Night Live and the National Lampoon. Don't worry too much about the plot -- it's merely a launchpad for comedy bits galore. Whether you're a hacker, a duffer, or a scratch golfer, Caddyshack has something for you. And if you are a real big fan, you can watch it wearing...2025-04-2203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveFry and LaurieMeet Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie -- known to comedy fans as Fry and Laurie -- one of the funniest and best loved British comedy duos to emerge in the 1980s. Introduced to each other by Emma Thompson when they were students at Cambridge, Stephen and Hugh got their biggest boost when BBC hosted A Bit of Fry and Laurie from 1989 to 1995. Their sketch interplay was stellar, as was their bit of breaking the fourth wall to address the audience directly. And their acting chops served them well when they were cast as Jeeves and Wooster in an adaptation...2025-04-1503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJon StewartBe honest, how many of you majored in bong hits at college? If so, you are in good company with today's legend -- Jon Stewart -- who claims he did just that back in the day. It doesn't seem to have lowered his productivity -- after three decades in the public eye Jon is as busy as ever with his second stint on the Daily Show. Since his early days, Jon has shown his ability to mix serious factual news with razor sharp satire first as a standup, then as an MTV host, and finally at the Daily Show...2025-04-0803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveTim MeadowsGrab a bottle of Courvoisier and some "quiet storm" music because Leon Phelps, the Ladies' Man is in the house! Well, ok, it's actually Tim Meadows, the talent behind Leon who became an SNL favorite throughout the 1990s and who has built a solid career as a comic actor ever since. A product of Michigan, Tim learned improve there and at the Second City in Chicago where Lorne Michaels discovered him and added him to a strong cast. When Tim left he was (at that time) the longest serving SNL cast member and he turned that into a busy...2025-04-0103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSandy BaronThe name may not ring too many bells today, but from the 1960s through the 1990s you just had to turn on your television or (hit up your local comedy record store) and you were sure to run into the work of Sandy Baron who rose from playing the Catskills "borscht belt", to improv and satirical shows (including the US version of "That Was The Week That Was), to becoming a fixture in Vegas, in movies, and on television talk and game shows. In 1984 Sandy was introduced to a new generation of fans with his a role in Broadway...2025-03-2503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveChris O'DowdOK, we're a day late but it's still a Happy St. Patrick's Day here at Laugh Tracks. And why wouldn't it be when we are featuring Irish comedy star of the small and big screen, Chris O'Dowd. From early roles in British tv, Chris got his breakout role on the classic British sitcom The IT Crowd playing Roy Trenneman, an information tech worker who is a master at avoiding work. The show's success launched Chris onto the big screen with a number of juicy supporting roles before he scored the role of Officer Nathan Rhodes in the 2011 blockbuster Bridesmaids...2025-03-1803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRyan StilesHave an extra cup of coffee because you are going to need to be on your toes to keep up with this week's Legend, improv comedy superstar, as well as a a fine television actor, Ryan Stiles. Born in the US, Ryan was raised in Vancouver, BC and got his start doing standup and writing for the CBC when he was tapped for the British version of Whose Line is it Anyway. He was lured back to the US as a regular in the Drew Carey show, then what do you know -- Drew launches a US "Whose Line"...2025-03-1103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJoey BishopGrab your best duds, we're hopping in the Time Machine for Las Vegas in the 1950s to catch up with The Rat Pack -- or at least the comic relief -- in the form of Joey Bishop who was a presence in Vegas showrooms, in movies, and on television well into the 1980s. A product of the New York nightclub scene, where Frank Sinatra caught and liked his act, Joey was Frank's opener for years and when Sinatra took the helm of the Rat Pack, he brought Joey along for the ride. That association would end in the early 1960...2025-03-0403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRose MarieIf we were playing television trivia and said "Sally Rogers" you would say "Rose Marie" -- this week's legend. But there was a whole lot more to Rose Marie than her role as a comedy writer on The Dick Van Dyke show. A child singing sensation, Rose Marie spent time on the vaudeville circuit, eventually making it to Broadway with a featured role in South Pacific. She frequently guested on early tv sitcoms before she landed the role of a lifetime and became part of television history along with Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, Carl Reiner...2025-02-2503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveEdgar BergenTake a wooden puppet, a guy who can't quite keep his lips from moving, and add impeccable comic timing and you just might come up with Edgar Bergen, often considered the premiere ventriloquist of the 20th century. With his "dummies" Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, Bergen was a hit in vaudeville, then on radio -- quite a feat for someone whose act generally requires the audience to see the artist. But Bergen's rapid verbal repartee with his puppets -- especially Charlie McCarthy -- captivated audiences and led to movie roles and tv appearances down the line. Bergen earned not...2025-02-1803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAdam Hills
Let's venture downunder to meet Adam Hills, a superb standup comedian and television presenter who has charmed Australians since the late 1980s with comedy that is sharp and playful -- and by the way, that often focuses on the fact that since birth he has been missing a foot. After starting as a radio host, Hills turned to standup and was a smash in Australia, the UK, and Canada. He became host of a popular Aussie game show in 20005, followed by a talk show. At the same time, Adam has become a star in the world of Paralympic sports both...2025-02-1103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveWill RogersTalk about political comedians and people are sure to mention Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, George Carlin and the like, but don't forget Will Rogers who blended sharp political points with homespun humor to become a huge star in the 1920s and 30s. From his beginnings as a vaudeville rope trick artist, Will developed patter that made his audience both laugh and think. When the Great Depression impoverished much of America he became a much more pointed commentator, especially about the inequality of rich and poor. In 1935 a tragic plane crash claimed Will's life, but his legacy lives on with...2025-02-0503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveChris FarleyEach generation has their favorite SNL cast member and for those who started watching in the 1990s it wouldn't be surprising if Chris Farley topped their list. Chris' ability to match physical shtick with over the top characters was uncanny, whether Chris was doing a Chippendale's strip off with Patrick Swayze, extolling the superiority of Da' Bears, or ranting as Matt Foley, the world's most unlikely motivational speaker. A promising movie career (Tommy Boy, Black Sheep) had just begun when Chris followed his idol John Belushi (almost to the letter) and succumbed to an overdose at the age of 33...2025-01-2803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveDanny ThomasOne of the titans of early tv sitcoms, as well as a massively successful producer, singer, and philanthropist, Danny Thomas earned his stripes as a radio comedian (especially on The Bickersons) in the 1940s, then hosted his own radio variety show, then in the early 1950s jumped to television and began his classic show "Make Room for Daddy". After that, while Danny would continue to make tv and stage appearances (including a 1970's reboot called Make Room for Granddaddy), he also conquered the tv production world with shows including The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The...2025-01-2103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSkiles and HendersonA chance meeting in 1950s Orange County, California led Bill Skiles and Pete Henderson to create a comedy team that lasted all the way until 2010. Henderson was a singer and pianist who played the straight man, and Skiles was a sound effects madman who could punctuate (and puncture) anything Pete was trying to say or sing. The boys got their start at Disneyland as a song and dance team, then got their first Vegas break in 1960 at the Golden Nugget. Serving as regular openers for musicians such as Andy Williams and The Carpenters, Skiles and Henderson worked clean, making...2025-01-1403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSheb WooleyTime for some country comedy today, courtesy of the legendary Sheb Wooley who was a fine actor and songwriter as well as comic performer. Sheb started out as a rodeo rider, as well as a guitar and fiddle man. When injuries from the rodeo kept him out of the military in WWII, Sheb pivoted to music scoring his first his with a bona-fide rock and roll novelty classic, The Purple People Eater. From there Sheb kept racking up the hits, using the name Ben Colder when contractual issues kept him from issuing new material. He also was a solid...2025-01-0703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRon WhiteTake a cigar, a tumbler of scotch, a twinkle in the eye. and some salty opinions and you get Ron White, a stand-up star for nearly 40 years and one of the original "Blue Collar" comedians who mounted one of the most successful comedy tours ever back in the early 2000s. Ron's most famous catch phrase is "you can't fix stupid" which fit right in with Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck," Bill Engvall's "Here's your sign" and Larry the Cable Guy's "Get R Done" delighting the audience and turning a 26 show tour into six years of shows. Since...2024-12-3103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveDean Martin & Jerry LewisIn the 1940s and 50s Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were on top of the comedy world with a smash act that dominated nightclubs, the silver screen, and that new-fangled television thing. The premise was simple -- Dean was a crooner and straight man who tried to keep the show going according to plan, while Jerry was an overactive man-child who would mug shamelessly, croon off key, walk around in the crowd, and generally cause chaos. The crowds loved it, but as you can imagine those were two large talents (and in Jerry's case ego) to contain in one...2024-12-2403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveNeil InnesThis time out we have a real treat from across the pond. Neil Innes may not be the most recognizable name in comedy, but without him the Monty Python movies would be much the poorer (and we wouldn't have a Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band at all). Coming up as part of the British satire boom of the early 1960s, Neil was an artist and musician with a flair for the absurd. That certainly came to the fore in the Bonzos, where Neil often sang lead and wrote their biggest hit. He soon crossed paths with the Pythons who...2024-12-1703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAmy SchumerOne of the most popular comics of the 2000s, Amy Schumer is gifted with a tart tongue, superb timing, and a willingness to put TMI out there in search of a laugh. Amy also has turned her comedy into television and movie gold with an Emmy winning tv show ("Inside Amy Schumer"), cable specials, and juicy roles in films such as "Trainwreck." Her memoir -- "The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo" was a New York Times bestseller and more recently she made her Broadway debut in "Meteor Shower", (written by Steve Martin) and nabbing a Tony nomination in...2024-12-1003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSam KinisonWhen we say today's comic is a real scream, we mean it! For most of us, our first introduction to Sam Kinison was his scream, often played as part of a radio station's "5:20 Funny". But there was so much more to Sam -- a bad boy who conquered the world of standup comedy (and music videos) for a few years back in the 1980s. Originally starting as a pentecostal preacher -- no doubt where he acquired his lung power -- Sam set down his bible and picked up a standup microphone as part of the Texas Outlaw Comics (which...2024-12-0303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveLeslie NielsenIn the 1950s Leslie Nielsen was best known as a dramatic actor in movies and on television. But in 1980, that was about to change. Leslie took a role in a new comedy movie that was looking for a solid, deadpan type to be in the center of "joke-a-minute" action. That movie was Airplane! and it launched Leslie on a comedic career that would include the Police Squad tv show and the Naked Gun movie franchise. Along the way, Leslie became a master at poking fun at his own image, hosting Saturday Night Live and being a frequent guest on...2024-11-2603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveChelsea HandlerWhen Chelsea Handler exploded onto the standup scene in 1994 her bracingly honest style was an instant hit with fans, launching a career as a standup comic and a talk show host that is still going 30 years later. Chelsea has always embraced her flaws -- her best selling memoir is "Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea" after all. But her candor also brought that out in her talk show guests starting with the long running Chelsea Lately on the E! Network. A recent guest hosting stint on The Daily Show was a success as was her most recent Netflix...2024-11-1903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBrian Doyle-MurrayWell it isn't St. Patrick's Day, but we still have the luck of the Irish with us because today's Legend is Brian Doyle-Murray. The older brother of Bill Murray, Brian has carved our a fine for career for himself with work at Second City, The National Lampoon Radio Hour, Saturday Night Live, and a slew of classic comedy flicks including Caddyshack, Wayne's World, and Groundhog Day. He even voices a great character (The Flying Dutchman) on Spongebob SquarePants. Brian -- like his brother Bill -- is also an avid golfer, co-hosting a Murray Brother golf tourney, and being part...2024-11-1203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveThe Goon ShowWithout these guys, there may well not have been Monty Python or Firesign Theatre yet to much of the world they are just a distant (and very funny) memory. Who are these titans? It's the Goon Show which tickled British comedy fans during the 1950s with comedy that was smart, surreal, and sometimes just plain silly. The core Goons -- Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, and Harry Secombe worked off scripts penned by Milligan, playing a variety of off the wall characters. The voice work was superb and the structure of the shows is best described as avant-garde and four...2024-11-0503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveCarl ReinerAn absolute titan of 20th century comedy, Carl Reiner also was one of the most beloved writers/actors/producers/directors that Hollywood has ever produced beginning with his work on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, then creating The Dick Van Dyke Show, then directing Steve Martin in The Jerk and George Burns in Oh God! And, oh yeah, he also created The 2000 Year Old Man routine with his best friend Mel Brooks. It was a simply amazing comedy career and, as always, you can find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!
Want more...2024-10-2903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAndy SambergOne of the brightest stars in comedy today, Andy Samberg started out just wanting to make some funny experimental films with his buddies. When some of those films reached Lorne Michaels he recognized the talent behind the movies and signed Andy (and his Lonely Island comedy mates) up as SNL writers, also adding Andy to the cast. A couple of years later Andy (teaming with Chris Parnell) unleashed a great video sketch -- Lazy Sunday - and a new SNL megastar was born. After SNL, Andy had a long run as Jake Peralta in the Fox sitcom Brooklyn 99, and...2024-10-2203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSlappy WhiteFans 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...2024-10-1503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveDavid FrostThis 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...2024-10-0703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveGarrett MorrisThe 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...2024-10-0103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveMargaret ChoMeet 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...2024-09-2503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and StevePhil HartmanA 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...2024-09-1703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveNate BargatzeNate 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...2024-09-0303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRichard LewisMeet 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...2024-08-2703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveKathy GriffinIf 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...2024-08-2003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveDave BroadfootDave 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...2024-08-1303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveEric IdlePrepare 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...2024-08-0603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveLaWanda PageBold and bawdy, for a time in the 1970's LaWanda Page was the Queen of Comedy -- at least the type featured on numerous x-rated "party records". From early days as a "Fire Dancer", LaWanda worked the "chitlin' circuit" of clubs in the south, developing her standup act and developing friendships with other comics including Redd Foxx. After issuing a number of naughty albums on the Laff label, LaWanda got a call from Redd asking her to join the cast of his new sitcom Sanford and Son". She said yes, and the producer blew a gasket because her acting...2024-07-3103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveCarol KaneSometimes you know someone will be a star just because of their voice. In Carol Kane's case that's true, but she is also a superb comic actress who has been a welcome fixture on tv and movie screens since the early 1970s. While her early dramatic work in "Carnal Knowledge" and "Hester Street (for which she scored an Oscar nomination) was promising, it was" her turn to comedy in the late 1970s that made her a legend. Small but key roles in Gene Wilder's "The World's Greatest Lover" and Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" led to a long run as...2024-07-2303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveWally CoxThis time out we meet a man who turned a sly wit and mild disposition into a top flight comic acting career -- plus an unlikely and enduring friendship with on of Hollywood's leading tough guy actors. We speak of the great Wally Cox, a midwestern boy who got his career break, as so many did back in the day, on the old Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts show. He parlayed that break into a steady stream of supporting roles in film and on tv, then was cast as junior high school science teacher Robinson J. Peepers in "Mr. Peepers"...2024-07-1603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveNational Lampoon Radio HourSet the dials of the Wayback Machine for 1973 because the National Lampoon Radio Hour is on the air. In the early 1970s the NatLamp was at the top of the magazine world with content that was outrageous, satirical, and rendered with loving detail. To expand their empire, the 'Poon hired Michael O'Donoghue to create and produce an audio version. With studios located in the Lampoon headquarters in New York, the show featured many writers and performers who would soon go on to create Saturday Night Live and SCTV. The whole thing eventually collapsed because of high production costs and...2024-07-0903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveKey & PeeleWhen Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele teamed up, both brought solid backgrounds including time with Second City and Mad TV. Together, they built a classic sketch comedy show that could make you think and make you laugh. Key & Peele ran for just four seasons, but racked up numerous awards including a Peabody Award for distinguished achievement in media. The secret to Key & Peele's comedy was taking one unusual character or occurrence and slowly, inevitably taking it to more absurd and hilarious levels. Since the show wrapped, Key has gone on to a busy and varied acting career and Peele...2024-07-0203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSimon PeggBorn in Shakespeare's home of Stratford-upon-Avon, Simon Pegg found his fame first as a standup comic, then as a self-described "nerd" starring in the great British science-fiction sitcom "Spaced". From there he has acted with zombies (Shaun of the Dead), marathoners (Run Fatboy Run), Klingons (in the Star Trek reboot), and Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible). Simon also has become a voice actor of some repute with roles in the Ice Age movies and The Chronicles of Narnia. Not bad for a guy who playfully calls himself a "geek"! As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our...2024-06-2503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJack CarterCue the rim-shot, because Jack Carter is in the house. Best known as the purveyor of rapid fire jokes in the best Vegas tradition, Jack was also a fine singer, dancer, and actor with numerous stage and screen credits to his name. Early on he claimed a bit of television history as an early host of both the Texaco Star Theater and the Cavalcade of Stars. Those gigs earned him his own show on NBC which was the lead in to Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca's Your Show of Shows. A tireless performer, Jack was a mainstay at the...2024-06-1803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJudy TenutaMeet one of the most charmingly eccentric of our Legends, Judy Tenuta. From a start at Chicago's Second City, Judy created an immediate sensation with her unusual style -- sort of a Far Side cartoon brought to life. In the era of early MTV, that style proved to be perfection and soon Judy could be regularly seen on the small screen. A 1986 Letterman appearance and 1987 HBO special turbocharged her career and she won the American Music Award for best female comic in 1987. Through multiple albums and books, Judy dove into her persona as the "love goddess", wearing an accordion...2024-06-1103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveCedric the EntertainerSometimes pointed, but always playful, Cedric the Entertainer first came to attention as host of BET's Def Comic Jam and Comic View programs. But it was in Spike Lee's classic "Kings of Comedy" that Cedric really got to own the stage, charming audiences with routines that mixed observational humor with some nice pokes at race relations. Cedric reached new heights as the salty Eddie the Barber in the Barbershop movie franchise and he now mixes acting (both comedic and dramatic) with his comedy career. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!
Want...2024-06-0403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveGeorge GobelMeet "Lonesome" George Gobel who turned a gift for low-key stories and funny songs into a comedy career that lasted over 40 years. George was a pioneer of television comedy, starring in his own show beginning in 1954 and winning an Emmy in the process. George's playful meandering (plus completely clean material) made him a favorite on variety and talk shows, and he became a welcome guest star on sitcoms during the 60s and 70s. Later George could often be seen working the game show circuit and he became a regular on Hollywood Squares. For a guy who's nickname was "Lonesome"...2024-05-2903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBuck HenryHis name may not be as recognizable as other modern comedy titans, but whether for screenwriting (The Graduate, Catch 22?) or tv series creation (Get Smart) or sketch comedy genius (SNL's first five time host), Buck Henry has his fingerprints all over American comedy. Buck's comedy was literate, topical, and often just a little naughty -- a perfect fit for comedy fan's tired of comedy's old-school "joke machines". And for those who like a bit of trivia, Buck got his NY theater start as the faux spokesperson for a (fictional) group advocating for clothing naked animals. Who can't get behind...2024-05-2103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveDick GregoryA groundbreaking comic from the 1950s who blended standup skill with sly racial and social commentary, Dick Gregory went on to a career that mixed writing, performing, and social activism for 5 decades. As was common in the 50s, Dick's gift for comedy was discovered by his army buddies. Hugh Hefner gave him his first big career break, filling in for Professor Irwin Corey at the Playboy Club (a gesture that Dick never forgot to acknowledge). From there Dick played top clubs, becoming increasingly political in his approach. In 1968 he ran for President on a "peace" platform, and he became...2024-05-1403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveMel BlancWhat voice occupies the most space in your brain? For those of us it's Mel Blanc -- the man of a thousand voices -- who gave voice to dozens of characters in the classic Looney Tunes (and many others). Bugs Bunny? Check! Daffy Duck? Check! Foghorn Leghorn? Check! And after Looney Tunes ended their initial run Mel simply shifted gears, working for other animators and founding his own advertising business. When he died, Warner Brothers paid tribute with a touching poster showing all the major Looney Tunes characters standing behind a lone microphone, heads bowed, with the caption "Speechless"...2024-05-0703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAlmost Live!Pacific Northwest comedy fans will know this Legend, and others will be happy for the introduction. Almost Live! is a relic from an age when a local tv station could afford to produce its own comedy show, often besting the network offerings in terms of laughs per minute. Originating on Seattle's KING TV in the 1980s, Almost Live! originated as a talk show with comedy bits, but soon morphed into a half hour sketch show aired just before Saturday Night Live. The cast and the writing were superb, and the local flavor given to the sketches led to "water...2024-04-3003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAsk Dr. Science!OK, fans of public radio, it's time to put on your thinking cap because science class is here! Don't worry -- it's not that kind of science class because here at Laugh Tracks Legends we take our science clues from Ask Dr. Science, the creation of Dan Coffey and Duck's Breath Mystery Theater. Heard on more than 150 public radio stations in its heyday, the routine never varied. Asked a listener question by his assistant Rodney (the great Merle Kessler), Dr. Science would embark on the most tangential of explanations. Eventually the radio show spun off several books and a s...2024-04-2703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveGene WilderMeet Leo Bloom, The Waco Kid, Willy Wonka, Dr. "Fronk-un-steen" and so many more when you meet this week's Legend -- actor, writer, and director Gene Wilder. From a serendipitous meeting with Mel Brooks, Gene would build an astounding career with characters that always balanced the comedy with some human heart. Gene made just 37 movies over the course of his career, but for people born in the 1950s he was seemingly ubiquitous. Gene ended his most active years with a series of films with fellow Legend Richard Pryor, and he went into semi-retirement after the tragic death of his...2024-04-1603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBrother Dave Gardner
Come on brothers and sisters, let it all hang out. So sayeth Brother Dave Gardner who built a huge following in the 1950s and early 60s by telling long and sly stories, often in the mode of a Southern preacher -- but a hip one. Originally a musician, Dave brought a jazz cadence to his work. He also was a devotee of the demon weed, and a 1960s marijuana bust sharply curtailed his career. He remained a favorite on campuses and in clubs before a sharp turn into conspiracy theories, coupled with a Lenny Bruce-like shift into dispensing such theories...2024-04-0903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBobby Bittman"How are ya?" To fans of SCTV that can mean only one thing -- Bobby Bittman is in the house. The creation of Eugene Levy, Bobby is the epitome of a certain era of comic -- very loud, very full of himself, and very Vegas. Whether as a guest on the Sammy Maudlin show, his own special, or on other shows within the SCTV universe, a Bittman appearance would guarantee lame jokes, false sincerity, and a lot of shtick. Levy played the character throughout SCTV's six seasons and a few years after that show wrapped created a faux-documentary for...2024-04-0203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJackie GleasonHow sweet it is! While we hope you say that after every episode, this week it's mandatory as we feature Jackie Gleason who ruled over variety television in the 1950s and 60s, as well as inventing iconic characters and sketches that influence pop culture to this day. Originally an MC and nightclub comic, Gleason caught the eyes of network execs who tapped him to host a variety show called The Cavalcade of Stars. The show was later moved from New York to Miami Beach and renamed the Jackie Gleason show, recognizing the star power of the host. It was...2024-03-2603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveArdal O'HanlonWhat better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day -- and the 200th Episode of Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy -- than by turning the spotlight on Ardal O'Hanlon, a masterful Irish stand-up comic and television star. Launching into a late 1980s Dublin scene that didn't have much comedy, Ardal had a solution! With a couple of college mates he started a comedy club, then went on to win a "New Act of the Year" award at the Hackney Empire comedy competition in 1994. A long tv career followed with Ardal playing everything from a child-like priest to a superhero to a...2024-03-1903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveGreg GiraldoMight want to put on the asbestos underwear this week -- the modern king of roasting is in the house. Greg Giraldo might have started out as a corporate lawyer, but he soon found out that the stand up stage was his natural habitat. Possessed of a blazing wit and the ability to turn complex issues into sharp gags, Greg was a favorite on Comedy Central in its early days, becoming a fixture at their Celebrity Roasts. But, unlike the heavily sanitized Dean Martin versions folks were used to, the Comedy Central roasts were no holds barred. Similarly, he...2024-03-1203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBrian ReganNo need for the "7-second delay" button this week -- Brian Regan is in the house. A comic who has built a formidable audience with observational comedy that's sharp, but clean, Brian has released eight CDs and specials worth of material, beginning with 1997's Live. That early CD was a favorite of disc jockeys pressed to find clean comedy for their local version of "The 5:20 Funny" -- with Brian you could just hit play and be guaranteed on a great punchline and no FCC fines! In 2015 Brian was the star of Netflix's first truly live special and in recent...2024-03-0503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBuddy HackettCome back to the golden age of Vegas comics to meet Buddy Hackett who rode a quick wit, an amusing face, and an endless supply of profanity to become a major standup, film, and tv star from the 1950s through the early 2000s. Buddy had Bell's Palsy as a kid which gave him his distinctive look, but his comic persona and timing were all his. A favorite of talk show hosts, Buddy had the most guest appearances of all time on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, and was a welcome addition to motion picture comedies such as The Music Man...2024-02-2703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRicky GervaisIf you like your comedy with wit, intelligence, and more than a fair amount of savage snark, you're likely already a fan of Ricky Gervais. From his early days as new wave rock artist (really) in London, Ricky moved on to the standup stage, then radio and television. His breakthrough came when he was cast in the BBC series The Office playing the manager of a paper distributor (the role taken in the US version by Steve Carrell). Later, he was in the hit series Extras, followed by a run as Dr. McPhee in the Night at the Museum...2024-02-2003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJimmy DuranteOne of America's most beloved entertainers, Jimmy Durante specialized in gentle, often self-deprecating humor delivered with and unmistakable voice (and nose). From humble starts playing ragtime piano in a family musical act, to major success in films and on the radio with the novelty tune 'Inka-Dinka-Doo", to a long run as a favored guest on television variety and talk shows. By the time he died in 1980, Jimmy's career was well over 70 years long. And, of course, he is destined to live forever as the voice of the singing narrator in the animated classic "Frosty the Snowman." As always find...2024-02-1303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveKyle KinaneMeet Kyle Kinane, a comic who looks like everyman, but whose razor sharp humor has won him elite fans around the world. Since emerging as a star in the 2010s, Kyle has recorded six albums, been a globally touring workhorse, hosted podcasts, and was a voice actor as a drug-addicted, drug-sniffing police dog. You know, typical comedy stuff. Kyle's comedy is often built around the contradiction between how he looks (big beard, flannel shirt, gruff) and his style which is playful and self-deprecating. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!
Want more...2024-02-0603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveThe Blues Brothers"It's 106 miles to Chicago. . ." You know the rest, especially if you are a fan of the Blues Brothers, the musical comedy invention of John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd and one of the breakout hits of the original Saturday Night Live, earning sold out concert tours, two feature films, platinum albums, and spinoffs and tributes that continue today. A serendipitous meeting of John Belushi with future blues star Curtis Salgado in Eugene during the filming of Animal House gave John the blues bug, as well as the moves. Danny Ackroyd was already a huge blues fan, even buying a blues...2024-01-3003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAl FrankenIt may be 2024 but to us it's still the Al Franken decade! One of SNL's original staff writers (and occasional on-air talent), Al Franken first announced his "decade" on SNL way back in the 1970s, but since then he has gone on to a career in movies, tv, radio, standup comedy, and a stint as the United States Senator from the state of Minnesota. He also penned a number of wickedly funny books of political analysis and satire, winning a Grammy in 1996 for the audio version of "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot". He's also collected five Emmy...2024-01-2303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveFranklyn AjayeMeet the "Jazz Comedian" Franklyn Ajaye who is a fine jazz clarinetist along with a stellar career as a standup comic and character actor. Franklyn started in the 1970s with a series of excellent stand-up albums and roles in a number of popular movies including the iconic "Car Wash" in which he played a lovable motormouth known as "The Fly". Eventually tiring of American political life, Franklyn decamped to Australia where he has become a favorite on stage and screen. And he still takes an occasional role in an American hit such as that of Maya Rudolph's dad in...2024-01-1603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBeavis and Butt-headHuh-huh, huh-huh-huh. Yes, it's time to meet Beavis and Butt-head, the legendary creations of Mike Judge who went on to MTV stardom, movie hits, and several revivals by providing boneheaded stupidity and lots of it, with some rock and roll thrown in for good measure. Based on a composite of middle-school morons Judge knew, Beavis and Butt-head shocked pundits and reviewers with its crude humor, but audiences begged to differ. So get out the Winger albums -- it's time for B and B! As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!
Want more...2024-01-0903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBob Rivers (Twisted Tunes)Meet Bob Rivers, long-time Seattle morning disc jockey, Radio Hall of Fame inductee, and for our purposes most importantly the man behind Twisted Tunes! Over the course of a 40 year radio career Rivers wrote and produced hundreds of razor sharp parodies of popular hits. Part of Bob's genius was his ear for voice talent, so his AC/DC parodies really sounded like AC/DC and the Beatles bits sounded like the Beatles. After a "Twisted Christmas" album hit the charts, Bob began releasing more tunes and they grew to have their own life separate from the radio show. When...2024-01-0303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJoe PiscopoIt's Ebony and Ivory, baby, and we've got the Chairman of the Board to sing it for you today! Well, ok, we actually have Joe Piscopo with his superb Frank Sinatra impression that he frequently deployed on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s. His SNL run also included one of the most cringe inducing (in a good way) SNL characters ever -- Doug Whiner. After a few missteps along the way after SNL (bodybuilding!), Joe developed a touring act that focuses on his musical impressions and has become a long running talk radio host in New York. As...2023-12-2603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveHoliday HumorHappy Holidays from Randy and Steve! Instead of a single artist this week, we're going to dip into a little holiday comedy that will bring a smile to your face. Allan Sherman? Check! Elmo and Patsy? Check! Adam Sandler? Check! Doc Mo She (???) Check!!! You get the picture. And you also get our thanks for letting us be part of your holidays this year. As always, find extra cuts in the comments (and these are gems) and thanks for sharing our shows!
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Jeff Foxworthy was a titan of standup comedy back...2023-12-1903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJulia SweeneySaturday Night Live has always had cringeworthy characters and none moreso than Pat Riley, the androgynous, uncomfortable, and very funny creation of Julia Sweeney, this week's legend. With deep improv roots, Julia was on SNL for four years in the early 1990s, but after life dealt her a bad hand with a cancer diagnosis, she pivoted to one-woman shows, including God Said Ha! (about her medical journey) which later had a movie version produced by Quentin Tarantino. Since then, Julia has continued with one-woman shows and juicy supporting roles including as Andy Bryant's micromanaging mother. As always find extra...2023-12-1303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveDon KnottsFor five decades Don Knotts charmed the public from early work as an ensemble player on The Steve Allen Show to his long run as Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show to more family-friendly Disney movies than you can count, Don turned his "nervous man" personal into comedy gold. Later in his career, Don found a niche in small, but juicy supporting roles on Three's Company and in movies such as Pleasantville -- and he also reunited with Andy Griffith for the Matlock series. As always find more clips below and thanks for watching our shows!2023-12-0603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRip TaylorGrab some confetti and settle in to meet Rip Taylor -- The King of Confetti! A flamboyant slinger of "rim shot" jokes, Rip initially punctuated his act with exaggerated crying when his gags bombed. Ed Sullivan was a fan (he booked him over 20 times) and dubbed Rip "The Crying Comedian". Much later when bombing on the Merv Griffin show, instead of crying Rip was moved to tear up his joke cards and toss them in the air like confetti. The audience went nuts and from then on it was confetti instead of crying -- and a career that saw...2023-11-2803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveChevy ChaseHe's Chevy Chase. . .and you're not! From early work with the National Lampoon Radio Hour to his time as the first anchor of SNL's Weekend Update, to a varied (and variable) movie career, Chevy Chase has blended snark and slapstick to the delight of fans. Films such as Fletch, National Lampoon's Vacation, and Caddyshack were box office hits while other projects such as a Fox late night show were bombs. And there were many stories of Chevy and his coworkers scrapping (sometimes literally) along the way. So fans were surprised when Chevy reemerged as Pierce Hawthorne in the NBC...2023-11-2103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveKate McKinnonMeet Kate McKinnon, one of Saturday Night Live's greatest "most valuable players" in this miniprogram. From early work in a college sketch troupe, to a breakout role in The Big Gay Sketch Show, Kate next made the leap to Saturday Night Live where her versatility and mimicry made her a legend. At the same time, Kate began to establish herself in movie comedies including the all-female Ghostbusters reboot and this year's smash hit Barbie in which Kate plays -- you guessed it -- "Weird Barbie". As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!
...2023-11-1403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveMorecambe and WiseMeet Morecambe and Wise -- that's Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise -- who formed one of Britain's most illustrious and best-loved double-acts of all time. From beginnings in post-WWII Great Britain the lads soon found a home first on radio, then with television series and specials that spanned 20 years. And, for many of those years, they produced Britain's most watched Christmas special -- a real tradition. Morecambe and Wise were versatile, with both men capable of song and dance as well as either the comic or straight man role. That versatility made them a huge influence on future British...2023-11-0703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveHalloween HumorThis week we sample some classic Halloween Humor from everyone ranging from Bo Diddley and Tom Lehrer to Joe Flaherty and Bobby "Boris" Pickett. While Christmas remains the big dog among holidays for comedy records, Halloween has a more than respectable showing, particularly in the 1940s and 60s, the heyday of novelty songs reaching the Billboard Top 40 charts. So if you aren't able to sneak enough candy from you child (or grandchild's) treat bag, enjoy these comedy confections (plus no calories). As always, find complete cuts below and thanks for listening and sharing our shows.
Want more...2023-10-3103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveNorm CrosbyToday we meet a man who is a true perspiration to both of us, the great Norm Crosby -- also known as the master of malaprop. Born out of the need for a shtick when he was a young comic, Norm's ability to mangle the language on command was a hit with audiences and led to a decades long career in comedy clubs, long runs in Las Vegas, and myriad appearances in film and on television. Norm was also a staple at the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (and the much naughtier Friar's Club version), a regular on the Jerry...2023-10-2403 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAlan ArkinMeet Alan Arkin, a sly comic actor who turned his fine eye for characters into a legendary career that spanned 50 years and won him many awards, including an Oscar at age 72 for Little Miss Sunshine. From his beginnings as a folk singer, to a stint with the Second City Improv troupe, to an iconic role in Catch-22, to late-in-life triumphs on the big and small screens, Arkin always imbued his supporting characters with first-rate humanity. As always, find more clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!
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Like many iconic comics...2023-10-1703 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveWhoopi GoldbergNo, "EGOT" isn't a Tolkein or Star Wars character. In fact, EGOT status is far more rare, with fewer than a dozen winners of the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, AND Tony Awards to date, including this week's legend, the very funny, very pointed, and very bawdy Whoopi Goldberg. From an early one-woman tribute to Moms Mabley, to movies including The Color Purple, Ghost, and Sister Act, to a long run on ABC's The View, Whoopi has been a ubiquitous part of pop culture for nearly 50 years -- and she shows no signs of slowing down! As always, find extra clips...2023-10-1003 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveKeenan Ivory WayansThe Wayans family has been associated with film and television comedy since the 1980s and Keenan Ivory Wayans is the patriarch of that talented group. After almost graduating with an engineering degree, Keenan pivoted to Hollywood with his good friend Robert Townsend, starring in the superb satire about the life of black actors called "The Hollywood Shuffle". From then on Keenan would mix film triumphs ("I'm Gonna Get You Sucka'!) with groundbreaking tv work ("In Living Color"). His comedy is urban, raunchy, and very, very funny. In recent years, Keenan has worked more behind the camera, often featuring family...2023-10-0303 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveSoupy SalesIf you'd like some pie with your coffee we can't help, but if it's a pie in the face you crave let us introduce you to a modern master of that slapstick art -- Soupy Sales! After starting as a teen dance television show host in Cincinatti (ala Dick Clark), Soupy switched to hosting a children's show -- a gig that on-and-off would serve him for four decades. Soupy's show was goofy, including lots of interplay with a cast of puppet co-stars and yes, lots of pies in the face for Soupy and his guests. He also scored a...2023-09-2603 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveRick MercerMeet a longtime favorite from North of the Border -- Rick Mercer! Over a career now over 30 years, Rick has had a hand in creating some of Canada's best loved satirical shows, including This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made in Canada, and The Rick Mercer Report. Rick's gifts at blending news, parody, sketch comedy, and "person in the street" interviews have earned him multiple Gemini Awards (the Canadian Emmy), membership in the Order of Canada, and a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Not bad, eh? As always, find extra clips below and thanks for...2023-09-1903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveAndy KaufmanMeet Andy Kaufman whose performance-art style comedy had the power to amuse, mystify, and (sometimes) offend during a short but brilliant run in the 1970s and 80s. A master of oddball characters, Andy first gained national fame with a groundbreaking spot on SNL in 1975, then in 1978 he took on the role of Latka the foreign mechanic on the smash TV sitcom Taxi. But fans who bought a ticket for his live show found themselves in a spectacle of edgy crowd work including a long-running bit in which Andy would wrestle female audience members for the "Intergender Wrestling Championship of...2023-09-1203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBill DanaBill Dana is best known for his Jose Jimenez character which charmed television audiences in the 1950s and 60s but there was so much more. A gifted comedy writer, Dana created some classic comedy bits including Don Adams "Would You Believe?" routine from Get Smart and the superb All in the Family episode where Archie Bunker had Sammy Davis, Jr. as a guest in his house. Dana was also a civil rights advocate (he retired the Jose character because of its stereotypes) and a comedy historian, co-founding the American Comedy Archives at his alma mater, Emerson College. Find extra...2023-09-0503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveJay LenoA standup stalwart who stepped into the Tonight Show hosting gig when Johnny Carson retired, Jay Leno held that spot for 20 years. So when he finally retired, then unretired, then retired again (after some Succession-worthy intrigue) did Jay pick up the fishing pole? Nope! Instead he continued with frequent standup gigs, became a game-show host (You Bet Your Life), and launched a show about his friends and their cars (Jay Leno's Garage). As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!
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Late night television went to war after...2023-08-2903 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveBob Hope and Bing Crosby ”Road Movies”Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were both Hollywood icons, but when they teamed up to do a series of irreverent "buddy" comedies, they created another Legend -- the "Road To. . ." series. The plots were thin -- mostly an excuse to have Bob and Bing team up to break the 4th wall, unroll loads of snarky adlibs, and create some classic physical shtick. With Dorothy Lamour along for the ride, the films were a hit, and an template for decades of "buddy" pictures to follow. As always, find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!
Want...2023-08-2203 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveTina FeyWhether Tina Fey is selected to follow Lorne Michaels as SNL honcho or not, her legendary status is more than secure, including a long-running stint as SNL head writer and Weekend Update anchor. But there is so much more to Tina, including work at The Second City, starring in and producing award winning hit sitcoms (30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and teaming up with Amy Poehler to make an unbeatable awards show hosting duo. Add to that a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and shelves full of Emmy and Golden Globe awards and you've got yourself a legendary...2023-08-1503 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveChuck JonesIf you grew up watching Looney Tunes, the name Chuck Jones is sure to bring a big smile. As a director, Chuck helmed so many of the classic episodes, from Duck Amuck and Barbary Coast Bunny to What's Opera Doc and The Rabbit of Seville. Plus, if you love the animated version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, you can thank Chuck Jones for the animation wizardry that brought that story to life. As Robin Williams said when he awarded Chuck a lifetime achievement Oscar, "we have a jones for Chuck Jones". As always, find extra clips below and...2023-08-0803 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveTrevor NoahTrevor Noah is on top of the comedy world and there is no wonder why. From building a career in South Africa as a disc jockey and stand up, Trevor came to America and became the first South African comic to appear on the Tonight Show, built a huge fan base with his warm and witty shows, was selected to replace Jon Stewart as host of the Daily Show, left the Daily Show to return to global stand up touring, became an in-demand awards show host, and during all of that penned a best-selling autobiography. And you get the...2023-08-0103 minLaugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and SteveYakov Smirnoff"What a country!" has turned into "What a career!" for Yakov Smirnoff who emigrated to the US from Ukraine in the 1970s and built a career out of playful but pointed jabs at Russia and great "fish out of water" bits about himself. Along the way, Yakov has also managed to become a US citizen, earn a PhD in psychology, become an in-demand keynote speaker, score a number of juicy film and tv roles, and establish a long-running comedy theater in Branson, Missouri. We're not sure where he finds time to sleep! As always, find extra cuts below and...2023-07-2503 min