Comedy History 101

By Harmon Leon

Comedian and journalist Harmon Leon dives deep into the wild, weird, and hilarious history of comedy. Each episode explores the backstories of legendary comedians, iconic sketches, cult classics, stan... more

3.3

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FAQs about Comedy History 101:

How many episodes does Comedy History 101 have?

The podcast currently has 219 episodes available.

Comedy History 101 episodes:

August 12, 2019 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.

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51min
August 05, 2019 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.

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45min
July 29, 2019 (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.
...more
38min
July 29, 2019 History of Mad Magazine (PT 2)
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.
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41min
July 22, 2019 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.
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36min
July 15, 2019 CH101 Select: History of the Andrew "Dice" Clay Controversy
In the 80's, Andrew Dice Clay was one of the biggest comedians in America. He came into prominence with a brash, offensive persona known as "The Diceman." His material was heavily homophobic and misogynistic. He was banned from MTV and there were protests of his appearance on SNL.
Then his entire career came crashing down.
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44min
July 08, 2019 CH101 Select: History of Beavis and Butt-head's Frog Baseball
From the CH101 archives: We discuss the making of the Mike Judge animated short, Frog Baseball, which launched the MTV series: Beavis and Butt-head. We also dive into some of Judge's early animation work, such as Inbred Jed and Office Space.
But how did Beavis and Butt-head get it's start. What's the origin story?
Listen on to learn more….
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37min
July 01, 2019 History of Comedians Getting the Hook
A classic comedy trope is the comedian getting the hook - and being pulled off stage. But how did this come about in your comedic lexicon? It’s usually depicted as a shepherd’s crook. that pulls off a horrible act.
We dive into the history of comedians getting the hook - from the early days at the Bowery Theater to the legendary Howard "Sandman" Sims at The Apollo in Harlem.
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33min
June 24, 2019 (Pt 2) History of Lenny Bruce, Censorship, and Free Speech
We continue with the literal trials of Lenny Bruce - and the nature of free speech in comedy clubs.
Does free speech mean that we occasionally have to listen to what we don’t want to hear?
We dive into the gamut of free speech from the controversy of Milo Yiannopoulos appearing at a NYC comedy club - to comedian Ahmed Ahmed having a comedy club patron call 911 on him for making ‘Middle Eastern’ jokes.
Are there limits to Lenny Bruce’s plight?
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33min
June 17, 2019 History of Lenny Bruce, Censorship, and Free Speech
Lenny Bruce was a comedian who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. And because of that, he became a martyr for free speech. Between 1961 to 1964, he was arrested on obscenity charges 8 times - for performing stand up comedy. You might have seen a fictional portrayal of Bruce on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
In this CH101 episode we dive into the history of Lenny Bruce, censorship, and free speech in stand up comedy.
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31min

FAQs about Comedy History 101:

How many episodes does Comedy History 101 have?

The podcast currently has 219 episodes available.

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