Comedy History 101

By Harmon LeonComedy TV & Film Society & Culture History

Comedy History 101 episodes

December 28, 2018 (Pt 2) CH101 Select: History of SCTV
We continue with Part Two of our history of SCTV, the iconic TV comedy sketch show that launched the careers of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, and Dave Thomas.
This episode we dive into the later years of SCTV with such movie spinoffs as Strange Brew, starring Bob and Doug Mackenzie.
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35 min
December 22, 2018 Ch101 Select: History of SCTV
We dive into the history behind the legendary sketch comedy show: SCTV.
Learn how SCTV was an offshoot of the original Toronto company of Second City - and find out more about the original SCTV cast that consisted of John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, and Dave Thomas.
Hear what about our favorite episodes - and learn the meaning behind, "Crane shot!"
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32 min
December 14, 2018 (Pt 2) History of Peep Show And Its American Pilot
We continue with Part Two of our history of the pilot for the American version of Peep Show. How did they take one of the funniest shows ever and turn it into one of the most unfunniest TV pilots of all time? David Mitchell and Robert Webb must be rolling in their graves. (Despite the fact that they are still very much alive.)
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34 min
December 07, 2018 History of Peep Show and Other US Versions of British Comedy Shows
Peep Show is one the greatest British comedy shows of all time. So what did they do? They tried to bring the beloved show to the U.S. and make an American version. Do you know what? They failed miserably.
We dive into the history of the Peep Show American pilot and other British comedy shows that came stateside and completely missed the mark; including The IT Crowd, Spaced, and Fawlty Towers.
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31 min
November 30, 2018 History of National Lampoon Lemmings
National Lampoon: Lemming was a 1973 live stage show that spun out of National Lampoon magazine - and helped launch the careers of John Belushi, Christopher Guest, and Chevy Chase.
Lemmings was a take-off of Woodstock - and was toted as three days of peace, love and death - and Belushi acted as the festival emcee who encouraged everyone to kill themselves.
Lorne Michaels saw the show and scooped the talent for a show he was going to launch, called Saturday Night Live. Plus, for us New Yorkers, the show was performed at a venue on Bleeker Street and Thomas in the Village.
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51 min
November 21, 2018 History of Kentucky Fried Movie
Kentucky Fried Movie is a flick that not only launched the career of the Zucker Brothers but also film director John Landis. The movie was made in 1977 right before their comedies, Animal House and Airplane, became international sensations.
We dive into the origins of Kentucky Fried Movie, what it took to get made, and it’s place in comedy history.
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40 min
November 16, 2018 History of Tunnel Vision: Comedy That Led to SNL
Tunnel Vision is a 1976 movie that tried to predict what television would be like in 1985. It also laid the groundwork for the humor of early Saturday Night Live.
Basically, it’s a sketch comedy movie that features cameos from such future comedy stars before they were famous: John Candy, Chevy Chase, Joe Flaherty, Laraine Newman, and Al Franken.
Much like SCTV, the movie follows a typical day's programming on the network - while the president of Tunnel Vision has to defend his network in front of a Senate sub-committee.
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30 min
November 09, 2018 History of The Groove Tube: Comedy That Led to SNL
The Groove Tube is a 1974 comedy film that gave both Chevy Chase and Richard Belzer their first screen roles. It’s also a film that laid the groundwork for the humor of early Saturday Night Live.
The low-budget movie, which satirizes TV and counterculture of the early 70s, began as an innovative theater show in NYC’s Lower East Side - with the Channel One Theater Company.
Directed by Ken Shapiro, The Groove Tube was the brainchild of the humor of the first generation of comedians coming to age in the TV generation.
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35 min
October 29, 2018 History of the Biggest Flop in TV Comedy History
Turn-On is considered the biggest flop in TV comedy history. The sketch comedy show was created in 1969 by George Schlatter - who was trying to capitalize on his other show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Only one episode ever aired. In fact, some stations pulled the show after the very first commercial break. A young Albert Brooks was one of the staff writers and the first episode of Turn-On was hosted by Tim Conway. Perhaps the show was too ahead of its time, or perhaps it was truly awful? We’ll just never know…
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43 min
October 22, 2018 CH101 Select: History of Dead Baby Jokes
From the CH!01 archives: We explore the history of dead baby jokes - a popular joke genre that began the 60’s and ran through the 80s. Like gallows humor tried to make light the worst of human atrocities.
But social climate brought about this type of dark comedy.
Did you know the advent of the pill, the women's liberation movement, and the Vietnam War - were all factors in the rise of Dead Baby Jokes?
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26 min

About Comedy History 101

From the publisher's feed

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, stand-up milestones, and forgotten gems from the comedy world. From SNL to viral videos, we unpack the moments that shaped what makes us laugh. Whether you're a hardcore comedy nerd or just comedy-curious, this is your crash course in the funny business. Subscribe now and discover how comedy got to where it is today—one punchline at a time.