Comedy History 101

By Harmon LeonComedy TV & Film Society & Culture History

Comedy History 101 episodes

October 16, 2018 HIstory of Trump Attempting Humor in the White House
From mocking a disabled reporter to make fun of a sexual assault victim - Donald J. Trump has proven there is a vastly different sense of presidential humor now coming from the White House.
I recently interviewed David Litt - head joke writer for President Obama - for an upcoming story in the NY Observer, to get his take on Trump as a purveyor of jokes and humor. We discuss his insights and the history of humor coming from Trump - The President.
Trump loves laughing at the misfortunes of others. Trump doesn’t love laugh
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41 min
October 06, 2018 History of Richard Pryor's Children’s TV Show: Pryor's Place
In 1984, Richard Pryor had a children’s TV show called: Pryor’s Place. This was two years after his classic concert film, Live on the Sunset Strip, - and four years after lighting himself on fire while freebasing cocaine.
The Pryor’s Place only lasted one season and was produced by Sid & Marty Krofft. The show takes place in an inner-city neighborhood. There’s puppets, celebrity guest stars, and Pryor giving moral lessons to kids.
The best part is the theme song to Pryor’s Place performed by Ray Parker Jr. who did the Ghostbuster’s theme. It’s so catchy - that it will haunt you forever.
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34 min
September 28, 2018 History of Bill Cosby's Creepy Comedy Bits
This week comedian/sexual predator Bill Cosby went to prison. Even before Hannibal Buress helped call him out in 2014—Cosby peppered his work with a multitude of references to sexual misconduct.
Take his Spanish Fly routine from the 1969 comedy album, “It’s True! It’s True!.” Or his reference to his secret BBQ sauce recipe - that renders women helpless, from an episode of The Cosby Show Not to mention his monologue where he cites knocking women out - in his 1971 PBS performance, Bill Cosby on Prejudice.
We do a deep dive into the creepy Cosby clues that were always there.
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35 min
September 21, 2018 History of Richard Pryor and Comedians Who Attempt Comebacks
Part Two of our history of comedians who f-up and attempt comebacks. We dive into the greatest comeback of all time - with Richard Pryor who lit himself on fire while freebasing and then came back and filmed the stand up masterpiece, Live on the Sunset Strip.
Along with this, we cover the worst comedy comeback of all time with Michael Richards - after he had a meltdown on stage at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
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1 hr 5 min
September 14, 2018 History of Louie CK and Comedians Who Attempted Comebacks
We dive into the history of comedians who f-ed up - and then attempted comebacks.
We cover the fall, and attempted rise, of Louie CK, Roseanne Barr, Kathy Griffin, Samantha Bee, Kramer from Seinfeld, and Richard Pryor. How did these comedians succeed with their comebacks? What was their apology?
Can we separate the person from the art?
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56 min
September 07, 2018 (PT 2) History of Meatballs 4: Worst Movie Sequel Ever
We continue with Part 2 of the History of Meatballs 4. Crazy fact: the movie costarred Jack Nance - who not only played Eraserhead, but was also in almost every single David Lynch movie after the cult classic.
In a very low point in his career - Nance played the director of a failing waterski camp and shared wisecracks with Corey Feldman. And there's even more creepier trivia about Nance's time filming Meatballs 4.
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29 min
August 31, 2018 History of Meatballs 4: Worst Movie Sequel Ever
Meatballs 4 is one of the worst movie sequels of all time. It stars Corey Feldman in the Bill Murray role. It's a classic hackneyed story of the slobs vs. snobs. But the twist here; they have to save a failing water ski camp.
But did you know that Meatballs 4 wasn't the original title of the film? Find out some deep cuts into on the worst movie sequels ever to be filmed.
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36 min
August 24, 2018 (PT2) CH101 Select: History of Louie Theroux
We dive into Part 2 of the history of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux. We discuss his long range of BBC specials - and his most recent project: My Scientology Movie.
Also, find out about both Louie and Harmon's connection with the infamous Westboro Baptist Church.
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29 min
August 17, 2018 (PT 1) CH101 Select: History of Louie Theroux
Our CH101 Select this week: We dive into the work of one of our favorite documentary filmmakers: Louie Theroux.
Find out about Louie's early days alongside Michael Moore on TV Nation. Get acquainted with Louie's first TV series: Louie Theroux's Weird Weekend; where he immersed himself into such subcultures as swingers, pro-wrestling, and porn stars.
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28 min
August 10, 2018 (PT 2) History of Sasha Baron Cohen and Who Is America?
Part 2 on the history of Sasha Baron Cohen and his new show: Who Is America? We dive into the early career of Cohen with such notable characters as Borat, Ali G - and lesser known work as DJ Greg and hosting the show Pump TV.
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35 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.