tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6968229670881805659..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Some people you might want to knowBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-92080151932935900562021-09-29T09:28:14.340-07:002021-09-29T09:28:14.340-07:00I saw Mort Sahl perform in a Palm Springs shul abo...I saw Mort Sahl perform in a Palm Springs shul about 20 years ago.Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78619352840254506572015-10-31T23:21:10.549-07:002015-10-31T23:21:10.549-07:00It's true that Oscar Levant is dead, but as fa...It's true that Oscar Levant is dead, but as far as I can find, he has no gravestone with "I told you I was sick" on it. Nowadays at least he's in a slot at Westwood Memorial Park that's labeled with only his name and dates. Gravestones bearing the quoted remark do mark the graves of other folks in other cemeteries, I believe.Keith Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04700768085010210020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60390980014408377722015-10-31T18:12:28.978-07:002015-10-31T18:12:28.978-07:00Don Quinn - Fibber McGee and Molly on radioDon Quinn - Fibber McGee and Molly on radioDan in Missourinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87820754711003191142015-10-31T00:42:45.837-07:002015-10-31T00:42:45.837-07:00Ken,
I thought you may like to listen to few of t...Ken,<br /><br />I thought you may like to listen to few of these Archived OTR shows.<br />Quite interesting and very pertinent to your topic.<br />Also many O.L appearances.<br />https://archive.org/details/Information_Please_page1Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071393476280254379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85566471227669546282015-10-29T15:38:02.328-07:002015-10-29T15:38:02.328-07:00There is a Woody Allen stand up comedy album that ...There is a Woody Allen stand up comedy album that is fantastic.<br />"The moose comes in second. The moose is furious. He and the Berkowitzs lock antlers in the living room."<br /><br />I also love the Tom Lehrer albums. I am familiar with most the names on your list. chuckcdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29751657892332414572015-10-29T09:09:51.878-07:002015-10-29T09:09:51.878-07:00There were only 11 names on the list that I probab...There were only 11 names on the list that I probably could not give you an immediate "credit" for. The reality is, if we were only allowed to mention names of entertainment and/or cultural figures that people under 40 could recognize, I would have very little to say or write!! As Ken said, "Look it up" and better yet, watch some old films and TV shows!! Or, God forbid, read a book! How's that for curmudgeonly? Ottohttp://www.theottofiles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53378538578616638462015-10-28T18:04:46.934-07:002015-10-28T18:04:46.934-07:00Thanx to Craig Gustafson.
And right back atcha wi...Thanx to Craig Gustafson.<br /><br />And right back atcha with:<br /><br />Uncle Johnny Coons<br />Two-Ton Baker the Music Maker<br />Linn Burton (for certain)<br />Jim Conway<br />Uncle/Skipper/Ringmaster Ned Locke<br />Carmelita Pope<br />Chuck Bill (and his Little Feather Merchants)<br />Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers<br />Dr. Dan Q. Posin<br />Fat Friendly Frazier Thomas (and Garfield Goose)<br /> ... and more and more and more ...<br /><br />(See what you started, Ken?)Mike Dorannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-28018659763423389742015-10-28T15:23:54.628-07:002015-10-28T15:23:54.628-07:00I knew about 30 of those names, and have seen anot...I knew about 30 of those names, and have seen another ten or so on your blog.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46664603613731407262015-10-28T00:18:11.169-07:002015-10-28T00:18:11.169-07:00Mike Doran:
Chicago people
Bob Bell
Ray Rayner
...Mike Doran:<br /><br />Chicago people<br /> <br />Bob Bell<br />Ray Rayner<br />Don SandburgCraig Gustafsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503925766039307551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22074420450572436752015-10-27T23:20:43.016-07:002015-10-27T23:20:43.016-07:00One of the absolute funniest Warner's cartoons...One of the absolute funniest Warner's cartoons IMHO is Draftee Daffy, directed by Bob Clampett, animation by Rob Scribner (stop the film at any frame and there is a funny drawing) and great vocal work by Mel Blanc:<br /><br />http://www.trilulilu.ro/video-animatie/daffy-duck-33-draftee-daffy<br /><br />I would also reference the people from SCTV as a group - I think all those guys did their best work as part of that group.-beenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40918845515922929252015-10-27T22:07:20.405-07:002015-10-27T22:07:20.405-07:00Late to the game here but: Phil Rosenthal. He was ...Late to the game here but: Phil Rosenthal. He was the first to realize that to really get to the heard of comedy in a family the kids are props. Everyone would have told him that was crazy and, yet, it worked.Mike Moodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973643901495588545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39222789448189077032015-10-27T19:12:17.905-07:002015-10-27T19:12:17.905-07:00Ken, please add Ernie Kovacs to your list...and th...Ken, please add Ernie Kovacs to your list...and then screen "Our Man in Havana." You may even want to add Alec Guinness after you do.Mike Botulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64696192307640134102015-10-27T18:44:08.415-07:002015-10-27T18:44:08.415-07:00Levant had his own talk shows in Los Angeles; firs...Levant had his own talk shows in Los Angeles; first in 1958 on KCOP and then a syndicated show taped at KHJ 9 in 1961. His first producer (at channel 13) was local sports announcer Cleve Hermann. Cleve lasted two weeks with Oscar. He told me that one afternoon he was at Levant's home, planning the first week's show. The phone began to ring. And ring, and ring and ring. Cleve said he asked him, "Do you want me to get that, Oscar?" The reply: "No, who would want to talk to you?"<br /><br />Al Burton was Levant's next (and final) producer. By this time, Oscar was self-committed to the psych ward at what today is Cedars Sinai. Burton tells the story of how on the night of each show, he'd sign Oscar out of the ward, take him to KCOP to do the show, and then drive him back to the hospital and check him back in.<br /><br />I've only seen one kinescope of the KCOP show, but it's a dandy. Fred Astaire is the guest. It's 90 minutes of great music and sharp wit. In my humble opinion it beats most of the chat shows we have today. Mitchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37813395906297378572015-10-27T17:10:02.458-07:002015-10-27T17:10:02.458-07:00If anyone wants to do it in Chicago, great!If anyone wants to do it in Chicago, great!By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51420664065849093162015-10-27T16:58:10.081-07:002015-10-27T16:58:10.081-07:00Ken, What about Chicago for "A or B"?Ken, What about Chicago for "A or B"?Donaldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85009361951191243512015-10-27T15:49:19.094-07:002015-10-27T15:49:19.094-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Keith Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04700768085010210020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43967044642987325482015-10-27T15:15:11.000-07:002015-10-27T15:15:11.000-07:00George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Carol Burnett, Totie F...George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Carol Burnett, Totie Fields, Marty Feldman, Pat Cooper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3321034410896681162015-10-27T14:09:30.852-07:002015-10-27T14:09:30.852-07:00Don't forget Dayton Allen. Also Jay Ward (who...Don't forget Dayton Allen. Also Jay Ward (who is on your list) was my hero. Not only did he create "Rocky and Bullwinkle" and "George of The Jungle" and so many other smart and wonderfully funny characters, but his wife used to run the Bullwinkle store on Sunset (with the giant statue of Bullwinkle naturally). Jay Ward Productions was right behind the shop. In the late 1980's when I was working for John Candy, I'd sometimes head over there once a month or so at lunch and buy animation cells. They were usually $75 or $100 each (an incredibly cheap price even then) and Mrs. Ward would always say to me, "Would you like Mr. Ward to sign that?". I'd always say "yes please" and she'd call him on the phone and this little man with a huge handlebar mustache would walk in, say hello, sign the cell and head back to the office.Doug Thompsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75072941102696873152015-10-27T13:14:45.619-07:002015-10-27T13:14:45.619-07:00Mark Rothman is an unheralded giant in the field o...Mark Rothman is an unheralded giant in the field of comedy. He is the most multifaceted talent around. Attention must be paid.R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18400780647748076231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3372534779650772352015-10-27T13:13:15.114-07:002015-10-27T13:13:15.114-07:00Somebody mentioned Robert Benchley shorts being ou...Somebody mentioned Robert Benchley shorts being out of print. Not quite.<br /><br />The ones he did for MGM -- the good ones -- are still available in a set from Warner Archive. They're all amusing but variable in tone. Some feel like his written pieces come to life -- especially when he's a dubious authority confidently lecturing the viewer -- while others use him as a character actor, a less assured middle-aged everyman muddling through modern life. <br /><br />What's out of print is a Kino release that had a handful of shorts he did at Paramount during a brief spat with MGM. They're simply not as good. That one also includes a few other Algonquin Round Table celebrities showing why they're remembered now as writers and not performers.DBensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01144515471557731622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83823392023431410992015-10-27T10:37:44.426-07:002015-10-27T10:37:44.426-07:00LORD BUCKLEY!!!!!!LORD BUCKLEY!!!!!!The Nazz, natch....https://www.blogger.com/profile/09392319684852598066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47421070273760108142015-10-27T09:47:49.786-07:002015-10-27T09:47:49.786-07:00There are many of us who recall Oscar Levant. In f...There are many of us who recall Oscar Levant. In fact, I knew every name on your list.<br />Also, some comments regarding Paul B.'s comments about Mark Rothman.<br />He wasn't just a guy "thrown under the bus" (even though he basically was). He's continued in the business as a<br />successful playwright, penned numerous hilarious and well-written books ("Showrunner" and the novel "I'm Not Garbo" among them),<br />and has perhaps the funniest blog on the web (no offense, Ken) at www.http://markrothmansblog.blogspot.com/<br />Worth checking out.Allen Wrenchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13961584905859416132015-10-27T06:26:19.066-07:002015-10-27T06:26:19.066-07:00On a sidenote, as a callow 16 year old I once enco...On a sidenote, as a callow 16 year old I once encountered Zero Mostel when he was touring in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in 1973. I always found him rather intimidating, but he couldn't have been more kindly and gracious when I sputtered my request for his autograph. Barry Rivaduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02398166395997803552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56634647638055145392015-10-27T05:28:09.415-07:002015-10-27T05:28:09.415-07:00Extremely heavy on Americans this list (with a sma...Extremely heavy on Americans this list (with a smattering of Brits who were stars in America added for good measure). Any serious student of ANY subject should surely open up their eyes and ears to what goes on outside of their own back Yard. Where are the likes of..<br /><br />Billy Connolly <br />Norman Wisdom<br />Morecambe & Wise<br />Fry & Laurie<br />French & Saunders<br />Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais<br />Neil Innes<br />Les Dawson<br />Kenneth Williams<br />Leslie Philips<br />Ronnie Barker <br />Ronnie Corbett<br />Spike Milligan<br />Tony Hancock<br />Frankie Howerd<br />David Renwick<br />Leonard Rossiter<br />Ford Kiernan & Greg Hemphill<br /><br />And, John Cleese mentioned but no Eric Idle or Michael Palin? <br /><br />The most incredible of the lot is Dudley Moore mentioned but no Peter Cook. Seriously? <br /><br />Great that you included the amazing talents of Danny Kaye and Jack Lemmon, but come on Ken... this list reads like the work of a 60 or 70 something, who has never left American shores and recognises none of the amazing work done by any foreigner that didn't hit big stateside. If you really want to help educate on comedy history, please don't make it just about American comedy, because there's a huge world out there to discover.Someone Listenedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776281106615664852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80353945793445290282015-10-27T02:17:34.892-07:002015-10-27T02:17:34.892-07:00No one has mentioned Allan Sherman, "Hello Mu...No one has mentioned Allan Sherman, "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh"? I'm hurt. Comedic genius. Forerunner of Weird Al and everyone who parodies songs.RyderDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00980791636129598607noreply@blogger.com