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PODCAST

Comedy History 101

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

comedy

All Episodes

47:33

CH101 Select: Comedians, The Mob, and the Copacabana

Comedy History 101 ·

2021/05/07

From Our Archives: Remember in Goodfellas when mobster Henry Hill took his date, Karen, to The Copacabana? That was pretty true to form. The mob actually owned the legendary club. We saw this recently in the movie The Irishman - when Don Rickles was on stage performing for Crazy Joe Gallo. We dive into the mob’s connection with The Copacabana - where you’ll learn such interesting tidbits as what happened to comedian Allan Drake’s wife when she had an affair with a mobster. Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t

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49:57

CH101 Select: Slipping on a Banana Peel

Comedy History 101 ·

2021/01/08

From the Archives: Since the beginning of the 20th century, slipping on a banana peel has been a comedy trope. We’ve seen such legendary silent comedians as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy - all do a variation of the slipping on a banana peel gag. But how did the “slipping on a banana peel” gag come into our lexicon? And why don’t we see people slipping on banana peels in 2021? Listen on.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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53:23

(Pt 4) John Belushi: The Sad Final Years

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/12/30

We conclude our 4-part series on John Belushi - with his sad final years. This involves the film disaster, Neighbors - and what happened the night he died at the Chateau Marmont. Ending on a good note - Belushi is ranked #1 by Rolling Stone - as the best sketch performer on SNL. He also has an Albanian stamp with his likeness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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51:04

(PT 3) John Belushi: Making of the Blues Brothers

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/12/21

The Blues Brothers is one of the most iconic screen comedies of all time. The movie held the record for the amount of cars destroyed - and actually had a budget for cocaine. That's why production was a nightmare - largely due to John Belushi and his proclivity for drugs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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49:54

(PT 2) History of John Belushi: SNL Years

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/12/12

John Belushi, at the height of his fame - was on top-rated TV show, SNL, had the #1 movie with Animal House, and had the #1 album with his band, the Blues Brothers. Belushi created iconic comedy characters while on SNL - but backstage, he was kind of turning into a mess. We cover all this and more in Part 2 - of the History of John Belushi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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50:05

History of John Belushi: The Early Days

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/12/07

In this episode we cover the John Belushi origin story. From his early days growing up in Wheaton, IL - to his stint in Second City and starring in National Lampoon's Lemmings. Plus, all the other theatrical twists-and-turns Belushi took before being cast on SNL - and changing the face of comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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41:54

CH101 Select: History of Trump Attempting to be Funny

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/11/27

In celebration of the end of a shitshow era - we bring this CH!01 Select: From mocking a disabled reporter to making fun of a sexual assault victim - Donald J. Trump has proven there is a vastly different sense of presidential humor coming from the White House. I interviewed David Litt - head joke writer for President Obama - for a 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 the White House. Trump

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30:38

(PT 2) History of Richard Pryor, The Black Panthers,...

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/11/20

Part Two of our episode on the Richard Pryor comedy origin story. We cover his time underground in Berkeley, CA and discovering his true comedic voice. We also talk about the time that Richard Pryor guest starred on The Partridge Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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34:22

History of Richard Pryor, The Black Panthers, and...

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/11/13

In the early 60s, Richard Pryor was a clean cut, mainstream comedian who appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Then he had a meltdown in Las Vegas. Retreating from showbiz, he moved to Berkeley, California and began hanging out with The Black Panthers, the counterculture movement, and African American intellectuals. The experience changed the face of Richard Pryor's comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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43:41

History of Freddie Prinze

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/11/06

Showtime has a new series on the History of the Comedy Store. Comedian Freddie Prinze was the first big breakout star of The Store. At 19, he appeared on The Tonight Show - and shortly after he got his own sitcom, Chico and the Man. Prinze seemed to have everything in the world. But it was all too much, too fast for Freddie Prinze... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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46:50

History of Sasha Baron Cohen and Borat

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/10/30

Sasha Baron Cohen is back - with his new movie: Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm. This time the confused Kazakhstan journalist takes on the pandemic and Trump America. In this episode we dive into both the Borat and Sasha Baron Cohen origin story. Where did they both come from and how did they get here? From the early days performing in the Cambridge Footlights - to international stardom and duping international ass-clown Rudy Giuliani - we cover it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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31:42

History of Abbie Hoffman and The Second City Theater

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/10/23

Sasha Baron Cohen plays activist Abbie Hoffman in the new Netflix film, The Trial of the Chicago 7. As seen in the film, by day, Hoffman was in the courtroom - fighting conspiracy charges. By night, he would regularly perform at The Second City theater. Hoffman's stage appearance marked a transition at the theater - from a bunch of squares doing sketches; to progressive radicals that changed the face of comedy; marked by the addition of Harold Ramis as a cast member. Learn more about your ad

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54:00

CH101 Select: History of The Comedy Store Strike

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/10/12

Showtime has a new documentary series on the legendary Comedy Store in Las Angeles. That's why we're bringing back a CH101 Select on the history of the 1979 Comedy Store strike - which was lead by comedians David Letterman, Tom Dressen, and Jay Leno.It was a pinnacle moment in comedy history, when comedians walked out of the Comedy Store and demanded that they get paid for performing; changing the face of modern comedy history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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57:40

Ch101 Select: History of the Comedy Central Roast of...

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/10/02

What a week. Within the last seven days, Trump's tax returns have been revealed, there was an unhinged presidential debate, and now the president has tested positive for coronavirus - after spending months mocking people who wear masks. But back in 2011, Comedy Central decided to send up Trump in a televised roasts. Trump only agreed to doing the roast if jokes about his hair, bankruptcies, and assumed wealth were made off-limits. it was a major joke among the roasters that Trump would consider

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30:29

History of Pepe the Frog

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/09/25

In 2005, Pepe the Frog was created by cartoonist Matt Furie And then his lovable creation got coopted by the alt-right. Ugh! Coinciding with the release of the new documentary, Feels Good Man - we chronicle the crazed, insane journey of Pepe the Frog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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49:19

CH101 Select: History of XXX Party Records

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/09/18

Party Records were albums that people would play at night after the kids went to bed. Known for its XXX humor - Party Records helped launch the careers of Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, LaWanda Page, Skillet & Leroy, and numerous other classic comedians. You couldn't find these albums on the shelves at record stores; they were sold under the counter in paper bags. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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26:05

History of the Animal House Sitcom

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/09/11

Animal House starred John Belushi - and was a game changer in movie history. So less than a year after its release, ABC tried to cash in on the film's success with the sitcom: Delta House. Despite having some of the original cast members, and episodes written by the likes of John Hughes, Harold Ramis, and Doug Kenney - the show was a huge flop. It featured a laugh track, Josh Mostel filling in for Belushi, and not an ounce of raunchy humor - which made Animal House a success. Learn more about your

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33:31

History of The Chevy Chase Show

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/09/04

The Chevy Chase Show premiered in 1993. It starred Chevy Chase - and was FOX's talk show answer to The Late Show with David Letterman. The former SNL star looked lost, uncomfortable, and out of his element. Not only did the show only last 5 weeks - but this late night disaster is also ranked as the one of the worst TV shows of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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62:35

CH101 Select: History of the Comedy Store Condo

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/08/28

From the archives: The Comedy Store in Los Angeles is home to a zillion famous (and not so famous) comedians. The condo, directly behind The Store - was literally home to numerous comedians who went on to change the face of comedy. Sam Kinison, Andrew Dice Clay, Robin Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Marc Maron, and more... This comedy frat house was both a humor incubator and a dark den of drugs and destruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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21:51

History of the Blazing Saddles Sitcom

Comedy History 101 ·

2020/08/13

In 1975, Warner Brothers filmed a sitcom spinoff of the hit movie, Blazing Saddles, called: Black Bart. The sitcom starred Lou Gossett Jr., featured pale imitations of the original cast, and had a canned laugh track. The only reason Warner Bros filmed the sitcom was due to a clause in Mel Brooks' contract - with the intent of producing a Blazing Saddles film franchise. Four seasons were filmed - and it was never meant to see the light of day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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