National Lampoon: A Comedy Revolution
A comedic revolution began in 1970 with the publication of National Lampoon magazine. The satirical magazine was known for pushing the boundaries of taste and for a distinct dark form of satire strongly informed by the sensibilities of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s. National Lampoon was the precursor to Saturday Night Live…
Top Ten Weekend Update Anchors
Weekend Update is the longest-running recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live, first appearing on the show’s debut episode on October 11th, 1975. A news satire segment in which an “anchor” (or anchors) lampoons the news of the week, Weekend Update has remained immensely popular throughout the show’s over fifty-year-long run, and has inspired many other…
The Comedy Movie “Comeback”
At one point in time, studios were producing comedy films left and right. As recently as the 2000s, comedy films dominated the box office, and even if they didn’t, they were often able to recoup their budgets through home video rentals and purchases. Since the mid-2010s, production of theatrical comedy films has gradually declined. Today,…
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National Lampoon: A Comedy Revolution
A comedic revolution began in 1970 with the publication of National Lampoon magazine. The satirical magazine was known for pushing the boundaries of taste and for a distinct dark form of satire strongly informed…
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Top Ten Weekend Update Anchors
Weekend Update is the longest-running recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live, first appearing on the show’s debut episode on October 11th, 1975. A news satire segment in which an “anchor” (or anchors) lampoons the…
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The Comedy Movie “Comeback”
At one point in time, studios were producing comedy films left and right. As recently as the 2000s, comedy films dominated the box office, and even if they didn’t, they were often able to…
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Steve Martin: Architect of the Absurd
Steve Martin’s approach to stand-up comedy made him a sensation in the 1970s. Viewing stand-up comedy as an art form, Martin analyzed the science of what makes an audience laugh and then flipped that…
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The Roast of Chevy Chase: The Worst Night in Comedy
Celebrity roasts have been a staple of comedy for generations. The tradition of inviting a “Guest of Honor” to be “roasted” by a dais comprising their friends and peers in the entertainment industry (or…
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Mel Brooks At 100
The 2000 Year Old Man Turns 100. Happy 100th Birthday to legendary comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks. For months, fans such as myself have eagerly awaited this major milestone. I personally made it a…
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Why Letterman Matters
Late-night talk shows are among the most sacred and long-running traditions in television. Ever since Steve Allen started NBC’s The Tonight Show in 1954, television audiences have ended their days watching an amiable comedian,…
Inside the Unserious 