The Tragedy of The Tonight Show: Part II
Preface Today’s article is the second part of a two-part blog series chronicling the two major controversies that took place in The Tonight Show’s history. Last week’s article was about the tension between Jay Leno and David Letterman and the events that ultimately led to Jay Leno taking over the show after Johnny Carson’s retirement.…
The Tragedy of The Tonight Show: Part I
Preface This article is the first in a two-part series. In this two-part blog series, I will cover in depth the two major conflicts in the history of The Tonight Show, starting with the 1992 conflict between David Letterman and Jay Leno, which occurred after Johnny Carson’s retirement from the show. Next week’s article will…
Top 10 Mockumentaries
Parody documentaries, often called mockumentaries, have been a comedic technique in film and television for a long time. The various types of documentaries, such as sports, music, and history, can be easily parodied or satirized by using the mockumentary format. The conventions of the documentary format naturally lends itself well to comedy and comedic characters.…
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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 