Philosophy
My Fellow Comedists,
This week marks the feast day of Dewey Markham, better known as Pigmeat from one of the characters he played in his routine, "Sweet Papa Pigmeat." Born in Durham, north Carolina, he started in show business as a tap dancer, but quickly came to the stage as a comedian. He toured the Vaudeville circuit, playing mostly in the south performing alongside such talents as Bessie Smith, Red Buttons, and Milton Berle. His humor was typical for the time, racy and character-based, but as big as they come on stage.
In the segregated world of post-WWII show business, Pigmeat was trapped in the African-American community. His talent made him a star in black clubs becoming the house comic of The Apollo in New York City and releasing a series of comedy albums. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan show, but his biggest hit would lead to a come-back later in the 60s. Lampooning southern formality, he played a southern judge dealing with all sorts of oddballs in his courtroom. Setting it to music, in what may be the first rap album of all time, is famous line "Here comes da' judge" became a catchphrase when he was brought onto Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In to resurrect the bit.
Thank you Pigmeat.
Live, love, and laugh,
Irreverend Steve
- The Feast Of Saint Martin
My Fellow Comedists, This weekend, we celebrate the feast of Saint Martin. Martin Lawrence turns 45 today. There is a long tradition of African-American stand-up comics who were major players in every generation, from Moms Mabley to Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory...
- The Feast Of Saint Gilbert
My Fellow Comedists, This weekend is the feast of Saint Gilbert. Gilbert Gottfried turns 55 this weekend. Probably best known now for his voice work in Aladdin and as the AFLAC duck, he is a master stand-up. Indeed, Gilbert Gottfried is a throwback. He...
- Feat Of Saint Sid
My Fellow Comedists, This week brings us the feast of Saint Sid. Sid Caesar turns 88. His Your Show of Shows took comedy from Vaudeville into the suburban world of grey suited middle managers of the 1950s. He could do the slapstick, he could do the highbrow...
- The Feast Of Saint Steve
My Fellow Comedists, This week we see the feast day of Saint Steve. Steve Martin will be 63 years old. Born in Southern California, he was an actor and magician before heading to San Francisco in the late 60s to start his stand-up career working small...
- Feast Of Saint Tommy
My Fellow Comedists, This week saw the feast day of Saint Tommy. Tommy Chong turned 71. Actually, I'm not sure if it was a feast day or if I just really has serious munchies, man. Born to a Chinese father and a Scotch-Irish mother in Canada, he received...
Philosophy
The Feast of Saint Pigmeat
My Fellow Comedists,
This week marks the feast day of Dewey Markham, better known as Pigmeat from one of the characters he played in his routine, "Sweet Papa Pigmeat." Born in Durham, north Carolina, he started in show business as a tap dancer, but quickly came to the stage as a comedian. He toured the Vaudeville circuit, playing mostly in the south performing alongside such talents as Bessie Smith, Red Buttons, and Milton Berle. His humor was typical for the time, racy and character-based, but as big as they come on stage.
In the segregated world of post-WWII show business, Pigmeat was trapped in the African-American community. His talent made him a star in black clubs becoming the house comic of The Apollo in New York City and releasing a series of comedy albums. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan show, but his biggest hit would lead to a come-back later in the 60s. Lampooning southern formality, he played a southern judge dealing with all sorts of oddballs in his courtroom. Setting it to music, in what may be the first rap album of all time, is famous line "Here comes da' judge" became a catchphrase when he was brought onto Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In to resurrect the bit.
Thank you Pigmeat.
Live, love, and laugh,
Irreverend Steve
- The Feast Of Saint Martin
My Fellow Comedists, This weekend, we celebrate the feast of Saint Martin. Martin Lawrence turns 45 today. There is a long tradition of African-American stand-up comics who were major players in every generation, from Moms Mabley to Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory...
- The Feast Of Saint Gilbert
My Fellow Comedists, This weekend is the feast of Saint Gilbert. Gilbert Gottfried turns 55 this weekend. Probably best known now for his voice work in Aladdin and as the AFLAC duck, he is a master stand-up. Indeed, Gilbert Gottfried is a throwback. He...
- Feat Of Saint Sid
My Fellow Comedists, This week brings us the feast of Saint Sid. Sid Caesar turns 88. His Your Show of Shows took comedy from Vaudeville into the suburban world of grey suited middle managers of the 1950s. He could do the slapstick, he could do the highbrow...
- The Feast Of Saint Steve
My Fellow Comedists, This week we see the feast day of Saint Steve. Steve Martin will be 63 years old. Born in Southern California, he was an actor and magician before heading to San Francisco in the late 60s to start his stand-up career working small...
- Feast Of Saint Tommy
My Fellow Comedists, This week saw the feast day of Saint Tommy. Tommy Chong turned 71. Actually, I'm not sure if it was a feast day or if I just really has serious munchies, man. Born to a Chinese father and a Scotch-Irish mother in Canada, he received...