Philosophy
My Fellow Comedists,
This week we lost one of the lesser known comic geniuses of our times. Leonard Stern passed away at age 87. He was the executive director and writer for Get Smart, he wrote the screenplays for Ma and Pa Kettle and Abbott and Costello films, he directed the George Burns movie Just You and Me, Kid, he wrote episodes of The Honeymooners, The Steve Allen Show, and the Phil Silvers Show.
But his greatest comedic achievement was the invention of MadLibs. The idea first came to him in high school. It reappeared when he was a writer on the Honeymooners and he asked his fellow writer Roger Price for an adjective to describe the nose of Ralph Kramden's boss, but before he could get out what he wanted the adjectives for, Roger started giving him random ones. The two found the situation hilarious among themselves and decided to write up short stories with missing words for a party they were going to. When it was a huge hit at the party, they saw the potential and the rest is comic history.
From all of us who ever went on long car trips or to camp, thank you Leonard Stern.
Live, love, and laugh,
Irreverend Steve
- The Feast Of Saint Carl
My Fellow Comedists, This week saw the feast day of Saint Carl. Carl Reiner turned 89 this week. Reiner was a member of that legendary group of writers for Sid Caeser including Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, and, of course, Mel Brooks, who was...
- Rip Kenneth Mars
My Fellow Comedists, Last week I wrote about Ernest Marsden, a scientist who pulled yeoman's duty and contributed to one of the most important scientific discoveries without receiving the credit. Last week, we lost a comedic version. Kenneth Mars...
- "tomorrow He Starts Getting Taller"
My Fellow Comedists, This week marks the 60th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea by the communist North. For historians, this is a key moment in the heating up of the Cold War. For Comedists, the Korean police action brings one thing to mind --...
- Passing The Plate: Exam Jokes
My Fellow Comedists, It's that time again. Most religions ask you to donate money, but Comedists tithe jokes. Since we are only a week out from final exams, let's do school and exam jokes. My contributions: A teacher was wrapping up the last day...
- The Feast Of Saint John
My Fellow Comedists, This weekend would have been the 52nd birthday of John Belushi, the Hunter S. Thompson of comedy. He was born in Chicago to first-generation Albanian-Americans in Chicago, growing up just outside the city. In high-school, he was a...
Philosophy
RIP Leonard Stern
My Fellow Comedists,
This week we lost one of the lesser known comic geniuses of our times. Leonard Stern passed away at age 87. He was the executive director and writer for Get Smart, he wrote the screenplays for Ma and Pa Kettle and Abbott and Costello films, he directed the George Burns movie Just You and Me, Kid, he wrote episodes of The Honeymooners, The Steve Allen Show, and the Phil Silvers Show.
But his greatest comedic achievement was the invention of MadLibs. The idea first came to him in high school. It reappeared when he was a writer on the Honeymooners and he asked his fellow writer Roger Price for an adjective to describe the nose of Ralph Kramden's boss, but before he could get out what he wanted the adjectives for, Roger started giving him random ones. The two found the situation hilarious among themselves and decided to write up short stories with missing words for a party they were going to. When it was a huge hit at the party, they saw the potential and the rest is comic history.
From all of us who ever went on long car trips or to camp, thank you Leonard Stern.
Live, love, and laugh,
Irreverend Steve
- The Feast Of Saint Carl
My Fellow Comedists, This week saw the feast day of Saint Carl. Carl Reiner turned 89 this week. Reiner was a member of that legendary group of writers for Sid Caeser including Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, and, of course, Mel Brooks, who was...
- Rip Kenneth Mars
My Fellow Comedists, Last week I wrote about Ernest Marsden, a scientist who pulled yeoman's duty and contributed to one of the most important scientific discoveries without receiving the credit. Last week, we lost a comedic version. Kenneth Mars...
- "tomorrow He Starts Getting Taller"
My Fellow Comedists, This week marks the 60th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea by the communist North. For historians, this is a key moment in the heating up of the Cold War. For Comedists, the Korean police action brings one thing to mind --...
- Passing The Plate: Exam Jokes
My Fellow Comedists, It's that time again. Most religions ask you to donate money, but Comedists tithe jokes. Since we are only a week out from final exams, let's do school and exam jokes. My contributions: A teacher was wrapping up the last day...
- The Feast Of Saint John
My Fellow Comedists, This weekend would have been the 52nd birthday of John Belushi, the Hunter S. Thompson of comedy. He was born in Chicago to first-generation Albanian-Americans in Chicago, growing up just outside the city. In high-school, he was a...