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 is today—one punchline at a time. More: harmonleon.com comedyhistory101.com
Episodes
October 13, 2025 • 40 mins
We go inside the PBS documentary series United States of Comedy with director Habib Azar. The five-part series spotlights diverse voices shaping stand-up comedy across America—capturing the next comedic generation redefining American comedy culture.
Habib shares stories from filming United States of Comedy, as we dive into creative resilience and what unites comedians across America.
WATCH: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/doc...
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September 19, 2025 • 56 mins
As you heard, they yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air - because the Trump administration has declared a War on Comedy. Holy Overton window!
In this reprise episode, we celebrate Jimmy Kimmel Live, and talk to Adam Spiegelman, who was a comedy producer for this iconic late-night talk show.
Adam was at Jimmy Kimmel Live right from the start, and we do a deep dive into producing comedy and comedians for Kimmel, where he brough...
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September 16, 2025 • 42 mins
The legendary Comedy Cellar - is the Yankee Stadium of NYC comedy clubs. Founded in 1982, the club has helped launch the careers of Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle, Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, Amy Schumer, Ray Romano...(you get the idea).
In this reprise episode, we talk to comedian Dave Juskow, who is a Comedy Cellar regular and host of the Comedy Cellar Tuesday podcast, on the history of this beloved and iconic club.
Learn more abo...
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September 8, 2025 • 71 mins
Before Hollywood, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and Splash, John Candy was the heart of SCTV and Toronto’s Second City.
Paul Myers, author of John Candy: His Life in Comedy, shares Candy’s comedic rise alongside Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Aykroyd, and Joe Flaherty—and his iconic collaborations with John Hughes and Steve Martin.
Paul also reveals how his brother, Mike Myers, met Candy as a teen—and how Candy ...
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September 2, 2025 • 43 mins
Joel Thurm was the casting director for such iconic movies as Airplane, Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well being the head of NBC casting for a solid decade. He is also the author of the new book, Sex, Drugs, and Pilot Season.
We do a deep dive into casting in Hollywood, turning down Tom Cruise and Madonna, and insider stories on Taxi, David Hasselhoff, and what role Bob Hope played in getting Seinfeld on the air.
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August 19, 2025 • 105 mins
We go inside Team Coco, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and
Clueless Gamer with Will Becton.
Will shares his comedic journey from UCB and working on the documentary aka Tommy Chong, to becoming an original member of Team Coco, where he worked the entire run of CONAN on TBS and was the engineer of the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
Will tells us what its like to be the Zelig of comedy — working alongside such legends as Cona...
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August 8, 2025 • 34 mins
CH101 Reprise: We dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of comedian Andy Kaufman with director Alex Braverman, helmer of the new documentary Thank You Very Much.
The doc explores Kaufman’s legendary career of comedy as performance art, wrestling women, and the high art of confusing audiences. We talk Foreign Man, performance-as-prank, and what it’s like digging through Kaufman’s surreal legacy.
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July 25, 2025 • 38 mins
Before there was Fallon, Kimmel, or Colbert — there was Johnny Carson, the undisputed King of Late Night.
We talk with Howard Smith, author of the book, My Friend Johnny, who was Carson's longtime Malibu neighbor, friend, and tennis partner.
Howard pulls back the curtain on Carson’s private world — from secret card games with Steve Martin, Don Rickles, Carl Reiner, and Martin Short, to the personal joke-writing advice Johnny ga...
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July 11, 2025 • 70 mins
Larry Charles won an Emmy writing for Seinfeld, directed Borat, Brüno, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and has collaborated with Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Bob Dylan .
Larry joins CH101 for some serious comedy inside baseball:
How he helped shape the voice of Seinfeld with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld
The chaos behind Borat's infamous poop-bag dinner scene
What it was really like making subversive comedy wi...
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July 2, 2025 • 61 mins
CH101 Select: Jim Vallely was a writer/producer on the iconic comedy show: Arrested Development – which earned him an Emmy.
Jim also worked on The Golden Girls, Two and a Half Men, The John Larroquette Show, and got his start on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - with his comedy duo: The Funny Boys.
We do a masterclass deep-dive with Jim on comedy writing, producing, and what it was like having Larry David as a neighbor.
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June 12, 2025 • 36 mins
The State was the MTV sketch show that launched the careers of Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Kevin Allison—and several more (the troupe had 11 members).
From dorm-room sketches at NYU to comedy milestones like Reno 911, Stella, Viva Variety, and the cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, The State helped redefine alternative comedy for a generation.
Director Matthew Perniciar...
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June 9, 2025 • 45 mins
Mr. Bill is one of the most iconic characters in the history of Saturday Night Live.
This lovable, unlucky bundle of Play-Doh first appeared in the very first season of SNL as a viewer-submitted Super 8 film—and quickly rose to cult status. At the peak of his fame, Mr. Bill was ranked the third most beloved character on SNL, right behind John Belushi and Gilda Radner.
We talk to Walter Williams, the creator of Mr. Bill, who later...
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June 6, 2025 • 36 mins
The Nubian Show — created by comedian Kenny Robinson — changed Canadian comedy forever.
The Toronto showcase was the very first comedy show in Canada to feature comedians of color.
Kenny and his monthly showcase at Yuk Yuk’s are also the subject of the new documentary People of Comedy (now streaming on Crave).
The Nubian Show helped launch comedians Russell Peters and Kevin Hart, and has welcomed the likes of Dave Chappelle, Chri...
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May 27, 2025 • 40 mins
Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer producer Ryan Cunningham and Gold Comedy founder Lynn Harris take us deep into the world of inclusive comedy and comedy as social change.
From behind-the-scenes Broad City stories (yes, that pegging episode) to how diverse voices are reshaping the comedy landscape, we explore why women being “gross” on screen was a cultural breakthrough—and how laughter can be a tool for empowerment, visibility, ...
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May 19, 2025 • 39 mins
CH101 Select: Just for Laughs is the largest comedy festival in the world. Based in Montreal, the festival has helped launch the careers of such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Mitch Hedberg, Jimmy Fallon, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, etc...
Last year, the festival was canceled due to bankruptcy, but its back for 2025.
We talk to Darren Frost - a Canadian comedian who started performing at the festival in the mid-90s - on the history of ...
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April 24, 2025 • 36 mins
We dive deep into the life and career of the comedian who gets “no respect,” Rodney Dangerfield.
Author Michael Seth Starr joins Comedy History101 to talk about his new biography Nothin’ Comes Easy, revealing how Dangerfield clawed his way back into comedy at age 45, the origins of his famous catchphrase, how he rewrote his persona, and finally got the respect he deserved. From aluminum siding to The Ed Sullivan Show to Caddyshack...
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April 11, 2025 • 34 mins
We dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of comedian Andy Kaufman with director Alex Braverman, helmer of the new documentary Thank You Very Much.
The doc explores Kaufman’s legendary career of comedy as performance art, wrestling women, and the high art of confusing audiences. We talk Foreign Man, performance-as-prank, and what it’s like digging through Kaufman’s surreal legacy.
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March 31, 2025 • 47 mins
Kevin McDonald is best known as a founding member of the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe – The Kids in the Hall –which appeared on CBS, HBO, and Comedy Central, and had a revival season aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2022.
Kevin joins CH!01 with tales of KITH, comedy in general, and his upcoming appearance at
The Second City on April 11th & 12th.
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December 23, 2024 • 46 mins
Comedy History 101 wraps up the year with our best interviews from 2024. Featuring episode excerpts from Arrested Development’s Emmy-winning writer Jim Vallely, Paul Bellini from Kids in the Hall, Joel Thurm – casting director Airplane and Grease, plus histories of The Comedy Cellar, Yuk-Yuks, Moms Mabley with Rhonda Hansome, Sean Cullens, Susan Silver, Stan Zimmerman, directors Brent Hodge, Josh Forbes, Alan Bernstein, and more…
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December 11, 2024 • 42 mins
CH101 Select: Chris Farley was one of the most dynamic and beloved comedians to ever grace the stage at both Second City and Saturday Night Live.
And I talk to Brent Hodge, director of the documentary, I Am Chris Farley. We do a deep dive into the life and times of this amazing comedian.
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