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

The State: MTV's Cult Comedy Sketch Show

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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CH101 Select: The Mr. Bill Show - SNL Origins with Creator Walter Williams

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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The Def Jam Comedy of Canada: The Nubian Show

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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Broad City and the Comedy of Inclusion

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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CH101 Select: Just for Laughs w/ Darren Frost

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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Rodney Dangerfield w/ Author Michael Seth Starr

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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Andy Kaufman & Thank You Very Much with Director Alex Braverman

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

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Kevin McDonald & Kids in the Hall

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Comedy History 101: Best of 2024

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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CH101 Select: Chris Farley w/ Director Brent Hodge

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Gallagher w/ Director Josh Forbes

November 25, 2024 • 54 mins

We talk to Josh Forbes, director of the new documentary on Gallagher, the comedian known for his signature bit, the Sledge-O-Matic, and his watermelon-smashing antics. Gallagher was one of the biggest comedians of the 80s and 90s and then drifted off to obscurity. You might remember Gallaher from his infamous WTF episode with Marc Maron - or feuds with his brother: Gallagher Too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

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CH101 Select: Kliph Nesteroff: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars

November 15, 2024 • 62 mins

CH101 Select: Kliph Nesteroff is one of the leading comedy historians and the author of the new book: Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars. And we talk about his book, censorship in comedy, how every generation declares that "comedy is over" - and how the old guard often refuses to accept culture shifts in the comedy biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

October 31, 2024 • 51 mins

A teenage hustler makes his living selling counterfeit tickets at Grateful Dead shows, hawking his fakes on every Shakedown Street around the country. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between Steven Marcus - the head of Grateful Dead ticketing and this teenage counterfeiter, which comes to a head at a Madison Square Garden Dead show. But as the heat turns up - an unexpected tragedy puts an end to the game for both of them. CH101's ...

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Trailer: The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

October 29, 2024 • 3 mins

Trailer For Our Upcoming Audio Documentary: The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter A teenage hustler makes his living selling counterfeit tickets at Grateful Dead shows. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between the head of Grateful Dead ticketing and this teenage counterfeiter. But as the heat turns up - an unexpected tragedy puts an end to the game for both of them. Dropping this week on iTunes & comedyhistory101.com Learn more about you...

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Trailblazing Sitcom Writer Susan Silver

October 23, 2024 • 43 mins

Susan Silver is a trailblazer in the world of sitcom writing. She began her career on The Mary Tyler Moore Show—during an era when comedy writing was overwhelmingly dominated by men. Starting as a casting director on the iconic show Laugh-In, she went on to write for The Bob Newhart Show, Maude, The Partridge Family, and Square Pegs. Like a showbiz Zelig, Susan’s path has crossed with icons such as Elvis, Jim Morrison, Lenny Bruc...

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The Comedy Store w/ Joey Camen

October 15, 2024 • 72 mins

Joey Camen is a Comedy Store OG. He first started performing at the iconic club in Los Angeles in 1974, alongside such up-and-coming comedians as David Letterman, Sam Kinison, Jay Leno, Jim Carrey – and the legendary Richard Pryor. Joey has appeared on WTF and is also a renowned voice actor who got his start as one of The Smurfs. We dive into his voice work, Comedy Store history, and his Nov 9th solo show at United Solo in NYC. Le...

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Paul Bellini & Kids in the Hall

October 2, 2024 • 58 mins

Paul Bellini is noted as being the unofficial 6th Kids in the Hall, alongside Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson. Paul was one of the key writers for the Kids in the Hall's TV series and is also known onscreen as 'the guy in the towel.' Paul was there from the very start, at the legendary sketch group's early Toronto shows, and he gives us a deep dive into his history of Kids in the Hal...

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The Golden Girls & Roseanne w/ Writer Stan Zimmerman

September 25, 2024 • 47 mins

Stan Zimmerman was a writer for The Golden Girls, Roseanne, Gilmore Girls, and the feature film, A Very Brady Sequel. He is also the author of the new book: The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore. We do a deep-dive on TV comedy writing, pitching, and what it was like working on the Russian version of Roseanne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Arrested Development & Golden Girls w/Jim Vallely

September 16, 2024 • 58 mins

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. Learn more about your...

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Grease, Airplane, Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Casting Director Joel Thurm

September 4, 2024 • 45 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. Learn mo...

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Comedy History 101

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}The State: MTV's Cult Comedy Sketch Show

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}CH101 Select: The Mr. Bill Show - SNL Origins with Creator Walter Williams

The Def Jam Comedy of Canada: The Nubian Show

Broad City and the Comedy of Inclusion

CH101 Select: Just for Laughs w/ Darren Frost

Rodney Dangerfield w/ Author Michael Seth Starr

Andy Kaufman & Thank You Very Much with Director Alex Braverman

Kevin McDonald & Kids in the Hall

Comedy History 101: Best of 2024

CH101 Select: Chris Farley w/ Director Brent Hodge

Gallagher w/ Director Josh Forbes

CH101 Select: Kliph Nesteroff: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars

The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

Trailer: The Grateful Dead Counterfeiter

The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Trailblazing Sitcom Writer Susan Silver

The Comedy Store w/ Joey Camen

Paul Bellini & Kids in the Hall

The Golden Girls & Roseanne w/ Writer Stan Zimmerman

Arrested Development & Golden Girls w/Jim Vallely

Grease, Airplane, Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Casting Director Joel Thurm

Popular Podcasts

The State: MTV's Cult Comedy Sketch Show

CH101 Select: The Mr. Bill Show - SNL Origins with Creator Walter Williams