Rain Pryor Talks About Richard Pryor
Comedy legend Richard Pryor would be 77 years old today. Here's a conversation I had several years ago with his daughter, Rain Pryor, when she published her book about him, "Jokes My Father Never Taught Me." We discussed the N-word controversy that's still humming...
Andy Friendly, “Willing To Be Lucky”
My conversation with TV writer/producer Andy Friendly, who worked with Richard Pryor, Tom Snyder, Johnny Carson, Roseanne, Dick Cavett, and many more.
The Al Franken Harassment Story
I'll admit that I was quite surprised to see Al Franken's name appear on the list of men charged with sexual assault -- not because I know him, but because he never seemed to be that kind of guy. Shows you what a judge of character I am. I only know Leeann Tweeden...
Showbiz Show 11/10/17
This week on the showbiz segment of my show, Max and I reviewed the new version of "Murder On The Orient Express" and its all-star cast. Then we discussed the just-released statement by Louis CK about his sexual misconduct, the effect he had on his victims, whether...
Our Weekend Double Bill
My wife and I spent the last two evenings at the Fox Theater having a great time. Friday night, we were there for Jerry Seinfeld, who maintains his rank as the best standup comedian of our time. His writing is brilliant -- every word, phrase, sentence, pause, action...
Mulaney, Oswalt, and Letterman
I've become a big John Mulaney fan over the last couple of years. I didn't watch his Fox sitcom, (which only ran for a dozen or so episodes in 2014), but discovered him via his Netflix standup special, "The Comeback Kid." I was impressed by his writing, delivery, and...
Tripp Whetsell On The History Of The Improv
Long before there was a Funny Bone or a Helium Comedy Club or the Comedy Store or the Comic Strip or Yuk Yuk’s, there was a place in Hell’s Kitchen in New York called The Improv. It was started by Budd Friedman, who I met a couple of years ago when I was in LA and my...
Picture Of The Day
The most famous routine by comedian Shelley Berman, who died last week, is a masterful piece of timing and one-sided storytelling... Previously on Harris Online... When I talked to Kliph Nesteroff about his book, "The Comedians," I asked him if Bob Newhart stole...