Get your cigar, your cowboy hat, and your copy of the First Amendment ready -- this week we salute musical satirist Richard "Kinky" Friedman who blended sarcastic and often offensive lyrics with Texas twang to create a singular comic persona. Way back in the early 1970s after a stint in the Peace Corps, Kinky returned to his home in Texas and set about forming his most famous -- and most outrageously named -- band -- Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. Country rock was becoming popular so in spite of (or maybe because of) the name, Kinky scored a recording contract. Did he dial it back a little? Of course, the answer is a resounding NOOOO! In fact his appearance on Austin City Limits was taped, then shelved, because of Kinky's "take no prisoners" approach. After a stint with Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, Kinky's musical career stalled leading him to a second round of fame as a mystery novelist with 20-some titles to his credit. Add to that a surprisingly robust run for Governor of Texas in 2006 and we'd say Kinky's "Legend" resume is complete. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Back in 2005 CBS Sunday Morning profiled Kinky and it has some nice examples of his plain spoken style. https://youtu.be/KOOiCxbL9-g?si=4mqGoBlMphFFLLIt

Kinky's lyrics were decidedly radio-unfriendly, but his albums were passed around by fans who liked their lyrics unfiltered. Thanks to Austin City Limits for capturing Kinky back in the day -- even if they put it straight into the vault. https://youtu.be/5FSWm67IhDU?si=L06HLwGX6OntonzO

When Kinky ran for Governor of Texas he managed to lure his old pal Mojo Nixon out of retirement to pen a campaign song. He didn't win, but the song is a gem. https://youtu.be/wtOXb2wAlOQ?si=KhHId5bHL3Frf-KQ

From the hallowed halls of the University of Iowa back in 1975 came the Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre, a five man comedy troupe who found fame through great character and ensemble work -- plus some choice exposure on NPR and MTV. Bill Allard, Dan Coffey, Merle Kessler, Leon Martell, and Jim Turner comprised the Ducks -- though they may be more familiar under the names Dr.Science, Ian Shoales, Randee of the Redwoods (and others). The Ducks were a popular touring act, but in their adopted hometown of San Francisco they ruled comedy with appearances at top nightclubs throughout the 1980s. The Ducks put the troupe on hiatus as the 1990s arrived but they did reunite on occasion and mounted a celebratory 40th Anniversary farewell show and documentary. As always find extra cuts below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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One of the Duck's breakout stars was Merle Kessler's Ian Shoales, a mile a minute talker who could throw down the snarky truth about anything. Here Ian's take on the history of popular music. https://youtu.be/_ZjYndaMGW8?si=VvMG7GoSevmCC6kE

The Duck's had major exposure on MTV, partly through the musings of Jim Turner's Randee of the Redwoods -- we're pretty sure we saw him in the crowd at Autzen for the Dead back in 93. We're pretty sure he won't remember! https://youtu.be/NXFTIlhvUdY?si=rcgCO7cwhx1wuAmR

Because the Ducks had such strong characters it's easy to overlook their fine ensemble work -- this fun bit comes from a show at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.https://youtu.be/IuRCdfRkgtI?si=ktiaZ5sP6U33u5TL

Can you tell a good joke? Sure! How about can you make a puppet tell a good joke? Yes, indeed. OK, so can you tell a good joke and make the puppet banter with you -- all without moving your lips? And that's what separates Willie Tyler (and his dummy Lester) from the rest of us! A ventriloquist since his school days, Willie Tyler brings top notch skills to his act which he has been performing since the 1960s. From early work in Detroit clubs, to recurring spots on Motown tours in the 1960s, to joining the cast of Laugh-In, Willie worked his way to becoming the most successful African-American ventriloquist act in history. A frequent opener for top Vegas headliners, as well as a reliable guest on tv variety and game shows, Willie also managed to branch out into guest roles on tv and he was the first act to take the stage when David Letterman held his Late Night "Ventriloquist Week" in the early 2000's. Now in his mid-80s Willie and Lester keep trucking along, recently appearing in Adam Sandler's 2024 Netflix special. Not too bad for a dummy from Detroit! As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Willie Tyler and Lester weren't a musical act, but that didn't stop them from appearing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand back in 1976. https://youtu.be/L0rnH99cNVA?si=Cfo_lVgZ-f3E4_Px

When Willie and Lester were added to the Laugh-In cast in 1972 it introduced the duo to a whole new audience. https://fb.watch/Fb6NonKmKn/

When David Letterman held a "Ventriloquist Week" on his late night show back in 2006 the first act to appear was Willie and Lester -- and, as usual, they killed. https://youtu.be/6Q1JkAa5ksc?si=KeyaLwQxzJ4MhoHi

This episode we meet Kevin James, a practitioner of "blue collar" comedy, mining everyday life for laugh on television, in movies, and on the standup stage. Originally Kevin was on track to be an athlete (he was a high school wrestling buddy of WWE superstar Mick Foley), but injuries made him shift gears into standup comedy. Moving to Los Angeles to enhance his career opportunities, Kevin became friends with fellow legend Ray Romano, guesting several times on his Everybody Loves Raymond sitcom. Eventually Kevin scored his own sitcom -- The King of Queens -- with was a stalwart of the CBS prime time lineup from 1998-2007. Kevin also has carved out a fine movie career with roles ranging from Paul Blart: Mall Cop to Zookeeper to the Grown Ups films with his pal Adam Sandler. And Kevin's recent standup specials on Netflix and Prime Video show he has lost none of his timing and wit. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Kevin first climbed the comedy career ladder as a standup comic. Here's a longer look at some of his early routines. https://youtu.be/9nYRIFt1EGE?si=s_35ii6-ACh4Y9e9

Kevin's most famous role is as Doug Heffernan, a blue collar delivery driver in The King of Queens. https://youtu.be/bL09Jri9bzw?si=K3deIb2z0_bUjGtJ

Great interviews? Check! Superb musical guest? Check! How about Stupid Pet Tricks, Top Ten Lists, and stunts such as having the host work a McDonald's Drive Thru? If the Legend is David Letterman, check all those boxes. For decades we have welcomed David Letterman and his singular brand of comedy into our homes. And it's really no wonder, because Dave ruled a late night empire that was an authentic representation of its host -- a bit of midwestern "aw shucks" blended with a blinding quick wit and a taste for goofball stunts. Starting as a tv weatherman in his home state of Indiana, Dave caught fire after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. In LA Dave became a popular standup and a favorite of Johnny Carson (who really wanted Dave to succeed him on the Tonight Show). When NBC tapped Jay Leno to succeed Johnny, Dave made the leap to CBS where he remained until 2015. But Dave would gather no moss after retiring his late night show (other than an impressive "retirement beard"), starting a Netflix interview show, popping up at awards shows, and inducting his longtime pal Warren Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As always find extended clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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If you haven't seen a clip of Dave as a tv weatherman way back when, enjoy this little bit of late night host history.https://youtu.be/k66ek3AYz30?si=hs1n9b7JW8EyVQq5

It pays to have friends. In Dave's case the friend was Johnny Carson and boy did that pay off big time! Here's Dave's first appearance on The Tonight Show. https://youtu.be/TbSaBzO3tXA?si=w82sUqH5eihfo_QM

Dave's late night shows spawned many great bits, none better than the Top Ten List. Here is one delivered by Don Rickles (another Legend), though Dave gets a few good shots in! https://youtu.be/jsSP0hScELo?si=WLjFnaX6yAoxbbDA

Dave had a long time friend in Warren Zevon, featuring him frequently as a guest and also an occasional standing for bandleader Paul Shaffer. So when Warren was (FINALLY!) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it was Dave who did the honors. https://youtu.be/CYYzqt68dnE?si=MVoumj7iMUS4kzEl

One of the best things about British comedy is Dawn French, half of the legendary duo French and Saunders and a comedy titan in her own right. Since the 1980s, Dawn has maintained a solo career among with her duo work and the results are stellar. Beginning with small roles In cult classics such as The Young Ones, Dawn eventually became the star of shows including The Vicar of Dibley, Ted and Alice, and The Trouble with Maggie Cole. Dawn's brand of humor can be sweet or very bawdy -- but always very funny. In recent years, Dawn has continued with standup tours and she is an accomplished author with her most recent book -- The Twat Files -- providing the theme for her most recent standup tour. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Dawn is a long-time participant in the British Comic Relief benefit shows and this sketch featuring her as a shock talk show host is one of her best. https://youtu.be/HuHKpX72248?si=Pns95fTFth0mPUae

Here's a fun clip package of some of Dawn's best work courtesy of BritBox. https://youtu.be/8-StYkm5CXk?si=S9rM5J3UBNG4cURg

Dawn's 2020 series "The Trouble with Maggie Cole" is a gem with Dawn devouring the role of a local busybody who spills a bit too much tea about her friends and neighbors on the town radio station. https://fb.watch/ELpYG_q48h/

The category is 1990s SNL and the answer is "this comedian was an SNL mainstay, a huge movie star, and an internet comedy pioneer -- plus he played a mean cowbell." Of course the question is "Who is Will Ferrell" -- this week's legend. Thank goodness that Will Ferrell was bored at the prospect of being a sportscaster and hooked up with the Groundlings improv troupe. When Lorne Michaels came looking for players to rebuild the SNL cast back in the late 1980s, Will was ready. Through great character work, sharp impersonations, and just plain silliness Will became one of the most beloved cast members in SNL history and he rode that popularity to a decade of comedy movie hits. Along the way he helped found Funny or Die, a pioneering comedy website. No word if he ever one-upped Sean Connery during a round of Celebrity Jeopardy. As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Can't do a Will Ferrell episode without his most famous SNL sketch -- grab your cowbell and play along. https://youtu.be/cVsQLlk-T0s?si=6PcKygaU9TXf2FGg

On SNL when the Jeopardy! theme music played you knew it was time for Celebrity Jeopardy -- and a battle of words was sure to ensue between Will's Alex Trebek and Darrell Hammond's Sean Connery (among others). https://youtu.be/bEghu90QJH4?si=6OsaWEEYzeCfi4RB

Will and his writing partner Adam McKay were co-founders of Funny or Die, a website where viewers can vote for their favorite clips. This clip, featuring Will bickering with a 2 year old landlord was an early classic on the site. https://youtu.be/SIdxVR_7ikg?si=Ewrtb5BsEU0Snh42

Anchorman was a wicked take on the glory days of tv news anchors. One bit was how Will's character was tied to the teleprompter and would read ANYTHING. Might want to turn the speaker down on this if you are at work! https://youtu.be/NMXRxNbPvGI?si=Dho1A-YplaNdrDMu

Some ad campaigns live on in our hearts and minds -- think of "That's a spicy meatball" or "show us your pizza rolls". And the Ernest and Vern commercials created by today's Legend Jim Varney sure fit the bill. A talented mimic as a child, Jim started performing early in life, becoming a regular on shows including Johnny Cash and Friends and Fernwood 2 Night. In 1980, career lightning struck when Jim unveiled Ernest, a nosy and noisy neighbor who carried on conversations with Vern, an unseen foil. And, since every great character deserves a great catch phrase, Ernest would wrap up every spot with a perfectly delivered "KnoWhutIMean?" The spots were so popular they led to 9 Ernest movies, starting with Ernest Goes to Camp in 1987. The Ernest shtick began to fade out after a few years, but Jim diversified with tv roles and a turn as Jed Clampett in the movie version of The Beverly Hillbillies. To young fans, Jim is likely best known as the voice of Slinky Dog in the first two Toy Story movies. Not a bad way to be remembered, KnoWhutWeMean? As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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The Ernest P. Worrell character was Jim's bread and butter and this bit from the first Ernest movie shows why. This one's for everyone who had to receive a shot at camp. https://youtu.be/3QZI68azimM?si=Kf3sezm7D1-5TCyF

The Beverly Hillbillies movie received very mixed reviews, but Jim did a fine job channeling the zen wisdom of patriarch Jed Clampett. https://clip.cafe/the.../well-i-reckon-done-what-done/

In 1995 Jim scored the role of Slinky Dog in the first and second Toy Story movies. Always loyal, Slink was a trusted aide to Woody - and a frequent target of insults hurled by Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles). https://youtu.be/3Cq_o0hJII0?si=DJFLOXxJt1XWla89