Ed McMahon – When Late Night Television Was Young

Picture it.  After passing through the Pearly Gates, Ed McMahon spots his long time friend and TV partner.  With a wide grin and outstretched arms, he greets him. “Heeere’s Johnny!” The affable, genial, self-described “Second Banana” to Johnny Carson on the “Tonight Show,” has passed away at age 86.

In a November 2007 radio interview I did on The Andrea Shea King Show with McMahon to talk about his then newly published book “When Television Was Young, Live, Spontaneous and in Living Black and White,” we talked about his life, and what it was like to share the NBC “Tonight Show” set with The King of Late Night.

McMahon was dealing with a bout of layrngitis, but it didn’t stop him from opening the interview with the famous words that announced to American viewers it was time for their eagerly anticipated nightly entertainment — “Heeere’s Johnny!” (more…)

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Tags: bette midler, Ed Ames, Ed McMahon, johnny carson, Robin Williams
Posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 12:20 pm in Classic Hollywood, Featured Story | 1673468 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/asking/2009/06/23/ed-mcmahon-when-late-night-television-was-young/Ed+McMahon+-+When+Late+Night+Television+Was+Young2009-06-23+19%3A20%3A26Andrea+Shea+King

Letterman Loses His Mojo

In the 80’s my quest was to see the Letterman show live.  I LOVED his sense of humor. Memorable segments were “the guy under the stairs,” Larry “Bud” Melman, “Fun with Rupert,” and Biff Henderson’s “Map Across America.” I also got a kick out of Dave’s mom going to and reporting on the Olympics as well as her “name that pie” bit on Thanksgivings. My ultimate fav was Dave’s wacky antics with Mujibar & Sirajul.  It was all comic originality; fresh, silly, and sometimes mindless, but really entertaining and funny.

Disappointingly, by the time I finally did see the show in 2004, the bits I loved ceased to exist and most likely had been banished to the “Late Show” archives.  Rather than attending my first show with eagerness, it was just a cheap way to kill an evening during a business trip.  Since I didn’t have a ticket, I knew I’d need to charm my way in.

A friend had told me that to get in the front row they have “audience scouts” outside the theatre looking for people who are attractive, friendly, expressive, and bubbly.  Being an actress I knew how to play that part, so I glammed up and put on my best New York artsy chic and set out to the Ed Sullivan Theatre.  The “audience scouts,” who looked all of about 14-years-old, were out in front waiting for their subjects to approach.  Oh, to be that young making so little money but holding so much power!  Knowing what I must do, I got my “bubble on” and with just the right amount of star stuck enthusiasm I approached one of the 14-year-old keepers of the audience paperwork! (more…)

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Tags: bush, cheney, clinton, Colbert Nation, Dave Letterman
Posted May 1st 2009 at 6:30 am in Entertainment, Political Humor, Politics | 122922No Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jshaffmaster/2009/05/01/letterman/Letterman+Loses+His+Mojo2009-05-01+13%3A30%3A34Jane+Shaffmaster

Remember When SNL Was Funny? (Obama Ushers in New Era of Comedic Irresponsibility)

Everyone knows the old axiom about comedy.  There’s always a grain of truth in that which an audience finds funny.  Done well, comedy can make you squirm with its raw honesty.  It has the power to inform our perspectives about politics and news just as any good journalist.  Comedy helps provide insight into human flaws just as any good psychologist.   Often self-deprecating and socially awkward, comedians themselves will deny their impact.  Most comedians and writers prefer to think of themselves as lovable class clowns – laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.  Just as former NBA star Charles Barkley once famously proclaimed he was no role model, many in the funny business will dismiss their impact in the hearts and minds of their audience.

Modesty, however, cannot dismiss a growing body of evidence that suggests comedians possess greater power than ever before when shaping the national debate.   Notably in the last decade, television comedy has amassed an influence in politics to such and extent; nary a high profile politician can ignore its impact and resist the pull to participate.   Numerous studies have been conducted through the years analyzing the staggering impact of comedy in the opinions and perceptions of its audience.  The power is particularly significant with the country’s attention-short youth.  (more…)

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Tags: " "The Daily Show, Family Guy, jay leno, jon stewart, Obama
Posted Mar 25th 2009 at 1:33 pm in Entertainment, Featured Story, Politics | 8838621 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cstigall/2009/03/25/remember-when-snl-was-funny-obama-ushers-in-new-era-of-comedic-irresponsibility/Remember+When+SNL+Was+Funny%3F+%28Obama+Ushers+in+New+Era+of+Comedic+Irresponsibility%292009-03-25+20%3A33%3A38Chris+Stigall