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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
August 26, 2011
/ 26 Menachem-Av, 5771
A Funny Thing Happened to Comedy Teams --- They Disappeared
By
Greg Crosby
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
This week I have a show biz question for you to ponder. Where are the new comedy teams? Okay, I know with everything going on in the world this isn't exactly the burning question in the minds of most people, but still I think it may be an interesting insight into our contemporary culture. Besides, it makes for a good column. So what happened to the comedy teams?
Throughout the last century comedy teams were always a part of show business, from vaudeville and burlesque through movies, radio, television and records. It seemed that each generation throughout the 20th Century had at least one world famous team, today I can't name even one. In vaudeville the comedy act was as important a component to the variety show as the singers, dancers, jugglers, tumblers, and animal acts. Sometimes it was a solo comic, sometimes a double act, sometimes a larger team. The solo comics have lasted, but why have the comedy teams gone the way of the jugglers, tumblers, and animal acts?
The top teams are legendary; Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, Burns and Allen, Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges, and Martin and Lewis. Almost everyone on earth above the age of thirty has at least heard of these teams, if not seen them perform. Laurel and Hardy are my personal all time favorite team. Their humor is as fresh now as it was 75 years ago.
The most famous comedy team in vaudeville and Broadway during the 1910's and 1920's was Gallagher and Shean. Al Shean, by the way, was the Marx Brothers' uncle. Their theme song, "Mister Gallagher and Mister Shean," became so popular that even Bing Crosby and Johnny Mercer recorded a parody of it in the late 30's and Jackie Gleason did the same with Groucho on TV in 1967. Gallagher and Shean were the best known of heaven knows how many dozens of comedy teams there were performing on the theater circuits of that time. Other major ones included Webber and Fields (the inspiration for Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys), Williams and Walker, Burns and Allen, Ross and Fenton, and Hart and DeMar.
Of course the Marx Brothers would undoubtedly be considered the most famous "brother" comedy team of all, but we also had the brothers Moe, Shemp, and Curly Howard of the Three Stooges, the Ritz Brothers, the Wiere Brothers, and much later, the Smothers Brothers.
The biggest movie comedy team of the early 30's has been almost completely forgotten today, Wheeler and Woolsey. And you can't talk about movie comedy teams and not include Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in all those wonderful "Road" pictures. The advent of radio begat even more teams such as Fibber McGee and Molly, Lum and Abner, Vic and Sade, and Amos 'n' Andy. And sure, you'd have to include Edger Bergen and Charlie McCarthy too. Later on Bob and Ray made it big on radio and then did TV, records and clubs.
In the 60's television and records helped make Elaine May and Mike Nichols a huge success, as was the case with Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Both of these teams appeared on a regular basis on the Ed Sullivan Show who always showcased new comedy talent.
1950's television had Jackie Gleason and Art Carney in "The Honeymooners" doing an updated version of Laurel and Hardy characters, and in the 1960's Dan Rowan and Dick Martin hit it big with "Laugh-in." Even the dope smoking hippies of the 60's and 70's had their own comedy team (sort of) in Cheech and Chong. But since then the comedy teams have pretty much disappeared off the radar screen.
I don't count Monty Python or any of the TV sketch ensembles such as Saturday Night Live as "comedy teams." Sketch comedy is another animal altogether, as are sit coms. I guess maybe the closest thing we have to a real comedy team today, if we count clowns, would be the California State Legislature, although it would be a tough call between them and the L.A. County Supervisors. I know it's a cheap shot, but can you name any groups more deserving of a cheap shot? I really can't come up with anyone else. Still, Laurel and Hardy were funnier and they did no harm to anyone.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here.
Greg Crosby Archives
© 2008, Greg Crosby
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