Mitch Hedberg Tribute

"I used to take drugs. I still do, but I used to too." -- Mitch Hedberg, 2/24/68 - 3/29/05

     I was instantly blown away when I first discovered Mitch Hedberg.  It was on a late night repeat of his half hour Comedy Central stand-up special 'Mitch All Together'.  His jokes were so perfectly crafted to fit his relaxed delivery and shy, yet very controlled and brilliantly paced stage presence.  Mitch pulled you into his comedy instantly with the quick and witty style of his jokes.  Mitch Hedberg made making a room full of people laugh hysterically, something that is very hard to do for an hour, look very easy.

     Mitch began his career in Florida before moving to Seattle where he first started to tour as a headliner.  His first big break in comedy came from an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman.  He went on to appear on Letterman many times becoming a regular guest appearing on Dave's show 9 times.  Mitch went on to win the Seattle Comedy Competition in 1997.  From there he went on to appearances on That 70's Show, he also recorded three comedy cd's, and completed his very own independent film, 'Los Enchiladas!'.  In 1999 he married Canadian comedian Lynne Shawcroft.  Mitch and Lynne were happily married up until his untimely death in 2005.

Zach Galifianakis Tribute

You know you have a drinking problem when the bartender knows your name -- and you've never been to that bar before. -- Zach Galifianakis 10/1/69 - Present

     I first became aware of Zach Galifianakis' stand-up from his appearance in the stand-up documentary 'The Comedians Of Comedy'.  But I had already met Zach Galifianakis the actor long before that.  So, I was his fan long before I even knew his name or knew about his Stand-up.  Once I saw him do stand-up though, I learned his name, and became a huge fan of his instantly.
     Zach's stand-up is amazing for lack of a better word.  His stage presence, delivery and timing are all enviable to me as a comic.  I'd give anything to work a stage like Zach does.  He is just completely FEARLESS in his humor and presentation and almost just seems to be in a comedy trance at times.  He always makes being hilarious look so damn easy.  I was instantly jealous watching him and also a huge fan.
     I began to seek out his comedy to study and watch it all and I was never disappointed.  Most of you probably already know him from The Hangover movies, but Zach Galifianakis truly shines on a comedy stage.  I've included a short clip below from one of his comedy specials as an example of his comic genius.  Enjoy,

Tribute to Tenacious D

     Tenacious D, for those of you who don't know, is the greatest band ever, in the world, and the known universe.  This comedy rock duo powerhouse is comprised of lead singer Jack Black, and lead guitarist/vocalist Kyle Gass.  They have been rocking our socks off since they joined forces in 1994 combining their individual awesome sauces to create 'The D'.  So, if you didn't know, now you know.  If you aren't too scared to rock out hard, you can now watch the video that I have included below.

Patton Oswalt Tribute

If you hit a midget on the head with a stick he turns in to forty gold coins -- Patton Oswalt

     Patton Oswalt is one of my favorite comics.  I have always loved his sense of humor ever since I first discovered him.  I am pretty sure that Patton could read the phonebook and make it hilarious.  His voice, and comic delivery are just that good.  You may already know Patton as the voice of Remy in the animated film Ratatouille, or as Spence Olchin on the TV show King of Queens, but until you have treated yourself to his stand-up, you don't yet know Patton Oswalt.  To better illustrate this point, I've included a clip of his stand-up below. Enjoy,

Karate Kid Tribute

     I think Karate Kid started the entire comedy action flick movie genre.  The scene where Mr Myagi is drunk and singing and taking a sledgehammer to that car is a hilarious and classic scene.  Wax on wax off?  Forget about it. 
     Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi was lovable, believable, and hilarious.  Karate Kid actually has a lot of comedy to it despite it's story of Daniel-Son moving into a new town and having a run in with the local Blond, stuck up yuppie karate guy gang leader from the Cobra-Kai school.  Daniel-Son makes the mistake of flirting with the bad ass, karate stud, gang leaders girlfriend, and gets himself nearly beaten to death before being saved by his new apartments maintenance man.  This meeting begins a friendship and a mission to train Daniel-Son to win the Karate tournament against the preppy white boy gang from Cobra-Kai and regain his honor.

Jay and Silent Bob Tribute

     Jay and Silent Bob are fictional characters created by filmmaker Kevin Smith who are played by Jason Mewes, and Kevin Smith himself.  They are the hilarious, dope dealing, heterosexual life mates that have stolen scenes in most of Smith's films, and are easily the characters that he is most known for.  Since Jay and Silent Bob are such staples in comedy, I felt they needed a tribute here at Laughing at Life, 2.

     There isn't much to this comedy duo, which is probably why they are so great.  There are all jokes, and no complications.  Jay is the loudmouth, vulgar, and funny ringleader, and Silent Bob is his ever present, overweight, and weirdly wise sidekick.  They grew up hanging outside the Quick Stop convenience store but, had many other adventures including protecting the last scion as prophets, rescuing a monkey from a research lab for Jay's girlfriend Justice, and stopping a Hollywood film starring characters based on them from being made.  Never learning any lessons, or growing in the slightest, this comedy duo more than earned their place in my heart.

     For more Jay and Silent Bob watch the video I've included below..,

Dave Chappelle Tribute

I think every group of black guys should have at least one white guy in it so, when the sh*t goes down, there is someone to talk to the cops. -- Dave Chappelle

     David Khari Webber Chappelle was born August 24th, 1973 in Washington D.C. As a youth he was inspired by the comedy of Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor.  It was also in D.C. that Dave found his love of stand-up comedy, and his Mom would take him to clubs to perform.  Even as a young teen it was clear to the other comedians that he was gifted at the art.  Chappelle was known for his wit, and always fresh material as well as his natural delivery and confident stage presence.  

'The Diceman', A Tribute to Andrew 'Dice' Clay

"When you jerk off, you're saying 'Hey, I care about me.'" -- Andrew 'Dice' Clay 9/25/57 - Present

     Andrew Clay Silverstein, better known as, Andrew 'Dice' Clay is truly a one of a kind comic.  The Diceman is not for everyone, but he definitely has a style all his own.  'The Diceman' was in your face, honest, hilarious, and totally fearless.  Andrew 'Dice' Clay knew who he was and what he wanted to do and did it his way.  That alone gets him a tribute on Laughing at Life, 2.  Not to mention, I'm a HUGE fan of his comedy and humor and, Laughing at Life, 2 is mine.  So, enjoy our tribute to 'The Diceman' readers.
     Clay started out doing comedy in 1978 in local clubs and moved to L.A. in 1980 to get serious about his craft.  A seven minute set at Dangerfield's comedy club in 1988 ended up being 'The Diceman's' big break before taking the nation by storm with his no holds barred comedy style.
     Leather jacket, thick gold chains, dirty poems, and a lit cigarette in his hand were Dice's trademarks.  I first saw 'The Diceman' when I was about ten years old.  I first saw Clay perform while he was doing an HBO special.  I caught it right during his dirty nursery rhymes bit.  I LOVED those nursery rhymes at ten years old and still do at 36.  I was instantly a fan.  I sat glued to that TV eating it up. I've been a fan of his ever since.

George Carlin, A Tribute

"I don't have pet peeves - I have major psychotic hatreds" -- George Carlin 5/12/1937 - 6/22/2008

     George Carlin was, simply put, a master comedian, and prolific writer.  When it came to delivering raw, in your face, relevant, and hilarious stand-up routines, George Carlin never let you down.  And, like with all the greats, you know right away when you see a great comedian.  And, anyone could clearly see that George Carlin was a true master.  I knew immediately that Carlin was among the greats as soon as I first saw him perform when I was a child.  His performance was just so special, and recognizably honest, and sincere that you felt as though he was speaking directly to you. 
     George possessed the type of stage presence, courage, and perfect timing that made you feel as though you knew him and, not only that but, he thought just like you, only a lot more bitter and angry.  His comedy was always thought provoking, and relevant as well as hilariously crafted, and well delivered.  Carlin owned the stage and your attention.  He demanded it, and he was a clear, and undeniable master of the art of Stand-Up comedy.  A prolific, and masterful storyteller, hilarious and relate able performer, and downright brilliant humorist, George Carlin and his unique brand of comedy truly was a gift to society.

Richard Pryor - A Tribute

"I'm not addicted to cocaine. I just like the way it smells." -- Richard Pryor 12/1/1940 - 12/10/2005

     Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III was born December 1st, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois.  Raised in poverty, Richard was one of four siblings who were raised in a brothel ran by his Grandmother.  Richard's childhood had many traumatic experiences, as you can imagine, being raised in a brothel where his mother worked, and his Grandma was Madam.  Richard was raped at six years old, and even molested as a boy by a Catholic Priest, not to mention constantly exposed to the environment of the brothel where he saw his mother work as a prostitute.  To escape from these traumatic experiences as a boy Richard would spend a lot of time watching movies at the local theater.  Seated in the "Black Seats", Pryor consumed the cinema, it was what inspired him to become an entertainer.  As a child he knew he wanted to be a star.  Richard Pryor became determined at a young age to become an entertainer.

     Pryor began entertaining at the age of 12.  Acting in plays at a local Peoria Public Recreational Facility where a supervisor, Juliette Whitaker, noticed his comic talent and cast him in a production of Rumpelstiltskin.  Impressed with Pryor's comic ability she began to showcase him and even remained a mentor throughout his career.

     Expelled from school at 14, he began work as a janitor at a strip club.  Richard had many different jobs as a young man.  He'd done everything from shoe shining, packing meat, driving a truck and more.  He even worked for awhile as a drummer.   Coming up in the black experience of 1950's America, Pryor was instilled with an insightful perspective on life that would later show in his unique mind and style of comedy.

Funny as Hell, the Sam Kinison Tribute

     If I get married again, I want a guy there with a drum to do rim shots during the vows. -- Sam Kinison

     Sam Kinison was the first comedian I was ever exposed to that I instantly related to and admired.  I have always loved comedy, particularly stand-up comedy.  I love it and I always watched it all, but Sam was the first comedian I had ever seen that I knew right away was a great one. 
     I had seen a lot of funny comedians but when I first saw Sam, I knew what I was watching was something special.  Lot's of comics are funny and quite a few are really good but the great ones are rare. 

     I was instantly drawn to Sam's comedy because I knew and could just tell that I was watching something different from anything I'd ever seen before.  I also related quite a bit to Sam's style of comedy, as well as his sense of humor, and point of view. 
     Right away I knew Sam was one of the few rare, and just in my opinion, the very best kind of comics.  The ones with not only talent but also with a voice and a message.  The gifted ones who really have something to say and are funny while being honest and sincere with their comedy.  The ones who also aren't afraid to push the envelope and make you think a little while you laugh. 
     Sam Kinison was definitely one of those kind of comics, and unquestionably one of the gifted ones, the kind who could make us laugh and expose the BS of life and society and tell us the truth all while keeping us laughing.

Howard Stern, King of ALL Media. My future boss and also yet another hero of mine,

     I'm a Howard Stern fan. I have been even before ever hearing his actual radio show, I became a fan after seeing his movie "Private Parts" ever since then I was a fan. Soon after seeing his movie the Stern show finally made it's way to St. Louis's radio waves and from the moment I first heard it I was immediately hooked.

      I listened religiously, every day, and to the entire show from tortured man to Fred's plugs at the end. Up until that point I had NEVER paid any real attention at all to any radio personality before Howard nor have I any since. I doubt I could have even named another DJ on the air other than Casey Casum and even Casey with his golden pipes couldn't hold my attention through even a single long distance dedication to a three legged puppy in Wisconsin or whatever it was he did besides bringing voice to my man, and stoner legend, Shaggy. Scooby Doo's owner, best friend, and loyal smoke 'n toke partner.

     Howard Stern is talented. That is just a fact. Anyone who denies that is either jealous or just a moron because its undeniable. He has developed and mastered a simple formula for compelling interesting and entertaining talk radio as well as writing two best selling novels and carrying his own biopic starring as himself.

     Well his formula is seemingly simple but I know I have never heard anyone come anywhere near matching anywhere close to the caliber of show that Howard delivers daily and there are more Stern copycats on the air waves today than there is porn on the Internet or roaches in New Dehli and not a single copycat morning show that I have ever heard even compares or comes close.

     Now I'm not saying I agree or even like everything or for that matter even half of what Howard says or does on his show. But whether he's making me laugh, pissing me off, or offending me He is always entertaining. I never find myself wanting to change the station during his show. I always wanna hear whats next. He somehow manages to consistently hold my attention and intrest more than any other show ever has.

     Hell, I can't even hold my own damn attention for a full 5 hours a day but each day Stern does just that and honestly I really couldn't even tell you why. He's not really super talented, He doesn't have the best voice in radio and isn't even really what I would consider a comic genius or even a comedian at all but he does it and he does it consistently and he has for over 30 years.

     Yes, the man is a complete narcissist. He's also an innovator and a champion of free speech, which as a writer/performer is very important to me. The man's a living legend and I would be honored to write just one joke for the him before he shuts down his microphone the final time.

     I'm by no means kissing his ass, don't get me wrong. I just immensely respect what the man has accomplished and believe deeply in what he does and what he does is actually very simple.