Flashback: The start of The Colbert Report

Before Stephen Colbert became God he was coming out of The Daily Show to start his new series "The Colbert Report". In this interview from 2005 NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Colbert on his, then, upcoming new series.

Click here to listen in embedded audio direct from NPR.org
Runs: 5 minutes


Photo by: webrageous

Jonathan Winters' reads A Christmas Carol

Choose your streaming media format below and enjoy!

Real Media|Windows
Runs: 59 minutes

and if you enjoy the broadcast consider picking it up on CD over at Amazon.com for $10 by clicking right here.

NPR.org: December 13, 2004 · "Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. Old Marley was as dead as a doornail."

So begins A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Some say this short story, first published in 1843, transformed Christmas into a major holiday. Before A Christmas Carol, there was surprisingly little celebration during the Christmas season. After its publication, the holiday became a high point of the year. The tale has inspired movies, operas, readings and countless stage performances around the globe.

Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of this holiday classic, using a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. He re-creates Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley's spirit and the three Christmas ghosts: Past, Present and Future. Mimi Kennedy also performs.

Produced by National Public Radio and KCRW.

Steve Martin: 'Born Standing Up'

Photo by: Whistling in the Dark.com

Click here to listen in embedded audio direct from NPR.org
Runs: Approx 8 minutes

NPR.org: Steve Martin gave up stand-up comedy in 1981, at the height of his fame, moving on to acting and writing. Martin calls his new book Born Standing Up a biography rather than an autobiography of a guy he used to know.

37 minutes with Bob Newhart

Click here to listen in streaming audio direct from NPR.org

NPR: After all his success in TV, movies, on records and in stand-up, Bob Newhart's first book is just out. It's called I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This! And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny.

RIP Kurt Vonnegut Pt 3: NPR Remembers

Click to listen to "Vonnegut Expressed Skeptical Nature with Humor" direct from NPR

and here for "Novelist Vonnegut Remembered for His Black Humor" again from NPR

Full length radio doc with Matt Groening

Click here to listen in streaming audio direct from NPR

Fresh Air from WHYY, December 18, 2003 · Rock, pop, jazz and Bart Simpson. We talk with writer and cartoonist Matt Groening. Before The Simpsons, Futurama and Life in Hell, he was a rock critic. Now he's edited an anthology collecting 2003's best music writing. He also shares his love of Captain Beefheart in this interview.

Fred de Cordova discusses Johnny Carson

Click to listen direct from NPR.org

Fresh Air from WHYY, January 24, 2005 · Fred de Cordova is a former executive producer of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. We listen back to a 1988 interview with de Cordova. Johnny Carson, the host of The Tonight Show for 30 years died Sunday at the age of 79. The cause was emphysema.

Richard Lewis on NPR

Click here to listen direct from NPR.org

Fresh Air from WHYY, December 21, 2000 · Comedian Richard Lewis. His new book is called The Other Great Depression, (Public Affairs, 2000) and chronicles his recovery from alcoholism. Hes an award winning stand up comic and has appeared in over twenty movies and TV shows. Currently, he co-stars in Larry David HBO's show Curb Your Enthusiasm.

and click here to check out his book "The Other Great Depression" over at Amazon.com

Being Larry David: Direct from NPR

NPR: The Co-Creator of Seinfeld Plumbs the Depths of his Own Neurosis

Click to listen as Scott Simon talks to Larry David in streaming Real Audio direct from NPR.org
and click here to check out the benind the scenes book on the hit HBO series (returning for a sixth season this September) Curb Your Enthusiasm.
(Note: This isn't some tawdry tell all crap - the author was given exclusive access to the set of CYE)

Steve Martin on comedy in difficult times

Click here to listen in streaming Real Audio direct from NPR.org

Weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11th Steve Martin discusses comedy in troubled times.

NPR.org: Morning Edition, November 2, 2001 · Host Bob Edwards speaks with writer and comedian Steve Martin about his novel, Shopgirl, and about the delicate task of being funny in traumatic times. The novel was just released in paperback.

and click here to check out Shopgirl the book and the DVD starring Martin and Claire Danes over at Amazon.com

Bill Maher interview on NPR: Four More Years

Political Humorist Bill Maher: Four More Years

Click to listen in your preferred format direct from NPR.org: WINDOWS 56k | REAL 56k

NPR.org: Fresh Air from WHYY, February 8, 2005 · The weekly HBO program Real Time with Bill Maher begins its new season Feb. 18. Previously, Bill Maher created and hosted the late night political round-table show Politically Incorrect.

That show ended in the wake of complaints over Maher's depiction of the terrorist attackers of Sept. 11, 2001. More recently, Maher has set his sights on the priorities of President Bush, the foibles of the Democratic Party, and two long-argued causes: personal responsibility and the war on drugs.

And a reminder that Real Time with Bill Maher airs late night Fridays on HBO

A bevy of Ken Nordine's Colors

Click on color name to play:

From: www.ieattapes.com
"Blue"
"Brown"
"Black"

From: webjay.org -
"Maroon"
"Flesh"
"Fuschia"

From: merovingian.org
"Azure"
"Magenta"
"Mauve"

From peterzinn.nl
"Purple"

Plus click here to listen to Susan Stamberg and Robert Siegel muse on if The Office of Homeland Security should hire Nordine for their color security system from NPR.org

Click here to pick up Colors on CD over Amazon.com featuring a total of 34 tracks about colors

Amazon.com:
The voice-over man from a thousand commercials, Ken Nordine registers in your subconscious instantly: Wait, I know that guy! Smooth as an ice sculpture and ringing with "the voice of our sponsor," Nordine has personified authority since the 1960s. It's disorienting at first to hear the way Nordine lets go on this record with a Beat-inspired, mellifluous-sounding, Dr. Seuss-like exploration of the meanings of different colors. Many of the pieces are parables on racism and human behavior, but they're also totally silly, and meant to be. Recorded in the late 1960s, the 34 tracks manage to be sort of psychedelically goofy but charming at the same time. "Absolute gray is the grayest gray / That's the same distance from absolute white as it is from absolute black," Nordine almost-sings to a delightful, freeform studio backing of hip jazz. All your mix tapes will be very happy that you've bought this strange record to flavor them with. --Mike McGonigal

Penn Jellette: There is no God

From NPR's "This I believe" series comes the talking half of Penn and Teller with "There Is No God"

NPR: As half of the magic act Penn and Teller, Penn Jillette enjoys challenging his audiences with the unconventional. In stating his personal credo, Jillette finds liberation in believing there is no God.

Click here to listen to "There Is No God" direct from NPR.org

A bevy of Mike Judge's Idiocracy

It's out on DVD right now and unless you lived in one of the few cities it opened in this is your first chance to see it. From the creator of King of the Hill, Bevis and Butthead comes a futuristic comedy about an intelligent man in a world of idiots (and also a wry commentary on our times). Apparently the people at the studio couldn't find a way to market a movie about the dumbing down of society.

If this was FM I'd play "Dumbing Down" by Chumbawamba (couldn't find a copy of it online) but it's still strongly endorsed. I have organized a bevy of bits about the film including the trailer streamed from Youtube, a report from MSNBC on the lack of promotion for this film, two segments from NPR covering the non-event and a sample of the film streamed direct from AOL.com.

It's also an excellent companion piece to the BBC's Stupidity which can be watched online by clicking right here.





Click here to watch 'Ideocracy,' under the radar direct from MSNBC

Oct. 6: The animated film "Idiocracy" is getting great reviews but no advertising or support from its studio? Why not? "Most" host Alison Stewart talks with Patt Morrison of the Los Angeles Times.

Click here to listen to "A Paucity of Publicity for 'Idiocracy'" direct from NPR.org

If you haven't heard of Mike Judge's film Idiocracy, starring Luke Wilson, you're not alone. Fans and critics are baffled by the lack of promotional effort from 20th Century Fox. The setting is a dumbed-down America hundreds of years in the future.

Click here to listen to "'Idiocracy': Strong Comedy, Weak Promotion" direct from NPR

The new film Idiocracy imagines a world 500 years into the future dumbed-down to the point of mindlessness. Film critic Elvis Mitchell says it's uproariously funny and worthy of an audience. But Twentieth Century Fox has released it with no publicity, in only seven markets.

"'Idiocracy' DVD Clip No. 1"

Luke Wilson
Private Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) discovers he's in the future in this exclusive clip.

Watch: WINDOWS 300k | QUICKTIME 300k

Click here for it's Imdb page for more info and to order from Amazon.com and

Click here for a glowing review from The Onion's AV club

David Cross on NPR

Click here to listen direct from NPR.org in streaming Real Audio

Click here to listen with Windows Media Player

Fresh Air from WHYY, February 6, 2003 · Stand-up comic David Cross co-created the 1995 HBO cult hit Mr. Show (an amalgam of live sketch video pieces and occasional animation). He also wrote for the short-lived Ben Stiller Show. One reviewer writes of his act, "foul mouthed and razor sharp, doesn't shy away from vicious social criticism and outright political dissent."

Classic Spalding Gray interview with NPR

From NPR.org: Weekend Edition Saturday, September 18, 1999 · Scott speaks with monologuist Spalding Gray about his new book, new monologue, and about being a parent late in life. Spalding Gray's new book, Morning, Noon and Night is published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Click here to listen direct from NPR.org in streaming Real Audio

And click here to check out the unabriged audio edition of "Morning, Noon and Night" read by the author over at Amazon.com

Looking back at Lord Buckley

Click here to listen direct from NPR.org

Morning Edition, July 1, 2002 · Lord Buckley could be described as a jazz monologist and comic known for retelling biblical and classical tales in beat lingo. He had a profound influence on a whole generation of comedians, including Robin Williams, Tommy Smothers, and Jonathan Winters, but he's not a household name. Oliver Trager's just-published biography, Dig Infinity!, 12 years in the making, hopes to remedy that. Jon Kalish reports.

A Jean Shepherd Christmas

From the mind behind "A Christmas Story" (starring Darrin McGavin) comes another Christmas tale:

From WOR on Christmas eve 1971 listen to the full length "Earliest Christmas" by clicking right here. (45 minutes) (in MP3 - right click to download)

Then check out the NPR tribute right here (8 minutes) (im MP3 - right click to download)

Finally enjoy the two hour tribute to Shepherd by Harry Shearer (This is Spinal Tap, The Simpsons, For Your Consideration, Waiting for Guffman) by clicking right here (in streaming Real Audio)

NPR interview with former Daily Show head Ben Karlin

Wednesday was his last show but here's a piece from a few months ago from the man who just left The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

Click here to listen from NPR

Fresh Air from WHYY, April 4, 2006 · Come up with a list of the dream writing jobs in comedy and at least three of them are likely to come up on one man's resume: Ben Karlin is executive producer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and co-executive producer of The Colbert Report, both on the cable channel Comedy Central. Before that, Karlin was editor of the satirical weekly newspaper The Onion.

A bevy of Bob and Ray

Who's Bob and Ray? I could try to explain but it'll be much better to hear it from the greats:

"Bob & Ray were two of the funniest - and most influential - humorists of their time. They were my guests on The Tonight Show too many times to count. They always cracked me up.

...Bob & Ray are unique. There is no one like them. Yet, almost every comedian I know was influenced by their subtle, dry wit." - Johnny Carson

"The amazing thing about Bob and Ray's work is its consistency. Over the years they must have produced thousands of hours of material, and all of it is terrific.

...When I do a Q&A, I'm often asked about my favorite comedians. I include Steve Martin and Woody Allen, but it's always interesting what happens when I mention Bob and Ray. There are always one or two Bob and Ray fanatics who end up coming up to me at the end of the evening to talk about their favorite pieces."- Al Franken

"Bob & Ray are two of the most influential humorists of the twentieth century. Their dry, subtle wit influenced a generation of comedians, including this one." - Jay Leno

Bob & Ray influenced many comics, myself included. I find them endlessly entertaining."
- David Letterman

"Bob & Ray are as funny as anyone can be." - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

He's also the father of comedian Chris Eilliot from Cabin Boy, Get a Life and David Letterman

From :
May 27, 2001 · An old gig by comedians Bob and Ray about memory.
Click to listen direct from NPR

A bevy more Bob and Ray in MP3 and WMA from Bob and Ray.com

"Garish Summit" (5:06) from The Best of Bob & Ray, Volume 1 (order)	MP3	WINDOWS MEDIA
"Wally Ballou & Artie Schermerhorn - 4th of July Parade" (3:04)from Classic Bob & Ray, Volume 2(order)	MP3	WINDOWS MEDIA
"Mary Backstayge - searching for food and water on an uninhabited island, they hear a carousel" (3:51)from Bob & Ray - The Soap Operas, Volume 3 (order)	MP3	WINDOWS MEDIA
"Bridget Hillary and the News - autograph racket" (3:09)From Vintage Bob & Ray, Volume 4 (order)	MP3	WINDOWS MEDIA
"One Fella's Family - foggy day at the seawall" (3.29) from Bob & Ray - The Lost Episodes, Volume 5 (order)	MP3	WINDOWS MEDIA
"The Komodo Dragon" (4:02)from Bob & Ray - A Night of Two Stars (order)	MP3	WINDOWS MEDIA

Visit Bob and Ray dot com for more Bob and Ray fun!

and get a bit more audio of them by clicking here.

A tribute to Bob and Ray:

From NPR.org: Morning Edition, April 11, 2003 · Host Bob Edwards talks with radio producer Larry Josephson, about the classic comedy skits of radio personalities Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding. Josephson has reissued a CD with a sampling of the pair's sketches, in honor of Bob Elliott's 80th birthday. Click to listen direct from NPR

Subscribe to "The Naked Gord Program"

Chris Elliott and Bob Elliot working together:

1n 1989 father and son teamed together for the "shocking account of life with a famous father" in the tell all book "Daddy's Boy" years before Christopher Guest brought back the mockumentary to centre stage with Waiting for Guffman.

Click here to listen the interview with Chris Elliott and Bob Elliott in streaming media direct from NPR.org

Click here to order from Amazon
(It's OOP but plenty of copies are there used and cheap)