For the first time, I’m going to recommend you actually watch something before listening to this week’s album (links are below).  Why?  Well, because Ernie Kovacs is the godfather of experimental TV.  Which is why, as a comedy writer, I was blown away that my introduction to him was from non-comedian (but hilarious person) Adam X. Storm.

Adam’s connection to Ernie Kovacs is a personal one, as well as one of the art appreciator.  This week we talk about the clear impact that Ernie Kovacs has had on the world of comedy since the 50s – from Monty Python to Tim & Eric.  Whether a comedian cites him as an influence or not, there’s no doubt that he was the first one to really play with the medium.

Watch these and get a taste – as personally chosen by Adam himself.

The Nairobi Trio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoLTFQsFswM&feature=related

Percy Dovetonsils: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQUbDGrPg9U&feature=related

1812 Overture: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq2le_1812-overture-ernie-kovacs-show_music

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer: Mike Worden

This Week’s Guest: Adam X. Storm

Comedy on Vinyl was recorded this week at the Casa De Adam X. Storm.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, (and spread the word of wonderful work) not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks.

Buy The Ernie Kovacs Album on vinyl: http://goo.gl/KGdKw

Buy The Ernie Kovacs Collection (some of his greatest visual work) on DVD: http://goo.gl/RzI3r

Music featuring Adam X. Storm:
The Brittle Bones: http://goo.gl/H7bAw
Vote Smith: http://goo.gl/jgwfA

Looking Forward: A Hopemoir (produced by Adam X. Storm): http://hopemoir.com/

Thank you!

Jason Klamm

Episode 11 Direct Download

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He was Troy McClure.  He was Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.  He was Bill McNeil.  Most importantly, he was a brilliant comedic actor, and loved by everyone he worked with.  He also inspired some of us to do what it is we do.  That was reason enough to make our first live episode a tribute to him.

This week we were honored to be joined by Vicki Lewis, whose love for Phil Hartman made this one big, amazing Phil-Hartman-lovefest.  Vicki let us in on who Phil Hartman was – and what he still means – to her as a person and a creative person.  In this episode, Jeremy also reads a wonderful message from Melanie Hutsell, and we speak with Paul Hartmann, Phil’s brother, and Angel Rosenthal, organizer of the “Phil Hartman for the Walk of Fame” movement on Facebook – both of whom kindly sat around for a long time waiting for a call.

We also talk about a Poco album called “Legends,” which matters only because Phil Hartman designed the album cover, and it was his favorite piece.  Phil Hartman was a genius and renaissance man, and deserves to be celebrated.  His 63rd birthday would have been next week, so celebrate as you will – watch Houseguest for the millionth time, perhaps.  Or listen to this episode again.  That’s what I’ll be doing.

Subscribe on iTunes (And please leave your comments and rate us.  We need to know if you think we are sexy or not.)

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer: Mike Worden

This Week’s Guests: Mike Preister, Jeremy Guskin and Vicki Lewis

Comedy on Vinyl was recorded this week at the Zephyr Theatre.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, (and spread the word of wonderful work) not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks.

Phil Hartman for the Walk of Fame: http://goo.gl/1hIuc

The Lovely Vicki Lewis: http://vickilewis.com/

Thank you!

Jason Klamm

Episode 10 Direct Download

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(Originally posted 9/7:)
Every once in a great while, you come across a comedy album that changes comedy.  Maybe it doesn’t change the nature of comedy, but it changes your understanding of what comedy can be.  Rarely can a stand-up do that on his own.  But then, it’s arguable that Steve Martin wasn’t just a stand-up, and that “Let’s Get Small” might not be a comedy album at all.  Which is fine.  Because it is ONE OF THE FUNNIEST THINGS YOU WILL EVER HEAR.  Period.

For the uninitiated, you might look at the album art and turn away.  But do yourself a favor – think of what you might already know about Steve Martin, and then look at this album cover again.  Think about why that guy would ever put a balloon on his head.  Then throw that assumption out, because there’s no pretension here.  It’s JUST COMEDY.  Pure and simple.  On that note: enjoy.

Subscribe on iTunes (And please leave your comments and rate us.  We need to know if you think we are sexy or not.)

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer: Mike Worden

This Week’s Guests: Mike Preister and Jeremy Guskin

Comedy on Vinyl is recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks.

Official Steve Martin Site: http://www.stevemartin.com/

Steve Martin’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/stevemartintogo

Buy “Let’s Get Small” on vinyl: http://goo.gl/wPlig

Comedy on Vinyl Live! A Tribute to Phil Hartman! A FREE show is on Saturday, September 17 in Hollywood – http://goo.gl/99yRb

Jeremy plays a bad guy in the upcoming NBC mini-series “Blackout” soon!

The official COV site is finally up at ComedyonVinyl.com

Here’s how I find our weekly theme music: http://goo.gl/S1f1r

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 9 Direct Download

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It didn’t take long for Richard Pryor’s work to crop back up on Comedy on Vinyl, which is mostly due to popular demand.  Not only is “…Is it Something I Said?” still our most-downloaded episode, but two of my favorite comedic minds specifically said they needed to talk to me about this one.  And I do mean to me, folks, as Live on the Sunset Strip is, sadly, fairly new to me.  But not to my detriment – there are some amazing moments on this album, and it clearly had an impact on this week’s guests – Mike Preister and Jeremy Guskin.

It’s an interesting change of pace for Richard Pryor, if only spurred on by what he took as the necessity to talk about a very public drug problem.  But by 1982, and this album, he’s clearly learned a lot, and his comedy shows it.  Equally mature and child-like (as all of his stories have some innocence peeking through, Live on the Sunset Strip takes is also of a rare breed of film, given the popularity of the concert movie of the same name.  It’s a brilliant piece of work that you need to listen to.  But first, listen to us tell you why.

Subscribe on iTunes (And please leave your comments and rate us.  We need to know if you think we are sexy or not.)

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer: Mike Worden

This Week’s Guests: Mike Preister and Jeremy Guskin

Comedy on Vinyl is recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks – also, we finally have comedyonvinyl.com, which is almost designed and up.  But not quite.

Official Richard Pryor Site: http://www.richardpryor.com/ 

Buy “Live on the Sunset Strip” on vinyl: http://goo.gl/pNC0x

Comedy on Vinyl Live! A Tribute to Phil Hartman! A FREE show is on Saturday, September 17 in Hollywood – http://goo.gl/99yRb

Jeremy plays a bad guy in the upcoming NBC mini-series “Blackout” soon!

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 8 Direct Download

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Hey Everybody!  A big thanks to all of you who have been listening to us comedy nerds as we regale you with our development as comedy people.  This week, no album, but for good reason – we’re all very busy.  That said, we have some awesome things in store, so please check out this week’s episode.  And tell your friends!

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 8 Direct Download

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If it wasn’t for this album, the 70s arguably wouldn’t have been the 70s.  Before “pot culture” and “pot humor,” there were two brilliant sketch comedians who also talked a lot about pot.  Those guys were Cheech and Chong.  I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for Cheech and Chong – my first attempts at audio comedy, at 13 – if a bit rough – were just Dan Gomiller and I doing our version of Cheech and Chong, sans the drug humor we couldn’t relate to.

Luckily, we aren’t the only squares upon whom the indelible mark of Cheech and Chong’s humor was left.  Enter Bob Wiltfong, the man you’ve seen as Nationwide Insurance’s World’s Greatest Spokesperson in the World and as a version of himself on The Daily Show.  His earliest memory of Cheech and Chong was “Sister Mary Elephant,” the star track from this album.  Bob joins me this week from the Second City Theatre in Hollywood to discuss the comedy of two of the last comedians to really use the comedy album as an art form.  Even if they were talking about getting stoned a bunch.

Subscribe on iTunes (And please leave your comments and rate us.  We need to know if you think we are sexy or not.)

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer: Mike Worden

This Week’s Guest: Bob Wiltfong – Bob on Facebook

Comedy on Vinyl is recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks – also, we finally have comedyonvinyl.com, which is almost designed and up.  But not quite.

Official Cheech & Chong Site: http://www.cheechandchong.com/

Buy “Big Bambu” on vinyl: http://goo.gl/g8Bb2

Jason co-stars as Charles De Mar in “A Drinking Game: Better Off Dead”: http://adrinkinggame.com

Bob co-stars in “The Dad Show” at The Second City Hollywood: http://goo.gl/MWRxP

Bob’s Nationwide Spots: http://www.youtube.com/greatestspokesperson

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 7 Direct Download

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Not stand-up.  Not sketch.  Just pure comedy.  The Firesign Theatre are, luckily, indescribable.  You owe it to yourself to find any of their comedy.  They have released 22 albums since the 70s and this is, frankly, their third.

This particular episode forgoes the convention of being clip-heavy, or even clip-light (there’s just the one, really) as we had a lot to talk about with this week’s guest, the incomparable Jeremy Guskin.  You’ve seen him all over your television screens, possibly asked him to leave, and then realized he was so real you thought he was in the room with you.  THAT is how good he is.  And this week he tells us how inspirational and confoundingly hilarious The Firesign Theatre is, and how important it is to him as a comedic person.

Subscribe on iTunes (And please leave your comments and rate us.  We need to know if you think we are sexy or not.)

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer/Contributor: Mike Worden

This Week’s Guest: Jeremy Guskin – Look at his tweets

Comedy on Vinyl is recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks – also, we finally have comedyonvinyl.com.

Official Firesign Theatre Site: http://www.firesigntheatre.com/

Buy “Don’t Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers” on vinyl: http://goo.gl/CJ3tv

Jeremy and Jason co-star monthly in “A Drinking Game”: http://adrinkinggame.com

Mike is in “A Few Good Men”: http://goo.gl/DhXIl

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 6 Direct Download

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This week we skip back to last week’s comedian’s (Richard Pryor) biggest influence.  Bill Cosby influenced two generations in two entirely different ways.  He broke ground with his stand up comedy, became the first black man to star in a TV drama, and then headed up what was arguably the most successful (financially and culturally) sitcom of the 80s.

This is Bill Cosby’s first album, and he’s in fine form.  Some bits would become classics and, while others are a bit dated, Bill’s conversational style was born here.  The classics that followed were just an extension of his ability to keep talking with you, and that’s why it remains timeless.  Damn the time period, damn the medium – telling a good story will always keep people listening.

For those of you who have been listening since episode 1 (or have gone back and check those first two out) – thanks a bunch for sitting through episodes one and two.  We understand that they might have been a bit… experimental for most tastes, but we hope there was something remotely enlightening in there that you could make out, even if it was subliminal.

For those of you annoyed with me being a smartass at the end of every podcast, here’s the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Comedy-on-Vinyl/181441438557765.  PLEASE JOIN!  It makes us look sexy, and helps us find more listeners.

Subscribe on iTunes (And please leave your comments and rate us.  We need to know if you think we are sexy or not.)

Host: Jason Klamm

Producer/Contributor: Mike Worden

Comedy on Vinyl is recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks.

Official Bill Cosby Site: http://www.billcosby.com/

Buy “Bill Cosby Is A Very Funny Fellow Right!” on Vinyl: http://goo.gl/RvcVH

Inferior (except for quality) Compact Disc: http://goo.gl/YnJBQ

Jason co-stars monthly in “A Drinking Game: http://adrinkinggame.com

Mike is in “A Few Good Men”:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223801767655604

Things/people mentioned in this episode:

Leonard, Part 6: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093405/combined

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 5 Direct Download

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This week: three white guys talk about Richard Pryor.  In this episode, we’re joined by the hilarious and talented Mike Preister.  You’ve seen his work on TV for over a decade, and now he’s been kind enough to talk with us about his earliest, biggest comedy influence.  Namely: Richard Pryor’s fourth album, “…Is It Something I Said?”  Raw, character-driven and “profane” (if you believe in such a thing – and for that matter, ignore the stupid parental advisory sticker on this CD cover, the only public image I could use), this album illustrates everything that made Richard Pryor groundbreaking.  Not only did he speak to an untapped audience, but he did it in character. 

Never one to simply spit jokes at the audience, Richard Pryor shows all of the energy and commitment that could have made him a huge box office star.  Though that never quite materialized, this album stands as a clear example of why he has left an indelible mark on the comedy and comedians that came after him.

Subscribe on iTunes

Host: Jason Klamm

Guest: Mike Preister

Producer/Contributor: Mike Worden

Comedy on Vinyl is recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts are used without permission, and are intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks.

Official Richard Pryor Site: http://www.richardpryor.com/

Mike Worden’s Twittle: http://twitter.com/maworden

Mike Preister’s Twitty: http://twitter.com/mikepreister

Jason Klamm’s Twingle: http://twitter.com/jklamm

Buy “…Is It Something I Said?” on Vinyl or inferior Compact Disc: http://goo.gl/er5Rr

Things/people mentioned in this episode:

Claude File: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276863/

The Nerdist: http://www.nerdist.com/category/podcast/

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 4 Direct Download

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Finally!  We cover The Smothers Brothers’s’s first album.  This album helped the duo achieve the kind of notoriety that informs the success of every folk comedy… duo… since.  Actually, the form was so unique that they cut out a place for themselves in the world of comedy that, eventually, made them two of the most influential voices in the history of modern comedy. 

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Host: Jason Klamm

Guests: Dan Gomiller, Ari Jarvis

Producer/Contributor: Mike Worden

Comedy on Vinyl was recorded at Fort Awesome Studios in beautiful downtown Burbank.  The samples played in these non-commercial (see: free) podcasts is used without permission, and is intended to sell more albums, not to endorse Vinyl Piracy.  Follow us on Twitter or at the Facebooks.

The Smothers Brothers Site: http://www.smothersbrothers.com/

“Dangerously Funny,” David Bianculli’s wonderful book about the Smothers Brothers and their rise to fame: http://www.amazon.com/Dangerously-Funny-Uncensored-Smothers-Brothers/dp/1439101167

Buy “Live at the Purple Onion” on Vinyl: http://www.amazon.com/Comedy-Smothers-Brothers-Recorded-Purple/dp/B0016A02BK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310082707&sr=8-1

On ridiculously expensive CD: http://www.amazon.com/COMEDY-SMOTHERS-BROTHERS-RECORDED-FRANCISCOAT/dp/B002A1WGIG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1310082707&sr=8-3

Thank you,

Jason Klamm

Episode 3 Direct Download

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