Monthly Archives: July 2021

Big Shot

The phrase “way ahead of their time” is something I use
on occasion, usually for the likes of Tom Lehrer, Mike Nichols
and Elaine May, and a few others.
The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band jumps to the front of that line.
Most of what they accomplished was done during the 1960’s.
It set the stage for Monty Python, with a BBC Television show
starting in 1969.
They were irreverent, goofy, intelligent, and funny as hell.
Primarily known as musical, they were not above the
occasional sketch or two.
This is a parody of a hard boiled detective series circa 1950’s.
Over the top and wonderfully silly with word play that
will satisfy lovers of British comedy.
A few choice puns as well…



Macing a Bear

David Crowe is a darned good stand-up comedian.
He has a great stage presence, is good with an audience
and has interesting material.
Not lagging in anything that I can see.
He talks about being a guide in Alaska in his younger
days, the angle at which you mace a Grizzly and how fast
you need to run to avoid having your intestines ripped out.
It’s all in the timing…


Washington Crosses the Delaware

The last of the lot, could be the best as well.
Stan Freberg plays George Washington, Peter Leeds
is the boatman, and Barney Phillips is an absolute
joy as the Lieutenant…the latter puts forth an
emotional display that is quite entertaining.
Parody, satire, whatever you want to call it, this
1961 recording is superb in every way.
Keeping it alive and in circulation seems like the
right thing to do, respect goes out to all involved
in this masterpiece…Peter Leeds, Jesse White,
June Foray, Byron Kane, Barney Phillips, Marvin
Miller, Helen Kleeb, Walter Tetley, Stan Freberg,
and the incredible Paul Frees!