Not Peace But a Sword - Audio Podcast - 11/5/17

"Not peace but a sword"
Audio Podcast
Dan Marler



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The Genius of Robin Williams

I remember watching Robin Williams come out onto the set of the Letterman show, one time, and hilarious, high-energy, comic chaos ensued.  It was bedlam.  Can bedlam be funny?  Well, this was funny bedlam.  Even Letterman—who can pretty much enter into comic verbal sparring with anyone—just sat back, smiling and let him riff.  It seemed like his mind could fly from one funny idea to the other, making brilliant connections and launching into characters and voices instantaneously.  His gift was truly rare.

Years ago, a friend told me he had seen Robin in a club in the early 80s.  This person said Robin had the audience cracking up, of course.  But the crowd, according to my friend, was also in awe as they watched him.  Robin had a unique ability to stand on a stage, all by himself, and improvise extraordinary comedy out of thin air.  It is not an exaggeration to say that he was a comic genius.

It is heartbreaking to know that Robin Williams is gone.  Our world can always use a little more laughter and that is something Robin gave us with dazzling charm.

Story Time With Vic Baransky

Vic shares the story of Dan getting his book signed by Chuck Norris.

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Tammy and Paula -- A Night of Comedy

My sister-in-law, Paula, and I were sitting at a table that literally touched the stage at Visani’s comedy club last night.  We were there to see comedian, Tammy Pescatelli (Last Comic Standing, Tonight Show, and other shows).  She was terrific.  Very funny.

Everyone knows, it can be dangerous to be seated right by the stage during a comedy show.  But it turned out to be a good experience for us.  About a half dozen times during her hour and a half long show, Tammy interacted with Paula.  Their best moment occurred when Paula said to Tammy, “Tell the joke again.” Because we [the audience] didn’t quite get a comment she made.

Tammy said, “No, I’m not telling it again!  Who the h*** are you?  Martin Scorcese?”

Well, maybe you had to be there.  But in the moment it was funny.  No, really.  It was.

After the show was over, Tammy—who is such a nice person—graciously posed for a couple of pictures with us and then while we stood there staring uncomfortably at her for just a little too long, the police showed up.

So, I’m trying to figure out who to contact with my one phone call.  But in the meantime, I love how jail is now equipped with Wi-Fi.  Cool!

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Can You Handle Comedy With A Reckless Abandon?

Chris Farley was one of my favorite SNL cast members of all time.  He performed comedy with a reckless abandon that was a thing to behold.

Chris occasionally referred to his form of comedy as “fatty falls down”, which is understandable when considering that his comedy was very physical and some of his pratfalls are legendary.  But there is an edge to some of his best performances that went beyond mere slap stick.

I remember the first time I saw Chris play “Matt Foley”, the motivational speaker.  I was stunned. The character was accurate as a pathetic motivational speaker to just the right degree to be a hilarious parody and yet he was oddly demented to just the right degree that he was actually a bit disturbing.  The character displays a comic genius that is way more than just “fatty falls down”.  I’ve seen the Matt Foley sketches dozens of times and they still crack me up.

Likewise, Chris’ portrayal of the confused and misplaced tourist on the Japanese TV game show is sheer beauty.  His reaction when the contestants begin cutting off their fingers, as the price for losing a round in the game, is hilarious and priceless.

I love Chris Farley.  I sure wish he was still around to make us laugh.