Shecky Greene with Emerson College

Comedian
American Comedy Archives at Emerson College
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Shecky Greene tells the story of his career in comedy, including his time on the comedy club circuit and performing in Las Vegas. He discusses a variety of topics related to comedy, including the relationship between laughter and depression, creating his own comedic persona, his disinterest in working on television, and surviving in comedy. Greene also addresses his feelings on his first name becoming synonymous with comedians, as well as the then-current state of comedy. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on June 6, 2005 in Beverly Hills, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

“90% of the comics that I know are pretty intelligent people, and one of the most important things is to be well-informed about everything, because you can make comedy about anything. Even about a chicken. Uh, I'm trying to think of a joke about a chicken right now, but it's not going to come to me today.”

People Talking About ...
Shecky Greene
Highlights
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
04:36
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:47
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
04:29
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
03:41
Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
04:16
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
03:26
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On why he started in comedy, and on his earliest gigs; on working with Martha Raye, and on playing the club circuit and Las Vegas as a young comedian
On the role of agents and managers in his career, and on the importance of being prepared; on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce; on the relationship between laughter and depression
On working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television; on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store; on doing dialects in his act, and on working for the mob
On what he has gotten out of his comedy career; on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
On surviving in comedy; on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing; on summing up his career
Shows

Today

View Show Page
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:46
Topics

Television Industry

View Topic
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
03:41
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
03:41
Shecky Greene on the role of agents and managers in his career, and on the importance of being prepared
07:10
Professions

Comedian

View Profession
Shecky Greene on why he started in comedy, and on his earliest gigs
05:36
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
03:26
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
04:36
Shecky Greene on doing dialects in his act, and on working for the mob
02:03
Shecky Greene on what he has gotten out of his comedy career
02:23
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:46
Shecky Greene on surviving in comedy
02:34
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
04:29
Shecky Greene on summing up his career
03:08

Performers

View Profession
Shecky Greene on why he started in comedy, and on his earliest gigs
05:36
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
03:26
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
04:36
Shecky Greene on doing dialects in his act, and on working for the mob
02:03
Shecky Greene on what he has gotten out of his comedy career
02:23
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:46
Shecky Greene on surviving in comedy
02:34
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
04:29
Shecky Greene on summing up his career
03:08
Genres

News and Documentary

View Genre
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:46
People

Lenny Bruce

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Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
03:41

Carol Burnett

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Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
04:16

Katie Couric

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Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
06:46

Larry King

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Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
04:16

Martha Raye

View Person Page
Shecky Greene on working with Martha Raye, and on playing the club circuit and Las Vegas as a young comedian
07:26

Flip Wilson

View Person Page
Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
04:16

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