About
“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.”
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.
Highlights
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
Full Interview
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
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
Topics
Television Industry
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
Shecky Greene on the role of agents and managers in his career, and on the importance of being prepared
Professions
Comedian
Shecky Greene on why he started in comedy, and on his earliest gigs
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
Shecky Greene on doing dialects in his act, and on working for the mob
Shecky Greene on what he has gotten out of his comedy career
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
Shecky Greene on surviving in comedy
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
Shecky Greene on summing up his career
Performers
Shecky Greene on why he started in comedy, and on his earliest gigs
Shecky Greene on the relationship between laughter and depression
Shecky Greene on developing his comedy act, characters in comedy, and his role in creating the Comedy Store
Shecky Greene on doing dialects in his act, and on working for the mob
Shecky Greene on what he has gotten out of his comedy career
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
Shecky Greene on surviving in comedy
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Jewish comedy and the joys of performing
Shecky Greene on summing up his career
Genres
News and Documentary
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
People
Lenny Bruce
Shecky Greene on the then-current state of comedy, and on Lenny Bruce
Carol Burnett
Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
Katie Couric
Shecky Greene on his comedic persona, and on appearing on Today with Katie Couric
Larry King
Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television
Martha Raye
Shecky Greene on working with Martha Raye, and on playing the club circuit and Las Vegas as a young comedian
Flip Wilson
Shecky Greene on working with Larry King, Flip Wilson, and Carol Burnett, and why he doesn't work on television