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Artwork for Comedy History 101

Comedy History 101

Harmon Leon
SCTV
The Daily Show
The State
New York City
Stairway To Stardom
Mel Brooks
Comedy Cellar
Santacon
Conan O'brien
John Candy
Andy Kaufman
Arrested Development
Mitch Hedberg
Television Industry
Kids In the Hall
Palestine Comedy Club
Los Enchiladas
Palestine
Marc Maron
Johnny Carson

Comedian and journalist Harmon Leon dives deep into the wild, weird, and hilarious history of comedy. Each episode explores the backstories of legendary comedians, iconic sketches, cult classics, stand-up milestones, and forgotten gems from the comedy world. From SNL to viral videos, we unpack the moments that shaped what makes us laugh. Whether you're a hardcore comedy nerd or just comedy-curious... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes225Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Comedy History 101

Latest Episodes

You Can’t Do That on Television defined Nickelodeon—and gave the world GREEN SLIME!

Comedy History 101 talks to Abby Hagyard, who portrayed “Mom” on YCDTOT, to reveal the wonderfully weird history behind the Ottawa-based cult comedy classic.

From ... more

Stairway to Stardom was a legendary NYC public access TV show that gave singers, dancers, comedians, and dreamers a chance to become stars. It's a cult classic that fans include Bjork, Alec Baldwin, & Paul Scheer .

Long before social media, there w... more

YouTube

We dig into the CH101 archives for firsthand tales from The Comedy Store with Borat director Larry Charles, Emmy-winning Arrested Development writer Jim Vallely, comedian/voice actor Joey Camen, Marc Maron documentary writer/producer Julie Seabaugh, ... more

The Daily Show became a comedy institution when Jon Stewart took over from Craig Kilborn.

Former The Daily Show field producer Evan Cutler reveals how Jon Stewart reinvented the show, why Stephen Colbert stood out from day one, how Steve Carell got ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Lola Perazzo
Performer on Stairway to Stardom, known for the Thriller dance
Stairway to Stardom contestant
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
Rich Halke
Teenage contestant who performed on Stairway to Stardom and later became a TV writer
Stairway to Stardom participant
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
HP Mendoza
Filmmaker who discusses Stairway to Stardom and its online reception
Filmmaker
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
Frank Massey
Host and creator of Stairway to Stardom
Stairway to Stardom
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
Joe Pickett
Co-founder of Found Footage Festival
Found Footage Festival
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
Ben Stiefel
Keyboard player from All the King's Men, composer of Stairway to Stardom theme
All the King's Men
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
Steve Luisi
Singer of the Stairway to Stardom theme song
All the King's Men
Episode: Stairway to Stardom: An Audio Documentary
Evan Cutler
Former field producer for The Daily Show
The Daily Show/Comedy Central
Episode: How Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert & Steve Carell Built The Daily Show w/ Former Field Producer Evan Cutler
Chris Cluess
Comedy writer
Writer for SCTV
Episode: How SCTV, The Kids in the Hall & The State Got Their Start: Sketch Comedy Origins

Host

Harmon Leon
Host of Comedy History 101, introduces the episode and guides the narrative.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Seriously Funny

    If a tale has funny bones Harmon Leon will find them. His hilariously thoughtful and thorough interviews and analysis will slip you past the censors, beyond the headlines and behind the curtain on some your favourite Comedy history personalities and breakthrough moments.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Brisson
    Canada3 years ago
  • These 2 are horrible

    What a waste of time 2 woke idiots

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Al Manzo
    United States4 years ago
  • Overall pretty meh

    Not very good audio quality. Using other people’s falls for their advantage without doing research.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Beers and Badinage podcast
    United States5 years ago
  • Sasha Baron Cohen

    Can’t list to a podcast with poor quality sound. It sounds like they’re speaking through a tunnel.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Annie Auckland
    New Zealand7 years ago
  • Quotes

    If you are looking for a legitimate history of comedy, look elsewhere. These guys see all comedy as applying to the present day, no questions asked.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    crooked woody
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging host with thoughtful, thorough interviews.
Sound quality and production sometimes cited as areas for improvement.
Guests are well-prepared with deep industry knowledge.
Strong deep-dives that appeal to comedy nerds and scholars alike.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert & Steve Carell Built The Daily Show w/ Former Field Producer Evan Cutler
Q: Two questions. Who else was on the writing staff, and where did those writers go on to? Second, how did it all really go off the rails?
The team had a lean writing setup without a traditional staff; writers came from various backgrounds, with a notable push to bring Jon Stewart's POV to the forefront and to pivot away from Kilborn's format toward more topical, sourced field pieces. Auditions for a new host included David Alan Greer, Michael McKean, Mike Rowe, and Jon Stewart, with Jon ultimately chosen. The transition involved restructuring the staff around a drive for sharper, more purposeful jokes and a stronger news-parody angle, which defined the modern Daily Show.
Arrested Development w/ Writer/Producer Jim Vallely
Q: How did early experiences in New York shape your approach to writing for television?
Early exposure to a close-knit stand-up and improv scene, plus watching and studying established writers, helped Vallely understand character-driven humor and the importance of voice, which later informed his TV writing and room dynamics.
The Daily Show, MST3K, & Joke Farming w/ Elliott Kalan
Q: What was it like when you got your first joke on the air?
The guest recalls the moment as part of a longer process of writing for the show, with early days spent in drafting and refining jokes until they fit Jon Stewart's voice and the show's needs; the satisfaction came from a single successful line that endured through the day.
Grease Airplane Rocky Horror Picture Show w/Casting Director Joel Thurm
Q: Can you share a memorable Taxi moment that defined the show's casting success?
Danny DeVito's surprise audition stood out as a turning point; he walked in with a unique presence that made everyone laugh and realize he could be the right fit despite being unconventional for TV, which set the tone for the rest of the cast.
Grease Airplane Rocky Horror Picture Show w/Casting Director Joel Thurm
Q: What was your approach to casting Airplane, and how did you navigate studio expectations?
I insisted on letting straight actors carry the dialogue and humor rather than over-the-top comedians, which helped the material land genuinely. We also looked for people who could deliver the humor with a straight face, and I supported the creative vision against studio imposes, especially with regard to what Zucker brothers wanted versus what would serve the jokes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Comedy History 101

What is Comedy History 101 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep dive into the history, backstories, and cultural impact of comedy, blending interviews, archival clips, and expert perspectives. Episodes cover sketch origins, stand-up milestones, influential shows, and cult classics, with a focus on how moments from SNL, public access, and indie scenes shaped modern humor. Listeners likely value rigorous research, candid anecdotes, and the evolving landscape of comedy—from early television to contemporary internet culture. A standout trait is the host's knack for connecting disparate eras and personalities into cohesive narratives, making it appealing to hardcore comedy nerds and industry professionals alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Comedy History 101?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Comedy History 101. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Comedy History 101 and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Comedy History 101 get?

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What are the audience demographics for Comedy History 101?

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How many subscribers and views does Comedy History 101 have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Comedy History 101 has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Comedy History 101?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Comedy History 101:

1. Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre
2. The Dana Gould Hour
3. Fitzdog Radio
4. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
5. Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

How many episodes of Comedy History 101 are there?

Comedy History 101 launched 9 years ago and published 225 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Comedy History 101?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Comedy History 101?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Comedy History 101 from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Comedy History 101?

Recent guests on Comedy History 101 include:

1. Lola Perazzo
2. Rich Halke
3. HP Mendoza
4. Frank Massey
5. Joe Pickett
6. Ben Stiefel
7. Steve Luisi
8. Evan Cutler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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