Reviews

I appeared on "An Evening at the Improv" five years in a row from 1989-1993. It was always exciting to be on TV and a great thrill to get to work with friends and meet the guest hosts. The hosts of the five appearances I made were, Phyllis Diller (she said that I was "adorable"), Greg Evigan, Michael Feinstein, Michael McKean, and Chaka Khan. The show was originally filmed at the Improv on Melrose Ave. in Hollywood and then subsequently at the Improv in Santa Monica. There was always an air of excitement during the tapings and it was quite apparent when the shows aired. Like many of the old clubs, the Santa Monica Improv is gone. It burned down some years ago. It was located at 4th and Santa Monica. Great times and good memories. A treasure trove of comedy waiting to be released on DVD.

I appeared on "Comic Strip Live" in 1989 and 1990 when John Mulrooney was the host. At that time it was taped at Igby's in West Los Angeles. In 1991, they changed hosts and venues. Gary Kroger replaced John and they started filming it at The Laugh Factory in Hollywood. Along with "An Evening at the Improv", it not only gave young comics a chance to be seen on television every week, but is now an archive of stand-up in America. These shows were for many, their first appearance on national TV. It was a lot of fun and really helped comics put together television length sets and material. Although The Laugh Factory remains, Igby's is now long gone and it sure would be nice to see the old place again if these shows were released on DVD.

Anyone from Chicago will remember this great children's show that aired on WGN for nearly 40 years. In addition to cartoons and sketches performed by the resident clowns, there were live guest performers and the always exciting "Grand Prize Game" in which a boy and girl in the studio audience were chosen by the 'magic arrows' superimposed on the screen. The children tossed a golf ball into each of six buckets in front of them. As the distance increased, so did the prizes in each bucket. The end-all was the famed Bucket #6. Get that and prizes galore were showered upon you. Silver dollars and a new bike were most often the top prizes awaiting you in the last bucket. The children played not only for themselves, but also for a boy and girl at home. How great is that? You could win stuff just sitting in your front room! The WGN-TV website has a Bozo timeline and great archival photos and video. Remember Oliver O. Oliver? Bozo? Cookie? Sandy? Mr. Ned? They are all on the site. The show was a noon-time staple for any kid in Chicago in the 60's and 70's. It was so popular that tickets were requested YEARS in advance. Upon the birth of a child a request would be sent in hopes of the child attending a show in later years. Remarkable. It eventually changed formats and performers, but the original still stands out as one of the greatest and best loved kid's shows of all time.

I LOVE this movie. A truly hilarious look at used car sales. Ask anyone in the business. It hits the mark on nearly every count. If you want to laugh out loud, I highly recommend this movie. The commentary on the DVD is great too. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.