Comedy

Eric Idle was one of the six original members of Monty Python's Flying Circus which, by the way, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. He wrote many of the songs from the show like, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." Since then, Idle has written a number of books. His latest is a comic science-fiction thriller, "The Road to Mars: A Post-Modem Novel." (Pantheon books)

Comedian Chris Rock. His HBO show "The Chris Rock Show" just won an Emmy for writing for a Variety or Music Program. Rock grew up in Brooklyn. He got his start in show business performing stand-up comedy routines in Manhattan. He spent three years on "Saturday Night Live" and appeared in a few films, including the recent "Beverly Hills Ninja." (REBROADCAST from 2/6/97)

Actor, comic, writer, director Albert Brooks. He stars in the new movie "The Muse". He's appeared in such films as "Taxi Driver," "Broadcast News," and "I'll Do Anything." and "Mother." and he wrote, directed and acted in are "Real Life," "Modern Romance," "Lost in America," and "Defending Your Life." (Originally aired 12/19/96).

British standup comic Eddie Izzard (pronounced like "Lizzard"). The cross-dressing comic is a household name in England. He's currently starring in "Lenny" a stage play about the controversial standup comic, Lenny Bruce. Izzard plays Bruce. "Lenny" is playing at the Queens Theatre in London. Last year Izzard performed his one-man show "Dress to Kill" at New York's Westbeth Theater, in the West Village.

Documentary filmmaker Robert Weide ("WHY-dee"). He's made his reputation making films about comedy and comediennes. His films include: "The Marx Brothers In a Nutshell" (PBS), "The Great Standups" (HBO), and the Emmy Award winning "W.C. Fields Straight Up." His latest project is the HBO documentary "Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth" (on HBO). It premiered on HBO August 9th.

Documentary filmmaker Robert Weide ("WHY-dee"). He's made his reputation making films about comedy and comediennes. His films include: "The Marx Brothers In a Nutshell" (PBS), "The Great Standups" (HBO), and the Emmy Award winning "W.C. Fields Straight Up." His latest project is the HBO documentary "Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth" (on HBO). It premiered on HBO August 9th.

We hear an excerpt of an interview with Lenny Bruce's mother, Sally Marr. The interview was conducted in 1989 by radio producer Larry Josephson for his program "Modern Times." (Josephson's radio documentary "Lenny Bruce Remembered" can be ordered by calling, 1-800-528-4424, or writing Radioart, Box 2000 GPO, New York, N.Y. 10116. The cost is $30 for 2 tapes. The documentary is 4 hours long).

Stand-up comic Margaret Cho. Her new one-woman show "I'm The One That I Want" is about her foray into the TV sitcom, when she was the first Asian-American to star in her own TV show. The series, "All-american Girl" was short lived, and a nightmare for Cho.

Comedian and actor Damon Wayans talks about his new book "Bootleg." (Harper Collins) It features a collection of his humorous observations and advice on everything from relationships to race relations. After making a name on the stand-up comedy circuit in the 1980's Wayans moved on to become one of the original stars of "In Living Color" the show that launched Jim Carrey's career. Damon's film include Hollywood Shuffle, Mo' Money, The Last Boy Scout, Major Payne and Great White Hype.

Michael Myers. He stars in the new film "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." The film spoofs the spy films of the 1960's. His other movies include: "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," "Waynes World," "Waynes World 2," and "Studio 54." Before appearing in films, At theage of 11 and with the help of his mother, Mike filmed a television commercial with the late great Gilda Radner.