Comedy writer and director Larry Charles, known for his iconic work on Seinfeld and Borat, joins the discussion to delve into his memoir, Comedy Samurai. He shares hilarious yet poignant tales from post-war Brooklyn, the chaos surrounding a Secret Service encounter, and the role of drugs in shaping comedy. Larry also reflects on the unique bond between laughter and tragedy, the ethical complexities of comedy, and the evolution of humor within the American cultural landscape. Prepare for insights that transcend mere laughs!
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Humor as Childhood Armor
Larry Charles used humor to survive harsh childhood violence in Brooklyn.
Catch-22 showed him humor is possible even about death and war.
insights INSIGHT
Brooklyn's Comedy Incubator
Brooklyn's high comedy output stemmed from dense immigrant populations debating ethics.
Talmudic traditions and absurdity awareness fueled a unique comedic sensibility.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Andy Kaufman’s Radical Comedy
Andy Kaufman performed avant-garde anti-comedy that often provoked boos.
Larry Charles embraced his risky, original style during their Fridays show.
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In *Comedy Samurai*, Larry Charles offers a candid look at his career, sharing never-before-told anecdotes about his collaborations with Jerry Seinfeld, Sacha Baron Cohen, Bill Maher, and more. The book provides insights into the making of beloved shows and films, offering a unique perspective on modern American comedy.
The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Published in 1943, 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand tells the story of Howard Roark, a young and innovative architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision despite the opposition from society. The novel explores themes of individualism, egoism, and the conflict between those who think for themselves (the 'first-handers') and those who follow the opinions of others (the 'second-handers'). It also delves into the lives of other characters such as Dominique Francon, Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey, and Gail Wynand, each representing different aspects of Rand's philosophical ideas. The book is a defense of egoism and individualism, presenting a radical rethinking of basic moral concepts and challenging conventional notions of selfishness and altruism[2][3][5].
Catch-22
Buck Henry
Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy. The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'. This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief. The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.
Comedy legend Larry Charles (Fridays, Seinfeld, Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm & much more) returns to the show to discuss his new book Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter. We have a wide ranging discussion of Larry’s life in comedy including post-war Brooklyn as a comedy incubator, grinding out avant-garde sketch comedy with Andy Kaufman, the prevalence of coke and other drugs in the comedy writing scene, getting tackled by the Secret Service trying to get a joint to Jimmy Carter’s sister, and the difficulties in comedic creative relationships. Larry also gets candid about his disappointment with the prevalence of zionism among his erstwhile comedy partners, and we talk about the humanizing force of humor in the face tragedy and despair.
Pick up Comedy Samurai here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/larry-charles/comedy-samurai/9781538771549/?lens=grand-central-publishing
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