Comedy History 101

Harmon Leon
  • 3.4 (17)
  • COMEDY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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, this is your crash course in the funny business. Subscribe now and discover how comedy got to where it is today—one punchline at a time. More: harmonleon.com comedyhistory101.com

  1. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! w/ Director Michael Bonfiglio

    FEB 2

    Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! w/ Director Michael Bonfiglio

    I talk with Michael Bonfiglio, who, along with Judd Apatow, directed the new HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!. Michael shares behind-the-scenes stories from Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and Spaceballs, and we explore how Mel Brooks reshaped American comedy. We also talk about Bonfiglio’s collaborations with Apatow, including co-directing George Carlin’s American Dream, and how Mel Brooks’ influence extends to comedy and filmmaking legends like Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, and even David Lynch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min
  2. Stairway to Stardom: The Greatest Public Access TV Show Ever w/ Mitch Friedman

    JAN 23

    Stairway to Stardom: The Greatest Public Access TV Show Ever w/ Mitch Friedman

    Stairway to Stardom was a NYC public access TV show, described in The Onion as "without exaggeration, it was one of the greatest shows ever to be on television." Airing in the 70s through the early 90s, Stairway to Stardom was YouTube, before YouTube, and has fans ranging from Bjork to the Found Footage Festival. Performers of very questionable talent, ranging from off-key lounge singers to interpretive dancers, attempted to stairway to stardom – and performed their hearts out – without fear of snark and comment trolls tearing them down. Archivist Mitch Friedman joins CH101 to explore how the show was nearly lost to history, how he helped save it, and why its' awkward sincerity helped inspire the comedy of Tim & Eric, Adult Swim, and SNL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 2m
  3. The Daily Show, MST3K, & Joke Farming w/ Elliott Kalan

    JAN 12

    The Daily Show, MST3K, & Joke Farming w/ Elliott Kalan

    Former Daily Show head writer Elliott Kalan (MST3K, The Flop House), Joke Farming) joins CH101 to discuss his new book, Joke Farming, and the nuts-and-bolts behind professional joke writing. We go inside the Daily Show writers’ room with Jon Stewart, why MST3K once had too many jokes, how comedians write jokes on deadline, why inspiration is overrated, and how audiences complete every joke. A behind-the-scenes look at joke writing, comedy craft, and how humor helps us make sense of the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 9m
  4. Comedy History 101: Best of 2025

    12/22/2025

    Comedy History 101: Best of 2025

    We pulled together the sharpest moments from our 2025 interviews with comedy impresario guests - who shaped modern comedy: • Larry Charles: Writer and director of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, & Borat • Kevin McDonald: Founding member of Kids in the Hall • Ryan Cunningham: Producer of Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer • Alex Braverman: Director of Thank You Very Much on Andy Kaufman • Will Becton: Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Team Coco, Clueless Gamer • Paul Myers: Author of John Candy: A Life in Comedy • Michael Seth Starr: Author of Rodney Dangerfield: Nothing Comes Easy • Seth Porges: Director of Class Action Park and the new Santacon documentary Plus Jean-François Brisson with the Nubian Show and a special Canadian Comedy History 101 recap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 6m
  5. Broad City and the Comedy of Inclusion

    12/12/2025

    Broad City and the Comedy of Inclusion

    Reprise Episode: Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer producer Ryan Cunningham and Gold Comedy founder Lynn Harris take us deep into the world of inclusive comedy and comedy as social change. From behind-the-scenes Broad City stories (yes, that pegging episode) to how diverse voices are reshaping the comedy landscape, we explore why women being “gross” on screen was a cultural breakthrough—and how laughter can be a tool for empowerment, visibility, and social impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    39 min
  6. Larry Charles: Borat, Seinfeld & Comedy Samurai

    11/21/2025

    Larry Charles: Borat, Seinfeld & Comedy Samurai

    CH101 Reprise: Larry Charles won an Emmy writing for Seinfeld, directed Borat, Brüno, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and has collaborated with Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Bob Dylan . Larry joins CH101 for some serious comedy inside baseball: How he helped shape the voice of Seinfeld with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld The chaos behind Borat's infamous poop-bag dinner scene What it was really like making subversive comedy with Sacha Baron Cohen Get the inside scoop on one of comedy's most fearless minds and check out Larry's new book: Comedy Samurai. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 7m
  7. SantaCon w/ Director Seth Porges

    11/06/2025

    SantaCon w/ Director Seth Porges

    Before SantaCon became the most hated event in NYC history, it began as a San Francisco subversive experiment of fun by the same anarchic collective that spawned Burning Man and inspired Fight Club’s Project Mayhem. We talk to filmmaker Seth Porges, who has a new documentary about SanCon on how a subversive performance-art happening turned into a worldwide holiday of drunken chaos that’s now belittled by the likes of John Oliver, Colin Jost, Jimmy Fallon and all of NYC. You might know Seth’s previous HBO Max documentary, Class Action Park, about America’s most dangerous amusement park. SantaCon premieres at DocNYC, Nov 13th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min
  8. Kevin McDonald & Kids in the Hall

    10/24/2025

    Kevin McDonald & Kids in the Hall

    CH101 Reprise: Kevin McDonald is best known as a founding member of the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe – Kids in the Hall –which appeared on CBS, HBO, and Comedy Central, and had a revival season aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2022. Kevin joins CH!01 with tales of KITH, Winnipeg, & comedy in general. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
See All (213)

3.4
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

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, this is your crash course in the funny business. Subscribe now and discover how comedy got to where it is today—one punchline at a time. More: harmonleon.com comedyhistory101.com

Information

  • Creator
    Harmon Leon
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    213
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Harmon Leon
  • Show Website
    Comedy History 101

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