Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Hump Day Humor - Dr. Demento goes off the air after 40 years. Who's Dr. Demento?

I have very fond memories of staying up late in bed listening to the Dr. Demento radio show on WLS, Chicago.  I was in elementary school at the time. I suppose fans of this show may be categorized in the same vein as Trekkie or Sci Fi fans.  I'll admit, all are in my blood.  Don't hold it against me.

If you, like my husband, are unfamiliar...

The Dr. Demento Show is radio's weekly two-hour festival of "mad music and crazy comedy" heard on stations coast to coast. It is a free-wheeling, unpredictable mix of music and comedy. Along with legends like Spike Jones, Tom Lehrer, Stan Freberg, Monty Python, and Frank Zappa, the Doctor plays new funny songs sent in by amateur and professional singers and comedians. That's how the world was introduced to "Weird Al" Yankovic, who went on to become rock music's best-known funny person. A home-made tape that Al made at age 16 and sent to the Doctor provided him with his very first media exposure. [source]

I recently came across an interview on NPR and learned that the show, which has been airing for 40 years, has finally gone off the air.  The end of an institution.  So sad.  But, alas, the show will continue on internet radio.  Phew!

The thing about Dr. Demento, and comedy in general, is that anything that made me laugh changed my world and mood instantaneously.  To this day, humor and laughter are very important parts of my life.  I use it in this blog and in some of my products (jewelry, switch plates).


While searching around for some classic Demento tunes to share with you, (like Monster Mash, Fish Heads, They're Coming to Take me Away, etc.) I came across this very funny comedian who has a beef with Pachelbel's Canon in D.  I think my music friends will particularly appreciate this.  You know who you are.



BTW, I'm trying to remember a cheerleader song by a funny female comedian in the late '70s.  It was about cheerleaders on a float.  Can anyone help me with this?

[update 12:49 PM]  Tracy (aka SeaFindDesigns) you rock!  This is it!! Not sure where I got cheerleaders and a float...

1 comment:

  1. Oh, Dr Demento, LOVED him. But I never heard this Pachabel Rant...I can't wait to show this to Liam tomorrow (he's the 13yo that plays cello) but it's 2:30 AM, so I'll wait til later...I should really go to bed! But I've got another 90 secs to this hysterical song!

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments! Got a question, email me. If you like my blog, please subscribe to my RSS feed.

Related Posts with Thumbnails