#335: Comedy In a Cancel Culture—Tom Leopold

Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman, This is Spinal Tap, Best In Show, A Mighty Wind) said, “When it comes to comedy, Tom Leopold has an extra gene. You may not know it, but he has probably made you laugh.” Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, NPR, This Is Spinal Tap) called him “a semi-precious stone in the crown of comedy,” appellations Leopold treasures.

Indeed, he may well be one of the most prolific and successful comedy writers ever, having written for sitcoms in the US and the UK, material for Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Jonathan Winters, Michael McKean, Chris Guest, Chevy Chase, et al.

Raised Jewish, the natural raconteur was baptized and received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2011. The conservative-minded comedy writer and one-time actor has some fascinating insights into what we call the culture, especially important for the Covid-19 lockdown.

In this episode you will learn

• Whether comedy is a skill you learn or must be born with
• How his father’s storytelling tradition shaped young Tom’s imagination
• What it’s like to meet, and write jokes for, your heroes
• The time Vice President Mike Pence served him a coffee on Air Force Two enroute to Cleveland where Pence was set to give a talk written by Leopold
• The meaning of “comedy is tragedy plus time” and “death is easy, comedy is hard”
• How Jews and Catholics share a love of story

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Episode 5 (wow!) of The Patrick Coffin Show with Tom Leopold about his conversion
• Jonathan Winters stand up act “The Talent Show.”
• Don Rickles at Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inaugural ball
• Eddie Murphy’s first Tonight Show appearance (1982).

Sponsors

YOUR ALL-IN-ONE IMMUNE-BOOSTING SUPER FORMULA Z Stack by Dc. Zelenko. Order yours here: Z Stack protocol Click the image below:

• Promotes overall immune health
• Scientifically formulated for best results
• Made in the USA
• Kosher certified
• GMP Certified

Glory and Shine: Catholic personal care handmade products for Catholic men. Their products are “good for the Body, Mind, and Soul.” I personally love them! Use coupon COFFIN and get a nice discount. Shop HERE.MyPillow.com: *Up to 66% off all his 100+ products, all US-made) and a special offer on his book What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO. Use promo code PATRICK or call: 800-794-9652

Covenant Eyes: It’s an accountability software designed to help you and those you love live a life free from pornography. Use code “Patrick” and try it out for FREE for 30 days.

Please share  using the social media buttons below.