On today's show, we return to our roots here on Mr. Jones's Neighborhood -- radio theater, more specifically radio comedy. Radio has a long tradition of comedy, from the Golden Age of Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Fibber McGee & Molly, Burns & Allen, and Lum n' Abner, to Stan Freberg, Bob & Ray, and the Goon Show in the 50s, to the revolutionary Firesign Theatre in the 60s and beyond. While radio is no longer the popular medium it was, and this show is a good example why, the audio comedy tradition lives on in today's cornucopia of comic podcasts.
Of those comic podcasts, one especially stands out -- My Friend Lyssa -- which finds its inspiration in the comedy variety shows and sketch comedy of the past -- Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, Carol Burnett, the Smothers Brothers, Monty Python, and SCTV. My Friend Lyssa is currently eight episodes into its first season, and it's a smash! We're fortunate to have three of the podcast's creators with us today -- Lyssa Graham, Dale Leopold, and Lori Furth. We welcomed Lyssa and Dale previously to KBOO for their political satire podcast BS de Résistance. Can't wait to talk with them about the new one!
So travel with us back to those thrilling days of yesteryear! Only it's today... and another beautiful day it is in the neighborhood!
- KBOO