HISTORICAL MARKER: MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT "ON THE ROAD WITH DAVE" ON JANUARY 18TH 2010

Click Here to View "Boondock's The Return Of The King" Adult Language and Racial Slurs Abound

Back in 2006, on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 77th birthday; Cartoon Network aired an episode of their acclaimed animated series, The Boondocks of the comic strip of the same name. In the episode, an alternative history is told of the shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr. The episode's name was taken from the The Lord of the Rings volume The Return of the King. It won a Peabody Award.

The episode was controversial and funny and told the story of MLK alive in the 21st Century shortly after the 9/11 tragedy. Series creator, Aaron McGruder displays his comic genius and never-ending talent for commenting on popular culture and our sensitivities to race relations and politics in the classic episode.

As a long-time viewer of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, I consider this one of the best episodes of the series(and there are many favorites of mine) and thought it both appropriate and down-right funny to reference today on Martin Luther King Day.

Take 20 minutes and watch it, laugh and think.












The Boondocks - Return of the King - Season 1... by savertun

HISTORICAL MARKER: CHRISTMAS 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM "COMEDY THIS EXIT"!

 I took my annual Christmas night drive down our street in my little town outside of Mobile, Alabama. The street was lonely as maybe one car drove past me in the oncoming lanes. The Christmas decorations were lit on the street light poles, and rainy mist covered the highway as I drove.  

The local radio station played Mannheim Steamroller and Vince Guaraldi. A convenience store was open at one end of the street; selling gas, cigarettes, beer, and other essentials one might need on Christmas Day night. A customer service call center was still being manned by a handful of employees; probably answering calls from people in Idaho who received their new iPhone for Christmas.  Other than that, no other businesses were stirring. 

Except, a bar.

One local dive bar was open. And to my surprise, it had a very full parking lot. I realized that Christmas fell on a Friday night, but was still shocked to see the number of people out, instead of at home with family.  But of course, I shouldn't have been surprised. There are people alone on Christmas. Out of town on Christmas. Traveling on Christmas. Working on Christmas. And in Comedy...Out of town, traveling, and working on Christmas. 

So, to those not so happy or merry on this Christmas Day, a little tune to set the mood.

Dean Martin made "the blues" look cool.

 

For a modern version of the above song, try Comedian Bill Murray's rendition from "A Very Murray Christmas."

But, I do truly hope you had a great Christmas with Family and Friends. 

Here's to you, (raising a symbolic shot) and yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HISTORICAL MARKER: THANKSGIVING 2015

Pulling over to celebrate Thanksgiving 2015.

I know there are "road comics" driving to their next gig this weekend and their Thanksgiving dinner is probably being served in a fast food bag at worst or it consists of a Iron Skillet or Waffle House meal at best. Be Safe My Friends.

I'm lucky enough to be home with family and friends, eating way too much of home cooked food. Of course I'm unlucky enough not to have a regular "road comic" career.  Although, I do a have a local gig this Saturday.

In honor of Thanksgiving and my past college days in radio and journalism, I leave you with a time-honored Thanksgiving tradition. Radio stations across America enjoy this tradition on Thanksgiving for what I suspect is two very good reasons.  One--This tradition allows them about twenty minutes to eat uninterrupted while sitting at their job, or Two--Twenty minutes to run to the restroom after possibly eating a large meal a few hours before their shift.

The best reasons are because it's kinda about Thanksgiving; it was controversial at the time, and most of all-- it is Damn Clever and Funny.

Enjoy Arlo Guthrie and eating out back of Alice's Restaurant.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM "COMEDY THIS EXIT"!