Stand-up Comedy Greats: Steven Wright Debuts on The Tonight Show - 1982

Reaganite Republican ^ | February 16, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

"Yeah, it's a small world... but I wouldn't want to paint it"

Steven Wright -dob 12.06.55- is an American comedian, actor and writer. Widely known for a distinct lethargic voice and deadpan delivery in a droning monotone, the highly-original style of humor centers on ironic, philosophical, and even nonsensical jokes and one-liners with often bizarre, contrived situations.

His early career as a Boston-area stand up comedian working primarily two clubs eventually landed him appearances on both the Carson and Letterman shows by 1982.  Wright's unique act went over huge in the new-wave 80s, and he was repeatedly asked back on.

By 1985, Steven Wright's comedy album I Have a Pony was released to much critical acclaim,  and the success of this LP landed him a much-coveted HBO special which he recorded as a live college concert performance entitled "A Steven Wright Special". 

By the mid-80s Wright had firmly developed a new brand of obscure, laid-back performing and was rapidly building a cult-like mystique and eclectic following of "hip" young fans. The performance would become one of HBO's longest running and most requested comedy specials and propel him to huge success on the college arena concert circuits. 

In 1989 he and fellow producer Dean Parisot won an Academy Award for their 30-minute short film The Appointments of Dennis Jennings, starring Wright along with Brit Rowan Atkinson (later of Mr Bean fame).

1992 brought Wright a recurring role on the television sitcom Mad About You. He also supplied the voice of the radio DJ in writer-director Quentin Tarantino's film Reservoir Dogs that same year.

Here's a 26-year-old Steven Wright in his national TV debut on Carson's Tonight Show in '82...

[video]

Wikipedia

Previous RR Comedy Greats features archived -here-


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[plain talk]

He also spoke of a guy that had sideburns ... behind the ears.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I agree with you - wish all bloggers acted like this one

[skr]

Definitely

[sappy]

He’s got some good stuff.

“I sprayed spot remover on my dog. I haven’t seen him since”

Steven Wright

[KC Burke]

A freind of mine sent me a postcard.

The only thing on it was a photo of Earth as seen from outer space.

He wrote on the back, “Wish you were here.”

[SirLurkedalot]

I lost one of my socks...called information and the operator said “It’s behind the couch”

[al_c]

I bought a dog the other day. I named him Stay. It’s fun to call him. “Come here, Stay! Come here, Stay!” He went insane. Now he just ignores me and keeps typing.

[wtc911]

Some people are afraid of heights, I'm afraid of widths.

I bought a box of instant water...I don't know what to add to it.

I stopped at a diner that said 'Open 24 hours'. The owner was locking up. I pointed to his sign. He said...'not in a row'.

_____________

I didn't watch the clip so sorry if these are in there.

[GSWarrior]

King of the surreal one liners.

Emo Philips is good, too.

[Hatteras]

Sometimes I like to turn off the lights when I’m in the shower and pretend I’m in a submarine that’s been hit.

[Reaganite Republican]

lAnd both might be related to Curly Howard lol

[Reaganite Republican]

I am doing Emo next Wedsnesday at RR... it’s a new Weds. feature I’m trying, first one was Cosby

Bookmark me for next Weds... Emo might be weird, but he sure is funny.

Thing with him is, tho- the “nuclear apocalypse” humor is a bit dated... seems The Gipper made it irrelevant, eh

[Jet Jaguar]

[vladimir998]

Man, I remember his appearance on the Tonight Show.

Ah, the 80s.

[GSWarrior]

I enjoy your trips down memory lane.