A talk about the history of Standup Comedy with RITCH SHYDNER followed by Q&A
As a stand-up comedian, SHYDNER appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” “Late Night with David Letterman” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” numerous times. He performed a half-hour special called One Night Stand, as well as was a guest on “Comics Unleashed” Aside from performing stand-up, RITCH, along with comedian Mark Schiff, compiled stories of comedians on the road in a book called I Killed (2006).
SHYDNER was featured in the 2010 documentary “I Am Comic”, in which he traveled around the country interviewing various comedians, a process that ultimately led to his return to stand-up by going on the stage again after 13 years of retirement.
As an actor, SHYDNER played “Al Bundy” co-worker and friend Luke Ventura on “Married… with Children” and made guest appearances on other TV shows such as “Designing Women” Designing Women, “Roseanne (TV series)” Roseanne and “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist” Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. His film roles include Beverly Hills Cop II “Roxanne (film)”SHYDNER was a staff writer on such sitcoms as Roseanne, The Jeff Foxworthy Show and Titus. He also wrote scripts for the sitcom Becker. Additionally, he wrote for singers Kenny Rogers and Pam Tillis, as well as ventriloquist David Strassman.SHYDNER’S influences are Art Carney, Lenny Bruce, Red Skelton and George Carlin.
