ENGLISH LIT 344 / COMEDY & SATIRE Who's Who in American Comedy
Benny is often credited with having laid the foundation for the situation comedy. He was known for comic timing and his ability to get laughs with a long pause or just a "take" (a slow turn toward the audience followed by "Well!") His radio show, popular in the 1940s and '50s, moved to television with much success. He is also credited with having an African-American man (Rochester) who was treated as a regular member of his fictional household. Here are two clips showing Benny first with Johnny Carson, who imitated much of Benny's style, and the second with Mel Blanc, who was probably better known as the voice of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester the Cat, and others in Warner Brothers cartoons. (This latter piece might considered politically incorrect today, as it plays on the Hispanic stereotypes). With Johnny Carson in 1955 With Mel Blanc [For more details on Benny, check his listing in Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Benny], but note--this is one of the rare times I can accept the use of Wikipedia as a source. I have found that most of the information there about these people is reliable.]
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