ENGLISH LIT 344 / COMEDY & SATIRE

Who's Who in American Comedy

Best known for his "I don't get no respect" tag line and his stand-up routine built around his bad luck, his is a prime example of how the comic's persona must match his material. He tried for years to make it (under the name Jack Roy) and gave it up to sell aluminum siding. Years later, using the name Rodney Dangerfield, he tried one more time and got a break filling in on the Ed Sullivan Showas a last-minute replacement for another act. Rodney's age and routine were a sharp contrast to the younger, hip-er comcs of the time and his success was assured. He eventually opened his own club in New York City where many aspiring comics (Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, Jeff Foxworthy, Sam Kinison, Rita Rudner, Andrew Dice Clay, Bob Saget) were given a chance.

Here's a clip from one of his many appearances on the Tonight Show. (Compare his style to that of Henny Youngman.)