# Name this Comedian...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 27, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539 "2001-11-27T17:21:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539/1 "2001-11-27T17:21:36Z")

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What was the name of the comedian on Letterman last night, Mon 11/26/01? Supposedly, he’s from the Ed Sullivan era. His name doesn’t ring a bell for me, just a lad when the Beatles just broke up. What might I know this comedian from?  
Thanks,

- Jinx

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539/2 "2001-11-27T17:27:15Z")

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According to [TV Guide](http://www.tvguide.com), Mort Sahl and Kelly Ripa were on last night. I think the former is the one you mean.

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539/3 "2001-11-27T17:29:12Z")

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Whoops. Hit submit by mistake. Meant to include this link:  
[http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3217/](http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/3217/)

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539/4 "2001-11-27T17:30:26Z")

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Who is he? His stories were entertaining, but he lacked a comedic ability to play off the audience - like other comedic guests of Letterman’s. Maybe he’s just not good at impromptu comedy?

- Jinx

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**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539/5 "2001-11-27T17:38:20Z")

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Mort Sahl was one of the first of the dark, intrellectual comics of the post-War years (WWII, that is). Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl; a little later, Woody Allen. Elaine May and whoever the hell her partner is . . . He may be a bit worn-out by now, but he was Quite the Thing and very edgy c1950.

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**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2001, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-this-comedian/95539/6 "2001-11-27T17:43:29Z")

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Mike Nichols was Elaine May’s partner. He went on to direct (including The Graduate) and to become the main squeeze of Diane Sawyer.