The History of Sketch Comedy

This past year we witnessed the 40th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live. Is this surprising? It shouldn't be, as sketch comedy has been around since the days of Julius Caesar's Bacchanal! During the middle ages, there were traveling troops of thespians. Jokers entertained in the royal courts of England, France and Europe until modern times. There was old time radio, with Abbott & Costello and Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy. Then in TV's early days, with Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows. When done right, sketch comedy is always fun. This week, we examine the history of sketch comedy, including the modern form: Saturday Night Live.

Episode Segments:

Everything Old is New Again: Sketch Comedy
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