Redd Foxx was a trailblazing comedian whose irreverent humor and sharp wit entertained audiences for decades. Born John Elroy Sanford in 1922, Foxx grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and began his career in comedy in the 1940s.

Foxx honed his craft on the Chittlin’ Circuit, a network of African-American vaudeville theaters that crisscrossed the country. He quickly gained a reputation for his raunchy, unapologetic humor, which often tackled taboo subjects such as sex and race relations.

In the 1950s and 60s, Foxx recorded several successful comedy albums, including “Laff of the Party” and “The Best of Redd Foxx.” These albums cemented his status as one of the most popular comedians of his time.

In 1972, Foxx landed the role of Fred Sanford in the hit TV series “Sanford and Son.” The show, which followed the antics of a junk dealer and his son, was a huge success and ran for six seasons. Foxx’s portrayal of Sanford earned him a Golden Globe award and made him a household name.

Despite his success on TV, Foxx never lost his love for stand-up comedy. He continued to perform live shows throughout his career, earning a reputation as a master of the craft.

Sadly, Foxx passed away in 1991 at the age of 68. However, his legacy lives on as a pioneering figure in the world of comedy. His irreverent humor and groundbreaking approach to taboo subjects paved the way for countless comedians who followed in his footsteps.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redd_Foxx

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Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind is a hilarious short film that serves as a direct spoof of the Steven Spielberg film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The film was released in 1980 and is a perfect example of the humor and satire that was popular during that time.

The film was written and produced by Rick Harper and Bob Rogers.

What sets Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind apart from other spoofs is the way it pokes fun at the stereotypes of nerds and geeks. The two scientists are portrayed as socially awkward and obsessed with science, which is a trope that was popularized during the 1970s and 1980s.

In the film, sewage worker Roy Dreary and a number of unusual characters meet up with strange extraterrestrials traveling to earth in a giant pie in the sky. Dreary develops an obsession with mashed potatoes, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries. He encounters singing mailboxes, truck radios that spout bubbles and bubble music, and one pie in the face after another, before finally finding himself at the Sara Loo pie factory-and his close encounter of the nerd kind.

Other characters include a wide-eyed cherubic child, a famous French scientist, a bewildered wife, plus Darth Vader on a motorcycle complaining that he is blocking the road. The film also includes a mysterious code (which turns out to be the first nine digits of the mathematical constant pi) and an oversized xylophone on which Dreary signals to the aliens. All of the character voices are over-dubbed by voice artists Corey Burton and Sandy Stotzer.

The special effects in the film are intentionally cheesy, which adds to the overall humor of the film. The aliens are portrayed as goofy and cartoonish, which is a stark contrast to the serious and ominous tone of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

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Overall, Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind is a must-watch for fans of comedy and science fiction. The film’s humor and satire hold up even today, and it remains a cult classic among fans of spoof movies. If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, this film is definitely worth checking out.

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closet_Cases_of_the_Nerd_Kind

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080544/

https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

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On December 9, 2022, I had the fortune of attending A Drag Queen Christmas with a good friend when the show hit the Arizona Financial Theater in Downtown Phoenix.

Murray and Peters has presented “A Drag Queen Christmas” for the eighth consecutive year. The show is a drag tour featuring alumni of the reality show,  RuPaul’s Drag Race.

I thought that the show was very pleasant experience, a lot of very funny comedy bits mixed with signing, skits, and was a wonderful experience.

The A Drag Queen Christmas 2022 tour includes Netflix superstar Alyssa Edwards, Brooke Lynn Hytes host of Canada’s Drag Race, Shea Coulee’, Crystal Methyd, Jimbo The Drag Clown, Manila Luzon, Jujubee, Kornbread, Heidi N Closet, Jasmine Kennedie, Aja, Jan Sport, Silky Ganache, Kerri Colby and a very special guest performance by Todrick Hall.