Travesty: "So That Others May Laugh"

The Travesty Story: So That Others May Laugh

"Time has a corrosive effect on humor," said S.J. Perelman, and we won't disagree because (a) he's dead, and (b) even in that state, he's still funnier than we are. While most of Mr. Perelman's witty prose remains timeless, an alarming number of the targets that we found worthy of clever japery in 1980 have somehow become, well, less timeless. Sure, the mention of Junior Samples' name will always bring a smile, but who knew he would not live to see the millennium? He seemed so healthy. Fortunately, as I write this—in the year 2525—Aerosmith is still rockin'!
And so, while the world celebrates this debut of Teen Comedy Party in the compact disc format, it is not exactly the same disc that so delighted the New York Times that the great Gray Lady was moved to call it "a truly funny recording." We blush with pride. And a bit of agita, because when that Sunday edition review hit the streets, there were no copies of the platter to be found in the Empire State, despite assurances from our "distributor." Years later, on a visit, a copy was spotted in the cutout bin of a used record store. Quelle ironie!
Travesty Ltd. began as Travesty Films, a collection of high school chums churning out no-budget slapstick sci-fi shorts in blatant homage to their heroes, Moe, Larry, Curly, and—yes, dammit—Shemp. Films such as Intestines From Space, Cloning Around, Alcoholics Unanimous, and Insurance Salesmen From Saturn became a cult force in the Washington, D.C., area throughout the '70s and early '80s.
In 1980, while waiting to go into production on what would be their last work on film, Hyattsville Holiday, the gang started fooling around in director Rich West's post-production facility, in the basement of a building that would be torn down to make way for the USA Today tower. Years of stuff that couldn't work on film was given audio life. Much was invented on the spot. The results were encouraging and led to several weekends of feverish recording.
Early tapes were given to local radio stations, and the hipoisie in our nation's capital started a buzz. Coincidentally, Dr. Demento passed through town on a rare live tour. He was handed a reel after his show at Desperado's, a funky bar normally home to boogie, blues, and country bands. Shortly after the good Doctor's return to LA, the "Rock and Roll Doctor" sketch became a hit on his nationally syndicated radio program.
That bit is digitized here (it's also available on a variety of Dr. Demento recordings, including his latest, 30th Anniversary collection). So, too, is our later underground smash, the "Dwayne Stomp PSA." Bootlegged almost as often as Heavy Metal Parking Lot, Dwayne has become a spokesdrunk for binge drinking on campuses across this nation. Or, rather, against binge drinking. We think. You may follow his progress in working through his 35,000-hour community service plea bargain at www.DwayneStomp.com.
Also included, for nearly the first time anywhere outside of morning radio in the Midwest, are several episodes in the "Love Talk Radio" series, featuring wrongheaded advice from the know-nothing authority on the horrors of love, Dr. Adonis. Be advised that there are many, many more of these and that they, too, will appear sometime soon. At reasonable prices. Plus, there's a bunch of other stuff that we like, and we got rid of some of the slower, stinkier bits. (For those who demand the original thing, vinyl copies remain. Visit www.Travesty.org for more information.)
It should also be noted that the original TCP was (to our knowledge) the last recorded work as a group of the Starland Vocal Band, whose Bicentennial Grammy Award-winning song "Afternoon Delight" has become a touchstone of the '70s. Our thoughtless abuse of Starland's harmonic gifts remains a high musical crime, but their cheery good spirit is always much appreciated. Thanks, guys.
Travesty, Ltd., briefly attempted a live act (opening for "Weird" Al once) and released several other comedy products before dissolving, belatedly, into the world of adult life. Several members continue to work in the infotainment field—and continue to make not one damn dime from it. It is presumed that their genius will be recognized posthumously. Efforts are afoot to speed that process.

Name Withheld
Wheaton, Md., 1937

Copyright ©2000 Over Productions a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unfunny Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. E-mail us!

The Travesty Story: So That Others May Laugh
"Time has a corrosive effect on humor," said S.J. Perelman, and we won't disagree because (a) he's dead, and (b) even in that state, he's still funnier than we are. While most of Mr. Perelman's witty prose remains timeless, an alarming number of the targets that we found worthy of clever japery in 1980 have somehow become, well, less timeless. Sure, the mention of Junior Samples' name will always bring a smile, but who knew he would not live to see the millennium? He seemed so healthy. Fortunately, as I write this—in the year 2525—Aerosmith is still rockin'! And so, while the world celebrates this debut of Teen Comedy Party in the compact disc format, it is not exactly the same disc that so delighted the *New York Times* that the great Gray Lady was moved to call it "a truly funny recording." We blush with pride. And a bit of agita, because when that Sunday edition review hit the streets, there were no copies of the platter to be found in the Empire State, despite assurances from our "distributor." Years later, on a visit, a copy was spotted in the cutout bin of a used record store. Quelle ironie! Travesty Ltd. began as Travesty Films, a collection of high school chums churning out no-budget slapstick sci-fi shorts in blatant homage to their heroes, Moe, Larry, Curly, and—yes, dammit—Shemp. Films such as *Intestines From Space, Cloning Around, Alcoholics Unanimous, and Insurance Salesmen From Saturn* became a cult force in the Washington, D.C., area throughout the '70s and early '80s. In 1980, while waiting to go into production on what would be their last work on film, *Hyattsville Holiday, the gang started fooling around in director Rich West's post-production facility, in the basement of a building that would be torn down to make way for the USA Today* tower. Years of stuff that couldn't work on film was given audio life. Much was invented on the spot. The results were encouraging and led to several weekends of feverish recording. Early tapes were given to local radio stations, and the hipoisie in our nation's capital started a buzz. Coincidentally, Dr. Demento passed through town on a rare live tour. He was handed a reel after his show at Desperado's, a funky bar normally home to boogie, blues, and country bands. Shortly after the good Doctor's return to LA, the "Rock and Roll Doctor" sketch became a hit on his nationally syndicated radio program. That bit is digitized here (it's also available on a variety of Dr. Demento recordings, including his latest, 30th Anniversary collection). So, too, is our later underground smash, the "Dwayne Stomp PSA." Bootlegged almost as often as *Heavy Metal Parking Lot, Dwayne has become a spokesdrunk for binge drinking on campuses across this nation. Or, rather, against binge drinking. We think. You may follow his progress in working through his 35,000-hour community service plea bargain at www.DwayneStomp.com. Also included, for nearly the first time anywhere outside of morning radio in the Midwest, are several episodes in the "Love Talk Radio"* series, featuring wrongheaded advice from the know-nothing authority on the horrors of love, Dr. Adonis. Be advised that there are many, many more of these and that they, too, will appear sometime soon. At reasonable prices. Plus, there's a bunch of other stuff that we like, and we got rid of some of the slower, stinkier bits. (For those who demand the original thing, vinyl copies remain. Visit www.Travesty.org for more information.) It should also be noted that the original TCP was (to our knowledge) the last recorded work as a group of the Starland Vocal Band, whose Bicentennial Grammy Award-winning song "Afternoon Delight" has become a touchstone of the '70s. Our thoughtless abuse of Starland's harmonic gifts remains a high musical crime, but their cheery good spirit is always much appreciated. Thanks, guys. Travesty, Ltd., briefly attempted a live act (opening for "Weird" Al once) and released several other comedy products before dissolving, belatedly, into the world of adult life. Several members continue to work in the infotainment field—and continue to make not one damn dime from it. It is presumed that their genius will be recognized posthumously. Efforts are afoot to speed that process. Name Withheld Wheaton, Md., 1937
Copyright ©2000 Over Productions a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unfunny Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. E-mail us!