Cocaine, Clubs, and Comedy History: Ritch Shydner Spills the Funniest Secrets

If you've ever wondered how comedy evolved from Civil War lecture halls to cocaine-fueled comedy clubs, Ritch Shydner has the stories and the scars to prove it. The veteran comic, author, and self-proclaimed comedy historian returns to deliver a hilarious masterclass on stand-up's messy, magical past. From his nights sharing stages (and substances) with legends like Sam Kinison to the moment Robin Williams "borrowed" one of his jokes, Ritch paints a picture of the art form's wild evolution. He also drops mind-blowing facts about the origins of stand-up, like how a guy named Artemus Ward made Abraham Lincoln laugh through the Civil War, while weaving in his own road-warrior adventures from the 1980s boom. It's a funny, fast, and surprisingly educational trip through laughter itself. Show Highlights: Ritch reveals how Robin Williams once did one of his jokes on SNL — and tried to pay him for it. The 1980s comedy scene: when cocaine, chaos, and creativity all shared the same dressing room. How a 19th-century comic helped Abraham Lincoln survive the stress of war — with punchlines. Sam Kinison's early days: from college bombings to HBO breakout fame (and a drug deal or two). The secret link between vaudeville, radio, and today's stand-up podcasts. What Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and today's comics all have in common, total fearlessness. The moment Ritch had to perform right after John Lennon's death — and how one comic ruined it. You're going to love my conversation with Ritch Shydner IMDB Website Facebook TikTok Instagram Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host): Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter Podcast website Podcast on Instagram Subscribe to my Youtube channel Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show Ways to support the show: Buy me a coffee (support the show) Dashery/TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more! Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop. SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social's Instagram and Facebook DM automation! Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond) Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.