Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts April 18, 1949 Lenny Bruce

Leonard "Lenny Bruce" Schneider (1925-1966) became one of the most popular and controversial comedians of the 1950s and 1960s. In his stand-up routines he pushed the bounds of obscenity and legal problems and drug addiction destroyed his career and led to his death at the age of 40. Lenny Bruce has become an icon of American culture, a pioneer of stand-up comedy and a strong advocate for free speech. Bruce's legal battles were instrumental in changing the definition of obscenity in America and weakening censorship in broadcast and entertainment. Few know that he got his first break with a national audience on radio. After serving as a combat soldier in Europe at the age of 18 in the Second World War, Bruce began a career as an impressionist and comedian in Brooklyn. In 1949 he was a contestant on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, a showcase for young performers. Bruce is introduced by his mother, who introduces herself as "Sally Bruce". Maybe I'm weird, but Bruce's routine reminds me of the Dick Van Dyke Show, when they flashed back to his Army days. See what you think.