Mort Sahl explains politics - 1967

[@WalterReimer]

RIP, Mort. 94 years is a hell of a run.

[@AnthonyVincentD]

I heard him speak near his home here in Marin...they've taped hundreds of his weekly talks at the Throckmorton theater..which he had done right up to COVID...every thursday night...

[@trainer1158]

@@AnthonyVincentD Can they be viewed here?

[@lawrencebrooks5996]

I saw his act and met him once.... the kindest man. How I miss his fantastic wit and intelligence that were hallmarks of his standup set. Totally unique and one of a kind.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Same.

[@HansDelbruck53]

Unique and one-of-a-kind is redundant.

[@Razormiller]

Never heard of this guy till today. I was reading up about Young Frankenstein and then went on a wikipedia rabbit hole that led to him so I youtubed him. Glad I did. He had a very sharp wit and this bit is still relevant today. Good to see he had a long and full life. RIP

[@cynthiaflanagan3928]

This morning I thought "I miss Mort Saul" and what a great find. Can't believe he's 92 and still sharing his wit.

[@artygunnar]

Not anymore

[@Aidan-tu4un]

@@artygunnar found this video after reading his obituary in paper… being from UK, I had never heard of him… his early work shows the same nervousness as you saw in Steven Wright’s appearance on Johnny Carson show.

[@Kayaz48]

Brilliant brillant man. He had a radio show late in his career in DC, and I loved listening on my way home from work.

[@oOoteethoOo]

interesting

[@TheCRTProductions]

"What do I know about politics, I'm an actor" What a profound statement!

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

Not sure what you mean, all politics is acting.

[@_misterben]

@TheCRTProductions Twas an oblique Ronald Reagan reference who had said something similar but, in the year of this recording, 1967, nonetheless became Governor of California. I imagine the viewers at the time would have been more aware of the reference than we are today.

[@S.J.L]

"Politics is show business for ugly people."

[@le_th_]

@@_misterben When I was a young teen in the 80s, we all heard that over and over. Adults still voted for the attention-seeking pos.

[@KitCalder]

Not much of that self-awareness going around Hollywood today.

[@Cav723]

Amazing how relevant a lot of this still is

[@Stonewall42]

Funnily enough the left wing of the left wing were the ones who were 100% right about that one.

[@bazbiiiis]

Yep the old decennial debate, they came out on top on iraq too

[@preppysocks209]

The saddest statement is: "I hope McNamara knows what he is doing." Tragically, he didn't, and it caused divisions in this country that reverberate to this day, never mind the consequences for people in Vietnam.

[@cfwintner1]

Agree 100%.

[@user-tg9gg3fy2f]

McNamara himself came to this conclusion, hence the Pentagon Papers which were being secretly written at this time, and spending more time with his family. He goes into his many, many failures in his autobiography, In Retrospect.

[@adamchurvis1]

If you'd like a practical reminder of just how effing ignorant McNamara was, he's primarily responsible for the utterly stupid and internationally embarrassing "Forward Assist Device" on the right side of the M-16 (AR-15, M-4 Carbine, etc), which is the equivalent of LITERALLY hitting a jammed bolt with a hammer to try to force it into lock so the rifle can fire. Of course, that was McNamara's solution to his OTHER technical screw-up in Vietnam when he changed the kind of propellant used in the M-16's ammunition to one that burned "gummy" in tropical climates, and all without rigorous testing. Please, America-- no more "Numbers Men" running things!

[@tmjmccormack]

wait how is that funny?

[@le_th_]

@@user-tg9gg3fy2f He actually reflected on his failures...or the person who wrote his autobiography did?

[@bahcsas]

Rest in peace. He was way ahead of his time.

[@nicomedy2010]

RIP Mort (94), a real, real genius ;-(

[@Kenjuu]

I looked this up because William Friedkin mentioned him, and I am glad I did. This guy is brilliantly hilarious! His politics are spot on.

[@karnubawax]

Mort - along with Steve Allen - was one of the first modern stand-up comedians. He's brilliant. Wish there was more old Mort on KZbin. Some of his early albums are classics.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Has a show EVERY Thursday.. They are all on KZbin and Periscope..albums

[@cfwintner1]

Don't forget Shelly Berman

[@EHH246]

Mort Sahl and Lenny Bruce are the fathers of modern stand up comedy.

[@blodgettshouseofinsanity]

EHH246 you can't forget George carlin. He was amazing

[@Devio42]

Look up Mark Twain

[@hellbooks3024]

Jesus was pretty funny, in his day.

[@mwidunn]

@@Devio42 . . . or, Will Rogers.

[@rayjr62]

Redd Foxx was working in clubs when both Mort and Lenny were still in fucking high school.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

The brilliant Mort Sahl, who was born in Canada! my country, wish we could "claim him". He opened so many doors- does anybody out there know Lenny Bruce's opinion of him? Not being of their Era, I know of Lenny Bruce via George Carlin's admiration for him- Namaste

[@luckyswine]

Lenny and Mort got along fine as far as I know. They'd have played a lot of the same venues. Lenny was more hip than Mort though. And younger I guess?

[@gkbhai8962]

Amazing how relevant this all is.

[@Bill-jc1fy]

I remember him from the 60's and 70's. He was a brilliant humorist and made politics interesting. He poked fun at all points of view. RIP, Mort

[@LoyalOpposition]

I have a ton of Mort Sahl stuff on my channel.

[@lemorab1]

Thanks so much for posting this! He is brilliant. I'm going to see him in December, while he's still around. Mort Sahl is an invaluable cultural treasure.

[@Shadowguy456234]

Now that I know he's still performing I'm going to go myself - and take everbody I can fit in the car!

[@irish66]

the host is the actor Gene Barry.

[@tomrobbins5242]

Suppressed legacy. Thank you uploader.

[@jasondownsnet]

A couple of years ago I did a show with Mort at the Throckmorten theatre in Mill Valley...his home. He was still super cool and looked great. I wanted a picture with him so bad, but it's bad etiquette to ask when you are a comic yourself. I regret not asking him for a picture. I have one with Carlin, I wish I had one with Mort so bad.

[@cfwintner1]

Hes still around. Go find him and get the picture. Without Mort, I'm not sure Carlin would have been Carlin.

[@GreenCloudArtOrg420]

it's always OK when someone is a living legend... life is short, get the pic!

[@averat84]

Weren't you a fan before you were were a comic?

[@AliceYobby]

No offense Jason, seriously, but you need to check the typos on your bio on here. KZbin is important! First impressions even more so :)

[@jasondownsnet]

@@AliceYobby thank you.

[@julirensch]

where I began my Political Science saga... great fun and incidentally, great truths Bravo Mort Sahl

[@AshitaNoKanousei42]

Who else looked this up because of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?

[@JDavis1982]

AshitaNoKanousei42 meeeeeee!!!

[@BookClubDisaster]

Me

[@ArielBadilla]

jaj me

[@edmiles5822]

Indeed

[@graymoreghost]

Add me to the list! How funny is that?

[@k1To12310]

It’s 2023 and politics are pretty much the same as it was in 1967

[@cfwintner1]

As brilliant today as it was 53 years ago.

[@kiddingme01]

make that 54 years ago :)

[@michaelamerlan4826]

I also did and as result learned he is alive and well and still performing live every Thursday night! You can stream him live or view previous performances @mortsahlsays

[@Franz19970]

Joe Kennedy said, "I will devote myself to destroying your career." After he said "I expose power through comedy" in the 1950s

[@LoyalOpposition]

So true.

[@eottoe2001]

People don't realize that in the 1960s the center used to be social democrats. A Bernie Sanders would have been no big deal. Nixon was left of Bill Clinton, Obama and Biden in terms of policy and government administration.

[@randywein]

RIP Mort Saul, died October 26, 2021 at age of 94.

[@vmanfactor5]

Sahl

[@jansumi]

Came here while waiting to see him on Seth Myers shortly. Wow. Had no idea he was still around. Wow!

[@markoblazney6360]

the absolute best. Mort.

[@ellenrosenblatt5463]

brilliant comedy. Didn't use the"f" word once. Of course, I'll be the first to confess, I like the "f" word as much as the next person.

[@Ammo08]

RIP Mort....you were the greatest..

[@Gothamauto]

Godspeed to an insightful human being.

[@christopherkloe6442]

Great piece

[@ronmackinnon9374]

From 'The Hollywood Palace,' hosted by Gene Barry. Aired on May 6, 1967.

[@stevecomins7837]

RIP ... We should show this to children in school. They have a right to know about the world and the added benefit of the education of a very easy to follow flow-chart. (heh heh) Flow-chart are very important for the future success of our children. Wouldn't you agree?

[@luckyswine]

I'm a teacher and I ripped this off.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

That's a diagram, not a flow chart - which depict processes.

[@stuna91]

SOOOO ahead of his time holy!!

[@LoyalOpposition]

Has a show EVERY Thursday.. They are all on KZbin and Periscope

[@nickames3808]

STILL Relevant and Right On Today !!!

[@trainer1158]

That was masterful!

[@teecee3866]

Mort is Genius.

[@iyarkayinillakanam2404]

He said that's your ticket to become governor of california - Arnold wow damn these guys are genius Mort Sahl, bill hicks, George Carlin catching up are russel brand and sacha baron cohen

[@yournamehere6002]

He was referencing Ronald Reagan, who was Governor of California

[@LoyalOpposition]

Has a show EVERY Thursday.. They are all on KZbin and Periscope..

[@_misterben]

@@yournamehere6002 Exactly. Arnie didnt fill that particular seat for many more years.

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Such a funny man. Thank you

[@LoyalOpposition]

I have a ton of Mort Sahl stuff on my channel.

[@tecnique000]

thanks I'll check it out

[@kearyjones]

This explains it all!

[@bluetoad2001]

that was a great bit, hard to remember all the positions

[@lofiftyfifty9206]

So very funny and all still spot on👍🏻

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

The BALLS on this man. Btw, any young ppl looking here, there were only 3 networks. Nbc, cbs, and abc. Its not like cable. 1 network shared 1/3 of the television home viewers.

[@sbwification2]

"There's 4000 members of the Communist party and 3000 of them are FBI". I can't believe how prescient a 55 year old joke is.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Listen to his interviews. They're more relevant than ever. I have hundreds of his videos on just my channel alone. Was a pal of his, too.

[@robzombie5969]

Mort Sahl. R. I. P.

[@mandykhoo2473]

great confidence

[@tvfn9]

R.I.P.

[@appidydafoo]

What an absolute nightmare

[@ElvisComedy]

Very cool!

[@jamesbevan9939]

Rest in peace, Mort.

[@MrNaturalSez]

This must be where Father Martin got his 'Chalk Talks' from!

[@JoannaCibrian]

Absolutely hilarious!

[@le_th_]

Pretty much true.

[@PhilKuhlenbeckGOOGLE]

Perfect

[@Daves_Faves]

George Carlin brought me here. I can see Mort's influence on him. What I'd really like to see is a modern version of this with current politicians, etc. I don't know enough history of the 60s to fully "get" some of these references.

[@LoyalOpposition]

I have a ton of Mort Sahl stuff on my channel.

[@Daves_Faves]

@@LoyalOpposition Subscribed, thanks!

[@LoyalOpposition]

@@Daves_Faves Enjoy!

[@markdouglas668]

Sahl helped fashion our times by how we viewed the world.He and Lenny Bruce were on equal ground.

[@darrininverarity4297]

Camelot is the double crosser/the left feared the Kennedy power,this guy was a unfortune teller and a comic.

[@Chesterton7]

Brilliant.

[@DiegoGomez-pk5tg]

wth I'm doing this for an English assignment but damn this guy's good.

[@mrjuanderfuI]

Brought by Zach Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion

[@williammcgrath9466]

Peter Jennings ? I looked it up .Youngest anchorman ever in 1965.

[@SonGoku-et9fk]

Social Democrat? That sounds kind of familiar.

[@shyshift]

Host: Gene Barry. I would guess this is The Hollywood Palace.

[@leorivers7759]

P.S. Gene Berry. You've seen him, Bat Masterson and the stlll great, 1st movie version of War of the Worlds.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

A forgotten comic genius. Died today at age 94.

[@privateprivate1865]

Im sick of constant wars

[@davewallace8219]

the guy is sharp!!!

[@elizabethj8510]

Pretty daring stuff for the Hollywood Palace.

[@b.walter6646]

Sahl was the best comedian of the 50s and 60s. So much funnier and articulate than Lenny Btuce.

[@LoyalOpposition]

Mort is the greatest. I've been collecting his interviews/stand-up for 20 years.

[@davewallace8219]

the way it is!

[@davewallace8219]

humor is the best way!

[@sanchitatrivedi2926]

Smart man 😍😍

[@LoyalOpposition]

I have a ton of Mort Sahl stuff on my channel.

[@macaodh4348]

Mort Sahl. Now just Mort. R.I.P.

[@MyLOLPwny]

Pretty smart comedy. That is lacking these days.

[@karnubawax]

+Ian Bucklowe What's scary is how accurate it is 50 years later!

[@j7286]

Except Mort Sahl would have to shove half of America to the far far right......in fact, he would need another chalk board. And there would be nothing to the left of far right middle of the road. And if he said the word Social Democrats, people would have seizures.

[@slickasplunderful7040]

he jokes about all sides

[@cjaquilino]

+ 1 AlaskanAssassin Actually, political comedy seems to have exploded over the past ten years: Samantha Bee, Daily Show, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel (is now political), John Oliver, even Jimmy Fallon (who wasn't known for political comedy) now does it. I think with Trump being a celebrity and attracting a lot of good and bad attention in the news cycle, quite a lot of people would be familiar with current political figures. I mean, this is an era where people literally get their news from their comedy.

[@jojoUK120]

Christopher A. Absolutely, satire’s never been healthier in the US! I’m impressed by Mort Sahl’s analogue graphics tho 😎

[@jantyszka1036]

Interesting comment on Bobby Kennedy as he is now the "lost" liberal President the country never had: a left-wing rightist until he made a speech, then he moved left.

[@tristansnow]

Rest In Peace

[@jeffersonianideal]

Four years prior to the Libertarian Party coming into existence.

[@Mrbimdrummer]

Rest in peace Mort

[@FernandoGonzalez-ub9iw]

I came here after reading Woody Allen autobiography, Apropos of nothing.

[@cynthiaarmstrong6570]

God, I wish he was around to analyze Trump!

[@GaryKaskel]

He IS still alive! :-)

[@cynthiaarmstrong6570]

Just checked him out on his Twitter account!

[@LoyalOpposition]

Has a show EVERY Thursday.. They are all on KZbin and Periscope..

[@berndminde1674]

Were people just smarter then? This would be a hard sell today. Edumacation and all...

[@alivewithpassion]

Who else is here because of Artie Lang and Eric the Midget.

[@emsleywyatt3400]

I'm a middle of the road extremist.

[@LoyalOpposition]

That's easy, since there is no left-wing in the US

[@coffeeNTrees]

rest in memory you genius

[@nealgold322]

RIP Mort ז״ל

[@jchabalk]

RIP Mort Sahl

[@1computernew]

RIP

[@alanoravec9463]

RIP.☹

[@irish66]

I thought that was brilliant. But I'm in my 50', so perhaps young people could not see the humour, but then again, young people can surprise you.

[@manDroidXX96]

Here here, I'm 18 and I've been really getting into Mort Sahl lately

[@irish66]

Andrew Ouellette Well one at least :) I cant remember the clip now. Did it have topical remarks in it. If Not, well then the first part of my previous comment, i would take back. You either found it funny or you didn't. Excuse me for correcting you, Andrew, but it should be "Hear Hear" Hope you had a nice Christmas.

[@karnubawax]

+irish66 See... this is why young people don't like us...

[@LoyalOpposition]

@@manDroidXX96 Has a show EVERY Thursday.. They are all on KZbin and Periscope

[@superdeluxesmell]

irish66 It’s not exactly rocket science, don’t flatter yourself gramps.

[@taojammz]

You getting any gigs in standup?

[@wavomondo]

Here's the whole show: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWjNn5yorM2IoMk

[@walkertongdee]

and the one on the right burned his drivers license..

[@igormitic5094]

10 +

[@jellef4704]

Wow. He was shitting on the mustang like it was a long running joke as a pretend muscle car when it was in its second year

[@Psony9]

I did! :- )

[@bigsassyster]

Did he really call Lyndon Johnson middle of the right-wing?

[@pgregston]

He called Robert Kennedy middle of the right wing, "until he got interested in civil rights.