By Steve :: Bits ::


Singing Balls

Steve has done several classic bits which are totally silent. The Great Flydini is one of the best. Singing Balls follows in that tradition, but instead of magic, it is based on slapstick.

It is performed with Steve adusting the microphone to point at his crotch and then letting his balls sing as the Andrews Sisters, "Mr. Sandman."

Singing Balls on David Letterman -- see it here
(requires RealPlayer)

    
   
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20001004/en/wkd_steve_martin_1.html
Wednesday October 4 1:12 PM ET
Steve Martin Gets Literary
HILLEL ITALIE, Associated Press Writer

From an interview that was mainly about Shopgirl...

This fall, his major work will be as a performer. In mid November, he will again be the host of the National Book Awards. A few days earlier, he will appear at a benefit for curing juvenile diabetes, entertaining guests at the Waldorf Astoria with a musical act he playfully calls ``Steve Martin and His Singing Balls.''
 		    
  ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS (Denver CO)
March 3, 2001, Saturday
Local; Ed. Final; Pg. 53A
PRYOR TOP COMIC, NEWHART SAYS
By Michael Mehle, News Staff Writer

Clean cut, polite and the epitomy of a different era of entertainment, Bob Newhart had a surprising answer when asked which comics he held in high esteem.

"To me, the most influential comedian of the last 50 years is Richard Pryor," said Newhart, who was honored at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival on Friday. "Once you get past the language which really didn't bother me he was brilliant. He introduced me to his world."

Newhart's high praise for Pryor was one of many pleasant surprises to unfold already at the seventh annual comedy fest, which has drawn Steve Martin, Martin Short, Billy Crystal and dozens of other comedians to town for a long weekend of performances and tributes.

Friday, Newhart was on center stage, talking about his stammering stand up routines, stints in Las Vegas, relationship with Don Rickles and two super successful sitcoms.

Dressed in his typical uniform with an open shirt and sport coat, he took questions from moderator David Steinberg, heaped praise on past co stars and puzzled over the appeal of Newhart characters Larry, Daryl and Daryl.

"They were inexplicable," he said. "They reminded me of Deliverance."


And, finally, he left the crowd studded with entertainment industry executives and stars such as Martin Mull with one last nice surprise, confirming that he's "having discussions" with the networks about yet another sitcom.

Some early honors and observations from the first few days of USCAF, which wraps up tonight:

Best laugh without a word: As part of a late night / early morning revue at the St. Regis hotel, Steve Martin set the microphone up at belt level and pretended that his private parts were singing Mr. Sandman while the song played over the sound system. The audience roared for four minutes, then Martin left the stage without ever opening his mouth.

Best break from one liners: Whose Line Is It Anyway?'s Wayne Brady brought a fast, furious and funny improv act to the Wheeler Opera House late Thursday. Made up hip hop songs, Broadway tunes about a sponge bath and a '70s action flick performed forward, backward and in slow motion were part of a performance that was just as funny when the jokes flopped as when they were dead on. (And he brings the show to Denver's Fillmore on Sunday).

Best dig at Aspen: Billy Crystal appeared as Sammy Davis Jr. at an early morning performance Friday and said he had returned from the dead for the weekend to help double the number of black skiers on the Aspen slopes.

Three names to watch for: The comedy trio of Matt Price, Jason Nash and Mike Blieden returned to Aspen and stole the spotlight at Janeane Garofalo's winter comedy pageant and, later, at Catherine O'Hara's Late Night Lounge. Whether playing the part of faux jazz singers or a boy band with a ballad about making love in their robes, Price, Nash and Blieden showed why they're already working on a show for Fox.

On tap for today: Tributes to American Graffiti (that, barring a last second surprise, will be absent its biggest stars, Harrison Ford, Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss, the groundbreaking television show In Living Color and Billy Crystal.
 
   
 
   
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