Zaniness (redirected from zany)

Zaniness

Allen, Gracie

(1902–1964) actress who played scatterbrained wife of George Burns. [TV: “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” in Terrace, I, 303–304]

Ball, Lucille

(1910–) American comedienne; “unchallenged queen of scatterbrains.” [TV: “I Love Lucy” in Terrace, I, 383]

Caesar, Sid

(1922–) pillar of zany 1950s comedy. [TV: “Your Show of Shows” in Terrace, II, 290–291]

Harvard Lampoon

mocking, satirical periodical. [Am. Pop. Culture: Misc.]

Hellzapoppin

Olsen and Johnson’s “screamlined revue” de-scribed by one drama critic as a “demented vaudeville brawl.” [Am.Theater: Misc.]

Keystone Kops

the slapstick film comedians specializing in wild chases (1912-1920). [Am. Cinema: Halliwell, 399]

Krazy Kat

tremendously zany, popular comic character that delighted Jazz Age intellectuals. [Comics: Payton, 372; “Krazy Kat” in Horn, 436]

Mad magazine

popular publication featuring zany approach to life. [Am. Pop. Culture: Misc.]

Monty Python’s Flying Circus

ingenious, satiric show that uses both live action and animation. [Br. and Am. TV: Terrace, II, 108]

Sales, Soupy

(1926–) American entertainer; children’s “funny man.” [TV: “The Soupy Sales Show” in Terrace, II, 305]

Skelton, Red

(1910–) comedian with zaniness personified in characters such as Freddie the Freeloader and Clem Kaddiddlehopper. [TV: “The Red Skelton Show” in Terrace, II, 238]

Three Stooges, the

(Moe Howard, 1897–1975) (Shemp Howard, 1895–1955) (Larry Fine, 1902–1975) masters of slapstick in the extreme. [TV: Terrace, II, 366]