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Don Rickles’ comedy album Hello Dummy!, released in 1968, has been recognized as the 14th comedy album to earn a spot in the National Recording Registry (NRR). The album’s title and content reflect the bold and irreverent style that Rickles was renowned for throughout his career.
Hello Dummy! received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album in 1969 and followed this with another nomination the subsequent year for Don Rickles Speaks! In both instances, he was edged out by Bill Cosby. Despite being a fixture on television for decades, Rickles didn’t receive a Primetime Emmy nomination until 2008, when his unique comedic persona was finally acknowledged. That year, he went on to win an Emmy for outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program for the HBO special Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.
The National Recording Registry lists albums from several comedians who have also been honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Notable names include Richard Pryor, Carl Reiner, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Steve Martin, George Carlin, and Cosby (whose prize was revoked after his conviction for sexual assault in 2018).
Among the comedy albums recognized in the NRR, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart and The First Family by Vaughn Meader both achieved extended runs at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Additionally, Steve Martin’s A Wild and Crazy Guy nearly topped the charts, holding the second position for six weeks.
The adage that laughter contributes to longevity appears to hold true, as several comedians within this group have reached remarkable ages. Mel Brooks, at 98, and Tom Lehrer, at 96, are a testament to this. Other notable figures have also lived to 90 or beyond: Carl Reiner and Mort Sahl both lived until 98 and 94 respectively, while Rickles passed away at 90, leaving behind a legacy of laughter.
Here is a detailed overview of the 14 full-length albums that form part of the National Recording Registry, presented chronologically based on their release dates.
Tom Lehrer, Songs by Tom Lehrer (1953)
Billboard 200 peak: Did not chart
Notes: Lehrer, now 96, gained significant traction in the 1960s with songs tackling contemporary social and political themes. He contributed to the American version of the British TV show That Was the Week That Was, which aired from 1963 to 1965, and his 1965 album That Was the Year That Was peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200.
Mort Sahl, At Sunset (1958)
Billboard 200 peak: Did not chart
Notes: Recorded in 1955 and released in 1958, this album showcased Sahl’s unique style. Notably, he hosted the first Grammy Awards on May 4, 1959, and was nominated for best comedy performance for The Future Lies Ahead. His later album, Mort Sahl at the Hungry i, reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200. Sahl passed away in 2021 at the age of 94.
Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks, 2000 Years With Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks (1960)
Billboard 200 peak: Did not chart
Notes: This album marked the inception of five collaborations between Reiner and Brooks, inspired by their famous “2000 Year Old Man” routine, a comedy classic on par with Abbott & Costello’s iconic “Who’s on First.” The album was nominated for a Grammy, and its sequel, The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000, won the award in 1999. Brooks, now 98, has received the prestigious EGOT status, while Reiner won 11 Primetime Emmys before his passing in 2020.
Bob Newhart, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (1960)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (14 weeks)
Notes: This album holds the record for the longest No. 1 reign for a comedy album on the Billboard 200 and was the first comedy album to receive the Grammy for album of the year. Despite a less vibrant recording career, Newhart had notable success on television, securing an Emmy in 2013. He passed away in 2024 at the age of 94.
Stan Freberg, Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America (1961)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 34
Notes: Freberg was nominated for best comedy performance with this album and had previously won in 1959 for The Best of the Stan Freberg Shows. His novelty single “St. George and the Dragonet” topped Billboard’s charts in 1953. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 88.
Vaughn Meader, The First Family (1962)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (12 weeks)
Notes: This parody of the Kennedy family became a sensation during JFK’s presidency. Winning Grammy awards for both album of the year and best comedy recording, Meader’s career never recovered after Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. He died in 2004 at the age of 68.
Bill Cosby, I Started Out as a Child (1964)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 32
Notes: This album marked a significant point in Cosby’s career, which later ended in controversy. It received a Grammy nomination for best comedy performance, and he holds the record for the most Grammy wins by a comedian, having secured nine in total. Cosby is currently 87.
Don Rickles, Hello Dummy (1968)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 54
Notes: Rickles recorded Hello Dummy! at the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and it was his debut album with Warner Bros. Records. Known as Mr. Warmth, his cutting style of humor influenced many, including Joan Rivers. Rickles passed away in 2017 at age 90.
Firesign Theatre — Don’t Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers (1970)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 106
Notes: As the sole comedy troupe recognized in the NRR, the Firesign Theatre had eight albums chart on Billboard, with their highest peaking at No. 50.
Lily Tomlin, This Is a Recording (1971)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 15
Notes: This album features Tomlin’s beloved character Ernestine and snagged a Grammy for best comedy album, making her the first woman to achieve this distinction solo. At 85, she has also been recognized with six Primetime Emmys.
George Carlin, Class Clown (1972)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 22
Notes: Known for his iconic “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine, this album narrowly missed the top 20. Carlin’s talent earned him five Grammy awards and he also became a cultural icon, hosting the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975. Carlin died in 2008 at the age of 71.
Groucho Marx, An Evening With Groucho (1972)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 160
Notes: This double album features the wit of the iconic comedian and Marx Brothers member. Marx won an Emmy in 1951 and received an honorary Oscar in 1973 for his contributions to comedy. He died in 1977 at the age of 86.
Richard Pryor, Wanted (1978)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 32
Notes: This double album marked Pryor’s fourth entry in the Billboard 200’s top 40, following his previous successes, and he was a recipient of five Grammys. In 2006, he was the first comedian to win a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. Pryor passed away in 2005 at 65.
Steve Martin, A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978)
Billboard 200 peak: No. 2 (six weeks)
Notes: This album earned Martin his second consecutive Grammy for best comedy album and included the hit single “King Tut,” which became a top 20 hit. At 79, Martin boasts five Grammys and an honorary Oscar, but surprisingly holds just one Primetime Emmy award from his early career.
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