The Reverend Warren Debenham Comedy Sound Collection

The Reverend Warren Debenham Comedy Sound Collection documents American comedy from the early 1930s through 2006 and consists of long playing albums and compact discs of live performances, spoken word recordings, humorous music, musical theater, and film soundtracks. In addition to recordings of individual comics, the collection contains compilations of various comedians. Also included are compilations of radio series, among them "Our Miss Brooks," "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show," "Duffy's Tavern" and "The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show" that were broadcasted during the early 1930s through the mid 1950s. Other long running radio programs, in particular "The Chase and Sanborn Show," "Amos 'n' Andy," and "The Bickfords" are contained in the collection. In addition, recordings by George Jessel, Victor Borge, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Florence Foster Jenkins, and Spike Jones provide insight into the influence of vaudeville and burlesque that characterized American humor during the first half of the 20th century.

Also represented is the work of Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley, Erma Bombeck, David Frye, George Carlin, and many other comedians who, during the 1960s and 1970s, found their material in the social, political, religious, and cultural changes that were occurring during that time. Among the comediennes who challenged the conventions of motherhood, wives, and respectable women were LaWanda Page, Fanny Flagg, Belle Barth, and Pearl Williams. The influence of these entertainers is reflected through the work of later generations of comics, among them Sam Kinison, Martin Lawrence, Jerry Seinfeld, The Queens of Comedy, and Chris Rock. The collection also contains recordings of comedy troupes, especially The Capitol Steps, Second City, and Firesign Theater.

Subjects cover such topics as politics, relationships, religion, parenting, adolescence, and African-American culture. Genres include adult entertainment, satire, comedy songs and humorous music, improvisational, impressions, stand-up, telephone pranks, observational, regional, ethnic, and dark humor.