tahoe.com video gallery
mytahoe member videos
tahoe.com photo galleries
mytahoe member photo galleries
mytahoe member videos
tahoe.com photo galleries
mytahoe member photo galleries
You can add your own videos and photos to tahoe.com by becoming a member of mytahoe!
Spend your vacation at Lake Tahoe, YOUR way. Renting a home is easier than you think, and we can help.
Sign up for our monthly vacation rentals newsletter, and you'll get more than just listings; you'll get
information on why, how and where to rent your vacation castle.
<< BACK
Rare Tahoe appearances at The Improv
Tahoe.com
By Howie Nave
Special to Lake Tahoe Action
This weekend's Improv headliner, Franklyn Ajaye, is teetering on the brink of legendary status.
He is a man of many talents who has gone through many incarnations. Ajaye was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but raised in Los Angeles by an African father and a Florida-born mother. He likes to joke that he is a “true African-American.”
A former law student, the Emmy-nominated TV writer (“In Living Color,” “Politically Incorrect,” “NYPD Blue”) also is a skilled film actor (“Car Wash,” “Stir Crazy,” “The Jazz Singer”), musician and author of “Comic Insights: The Art of Stand Up Comedy.” The book features full-length interviews with 17 of America's best standup comedians.
Ajaye's first time on stage was at an amateur night at the Village Gate in Greenwich Village. Encouraged by the laughter, Ajaye quit law school, returned to Los Angeles and spent his evenings perfecting routines at The Comedy Store on Sunset.
He made his network debut on “The Flip Wilson Show” back in 1973 and a year later made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” At the same time, A&M Records released his first album, “Franklyn Ajaye, Comedian.” The success of that release led to: “I'm A Comedian, Seriously,” “Don't Smoke Dope, Fry Your Hair,” “Plaid Pants and Psychopaths” and “Vagabond Jazz & the Abstract Truth.”
Variety Magazine wrote, “If Lenny Bruce were to be reincarnated, he might come back in a slightly different form — as Franklyn Ajaye.”
“He has Pryor's insights, and Cosby's cool,” the San Francisco Chronicle wrote.
Franklyn became restless for adventure and moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1997. He performed his one-man show, taught TV writing, acted in the children's adventure television series “Pirate Islands” and appeared on “The Panel” and “Thank God You're Here” on Australian TV.
Franklyn moved back to the United States five years ago.
Special to Lake Tahoe Action
This weekend's Improv headliner, Franklyn Ajaye, is teetering on the brink of legendary status.
He is a man of many talents who has gone through many incarnations. Ajaye was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but raised in Los Angeles by an African father and a Florida-born mother. He likes to joke that he is a “true African-American.”
A former law student, the Emmy-nominated TV writer (“In Living Color,” “Politically Incorrect,” “NYPD Blue”) also is a skilled film actor (“Car Wash,” “Stir Crazy,” “The Jazz Singer”), musician and author of “Comic Insights: The Art of Stand Up Comedy.” The book features full-length interviews with 17 of America's best standup comedians.
Ajaye's first time on stage was at an amateur night at the Village Gate in Greenwich Village. Encouraged by the laughter, Ajaye quit law school, returned to Los Angeles and spent his evenings perfecting routines at The Comedy Store on Sunset.
He made his network debut on “The Flip Wilson Show” back in 1973 and a year later made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” At the same time, A&M Records released his first album, “Franklyn Ajaye, Comedian.” The success of that release led to: “I'm A Comedian, Seriously,” “Don't Smoke Dope, Fry Your Hair,” “Plaid Pants and Psychopaths” and “Vagabond Jazz & the Abstract Truth.”
Variety Magazine wrote, “If Lenny Bruce were to be reincarnated, he might come back in a slightly different form — as Franklyn Ajaye.”
“He has Pryor's insights, and Cosby's cool,” the San Francisco Chronicle wrote.
Franklyn became restless for adventure and moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1997. He performed his one-man show, taught TV writing, acted in the children's adventure television series “Pirate Islands” and appeared on “The Panel” and “Thank God You're Here” on Australian TV.
Franklyn moved back to the United States five years ago.
Rubber-faced Mickey
Comedian Mickey Joseph hasn't been here in a long time, either.
Mickey's comedy is twofold: He uses facial expressions as much as he does telling jokes. His physical comedy style of comedy harkens back to a time when comics such as Groucho Marx, Jerry Lewis and Jack Benny could show an expression without saying a word and leave you laughing out loud, uncontrollably. This rubber-faced, nonstop comic genius brings out the best in his audience.
He landed a plum role playing Joey Bishop as part of the “Las Vegas Rat Pack.” Their shows have been playing to sold-out theaters nationwide. His television credits include NBC's “Friday Night Videos,” ABC's “America's Funniest People,” UPN's “Comedy Day Celebration” and Fox's “San Francisco Morning Show.”
Mickey also has taken to writing books. His first, “What Would Don Corleone Do?” which, as most of us know, is the philosophy behind “The Godfather.” Reading it is an offer you can't refuse. Mickey also wrote “A Comedian's Guide to Stress Management in the Workplace.” He is like a motivational speaker, using humor to make workplace relations more palatable. He offers an extremely funny, clean, one-hour presentation on stress management at work.
The nice thing though about having him in our club is that any language police won't confine him: This will be a great weekend, so plan on dropping by.
— Franklyn Ajaye and Mickey Joseph perform through Sunday, June 28, at The Improv inside Harveys Resort and Casino. Howie Nave is the host and emcee. John Henton and Wendy Hammers appear July 1-5. Showtime is 9 p.m., except Saturday, when there are 8 and 10 p.m. performances. Tickets are $25 and $30. The Improv is dark on Monday and Tuesday.
advertisements
