The Comedy-O-Rama HourThe Comedy-O-Rama Hour BLOGHey everyone!
Here are just a few of our best station and listener reviews - Ranger Joe
The Comedy-O-Rama July 4th Special
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:00
Amusing, Humorous, Light-hearted
I listened to Part One of this comedy special. The programs opens with daughter Laurie talking with Mom on the phone. Within two minutes, I was chuckling. When Mom mentions her “lard and sugar” sandwich that she put down somewhere, the producer had me. This “visit to Camp Waterlogg with Ranger Joe and Ranger Laurie” in the Catskills is delightfully funny, with characters that are goofy and cute. Good for light, summer listening.
D. Cameron Lawrence, Down to Earth Productions
Louisville, KY
July 1, 2005
The Comedy-O-Rama July 4th Special
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:00
Amusing, Humorous, Light-hearted
The Comedy-O-Rama draws characters that everyone can relate to, just turned up a notch for chuckles. The production is slick and story engaging.
Tanya Ott, WBHM-FM
Birmingham, AL
July 10, 2005
The Comedy-O-Rama Hour "War Of the Worlds" Special!
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:00
Engaging, Humorous
This one is a step ahead of other WOTW pieces because it features interviews with John Houseman, Arthur Anderson, and Howard Koch. There's nothing like listening to the people who were part of the show.
Emon Hassan
New York, NY
July 2, 2005
THE COMEDY-O-RAMA "LEWIS BLACK" SPECIAL
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:30
Engaging, Humorous, Unconventional
Lewis Black is an excellent comedian and you may know him from his regular appearances on The Daily Show.
This is a funny special, with a mix of interviews, stand-up comedy and sketches. It would work great for a holiday or weekend special. It should be easy to schedule and is not time dependent.
I found myself laughing out loud several times. It's well produced and has a good flow.
Arvid Hokanson, KUOW
June 27, 2006
THE COMEDY-O-RAMA "LEWIS BLACK" SPECIAL
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:30
Amusing, Elaborate, Light-hearted
Warning! You are now entering a corny zone! Joe Bevilacqua has returned with his masterfully produced, [extraordinary] Comedy O Rama specials. Daws Butler's disciple has one again managed to craft an hour that will have you singing "Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh" in a wistful moment of Hannah Barbara nostalgia as the denizens of Camp Waterlogg return. Only this time the show features an interview with and standup from professional angry man Lewis Black... there is a loyal audience longing for these shows and the production values are absolutely incredible. An amazing hour of radio that is not for everyone.
Jonathan Groubert, Radio Netherlands
Hilversum
June 27, 2006
Louis Armstrong's New Orleans, with Wynton Marsalis
Joe Bevilacqua, 58:30
Informational, Polished, Sound Rich
Joe Bevilacqua strikes again with this superb documentary on the life and music of Louis Armstrong. The rich tapestry of music, interviews and sound from the streets of New Orleans is expertly produced. In addition to some rare recordings, the program includes interviews with Wynton Marsalas and others that really add to what is primarily a music program, rather than detract from the focus of the program. The sound quality is excellent, and the vintage recordings have been cleaned up well. The program is both entertaining and informative, and held my interest for the entire hour. This program would fit well as a special hour in any local jazz program, and I highly recommend it.
Phil Corriveau, Wisconsin Public Radio
February 19, 2006
Three Tales of Old Hollywood
Joe Bevilacqua, 12:08
Amusing, Light, Polished
Anyone who's loved watching cartoons growing up will love this piece. The title, however, may get listeners to think of it as a supplementary piece to recent Oscar news, it's anything but.
The piece is more of a collage of voices and faces behind famous characters of the cinema. For instance, Mel Blanc explains how he came up with the 'voice' for Bugs Bunny. There are revealing moments with William Holden, Walter Brennan, and the man who played Lincoln in D. W. Griffith's 'Birth of A Nation.'
Third part of the piece is a delight, quickly giving us sound clips of famous cartoon characters and the voices who'd brought them to life. The piece is good for broadcast any time of the year.
Emon Hassan
New York, NY
May 2, 2005
Losing a Best Friend
Joe Bevilacqua, 08:18
Who hasn’t wondered about former old friends, and had the urge to touch base? Joe Bev takes the urge and acts, seeking out the best buddy he met in second grade and lost in college. Fortunate for him, he’s an inveterate tape-saver and has priceless archival tape of he and his buddy from their earliest comedic forays. Twenty-one years after their falling out, inspired by Paul and Art’s vocal reunion, Joe starts his search and takes us along for the ride.
Sydney Lewis, Atlantic Public Media
February 2, 2005
An Interview with Joe Barbera: REMASTERED
Joe Bevilacqua, 19:56
Amusing, Humorous, Sound Rich
I found it fascinating to listen to having as a child watched the Flintstones cartoon most weeknights before the BBC’s main evening news. I think this is a fantastic piece. I only hope Joe has more material with other animation pioneers in his archive. I would certainly be interested to hear it.
Chris Frear Butterfield
Leven
February 7, 2005
A Guy Named Joe Bevilacqua
Joe Bevilacqua, 07:27
Amusing, Engaging, Quirky
A neat, humorous piece with a hint of philosophical undertone for depth.
Laurence Stevenson
Toronto
May 12, 2005
A Guy Named Joe Bevilacqua
Joe Bevilacqua, 07:27
Amusing, Engaging, Humorous
I really like this piece! It's takes a very creative approach to what could have been a simple, two-dimensional story. It's also very memorable-- I recall hearing this on the air, and that was over a year ago. This makes for fun listening!
Scott Gurian
Norman, OK
July 17, 2004
A Guy Named Joe Bevilacqua
Joe Bevilacqua, 07:27
Amusing, Humorous
Good story, with a little twist and a lot of interesting story. It's fairly conventional a safe bet for any station looking at perhaps a lighter side of name mixups or identity theft.
Hans Anderson
Corpus Christi, TX
December 29, 2003
Dad & Daws (Father's Day)
Joe Bevilacqua, 10:46
Amusing, Contemplative, Informational
Listened to piece while working on a presentation. The piece did not interrupt what I was doing, but I found myself listening more and more. It really appealed to me and was uplifting. It shows how bad situations do not always have a bad ending. It also made me appreciate my father all the more.
Brad Powers
Ames, IA
June 15, 2004
From Moonshine to Armadillos: The Birth of the Live Austin Music Scene
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:00
This program offers a soup to nuts history of Austin's growth into the live music Mecca that it's become today. The show is more than just contemporary talking heads and music--it features an amazing collection of archival interviews and recordings (including tape of some never-before-heard early Janis Joplin performances, which should qualify as an authentic archival treasure). The writing is acceptable (but a bit leaden), yet the production is well put-together, flowing smoothly between many different elements.
Eric Nuzum
Kent, OH
January 5, 2004
Lady Bird Johnson: Legacy of a First Lady
Joe Bevilacqua, 59:00
Informational, Inspiring
This is an excellent, uplifting journey through Ladybird Johnson’s life, and her growth and transition to first lady under tragic conditions. It’s wonderful to hear her voice, rendered here in excerpts from interviews she's given and speeches she's made. It is especially poignant to hear a portion of her first audio diary entry, made the day after JFK’s assassination. Nuanced choices of music are a production plus, but the strength is in the spoken word. Wisely chosen excerpts create a rich experience. The hour contains a wide range of voices, from historians to those who worked with her or know her, and they pinpoint her influence on LBJ, and on the capital, and the nation –– particularly in the areas of environment, race, and education. She truly is a force for good. sl
Transom Editors, Atlantic Public Media
December 4, 2003
One Song at a Time: Tales From The Kerrville Folk Festival
Joe Bevilacqua, 58:51
Humorous, Personal
I enjoyed listening to the interviews of regular people. Listening to all the sounds.
It was almost like being there and at times felt like I was hangin' out with the folks there.
SueAnn Sanders
Sarasota, FL
February 8, 2005
One Song at a Time: Tales From The Kerrville Folk Festival
Joe Bevilacqua, 58:51
Amusing, Intimate, Surprising
This is a wonderful, enchanting hour of interesting people and music!
It seems as if the previous reviewer was reviewing from the perspective of what they wanted to hear instead of what actually happened at the festival.
I really enjoyed journeying from one camp site to the next, hearing the rain storm and floods, the concerts and middle of the night camp fire chatting and songs. By the end, I felt as if I had really visited the Kerrville Folk Festival!
A marvelous hour! A treat for the ears!
Rodney Collins
Flint, MI
January 28, 2005
Listen to the
COMEDY-O-RAMA
RADIO THEATER HOUR!
heard it on XM Satellite Radio's
"Sonic Theater" Channel (163)
and Public Radio Stations Nationwide!
Fridays, 5:00 am, 1:00 pm., 9:00 pm (Eastern Time)
Sundays, 8:00 am, 8:00 pm (Eastern Time)
"The Comedy-O-Rama Hour is one of the most unique and original productions out there these days. With Joe's talent for different voices, I never know what's coming next, or what it will sound like. Another thing that makes these shows stand out is that it is quite obvious to the listener that Joe and his cast are having fun making these shows, and that makes them fun to listen to as well."
Steve Karesh
Program Director, Sonic Theater XM Satellite Radio
Scenes from the Daws Butler Workshop
