Source: Wikipedia
I’m highlighting a number of birthdays this month partly because there are a lot of people I think deserve it but also because I have a December birthday. I know how easily it can get missed in the holidays but my mother always made sure my birthday was treated as a separate event.
There’s an old saying that the only difference between therapy and stand-up comedy is in therapy you pay someone to listen to your problems while people pay to listen to stand-up comedians talk about their problems. And it’s true too, at least in my experience. Once with a therapist I started making jokes about my fear of doctors and it turned into a whole twenty-minute bit. I finally said, “Could I get a copy of your notes?” She said, “I don’t think you should share this with anyone.” I asked why. “Is it because of privacy concerns?” She said, “No, because it’s not funny.”
Anyway it’s Jonathan Katz’s birthday, best known for the hilarious series Dr. Katz Professional Therapist. A lot of the comedians and actors who serve as his patients are funny but as I rewatched the show the running gag of his dysfunctional relationship with his son Ben (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) and his office assistant Laura (Laura Silverman) became my favorite part. I also just loved Katz’s obvious love of old corny jokes.
Feel free to use the therapist joke Mr. Katz. Consider it a gift.
Update: The amazing Ann Koplow of The Year(s) Of Living Non-Judgmentally met Jonathan Katz and wrote about it in a post. And she was lucky enough to take a class with Ron Lynch who appeared in two episodes (one here and one here).
Here’s one of my favorite episodes.
This post is very in for me, because I love Jonathan Katz. Happy birthday to him and early birthday wishes to you, Chris. Let me know if you want me to share a link to a post where my son and I saw the good doctor in person and chatted with him afterwards. (I may have already shared that with you; I’ve had so many birthdays my memory is less than perfect.)
Your memory is working wonderfully–I hadn’t seen your post before but I found it and have included it in an update. I’m both glad and envious that you met Jonathan Katz and also worked with Ron Lynch. I only learned about Lynch through Katz’s show where his sessions had me laughing so hard I hurt. I love his very surreal style just as much as I love Katz’s laid back style.
If you want to see more interesting posts about Ron Lynch, Chris, search on his name in my blog. Ron is hilarious and a wonderful person, too. Thanks for including me and my blog in your update! I am truly honored.
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