With his ever-present unlit cigar and his catchphrase, BAY BEE, Bob Zany is approaching 50 years as a working comedian.
The man known as “the most sarcastic comedian” will be appearing at One-Eyed Jacks on August 16. Had it not been for a $128.25 payout, he might have followed in his father’s footsteps as a house painter.
It was 1977, and a 15-year-old Zany appeared on the Gong Show doing stand-up for the first time. While he didn’t win, he was pulled offstage before he could get gonged and awarded the check and the waffle iron.
“My parents weren’t happy because we were a pancake family,” Zany said. “If I didn’t get paid, I wouldn’t be doing stand-up.” He said Chuck Barris, the host and creator of the show, greeted him with “Way to go, Zany.”
He also got to dance on stage with “Gene Gene The Dancing Machine.”
One of the judges that day was Pearl Bailey.
“Anyone under 40 won’t know who that is, but how cool is that?” Zany said.
It took him three auditions before finally being accepted to appear on the Gong Show, a popular variety show in the 1970s long before “America’s Got Talent.” During one of the auditions, he appeared fully enclosed in a paper bag with only his head sticking out, billing himself as the half-brother of the Unknown Comic, who was famous for appearing with a paper bag covering his face.
“I don’t know why they didn’t take me after that,” Zany said. He would later appear with the Unknown Comic in the movie “Up Your Alley,” one of a handful of movies Zany has been in, including “Joe Dirt” and as an attorney for Matt Damon in “The Informant.”
“Acting is a whole different animal,” he said. “I played “Man No. 1” in “Joe Dirt.” Everyone who saw that performance said it was No. 2.” He was also a regular contributor to “The Bob and Tom” radio show for 17 years, and will star as “Mayor Goodfeller” in the upcoming Roseanne Barr sitcom.
“She’s a fan of my work,” Zany said.
He has appeared on over 1,000 national TV shows and movies, including MTV’s “Half Hour Comedy Hour,” which ran from 1988 to 1992.
He idolized Steve Martin growing up and was a big fan of Johnny Carson. He came close to appearing on The Tonight Show when Carson was the host, but just missed out. He would later get his chance when Jay Leno took over for Carson.
Six years out of high school, he was hired by Martin, the executive producer of CBS TV’s weekly anthology show, “George Burns Comedy Week.”
“Yes, that George Burns,” Zany said.
He also worked for the legendary Rodney Dangerfield for two years, booking acts for his club in California. Like many who knew Dangerfield, he has a favorite Rodney story.
“I had just finished my set at the Melrose Improv, an amazing set,” Zany said. “I walked out to my car, and it had been stolen. I had my props in the trunk.” He said he walked back in and told Rodney his car and props had been stolen.
“He said, ‘Man, you gotta lose those props anyway’,” Zany said. “He was an amazing guy.”
Zany said that for fans who attend the show, it will be either funny “or the best TED Talk” they’ve ever been to.
“I work the crowd a lot,” he said. He noted that his wit and edge come from his mom and his timing from his dad.
To purchase tickets, visit https://oneeyedjackssocial.com/tickets. You can also visit his YouTube channel, @OfficialBobZanyChannel, and bobzany.net.
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