Stand-up comedy has changed considerably over the years.
Everyone enjoys a good stand-up comedy show, and we all have our preferences of who is currently the best in the scene. Each comic has their own unique approach on how to make the audience laugh.
Some specialize in stereotypical jokes on a certain topic, others are good at exaggerating their stories, while others take a secondary talent into account.
Still, the comedy today is not quite as restricted as it was back in the old days.
Because it was easy to spark outrage by saying the wrong thing, comedians had to be careful not to step on the tiger’s tail to avoid controversies and conflict, allowing them to continue their job or not get their show canceled.
Despite those restrictions, comedians could still come up with ways to entertain everyone while complying with the rules… and some could slip in some dirty jokes and still get away with it.
And Jim Stafford is just one of those comedians who performed a hilarious version of “Classical Gas” on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
On one episode of the show, Stafford put on a hilarious, guitar-themed showcase.
The show’s host introduced him to the audience, and as the camera panned over to Stafford, you could already see him sitting on a stool with his guitar.
Stafford first enlightened his crowd with a piece of useful advice.
He quoted the Smother Brothers saying, “If you don’t know it, practice, practice, practice.”
After that, he kept telling them that despite the fact that the boys his age were practicing football, he practiced the guitar. However, it was just a clever story to reach the punchline: “I can kick this guitar 60 yards.”
After a series of laughs in the intro, he finally declared that he prepared a song for them.
The song was Mason William’s original composition, “Classical Gas.” Although it was not just any normal cover, Stafford made his rendition fun, unexpected, and new. The song starts well and serious until Stafford makes a funny face which throws the audience off guard.
Suddenly the atmosphere calms down as he plucks his strings with a focused look. However, knowing that they’re in a comedy show, Stafford refuses to keep the tone serious.
He starts tapping his guitar and strikes a chord with his fingers on the fretboard.
As he continues, the spotlight moves away to shadow most of his body except the guitar’s neck. Stafford tries to include at least his face in the spotlight, but it just keeps moving away. Before long, he gets fed up with the lightman and—flips him the bird!
That was some risky move, as doing that on television could get the show banned!
Even so, he somehow manages to get away with it. Stafford then segues into a part of “Flight of the Bumblebee.”
Then after a few strums, he transitioned to the real Classical Gas for only less than ten seconds.
Quality guitar skills and quirky comedy in one show? Stafford brings them all in one sitting.
The performance is enough to crack you up with his witty jokes and all, but we should all give him some credit for the incredible guitar skills he brings to the show.
When the performance is over, the crowd gives him a huge round of applause—and he definitely deserves it.
Be sure to check out the entire performance by clicking the link below:
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