Showing titles in Literature & Fiction

A lonely Vernon, whose mother has recently died, finds himself befriended by the least likely of duos - the neighborhood outcasts that used to be the subject of his and his buddies' ridicule in this 1994 Newbery Honor Book.

American Comedy Award-winner Brian Regan lights up the stage in this live performance. He has been on Letterman five times, the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and had his own comedy special on Showtime called Something's Wrong with the Regan Boy. In his Playboy interview, Dennis Miller named Regan one of his favorite comedians. As he performs around the country, people are constantly requesting favorite routines. This recording answers that call.

Don't think John Pinette is funny just because he's fat and is always talking about food. What's wrong with you? Don't you eat? Even if you don't tip the scale, you'll be able to find common ground with his hysterical routines that have landed him appearances on such important stages as Caroline's Comedy Hour, Showtime's Comedy All Stars, and An Evening at the Improv. Or perhaps you already know Pinette as the "fat mugging victim" on the last episode of Seinfeld.

In 1897 Buck, a shepherd dog, is kidnapped and shipped to the Klondike gold fields. Pressed into service as a sled dog, Buck is abused by humans and tormented by the other dogs - until he learns "the law of club and fang." Along with the skills Buck needs to survive - how to keep warm in the frozen land, the ability to scent dangerous weather changes, and how to fight ferociously - he learns the song of the wolves and the powerful attraction it exerts.

Remember 6th grade, where the question, "Are you cool?" takes on cosmic proportions? Acclaimed storyteller Bill Harley revisits the excitement (or was it torture?) in these hilarious true (or at least real!) stories. His wacky tales capture the essence of what it feels like to be a kid, and will delight and engage children and parents alike.

These wacky, but true, stories from growing up are about trying to figure out how the adult world works, and about having fun no matter how old you are. In this collection, Bill Harley, one of the most prolific and celebrated storytellers of our time, performs "Grownups Are Strange" (and, yes, kids are too!).

Sir John Falstaff, the lovable rogue, is brought back from his death in Henry V to set this farce in motion. Falstaff (Anthony Quayle), finding himself in need of funds, attempts to seduce 2 wealthy young ladies, Mistress Ford (Joyce Redman) and Mistress Page (June Jago). Alas, the scoundrel's money-making scheme goes awry when he sends the ladies - who are friends - identical love letters. The 2 women retaliate by plotting his downfall - with hilarious results.

A captivating storyteller, Dana Gould ricochets across the stage, taking the audience on a wild ride. He engulfs them in twisted stories about the intricacies of his peculiarly eventful life. Be it as mundane as a quest for fair auto insurance, or as bizarre as a trip to the hospital to get a live moth removed from inside his ear, Gould's act redefines the art of stand-up comedy.

In It's O.K. to be a White Male, Jeff Wayne asks the question, "How did the majority become the minority?" As he stomps through the minefield of "political correctness", his is the voice that heretofore has been silenced by the whimpering of gays, blacks, vegetarians, non-smokers, and Donahue devotees who have declared it "open season on my white ass". On the cutting-edge of controversy, Wayne's brand of comedy is never cruel, and always very, very funny.

In Lunchroom Tales, Bill Harley and his band - the Troublemakers - return to the Delaware Trails Elementary School where Bill once roamed the halls as a student. They kick off their show with the song "Everyone's a Little Bit Different" - but soon, memories get the best of Bill, and he begins to recount adventures and disasters from his former days of glory (or was it torture?). Meet Mr. Hambleman, the custodian (not janitor!) and Mrs. Nottingham, the terrifying 3rd grade teacher (are teachers human, or are they a different species?), explore super cool places like the back of the bus, and enjoy Harley's engaging recreation - through song and story - of what it feels like to be a kid in school.

It's funny! It's clean! And it's quite possibly George Carlin's earliest recording. A must for die-hard fans.

Kate Clinton is America's premiere "fumerist" � that's shorthand for feminist and humorist. This hilarious performance includes political material as fresh as the daily news, savvy send-ups of modern family relationships, and illuminating perspectives on life as a gay American. There are no skeletons in this Clinton's closet! She has appeared on Comedy Central, Good Morning America, and Entertainment Tonight.

She's a comic whose timing and personality have made her one of the most exciting new faces on the scene today, performing for sold-out audiences at major venues across the country. Suzanne Westenhoefer talks candidly and hilariously about real-life topics like traveling, the LPGA (Lesbian Professional Golf Association), her mom, electric vibrating bunny rabbits, and Martina Navratalova.

Steve is a man for today. He was born in Oklahoma in the 50s and grew up thinking that the world was a wonderful place. Just like the Cleavers, he thought that everyone in the whole USA was like the people in his neighborhood - honest, hard working, God-fearing people. Then he started traveling around the country. Boy, was he wrong!

After hearing this performance by one of Canada's funniest ladies, you'll be singing "Au Elvira". Recorded live at The Laff Shop in Houston, Texas, she performs her greatest bits, including "Aging Sucks", "Bloody Internet", "Removable Body Parts", "Here's Where I Help the Straight Folks Catch Up", and "A Final Word About Kansas". Elvira has appeared at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival, Toronto's Comedy Slam Festival, Comedy Central's Out There II, and New York's OUTrageous Comedy.

Meet Marga Gomez: a Latina who can't do the Macarena; an out, proud lesbian willing to undergo a painful bikini wax so she can audition for Baywatch; and a comedian who defies preconceptions. This underground debutante has been featured on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central. She has performed all over the country, from Yankee Stadium to universities, concert halls - and even a bowling alley in El Paso.

Are we responsible for a woman weighing 1,200 pounds? Should a gorilla receive an award for saving a baby in its cage � or should we ask how that baby got there in the first place? A punk stands up on a roller coaster after being repeatedly being told not to and literally loses his head! Should we feel sorry for him? Jeff Wayne delights in tackling today's headlines, constantly amazed by their obvious celebration of idiocy.

On 'Nuff Said, Clinton reflects on life in America today. We are privy to his personal opinions on everything from the "San Francisco scene", to Star Wars, to the "un(i)-bomber", to feminine "mood changes". His comical observations will make you see life in a different light, and a welcome change it is.

Considered one of today's top comedians, Barcena's comedy is rich with stories about growing up in East L.A. and Latino culture. Humor is his way of reaching out to people with pride and cultural awareness without perpetuating stereotypes. His philosophy is "know who you are and have people laugh with you." And laugh you will as he delivers punch line after hilarious punch line.

"The Hot and Spicy Mamitas" are Marilyn Martinez, "a cross between Brett Butler and Rosanne Barr ¿ but funnier"; Sully Diaz, a "comedy goddess"; Dyana Ortelli, "an enchilada plate con chilito picoso"; Lydia Nicole, "a wolf in sheep's clothing"; and Ludo Vika, "a comedy femme fatale". Considered to be some of L.A.'s hottest Latina comics, these outrageously funny comediennes offer fresh points of view with a punch. They are joined by special guest Willie Barcena.