Gilda Radner: Contemporary Comedic Genius

Gilda was the first cast member hired on Saturday Night Live, and the only woman in the early days of the program who wrote scenes as a member of the writers’ group.  She was the kid from Gross Point, the one who insisted that SNL hire John Belushi, and the one who could more than hold her own in scenes with the likes of   Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Steve Martin, and Bill Murray. This talk presents video scenes of her recurring characters, each of them a unique creation reflecting different parts of American society. Revisit these portrayals along with the connective tissue provided by Martin’s narration. And let’s celebrate Women’s History month by honoring the memory of this creative genius.  

Martin Marshall has taught elements of his Contemporary Comedic Genius series at twelve OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) programs across the country over the past 10 years. Numbering more than 50 courses presented, these programs cover 17 of the greatest comedic artists and groups of our lifetimes, including Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Jon Stewart, Robin Williams, and others.  

Martin is also a filmmaker, poet, actor, director, and producer. He learned his craft in the workshops of The Committee in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as the workshop at Second City in Chicago. He founded People Theater in Los Angeles in 1970, and co-founded Improvisation, Inc., in San Francisco in 1972. Besides improvisational theater, he has also directed a production of Geezer Theater, an SF Mime-Troupe-style revue, at OLLI San Francisco. He is well known as a slam and regular poet at venues throughout the Bay Area.