Neil Hamburger

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Neil Hamburger in Portland, Oregon

Neil Hamburger is a stand-up comedian character played by Gregg Turkington.

Contents

[edit] Style

Hamburger's jokes range from variations of "Why did the chicken cross the road?" to celebrity targets, such as Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Diana, Princess of Wales, to jokes about his ex-wife. His pacing is off, and he clears his throat nonstop through his entire routine (often to keep overzealous fans from shouting out his punchlines), which has caused critics to tag him as "the world's 'worst' stand-up comedian." He has performed his brand of comedy, much of it anti-humor, in front of audiences from the New York University Thompson Center to Jimmy Kimmel Live and is often compared to Tony Clifton[1]. One of his most famous gags is the "Zipper Lips," in which he asks an audience member a question. If the audience member doesn't respond, Hamburger derides them for being a "zipper lips." A common phrase used by the comedian is "But that's my life!"

[edit] Career

His first full length, America's Funnyman, was released in 1996. He has released a number of albums on the Drag City record label.

In 2007, Hamburger started doing a show called Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger on The Channel at Tomgreen.com. Guests on his show have included Tim and Eric, Kyle Gass of Tenacious D, Buzz Osborne of The Melvins, and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy.

Hamburger also appeared in a series of three video advertisements promoting the release of the 2006 album by Drag City Records stablemate, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, The Letting Go.

In 2007, Hamburger opened for Tenacious D during their Pick of Destiny Tour. In the movie The Pick of Destiny, he made a brief cameo appearance before Tenacious D came on stage to perform. He has already performed at Madison Square Garden, a show that the New York Times referred to as likely "the greatest night of his career." However, his performance was poorly received elsewhere, with booing and heckling ensuing in countries such as Ireland and England.

The Australian punk band Frenzal Rhomb have used Hamburger to open their sets and appear in their video clips for their songs "Punisher" and "Ballchef", and Frenzal Rhomb members Jay and the Doctor have called him live on air on their radio show on the network Triple J to report on current events in America such as award ceremonies.

In 2007, Hamburger appeared in the music video for "Conspiracy of the Gods" by the band Trans Am.

In September 2007, he appeared at the Global ComedyFest in Vancouver, Canada.

In spring of 2008, Drag City released an album of country and western originals and covers recorded by Neil Hamburger in a "celebrity vocals" style backed by members of Todd Rundgren's band. During the sessions, Neil was backed by a stellar line-up of musicians including Prairie Prince of The Tubes and Todd Rundgren's band, David Gleason, Atom Ellis of Dieselhed and The New Cars, Rachel Haden from that dog. and Todd Rundgren's band, and Joe Goldmark.

Neil also reportedly recorded a record doing guest lead vocals with legendary Australian band The Hard-Ons while in Sydney in January, 2008.[citation needed]

The Neil Hamburger character plays the role of Osric in the 2009 film, Hamlet ADD, a live action and animated version of William Shakespear's Hamlet.[2]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Filmography

[edit] TV Shows

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hour.ca - Stage - Laughlines: Neil Hamburger
  2. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892062/

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Neil Hamburger
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Hamburger"
Personal tools