The ‘gentle anarchy’ of Steve Martin

Studio 360
Steve Martin circa 1975 (Larry Hulst/Getty)

Steve Martin is a comedian, actor, writer, and banjo player — the consummate performer. But before he made a name for himself as a standup comedian, he wanted to be a magician.

“I loved comedy from by the time I was seven or eight years old,” Martin says, “But I decided at around age 15 that I wanted to be a magician. You know I put together a little magic act but then I realized that the audience likes it better when the tricks don't work. And I I decided that I would try to lean towards comedy and I began a slow process of eliminating the magic and getting into comedy.”

Martin went on to develop a stand-up act that commanded the full comic spectrum — high-concept surrealism as well as a kind of broad comedy that made fun of broad comedy.

“He always pointed high,” says Dan Aykroyd, who appeared with Martin on SNL, “He pointed above the brows of his audience and somehow was able to connect with the more intelligent material…he was able to go on soar up and away from the real world of stand up. You know, ‘What happened to me the other day when my wife locked me out of the car’ — that wasn't his humor…He doesn't pander to any lower intelligence he assumes that everyone knows.”

Martin studied the philosophy of language in college, “I learned about being absurd,” Martin says, “And I started applying that to areas where it really shouldn’t strictly apply… Theories are really good to get you motivated, but they don't necessarily lead you to good show business. You're constantly thinking, ‘Does this work? Is this working? Is this funny?’ But, you know, a theory can lead you places that you wouldn't have gone before.”

Martin’s second standup album, "A Wild and Crazy Guy," broke through to a huge audience. The name of the album is from a sketch he performed at SNL featuring the “Festrunk Brothers,”  two very seventies Czech immigrants with tight plaid trousers looking to swing with American women.

That album has now been honored by the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress — it was one of 25 American recordings honored last year. 

Martin recalls releasing the album: “The United States was coming out of a deep depressive war experience. And also along with that there was a certain philosophy that was chugging along, you know love child, hippies and free love. All that was about to change and I believe I sensed it or grew bored with it and decided to change myself and change my stage philosophy into one of pure fun and zaniness. And I believe the public was ready for that change.”

Historian Sheila Moeschen, who's taught comedy at Northwestern University, says Steve Martin developed a certain brand of zany comedy. 

“He has a kind of gentle anarchy about him,” Moeschen says, “You know, the way he disrupts the the fourth wall so he's interacting with the audience. In a way it kind of foreshadows some of what Jerry Seinfeld does as well where you think about it for like a second, you know, that sort of beat. You really kind of unpack it.” 

This story first aired on PRI's Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen.

Will you support The World today?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, this is the best time to do it. Your support will get our fundraiser off to a solid start and help keep our newsroom on strong footing. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!