A Platypus Man Falls...

I haven't been very interested in comedies, comedians or things that are funny in the last - oh, 10 years probably, mostly because I think that I've entrenched myself in so many things to do that I just simply haven't made time to enjoy great comedy when it comes around.

One thing I DO remember, 15 years ago just before and after we moved to the St. Louis area, was a crazy little program called "PLATYPUS MAN."

Richard Jeni was a comedian that helped to bridge the common man and Hollywood with one of the smoothest deliveries ever. Sadly this afternoon, there was an announcement stating that Richard Jeni had been shot/shot himself in the face, and very soon thereafter died.

Richard, you will be sadly missed, and as the category states, Richard is gone, but not forgotten. --Mike2GuysTalking

Source: CNN.Com
Comedian Commits Apparent Suicide, Police said
WEST HOLLYWOOD, California (AP) -- Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds, was a regular on the "Tonight Show" and appeared in movies, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, police said Sunday.

Police found the 45-year-old comedian alive but gravely injured in a West Hollywood home when they responded to a call Saturday morning from Jeni's girlfriend, Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman said.
Eisenman said the caller told police: "My boyfriend shot himself in the face."
Jeni died at a nearby hospital.

Eisenman said suicide had not been officially confirmed and the investigation was continuing. An autopsy on Jeni would be done Monday, said Lt. Fred Corral from the investigation division of the coroner's office.
Jeni regularly toured the country with a standup act and had starred in several HBO comedy specials, most recently "A Big Steaming Pile of Me" during the 2005-06 season.

Another HBO special, "Platypus Man," won a Cable ACE award for best standup comedy special, and formed the basis for his UPN sitcom of the same name, which ran for one season.

Jeni's movie credits included "The Mask," in which he played Jim Carrey's best friend, "The Aristocrats," "National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off," and "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn."

He had guest appearances on the TV shows "Everybody Hates Chris," "Married: With Children," and updated versions of the game shows "Hollywood Squares" and "Match Game."

Frazer Smith, standup comedian who often opened for Jeni and the emcee at the Ice House, where Jeni often performed, said young comedians looked up to him.

"He was probably one of the best standup comedians in the last 50 years," said Smith. "He had tons and tons of material. He was looked up to by all the young comedians, a total pro."

The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990 with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest ratings in Showtime's history.

Jeni became a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show" during Johnny Carson's reign and continued to appear after Jay Leno took over as host.

He also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards, which was hosted by his friend Chris Rock.