Dana Gould should have been bigger

Have you ever seen a stand up comedian and wondered why they didn't reach a level of fame you think they deserved?

I remember seeing Dana Gould all over the place when stand up comedy was television gold back in the late 1980's and into the 90's. He is so good, and yet I don't think he gets the recognition he rightly deserves in terms of media exposure, because he is a great performer and writer, and he really sells his jokes.

Take a look at this set from back in 1990 for instance:

Along with the other Los Angeles-based alternative comedians in the early 1990's, he helped pave the way for things like the Comedians of Comedy and the break out of so many other comedians who followed. (And given that I hand out a Simpsons-related award every week, I have to mention that he had a huge impact on that series as well).

I am not saying Gould was alone in that scene, far from it. However, even watching that almost 20 year old set, it is amazing to see how well that material has aged. It is a thing of beauty really.

So to you, Dana Gould, I salute you. And whenever I hear the word Waffle, I will think of you.

Tags: dana gould, los angeles, comedians of comedy, waffle, the simpsons, alternative comedy, stand up comedy