Mort Sahl - The Revolutionary
Should I Make A Documentary?
I often wonder whether I should create a documentary on Mort. Would there be an audience for it? And given the significant time investment required, would it be worthwhile—especially considering my current financial constraints?
For over sixty years, Mort Sahl has been America’s leading social commentator. Calling him a “comedian” doesn’t quite capture it - he’s humorous, but his work goes far beyond laughter. As Gerald Nachman said, “Nobody saw the revolution coming. Mort Sahl was the revolution.”
Before 1953, comedy lacked honesty and rebellion. Mort Sahl was one of the few who sparked change and gave young people a voice. Unlike beatniks who stayed distant, Sahl was deeply involved in every facet of life.
Listening to his records still feels like a new language. He didn’t follow trends - he set them, guided by intuition.
Sahl was the first comic to appear on the cover of Time Magazine, perform at college campuses, and win a Grammy (for The Next President of the United States). Yet, he often poked fun at such accolades, focusing on content over ego. It’s remarkable that an outspoken anti-establishment figure gained such a platform, reaching millions. Nightclub owners knew he was profitable - he earned $7,500 a week in the late ’50s (about $80,000 today), setting attendance records everywhere.
So why was one of America’s most important voices blacklisted and largely forgotten? Why is honesty still sidelined? Sahl gave rise to performers like George Carlin and Woody Allen, who cite him as a seminal influence. He was America’s conscience, a radical who spared no one from critique.
President Kennedy once said, “Mort is in relentless pursuit of everyone!”
https://www.patreon.com/LoyalOpposition
Sahl began during Eisenhower’s presidency, attacking power without cheap shots at the vulnerable. He empathized with the working class and admired figures like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Joe Kennedy even asked Sahl to write for Senator Kennedy’s 1960 campaign. But when Kennedy was elected, liberals turned on Sahl for criticizing the “New Frontier,” leading to a blacklist - not conspiracy, just political backlash. After Kennedy’s assassination, Sahl joined D.A. Jim Garrison’s staff, and his career collapsed. From making $1 million a year to just $13,000, he was dismissed as “unfunny,” despite performing brilliantly into his late 80s.
The last year I used Facebook, I had more friends than him. People who barely know him ask, “Why haven’t I heard of this Mort Sahl guy? He’s great!” Even my brother and cousin said, “I don’t really understand what he was saying half the time, but there’s just something about him. I just wanted to hear him talk - about anything!”
Another comedian influenced by Mort - Shelley Berman - once said, “Who wants to see Sahl? You need a dictionary.” Maybe that’s true; Mort’s material demands knowledge of the 1950s. I had to research extensively to get his jokes, yet after a thousand listens, I still learn new things. It’s not shameful to admit you don’t understand - what matters is curiosity and effort.
I write because Mort deserves justice. Beyond laughter, he dedicated his life to justice while many in the industry care only when it affects their wallets.
In show business, scandal often drives relevance. Sahl stuck to substance and was ignored.
Researching him, I sifted through 5,000 articles. The cultural value system is like the stock market - while stocks rise, public belief and integrity fall. Today’s comics get laughs through cursing - a tactic Mort never used. Sad, isn’t it?
During crises, Mort appeared, providing sharp insight and comedy. Then he was cast out again, only to return when society demanded honesty. Of course, on Presidential election years, you see more mentions of him. His influence was profound - one article could spark countless spin-offs. Mort believed the audience was smart enough to get past vaudeville and burlesque. He didn’t sing or dance - it was what he said and how he said something that made you realize he had an art of his own. The greatest writer. If you can make someone laugh, you are halfway there.
Since I wasn’t alive in the ’50s, I dove deep into his records and the era’s context. His imaginative style took years to fully grasp. In an age of instant gratification, Mort’s work deserves more time and attention.
We need Mort Sahl now more than ever.