AboutTom Expertise I can answer questions about The Capitol Steps, a political (mostly musical) satire group based in Washington, DC which performs in Washington, around the U.S., and four times a year on public radio. I can answer questions about who is performing which role in Capitol Steps sketches and songs on albumns and can help identify a routine (and which albumn or radio show includes it) based on partial lyrics. I can also provide tips and suggestions for those interested in writing and performing spoonerism-based comedy similar to the Steps` "Lirty Dies."
Experience I have been a Capitol Steps fan since about 1995. I own all the albumns and have listened to each dozens of times. I have particularly studied (and particularly admire) the "Lirty Dies" routines and I have written and performed material of this sort. Despite the fact that I live halfway across the U.S. from Washington, I've attended many live Capitol Steps performances, including several at their permanent locations in the DC area.
Question I remember a funny man who did a comedic act where he pretended to direct an orchestra. He was mounted on springs or something that enabled him to dip all the way to the floor at times. Very funny, cant remember his name and I cant seem to find him anywhere.
Answer John --
Thanks for the question -- an interesting one even though it's kind of out of my area of expertise. I didn't immediately recognize the act (or comedian).
I tried some web searches with the details you provided and all I came up with was somebody else's similar question and someone's speculative answer that it might have been Victor Borge or Danny Kaye. I don't know of anything that Borge did with actual springs, though he is pretty talented with exaggerated physical comedy, and both Kaye and Borge worked with musical themes a lot.
