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Kevin Meaney
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Kevin Gerard Meaney (April 23, 1956 – October 21, 2016) was an American stand-up comedian and actor.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Meaney graduated from Valhalla High School in Valhalla in Westchester County, New York, and attended the State University of New York at Morrisville.[1]
Career
[edit]Meaney began his career in comedy in 1980, moving first to San Francisco and then later to Boston where he continued to develop his act.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] He appeared on the A&E television series An Evening at the Improv, in 1982.[9]
Meaney had a show called the Sweeney and Meaney Hour at Stitches Comedy Club in Boston.[10][11] A couple of appearances on Star Search gave Meaney the opportunity to test his act on national syndicated television.[12] His big break into mainstream culture may be considered to be his first HBO comedy special in 1986, followed by an appearance on the December 20, 1986, episode of Saturday Night Live as a special guest.[13] Meaney made his debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1987.[14]
After that, his act was broadcast several times by HBO,[15] Comedy Central and several network television appearances on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Conan.[16][17]
His most famous catchphrase was "That's not right!,"[18] delivered while doing an impression of his mother, which was followed by, and usually preceded by, her complaints and remonstrations. Typically, his act consisted of commentary about his family and complaints about hotel service. Meaney at times closed his show with a rendition of the 1985 song "We Are the World" which included comical impressions of the various singers who originally sang the song.[19]
He often ended his performance with a few jokes that intentionally would not get a good response to follow them up with a song reminiscent of "I Don't Care" by Jean Lenox and Harry O. Sutton sung about how he does not care whether the audience laughs at his jokes.[20]
Meaney was involved in a number of television programs, including Ned & Stacey, Dr. Katz, Space Ghost Coast to Coast,[21] Garfield and Friends, Rocko's Modern Life, London Underground, and Duckman. He starred as the title character on the short-lived sitcom version of Uncle Buck.[22]
He was also a singer and musician, writing and producing songs for HBO and Comedy Central with his co-writer Martin Olson, with whom he wrote several television series. He intermittently appeared on The Jay Thomas Show as a co-host. In 1996, he wrote and performed a one-man play titled Vegas Vows based loosely on his brief marriage to a woman he had just met.[23]
In the 2000s, Meaney performed in various roles in the Broadway musical Hairspray.[24]
Personal life
[edit]Meaney was born the third child of five in White Plains, New York. When he was 39 years old, he married a woman he had just met in Las Vegas. The marriage was annulled shortly afterward.[16] He later married television executive Mary Ann Halford and they had one daughter.[14]
In 2002, Meaney was arrested at the San Francisco International Airport. After his wife set off a metal detector and lifted her shirt high enough to expose her bra, he reportedly got belligerent and was asked twice not to film the security operations of the terminal. A scuffle with police ensued.[25]
On XM Satellite Radio's "Stand Up Sit Down" on May 5, 2008, Meaney stated publicly that he was gay.[26] He explained that his time on Broadway was where he gained the courage to accept his homosexuality.[27] Soon after, he and his wife divorced.[14]
Death
[edit]Meaney died on October 21, 2016, at age 60, after being found unresponsive in his home in Forestburgh, New York.[28] According to Eastern Daily News he died from a heart attack.[29]
Discography
[edit]- That's Not Right (2004)
Filmography
[edit]Features
[edit]- Big (1988)
- Plump Fiction (1998)
- The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (1999)
- Shut Up and Kiss Me (2004)
- Heterosexuals (2010)
- Blood Ransom (2014)
Television
[edit]- Saturday Night Live (1986)
- CBS Summer Playhouse (1988)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1989)
- Uncle Buck (1990)
- The Jackie Thomas Show (1993)
- Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1994)
- Garfield and Friends (1994)
- Duckman (1994)
- Ned and Stacey (1995)
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995)
- Rocko's Modern Life (1996)
- Brotherly Love (1997)
- The Tom Show (1997)
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1998)
- Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular (1998)
- Mad Jack the Pirate (1998)
- The Nightmare Room (2002)
- 30 Rock (2010)
- 2 Broke Girls (2015)
- Gotham Comedy Live (2014)
- Hidden America with Jonah Ray (2016)
References
[edit]- ^ LaRue, William (October 23, 2016). "Standup comic Kevin Meaney dead at 60". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
Meaney grew up in Westchester County, graduating from Valhalla High School. He attended SUNY Morrisville
- ^ Sullivan, James (November 5, 2010). "Laugh riot: The Boston Comedy Festival turns 10". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
Though Meaney had been perfecting his purse-lipped impression of his scolding mother for years on Boston stages, he was in fact raised in suburban New York and introduced in San Francisco, at one of the early International Comedy Competitions there. In San Francisco he met a contingent of comics from the Hub, including Lenny Clarke and Martin Olson, who encouraged him to make the thriving Boston scene his home. They liked his act, even if the judges didn't.
- ^ "Kevin Meaney Obituary (1956–2016)". York Daily Record. Retrieved February 4, 2022 – via Legacy.com.
- ^ "In Memory of Barry Crimmins". Seven Stories Press. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ Crimmins, Barry (2010). Never Shake Hands with a War Criminal. New York: Seven Stories Press. ISBN 978-1-60980-018-5.
- ^ Tressler, Bill (October 26, 2016). "Barry Crimmins Remembers Kevin Meaney". The Interrobang. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
"It's tough being a 60 year old road comic, let me tell ya. Some of that would wear on him at times, but he'd take that stage and you wouldn't have a fucking hint, not a hint," said Crimmins.
- ^ Stedman, Alex (October 23, 2016). "Louis C.K. Pays Tribute to the Late Kevin Meaney". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
He wrote that Crimmins and Meaney "were two guys from upstate New York who came to Boston and, among other guys, were the ones who made all of this happen." ...Whenever Kevin would bomb, and sometimes he would, he would start to sing a song 'I don't care! ...But Barry, for me, created the idea that comedy could be great and mean something. ...
- ^ "Comic Kevin Meaney, starred in TV's 'Uncle Buck,' dies at 60". Los Angeles Times. October 22, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
It was his first HBO special, in 1986, that launched his comedy career after he toiled doing stand-up in San Francisco and Boston. In 1987, he took his first turn on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."
- ^ "Meaney, Kevin 1957". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
Television Appearances; Series: Himself, An Evening at the Improv, syndicated, 1982...Saturday Night Live (also known as SNL), NBC, 1986...Stage Appearances: School principal, Hairspray, the Musical, Broadway production, 2006.
- ^ "Louis CK On The Comedy Of Being A Single Dad". sandiego.com. July 29, 2011. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
The first time I did it, I went to a place called Stitches... The second time, Kevin Meaney had a show called the Sweeney and Meaney Hour and he put me on and I did even worse. It was just horrible.
- ^ "Louis C.K. On Life And Stand-Up: 'I Live In Service For My Kids'". Fresh Air. September 7, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ "Kevin Meany and Evan Davis on Star Search". June 11, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ December 20, 1986 – William Shatner / Lone Justice (S12 E8)
- ^ a b c "Comic Kevin Meaney Shuts Door On His Closet Life". Miami Herald. January 30, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ O'Connor, John J. (February 15, 1989). "Review/Television; Stand-Up Comedy at a Safe Distance". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
Home Box Office's latest performance entry is One-Night Stand, a series of half-hours ...taped at San Francisco's Fillmore Theater, ...On tap for the coming weeks: Kevin Meaney, Joy Behar, Blake Clark, Dom Irrera and Bill Maher.
- ^ a b Rusnak, Jeff (March 22, 1996). "Kevin Meaney Turns Life's Mishaps Into His Shtick". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ "Official Website Of Kevin Meaney". Kevinmeaney.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 1999. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ "Comedian Kevin Meaney, Valhalla Native, Dies At 60". Mount Pleasant Daily Voice. October 22, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
best remembered for the catchphrase "That's not right."
- ^ Gillis, James J. (February 22, 2012). "Happy And He Knows It". The Newport Daily News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Stedman, Alex (October 23, 2016). "Louis C.K. Pays Tribute to the Late Kevin Meaney". Variety.
- ^ D'Zurilla, Christine (March 4, 2025). "George Lowe, voice actor known and beloved for his irreverent Space Ghost, dies at 67". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Stedman, Alex (October 22, 2016). "Kevin Meaney, Actor and Stand-Up Comedian, Dies at 60". Variety.
- ^ Deffaa, Chip (July 12, 1996). "A Veiled Threat". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ "Kevin Meanry". Playbill.
- ^ Lee, Henry K. (March 5, 2002). "Security No Joke For Comic Arrested At SFO". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ "Kevin Meany biography". Kevinmeaney.com. May 28, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ "Joy Behar Show". CNN. November 24, 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ Rosenberg, Eli (October 22, 2016). "Kevin Meaney, Veteran Stand-Up Comedian, Dies at 60". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ Johnson, Victor (October 25, 2016). "Kevin Meaney From 'Uncle Buck' Dies, Cause Of Death Revealed". Eastern News Daily. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
External links
[edit]Kevin Meaney
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family and upbringing
Kevin Gerard Meaney was born on April 23, 1956, in White Plains, New York.[2] He grew up in nearby Valhalla as the third of five children in an Irish Catholic family.[2][3] His father, John Meaney, worked as a firefighter, while his mother, Patricia, was a librarian whose quirky sayings often provided fodder for his later comedic material.[2][6] Meaney's siblings included brothers Jack, Tim, and Thomas, and sister Cathy Meaney Paulsen.[2] The Meaney household in Valhalla was marked by the boisterous dynamics of a large family, where everyday absurdities and parental admonitions shaped young Kevin's sense of humor.[7] He frequently recalled his mother's humorous interventions, such as declaring, "You’re not leaving the house in those tight pants—we’re big pants people," a line reflecting the family's emphasis on modest, loose-fitting attire that he later incorporated into his stand-up routines about his "loony Irish Catholic childhood."[8][7] Sibling interactions, including rivalries amid the chaos of five children, further honed his observational wit, as he often made his family laugh with imitations and exaggerated retellings of household mishaps.[3] No major relocations disrupted the family's life in Valhalla during Meaney's childhood, allowing the stability of suburban Westchester County to foster his early comedic inclinations through family trips and routine interactions up to his high school years.[2][9] These experiences laid the groundwork for his career, as much of his humor stemmed directly from the affectionate absurdities of his upbringing.[3]Education
Meaney graduated from Valhalla High School in Westchester County, New York.[10] Following high school, he briefly attended the State University of New York at Morrisville.[10][11] He left the institution without completing his degree in the late 1970s to focus on a career in show business.[2][10]Career
Stand-up comedy
Kevin Meaney began his stand-up comedy career in 1980, starting with performances in clubs in San Francisco and later Boston, where he honed his craft amid the vibrant comedy scenes of those cities.[12][13] His early material drew heavily from observational humor centered on family dynamics and the quirks of daily life, reflecting influences from his Irish Catholic upbringing in Westchester County, New York.[13] Meaney's breakthrough came with his first HBO special in 1986, which propelled him to national prominence and showcased his energetic, character-driven style of ranting about mundane irritations like household chores and parental nagging.[14] Central to his act was the catchphrase "That's not right!", delivered in an exasperated imitation of his mother reacting to life's small frustrations, a bit that became a hallmark of his routines and resonated widely with audiences. Over more than three decades, his comedy evolved from raw club sets to polished storytelling, incorporating physical comedy and voices while maintaining a focus on relatable, everyman exasperations, though he occasionally experimented with edgier topics like personal identity later in his career.[15] Following his HBO debut, Meaney embarked on headlining tours across the U.S., performing at major comedy clubs and theaters while making high-profile television appearances, including a guest spot on Saturday Night Live in December 1986 and his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1987, where he appeared over a dozen times thereafter.[16][14] He also featured in Comedy Central's Comedy Central Presents in 1999, delivering a half-hour set that revisited his signature frustrations with family and consumer absurdities.[17] In the 1990s, as the stand-up landscape shifted with the rise of alternative comedy and cable television saturation, Meaney navigated career ups and downs by balancing tours with acting pursuits, yet he remained a club mainstay, headlining venues nationwide.[18] Into the 2010s, he continued regular performances at comedy clubs, such as multi-night runs in Las Vegas in 2014 and shows in New Jersey in 2015, demonstrating his enduring commitment to live stand-up until shortly before his death.[19]Television and film roles
Meaney's transition to television began with his debut appearance on the comedy showcase An Evening at the Improv in 1982, where he performed stand-up material that caught the attention of producers.[20] This led to early guest spots on variety and talk shows, gradually building toward more substantial scripted roles as his comedic timing and everyman appeal translated to on-screen work.[14] A breakthrough came in film with his supporting role as Executive #2 in Penny Marshall's Big (1988), where he portrayed a frustrated toy company executive reacting to the unconventional behavior of the childlike protagonist played by Tom Hanks.[21] The part, though brief, highlighted Meaney's knack for delivering deadpan exasperation, a hallmark of his stand-up persona that emphasized parental and authority figure frustrations.[22] His stand-up fame from specials like the 1986 HBO One Night Stand aided in securing such casting opportunities.[14] Meaney landed his first lead role in the CBS sitcom Uncle Buck (1990–1991), adapting John Candy's film character as the bumbling but well-intentioned uncle caring for his nieces and nephew.[18] The series faced challenges adapting the movie's loose, improvisational feel to the rigid sitcom format, resulting in mixed reviews and low ratings that led to its cancellation after one season of 22 episodes.[23] In the mid-1990s, Meaney took on a recurring role as Chuck in the Fox sitcom Ned & Stacey (1995–1996), playing a quirky colleague in the show's ensemble of dysfunctional professionals.[24] He continued with guest appearances in later series, such as portraying the historical figure John Hancock in the NBC comedy 30 Rock (2010) and Brother Dan, a flamboyant prison visitor, in 2 Broke Girls (2015), often embodying archetypes of the beleaguered everyman or eccentric side character that echoed his comedic roots.[25][26] Meaney also provided voice work for animated series, including recurring roles on Garfield and Friends (1988–1995) and Mad Jack the Pirate (1998–1999), as well as the Computer in the animated direct-to-video sequel The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (1999).[1][27] Meaney's film work in the late 1990s included the role of Les, a hapless criminal, in the parody Plump Fiction (1997), and entering the 2000s, his career shifted toward independent films, with appearances in romantic comedy Shut Up and Kiss Me! (2004) as Judge Walter Kapinsky, the dramedy Heterosexuals (2010), and the horror-thriller Blood Ransom (2014) as Mister Manningham, reflecting a steady output in smaller productions that sustained his on-screen presence.[28][29][30]Theater work
After establishing himself as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s and 1990s, Kevin Meaney transitioned into theater, beginning with a Broadway appearance as the opening comedian for Jerry Seinfeld: Live on Broadway in 1998 at the Broadhurst Theatre.[31] This one-night benefit show highlighted his comedic timing in a live stage setting, bridging his solo performance background with collaborative theater.[32] Meaney's most prominent theater role came in the musical Hairspray, where he first appeared in the 2004 Toronto production as a male authority figure, delivering cartoonish cameos with notable flair.[33] He joined the Broadway production at the Neil Simon Theatre in 2005, taking on multiple ensemble roles including Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, Guard, Denizen of Baltimore, and Principal, while understudying Wilbur Turnblad and Edna Turnblad.[34] By 2008, he assumed the lead role of Wilbur Turnblad, the bumbling yet endearing husband to the drag-portrayed Edna, a part that showcased his physical comedy through awkward dances, pratfalls, and heartfelt duets like "You're Timeless to Me," earning praise for his impeccable timing and warm stage presence.[2] His tenure in the show lasted over three years, contributing to its long-running success until its closure in 2009.[35] In the 2000s and 2010s, Meaney expanded into regional theater, appearing in productions that incorporated his stand-up elements such as improvisational humor and character voices. At Paper Mill Playhouse in 2010, he reprised ensemble roles like Mr. Pinky and the principal in Hairspray, adding energetic comic relief to the ensemble. He took on the challenging drag role of Edna Turnblad in a 2013 production at Connecticut Repertory Theatre, where critics lauded his vulnerable yet humorous portrayal of the protective mother, blending physical exaggeration with emotional depth.[36] His final major stage credit was as the host in the 2014 Off-Broadway revival of Pageant: The Musical at the Davenport Theatre, where he emceed the satirical beauty pageant with sharp-witted banter that echoed his comedy roots.[37] Meaney's theater engagements, especially his extended run in Hairspray, facilitated a career resurgence in his later years, providing steady work on stage and allowing him to merge his improvisational stand-up skills with scripted musical dialogue for a more versatile performance style.[38]Personal life
Marriages and family
Meaney was first married to Leanne Coronel in 1995, in a union that ended in annulment later that year, with no children born from the brief marriage.[39] In 1997, he married television executive Mary Ann Halford, and the couple had one daughter, Kathleen Ann Meaney (also known as Kate), during their eleven-year marriage, which ended in divorce in 2008.[40][3] Following the divorce, Meaney and Halford maintained contact, as evidenced by her confirmation of his death to the press in 2016, and he remained involved in his daughter's life as a father.[2] He was survived by his mother, Patricia Dorothy Meaney, three brothers (John, Robert, and Edward), and one sister (Mary Beth).[3] Meaney's marital experiences and role as a parent frequently informed his stand-up routines, where he humorously explored themes of relationships and family dynamics, including bits about his divorce and interactions with his adolescent daughter.[7]Coming out
In 2008, at the age of 52, comedian Kevin Meaney publicly came out as gay during an interview on XM Radio's Stand Up! Sit Down! program, where he announced his divorce from his second wife, Mary Ann Halford, and revealed his sexual orientation. This disclosure coincided with the finalization of his divorce and followed a nearly five-year run in the Broadway production of Hairspray (2002–2007), in which Meaney played the role of Wilbur Turnblad; the immersive environment of the show, surrounded by a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, prompted significant self-reflection that contributed to his decision to come out.[39] Meaney had maintained secrecy about his sexuality for decades, particularly during his rise to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, when industry norms in comedy and entertainment often discouraged public acknowledgment of homosexuality due to potential career risks in a less accepting era. His early routines focused on family-friendly topics like everyday annoyances, avoiding personal matters such as sex or politics, which aligned with the conservative broadcasting standards of the time.[2] In subsequent interviews, Meaney reflected on the experience as a profound sense of liberation and authenticity, stating that being open about his identity felt "perfectly natural" and brought him immense relief after years of concealment. He described the initial announcement as terrifying yet necessary, emphasizing how it allowed him to live honestly for the first time. Raised in a Roman Catholic family, Meaney recounted confiding in a priest during confession at his mother's urging, which marked an early but private step toward acceptance.[41] The coming out positively influenced his family dynamics, with Meaney's parents responding supportively and without surprise—his father even joked about throwing a party, while they remarked, "Well, we could’ve told you that," indicating they had long suspected his orientation. At the time, his daughter Kate, then about eight or nine years old from his marriage to Halford, adapted well; Meaney later discussed their close relationship openly in interviews, and Kate has spoken fondly of her upbringing with him as a gay father, crediting it with shaping her own career as a comedian.[41] Following his announcement, Meaney's career continued unabated without significant backlash, as he integrated his experiences into stand-up routines that received positive feedback in comedy circles for their humor and honesty. He maintained a steady stream of performances, including headlining tours and appearances on shows like The Tonight Show, demonstrating resilience in an industry gradually becoming more inclusive.[39]Death and legacy
Death
Kevin Meaney was found unresponsive in his home in Forestburgh, New York, on October 21, 2016, at the age of 60.[2] His agent, Tom Ingegno, confirmed the death, noting that an autopsy was pending to determine the cause.[22] Meaney's former wife, Mary Ann Halford, also confirmed his passing to reporters but provided no further details on the circumstances.[2] A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Meaney on October 26, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown, New York, followed by interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery in White Plains, New York.[3] Arrangements were handled by McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home in White Plains.[9]Tributes and influence
Following Meaney's death on October 21, 2016, major outlets including The New York Times and Variety published obituaries that underscored his more than 30-year career as a stand-up comedian and actor, emphasizing his energetic stage presence and frequent late-night television appearances.[2][14] Comedians and peers quickly shared tributes, often describing Meaney as brilliant, sweet, and brave, particularly for his public coming out in 2008, which added authenticity to his personal storytelling. Patton Oswalt recalled meeting him in Ireland and praised him as a "brilliant comedian" and "terrific person." Lizz Winstead called him "one of the best, kindest people I ever knew." Louis C.K., who credited Meaney with pulling him into Boston's comedy scene in the 1980s, described him as "the most naturally funny comedian I ever saw," highlighting his "childish courage" and ability to perform without limits, blending silliness with skill. Greg Fitzsimmons, a longtime friend and mentee whom Meaney guided from college days, remembered his "pure abandon" on stage and loyalty, noting how Meaney turned even failed sets into crowd-pleasers through improvisational songs. Social media responses from figures like Judd Apatow and David Cross echoed these sentiments, reflecting widespread admiration in the comedy community.[2][42][43][14] Meaney's influence extended to observational comedy, where his family-themed routines—skewering everyday domestic absurdities with his signature catchphrase "That's not right!"—inspired a generation of performers to find humor in relatable, exaggerated parental and household scenarios. His mentorship in comedy clubs, particularly in New York and Boston, helped shape younger acts by demonstrating resilience and joy in live performance, as evidenced by his guidance of talents like C.K. and Fitzsimmons. While no major posthumous awards were announced, his legacy endures through his contributions to comedy and television.[2][42][43]Works
Discography
Meaney's discography primarily consists of stand-up comedy specials and one major audio album release, capturing his signature observational humor and catchphrases like "That's not right!" delivered in exaggerated voices. His early specials established his reputation for high-energy routines on everyday absurdities, while later works explored family life and personal anecdotes.Comedy Specials
- Kevin Meaney (HBO, 1986): Meaney's debut HBO special, filmed live and marking his breakthrough in national television comedy. It featured early routines on childhood memories, family dynamics, and mimicry of authority figures, running approximately 60 minutes and aired as part of HBO's stand-up programming.[14]
- One Night Stand: Kevin Meaney (HBO, 1989): A half-hour episode in HBO's anthology series, showcasing Meaney's rapid-fire delivery on topics like marriage and modern inconveniences. This special highlighted his improvisational style and vocal impressions, contributing to his growing fanbase in the late 1980s comedy scene.[44]
- Just for Laughs (1998): Meaney performed a segment titled "The BBQ" as part of the Montréal Just for Laughs festival compilation, focusing on humorous takes on suburban gatherings and grilling mishaps. This live set was later included in archival releases, emphasizing his crowd-pleasing accessibility.[45]
- Comedy Central Presents: Kevin Meaney (1999): A 30-minute stand-up special where Meaney riffed on atomic bomb drills from his youth, ancestral connections to toys like Mr. Potato Head, and marital quirks. The episode underscored his self-deprecating wit and was one of Comedy Central's early half-hour showcases for established comedians.[17]
Albums
- That's Not Right! (2004): Meaney's sole full-length comedy album, released on CD and digital formats by What Are You Laughing At? Records, compiling 22 tracks from live performances. Key highlights include "My Eye" (a routine on hypochondria and eye exams), "Big Pants People" (satirizing fashion trends and body image), and family sketches like "We're Going to Lose the House" and "The Meaney's Summer Vacations," which delve into parental pressures and vacation disasters. The album runs about 60 minutes and captures Meaney's vocal versatility in mimicking relatives and celebrities. No further original albums were released, though segments from his specials appeared in posthumous digital compilations, such as the 2018 Just for Laughs archives.[46][47]
