This is an I-Heart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.

This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories.

Up next, the story of one of the best and weirdest stand-ups to ever hold a

microphone. Mitch Hedberg was an old-fashioned one-liner spitter like Henny Youngman and an observer

of the foibles of everyday life like Jerry Seinfeld. Here's Greg Hengler with a story.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm extremely proud to present Mitch Hedberg.

Mitch Hedberg was one of the greatest comedians of all time.

He might not be a household name like George Carlin

or Louis C.K.

But he'll always be remembered for his signature style

and unconventional offbeat delivery.

Yeah, I gotta write these jokes.

So I sit at the hotel at night.

I think of something that's funny.

Then I go get a pen and I write it down.

Or, if the pen's too far away, I have to convince myself that what I thought of ain't funny.

His comedy typically featured short, sometimes one-line jokes, mixed with absurd elements and non-sequiters.

I've always wanted to have a suitcase handcuffed to my wrist.

All right.

My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana.

I said no, but I want a regular banana later.

...