The Lenny Bruce Obscenity Trial - The Obscenity Circus | 1
American Scandal
Audible
4.5 • 19.6K Ratings
🗓️ 3 March 2020
⏱️ 41 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In the 1960s, Lenny Bruce was a trailblazing standup comedian who took aim at American culture. Bruce clashed frequently with law enforcement, but his decisive legal battle began in 1964. Bruce faced obscenity charges over one of his performances. He also faced a criminal-justice system bent on silencing an outspoken social critic.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, Prime Members, you can listen to American Scandal add-free on Amazon Music, download the app today. |
| 0:07.0 | A listener note, this episode contains references to adult content and language and contains material that some might find offensive. |
| 0:15.0 | It's March 31, 1964 in New York City. |
| 0:30.0 | Lenny Bruce paces backstage at the Cafe Algo Go, a new club in Greenwich Village. |
| 0:35.0 | He loosens his skinny black tie and walks over to a scuffed up mirror. |
| 0:40.0 | His face looks puffy. His eyes are ringed with dark circles. |
| 0:43.0 | But Bruce knows that in this dimly lit basement, no one's gonna notice. |
| 0:47.0 | Bruce runs a hand through his dark hair, then shrugs into his black jacket. |
| 0:53.0 | Ella Solomon, the co-owner of Cafe Algo Go, enters the room. Her dress kicks up dust. |
| 0:59.0 | Hey Len, you ready? |
| 1:01.0 | Bruce turns and gives her his most charming grin. |
| 1:04.0 | I'll be out there, I'll just give me a minute. |
| 1:06.0 | That's what you said 10 minutes ago. |
| 1:08.0 | I know, I know, I'm just working through the opening bit. I was thinking of going with Jackie Kennedy. You like the Jackie bit? |
| 1:14.0 | God forgive me, but yes I do. |
| 1:16.0 | Good, because it's one of the last safe bits I've got left. |
| 1:19.0 | How on earth can that joke be safe? Her husband got killed four months ago. |
| 1:23.0 | Well, I haven't been arrested yet, so it's safe in my book. Safety first. That's my motto. |
| 1:29.0 | What have you done with the real Lenny Bruce? |
| 1:31.0 | I'm serious Ella, your boy needs a break. |
| 1:34.0 | My low life buddies tell me that I'll get used to the handcuffs, the jail cells, the lawyer fees. |
| 1:39.0 | But guess what Ella, you never get used to. |
... |
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