by D.J. Palladino
Political satirist, impressionist best
known for his voices on The Simpsons, and host of public radio’s Le
Show, Harry Shearer comes to UCSB’s Campbell Hall on Sunday, March
4 at 4 p.m. He’s a hilarious must-see, and here’s why:
#1) His first acting gig was a 1953 appearance
in Abbott and Costello Go to Mars, but he also played the
role of Frankie in the Leave It to Beaver pilot.
#2) Among his many Simpsons-related
accomplishments: He’s the voice of Dr. Julius Hibbert, Ned
Flanders, Seymour Skinner, Mr. Burns, and Smithers; an in-joke in
an early episode features a barely glimpsed beauty salon called
Hairy Shearers; and he doesn’t like the show much after the fourth
season.
#3) A résumé turned up past 11: He was
associated with The Credibility Gap, Laverne & Shirley,
Fernwood 2Night, early Saturday Night Live, Spy
magazine, and, of course, he’s Derek Smalls in This Is
Spinal Tap.
