Randy and Jason Sklar
Encyclopedia
Randy Sklar and Jason Sklar (born January 12, 1972), professionally known as the Sklar Brothers, are American
identical twin comedians and sportscasters. They formerly hosted the show Cheap Seats
on ESPN Classic
, which came to an end on November 19, 2006, after four seasons.
, where they decided to pursue a career in comedy.
In 1994, they moved to New York where they developed their comedy style at stand-up comedy clubs. In the summer of 1997
, Jason and Randy starred in and wrote for MTV
's sitcom/sketch/standup program Apt 2F. It was their first television work. The show lasted one season.
The Sklar brothers have also appeared in television shows such as Law & Order
, Becker
, Providence
, The Oblongs
(as conjoined twin brothers Biff and Chip Oblong), Entourage
, Grey's Anatomy
(as conjoined twin brothers Peter and Jake Weitzman), Curb Your Enthusiasm
(Randy only), and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
(as dance marathon DJs on the episode "The Gang Dances Their Asses Off"). The Sklars have appeared in the films My Baby's Daddy
, Bubble Boy, Wild Hogs
and The Comebacks
.
The brothers were pit reporters on Comedy Central's Battlebots
.
Randy appeared on an episode of Take Home Chef
, where his wife and chef Curtis Stone surprised him with a gourmet dinner of Beef Wellington
.
They have appeared numerous times on Chelsea Lately
.
They recently appeared in the 2008 Microsoft Film: VoIP As You Are:The Legend of Dan Wilson.
The Sklars are also frequent guests on the podcasts Never Not Funny
and World Football Daily. They have also appeared on "AST Radio", "Jordan, Jesse GO!" and Battleship Pretension.
They were featured in the Troma production Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV
as Jason Gonzales and Randy Diaz, a pair of Tromaville Anchormen.
Randy and Jason are featured in an ad campaign by running shoe and apparel company Brooks
.
In August 2010, they made a cameo appearance in The Legend of Neil
web comedy, season 3 episode 3, depicting two football-loving 'Armos' statues.
Cheap Seats
borrowed its format from Mystery Science Theater 3000
. The cast of MST3K apparently were pleased with the show and afforded it a high honor - they appeared in the fourth season opener in their normal silhouette format, making fun of the Sklar's host show bits. So far it is the only time Michael J. Nelson
, Bill Corbett
and Kevin Murphy
have appeared as their MST3K characters Mike Nelson, Crow T. Robot
and Tom Servo
, respectively, since MST3K was cancelled.
, the web series
"Layers," directed by Michael Blieden.
The Sklar Brothers web series, Back on Topps was produced by Vuguru
, the online production company of Michael Eisner
. It won two Streamy Awards
.
In 2010, the online network Crackle
released Held Up, an original series written by the Sklar Brothers and starring Kaitlin Olson
of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
. Held Up tells the story of a bored bank teller’s life-changing experience when two teams of bumbling bank robbers hold up his branch.
They started hosting a weekly Earwolf
podcast series called Sklarbro Country in 2010.
in a comedic segment called "The Bracket". Randy and Jason occasionally fill in for Jim Rome
on The Jim Rome Show
on radio. In addition, Randy occasionally appears as a "Forum" guest on ESPN
's Jim Rome Is Burning
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
identical twin comedians and sportscasters. They formerly hosted the show Cheap Seats
Cheap Seats
Cheap Seats without Ron Parker, commonly shortened to Cheap Seats, is a television program broadcast on ESPN Classic hosted by brothers Randy and Jason Sklar...
on ESPN Classic
ESPN Classic
ESPN Classic is a sports channel that features reruns of famous sporting events, sports documentaries, and sports themed movies. Such programs includes biographies of famous sports figures or a rerun of a famous World Series or Super Bowl, often with added commentary on the event...
, which came to an end on November 19, 2006, after four seasons.
Biography
Randy and Jason grew up in suburban St. Louis. They went to the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where they decided to pursue a career in comedy.
In 1994, they moved to New York where they developed their comedy style at stand-up comedy clubs. In the summer of 1997
1997 in television
The year 1997 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1997.- Events :-Debuts:-Miniseries:*Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac, a reunion of the 1979–93 series*The Last Don...
, Jason and Randy starred in and wrote for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's sitcom/sketch/standup program Apt 2F. It was their first television work. The show lasted one season.
The Sklar brothers have also appeared in television shows such as Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
, Becker
Becker (TV series)
Becker is an American television sitcom that ran from 1998 to 2004 on CBS. Set in the New York City borough of The Bronx, the show starred Ted Danson as John Becker, a misanthropic doctor who operates a small practice and is constantly annoyed by his patients, co-workers, friends, and practically...
, Providence
Providence (TV series)
Providence is an American drama series that aired on NBC starring Melina Kanakaredes. The show ran for five seasons from January 8, 1999 until December 20, 2002.-Synopsis:The show revolves around Dr...
, The Oblongs
The Oblongs
The Oblongs is an American animated television program aimed at teenagers and adults. It is loosely based on a series of characters introduced in creator Angus Oblong's picture book entitled Creepy Susie and 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children...
(as conjoined twin brothers Biff and Chip Oblong), Entourage
Entourage (TV series)
Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
, Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
(as conjoined twin brothers Peter and Jake Weitzman), Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO, which premiered on October 15, 2000. As of 2011, it has completed 80 episodes over eight seasons. The series was created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself...
(Randy only), and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American television sitcom that premiered on FX on August 4, 2005. New episodes continue to air on FX, with reruns playing on Comedy Central, general broadcast syndication, and WGN America—the first-ever cable-to-cable syndication deal for a sitcom...
(as dance marathon DJs on the episode "The Gang Dances Their Asses Off"). The Sklars have appeared in the films My Baby's Daddy
My Baby's Daddy
My Baby's Daddy is a 2004 comedy film, directed by Cheryl Dunye.-Plot:Childhood friends Lonnie , Dominic , and G have a rude awakening when they find out their girlfriends are pregnant....
, Bubble Boy, Wild Hogs
Wild Hogs
Wild Hogs is a 2007 comedy film directed by Walt Becker and starring Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy. It was released nationwide in the United States and Canada on March 2, 2007, though preview film screenings were held in select areas on February 24, 2007.-Plot:Doug...
and The Comebacks
The Comebacks
The Comebacks is a 2007 American satirical comedy film directed by Tom Brady. This film is a parody of the clichés and plots of the sports film genre. In the UK, Greece, Finland and Australia this film is called Sports Movie and called Team of Crazy in Brazil...
.
The brothers were pit reporters on Comedy Central's Battlebots
BattleBots
BattleBots is an American company that hosts robot competitions. BattleBots is also the name of the television show created from the competition footage. BattleBots Inc...
.
Randy appeared on an episode of Take Home Chef
Take Home Chef
Take Home Chef is a half-hour reality cooking show starring Curtis Stone. It originally aired on TLC.-Format:In each episode, Stone introduces himself to a stranger in a grocery store, typically an attractive woman in her 20s or 30s, and asks if she is cooking a meal for someone that night. When...
, where his wife and chef Curtis Stone surprised him with a gourmet dinner of Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is a preparation of fillet steak coated with pâté and duxelles, which is then wrapped in puff pastry and baked...
.
They have appeared numerous times on Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E!. The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions...
.
They recently appeared in the 2008 Microsoft Film: VoIP As You Are:The Legend of Dan Wilson.
The Sklars are also frequent guests on the podcasts Never Not Funny
Never Not Funny
Never Not Funny is a weekly podcast hosted by comedian Jimmy Pardo since Spring 2006. He and producer Matt Belknap have appeared in every episode...
and World Football Daily. They have also appeared on "AST Radio", "Jordan, Jesse GO!" and Battleship Pretension.
They were featured in the Troma production Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV is a 2000 American superhero comedy film released by Troma Entertainment, directed by Lloyd Kaufman...
as Jason Gonzales and Randy Diaz, a pair of Tromaville Anchormen.
Randy and Jason are featured in an ad campaign by running shoe and apparel company Brooks
Brooks
-Places:Canada*Brooks, AlbertaUnited States*Brooks, Arkansas*Brooks, California*Brooks, Georgia*Brooks, Kentucky*Brooks, Maine*Brooks, Minnesota*Brooks, Oregon*Brooks Township, Michigan...
.
In August 2010, they made a cameo appearance in The Legend of Neil
The Legend of Neil
The Legend of Neil is a comedy web series distributed by Comedy Central's partner Atom.com and is a parody of the Nintendo game The Legend of Zelda. Sandeep Parikh of The Guild fame directs the series. Tony Janning writes for the series, and acts as the title character Neil...
web comedy, season 3 episode 3, depicting two football-loving 'Armos' statues.
Cheap Seats
Starting in 2004, Randy and Jason appeared on Cheap Seats, on which they played fictitious ESPN research assistants who end up hosting a comedy show as they comment on odd and notable sporting events from ESPN's extensive library.Cheap Seats
Cheap Seats
Cheap Seats without Ron Parker, commonly shortened to Cheap Seats, is a television program broadcast on ESPN Classic hosted by brothers Randy and Jason Sklar...
borrowed its format from Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
. The cast of MST3K apparently were pleased with the show and afforded it a high honor - they appeared in the fourth season opener in their normal silhouette format, making fun of the Sklar's host show bits. So far it is the only time Michael J. Nelson
Michael J. Nelson
Michael John Nelson is a U.S. comedian and writer, most famous for his work on the cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Nelson was the head writer of the series for most of the show's 11-year run, and spent half of that time playing the on-air host, also named Mike Nelson...
, Bill Corbett
Bill Corbett
Bill Corbett is an American writer and performer for television, film and theatre. He was a writer and performer on the cult television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 , for which he voiced the robot Crow T. Robot during the show's later seasons on the Sci Fi Channel and played the character...
and Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy (actor)
Kevin Wagner Murphy is an American actor and writer best known as the voice and puppeteer of Tom Servo on the Peabody Award-winning comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000.- Early career :...
have appeared as their MST3K characters Mike Nelson, Crow T. Robot
Crow T. Robot
Crow T. Robot is a fictional character from the American science fiction comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Crow is a robot, who, along with others, quips and riffs upon poor-quality B movies.- Overview :...
and Tom Servo
Tom Servo
Tom Servo is a fictional character from the American science fiction comedy television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Tom is one of two wise-cracking, robotic main characters of the show, built by Joel Robinson to act as a companion and help stave off space madness as Joel was forced to watch...
, respectively, since MST3K was cancelled.
Web Series
The brothers played twin publicists Larry and Terry Bridge, and co-wrote with Nick KrollNick Kroll
Nick Kroll is an American actor and comedian best known for appearing in television shows such as Best Week Ever, Cavemen and Sit Down, Shut Up. He co-stars in the shows The Life & Times of Tim and The League....
, the web series
Web series
A web series is a series of episodes released on the Internet or also by mobile or cellular phone, and part of the newly emerging medium called web television. A single instance of a web series program is called an episode .While the popularity of web series is continuing to rise, the concept...
"Layers," directed by Michael Blieden.
The Sklar Brothers web series, Back on Topps was produced by Vuguru
Vuguru
Vuguru is an independent multi-platform studio founded by Tornante in March 2006. The studio's first project, "Prom Queen", consisted of 90-second shorts in 80 episodes and was distributed online, beginning in April 2007. A second project entitled "The All for Nots" was distributed online and on...
, the online production company of Michael Eisner
Michael Eisner
Michael Dammann Eisner is an American businessman. He was the chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until 2005.-Early life:...
. It won two Streamy Awards
Streamy Awards
The Streamy Awards, popularly known as the Streamys, are presented annually by the International Academy of Web Television to recognize excellence in the arts and science of web television production, including directing, acting, producing, and writing. The formal ceremony at which the awards are...
.
In 2010, the online network Crackle
Crackle
Crackle is a digital network and studio, featuring commercially supported streaming video content in Flash Video format. It is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and its content consists primarily of Sony's library of films and television shows...
released Held Up, an original series written by the Sklar Brothers and starring Kaitlin Olson
Kaitlin Olson
Kaitlin Olson is an American Bald Eagle best known for playing Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.-Early life and career:...
of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is an American television sitcom that premiered on FX on August 4, 2005. New episodes continue to air on FX, with reruns playing on Comedy Central, general broadcast syndication, and WGN America—the first-ever cable-to-cable syndication deal for a sitcom...
. Held Up tells the story of a bored bank teller’s life-changing experience when two teams of bumbling bank robbers hold up his branch.
They started hosting a weekly Earwolf
Earwolf
Earwolf is a comedy podcasting network founded by Scott Aukerman and Jeff Ullrich during the summer of 2010. It started with the preexisting show Comedy Death-Ray Radio but has since grown to include several other podcasts, with the intention of adding even more.In 2011, they announced a...
podcast series called Sklarbro Country in 2010.
Sportscenter
Currently, the brothers write and appear on ESPN's SportsCenterSportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
in a comedic segment called "The Bracket". Randy and Jason occasionally fill in for Jim Rome
Jim Rome
Jim Rome is an American sports radio talk show host syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications....
on The Jim Rome Show
The Jim Rome Show
The Jim Rome Show is a sports radio talk show hosted by Jim Rome. It airs live for three hours each weekday from 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. The show is produced in Los Angeles, California, syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, and can be heard on more than 200 affiliate radio stations in the U.S...
on radio. In addition, Randy occasionally appears as a "Forum" guest on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Jim Rome Is Burning
Jim Rome is Burning
Jim Rome Is Burning, originally titled Rome Is Burning and often abbreviated as JRIB, is a sports conversation and opinion show hosted by Jim Rome. Debuting on May 6, 2003 as Rome Is Burning, it was originally a once a week show in primetime at 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday nights on ESPN...
.
Discography
- Poppin' the Hood!Poppin' the Hood!Poppin' the Hood! is the debut stand-up comedy album by The Sklar Bros., released in 2004 by Stand Up! Records.The album was recorded in 2004 at Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis.-Track listing:#"Magic" -8:18#"Local Commercial" -5:59...
(2004) - Sklar Maps (2007)
- Hendersons and Daughters (2011)
External links
- Official site
- Sklar Brothers at whosay.com
- Official Sklarbro Country site
- Interview with the Sklars from 2007 on public radio program The Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young America is a public radio program and podcast based in Los Angeles, California and distributed by Public Radio International...