Nichols and May facts for kids
Nichols and May was a super popular American comedy team. It was made up of two amazing performers: Mike Nichols (who lived from 1931 to 2014) and Elaine May (born in 1932). They were known for their "improvisational" comedy, which means they made up jokes and scenes on the spot! Their funny albums were so good that three of them made it onto the Billboard Top 40 between 1959 and 1962. This was a big deal, like having your favorite song hit the top of the music charts!
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Why Nichols and May Were So Important
Many other comedians looked up to Nichols and May. They saw them as key figures who changed modern comedy. Famous TV host Dick Cavett once said, "You can't get any better than they were." He also called them "one of the comic meteors in the sky," meaning they shone brightly and quickly became legends. Another well-known comedian, Woody Allen, shared that Nichols and May "elevated comedy to a brand-new level." This shows how much they influenced the world of humor.
Their Award-Winning Comedy Shows
In 1960, Nichols and May released an album called An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May. This album was a recording of their very first show on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. The album was a huge success! It even won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Performance. This is one of the biggest awards you can get in music and entertainment. Their next album, Mike Nichols & Elaine May Examine Doctors, was also nominated for a Grammy. This shows how consistently funny and popular they were.
A Special Performance for the President
Nichols and May became even more famous in 1962. They performed for John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration. This was a very special event where they shared the stage with other big stars, including the famous actress Marilyn Monroe. Performing for the President's birthday showed just how well-known and loved their comedy act had become across America.
Images for kids
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Nichols and May with Dorothy Loudon (right) in 1959
