This show had everything, the very funny Merrill Davis telling us not only that she is a “too nice Southern Baptists Jew”, but also how she was informally adopted by Ed McMahon and his wife.  Then I asked singer/songwriter Oded Gross to play one of the worst songs he’s ever written and he busted out “The Monogamous Hippopotamus” followed by a brilliant song that purposefully didn’t rhyme. That’s more than enough for most people, but this isn’t a show about most people….so my friend; writer/actor/comedian Fred Raker checked in from San Francisco and shared a small part of his new one-man show “How To Make Your Bitterness Work For You.”  Nobody does it bitter or better than Fred in this show; he is truly the Carly Simon of bitterness.

0:00-0:30: Opening credits

0:30-6:55:Ed’s monologue. He talks about the great show we’re about to watch. Ed talks about the many games he plays with his daughter, and other stories from his past.

6:55-12:02: Ed introduces his guest, Merrill Davis. He talks to her about her past, growing up in Florida.

12:02-15:36: Merrill explains to Ed how she has trouble being mean to people.

15:36-16:41: Merrill’s video, looking for a sidekick, specifically Ed McMahon.

16:41-23:25: Merrill talks about her celebrity friendships, including her trip to an all-black church with Ed McMahon… and Mary J. Blige.

23:25-30:58: Merrill talks about her stand-up performances back in the South.

30:01-31:51: “Donny Gets a Haircut” video

31:51-36:10: Oded Gross performs, but first Ed interviews him about his musical past.

36:10-40:15: Oded performs a song that doesn’t rhyme. But that’s the point.

40:15-44:35: Ed asks Oded more questions about his inspirations as a singer, as well as a songwriter and comedian.

44:35-48:00: Ed introduces Fred Raker, asking about his writing, and working in San Francisco.

48:00-50:35: Fred talks about one of his first jobs, working for a gossip columnist.

50:35-54:00: Fred does his “Bitterness” bit. See what I did there?

54:00-55:03: Ed talks to Merrill Davis, as well as many other Merill/Meryl/Marell??

55:03-55:37: Ed wraps the show