"If I don't know it, nobody does!" says Harry Freedman. Is he serious? Of course, he's not. Yet, from comedy clubs to corporate events to television shows, audiences take HARRY FREEDMAN very seriously--right up until the moment they realize they have been had!
As "the nation's leading expert," comedian Harry Freedman convinces audiences he is a doctor, bureaucrat, presidential adviser, or a psychologist--and the list goes on. But, who is he? Harry Freedman is really the king of comedy put-ons.
It's hard to imagine how audiences are hoodwinked by a comedian whose TV credits include "America's Funniest People," "Comedy On The Road," "Stand-Up Spotlight" with Rosie O'Donnel, Caroline's Comedy Hour, and who has written for the highly acclaimed sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Caroline's Comedy Hour," and Showtime Specials. Harry has also been profiled in The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Miami Herald, and Convention South.
But, thanks to his ability to never crack a smile and what's been described as his "generic executive look," Harry Freedman fools audiences time and time again. For instance: "national economist" Harry Freedman once told an incredulous TV interviewer: "The savings and loan problem? Most people blame greedy bankers when the truth is a few bank tellers miscounted some rolls of pennies. Well, a few pennies here, a few pennies there - the next thing you know, we're down $500 billion. It could happen to anyone!" And then there was the time on a TV talk show that "sports doctor" Harry Freedman told perplexed baseball star Keith Hernandez: "I could help Keith. Sure he's getting old, his body's deteriorating and his muscle tone has pretty much wasted away, but you strap him down on a table and give me a sharp instrument I'll have him ready for spring training."
On the club and concert circuit, Harry Freedman has fun with audiences by posing as a doctor who is moonlighting as a stand-up comic. His credits include New York's Carolines, The Comic Strip, Dangerfields, and The Tropicana in Atlantic City. He has also opened for Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser, Tim Allen, and currently opens regularly for Ray Romano from the hit CBS show, Everybody Loves Raymond. He has also appeared as an actor on Everybody Loves Raymond.
On the corporate lecture circuit, Harry Freedman is introduced as a newly-hired executive, government regulator, or outside consultant. He starts off for real and uses custom tailored material to fool the audience until they're laughing so hard, they eventually realize they have been had. They love it--and with good reason. Harry Freedman works closely with a meeting planner to create a character, content and strategy that will be hilarious, but also appropriate by reviewing his presentation with the meeting planner for prior approval to insure a risk free event.
Noted one meeting planner: The audience expected a very serious delivery and wound up rolling on the floor with laughter."
Meeting planners have also discovered Harry Freedman does more than just spoof industry topics and key executives. Harry's humor breaks down corporate barriers and creates a camaraderie. Observed another meeting planner: "Everybody was tired from a long day of brainstorming. Harry Freedman completely turned them around. They came out re-energized, re-enthused, and ready to take on new challenges."