Robert Smigel
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Robert Smigel (b. February 7, 1960) is an American humorist and performer, possibly best known as the puppeteer behind Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog.
Smigel was once a member of the Chicago comedy troupe All You Can Eat.
Smigel first established himself as a writer on Saturday Night Live, where he wrote many memorable sketches including one where host William Shatner urged worshipful attendees at a Star Trek convention to "get a life." Smigel rarely appeared on screen although he was a recurring character in the Bill Swerski's Superfans sketches.
Smigel later became the first head writer at Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where he created numerous successful comedy bits, including one where Smigel performed only the lips of public figures which were superimposed on photos of the actual people. (This technique was pioneered on the "Clutch Cargo" cartoon series as a cost-saving measure, and was known as "Syncro-Vox".) His most famous creation, however, is the foul-mouthed puppet Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog who mercilessly mocks celebrities and others in the style of a Borscht Belt comedian. Smigel also wrote and performed on the short-lived Dana Carvey Show.
Smigel continued to establish himself on Saturday Night Live by producing short animated segments under the title "TV Funhouse," which usually satirized public figures and popular culture. It spawned a TV Show on Comedy Central featuring a mix of puppets, animation, and short sketches. Only eight episodes were aired in the winter of 2000-01.
Smigel continues to create "TV Funhouse" segments for SNL and occasionally appears in films (usually alongside SNL veterans like Adam Sandler).
Smigel's name is currently surfacing as a replacement for Conan O'Brien on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as host.
Smigel's father is also the "Father of Cosmetic Dentistry" [1] (http://www.smigel.com)], Dr. Irwin Smigel (president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics for over 25 years). Robert briefly attempted to follow in his father's footsteps and studied dentistry at Cornell University and New York University.
Sources
Triumph Sniffs a Hit, by Frank DiGiacomo 10/20/2003 edition of The New York Observer.
Triumph's Home Page (http://www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com)
Robert's father's webpage (http://www.smigel.com)