Mr. Mike: The Life and Work of Michael O'Donoghue, the Man Who Made Comedy Dangerous

Introduction
"Mr. Mike: The Life and Work of Michael O'Donoghue, the Man Who Made Comedy Dangerous" is a biography of the late American comedian and author Michael O'Donoghue, composed by Dennis Perrin. Published in 1998, it informs the story of O'Donoghue's life and career, emphasizing his prominent function in the development of comedy as a form of social commentary and satire. As the original head writer of "Saturday Night Live" and an influential factor to "National Lampoon" publication, O'Donoghue's innovative work assisted change the landscape of comedy and motivate future generations of comics, authors, and performers.

Early Life
Born in 1940 in upstate New York, Michael O'Donoghue matured in a middle-class family with Irish roots. O'Donoghue endured a traumatic youth marked by an abusive dad and familial discord, which would later on notify his dark comical perceptiveness. As a teen, O'Donoghue discovered sanctuary in humor, gravitating towards the writings of satirists such as Lenny Bruce and Mort Sahl.

O'Donoghue participated in the University of Rochester, where he studied literary criticism and ended up being involved in the school humor magazine, "Ugh!" After college, he worked briefly as an artist and reporter prior to transferring to New York City in the mid-1960s to pursue a profession in funny and writing.

Profession Beginnings
In New York, O'Donoghue began writing for underground publications like "Evergreen Review" and "Cavalier", where his dark-comedy infused articles earned him a credibility as a sharp and brave voice. He signed up with forces with the humor magazine "National Lampoon" at its creation in 1970, where he honed his abilities as an author and became an innovative force behind the publication. His most noteworthy contributions consist of the well-known "Vietnamese Baby Book" and his development of the "Evil Teddy Bear" character.

At "National Lampoon", O'Donoghue created a collective collaboration with other young comical authors and entertainers, consisting of Chevy Chase, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner. Their work with the magazine prepared for what would become a groundbreaking television show, "Saturday Night Live".

Saturday Night Live
Michael O'Donoghue joined the cast and team of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) as the program's very first head writer in 1975. His dark comedic perceptiveness formed SNL's early years, and he frequently showcased his hallmark wit in sketches that pushed limits and challenged conventional standards. As the head author, he played a critical role in shaping the careers of lots of young talents and helped seal SNL's place as a necessary platform for political satire and subversive funny.

Some of O'Donoghue's most well-known SNL sketches include "The Claudine Longet Invitational", which lampooned the star skier who had unintentionally shot her partner, and "Bad Cabaret for Children", a scathing parody of child performers.

Later On Career and Legacy
Michael O'Donoghue left "Saturday Night Live" in 1978, but he returned regularly as a writer and contributor throughout the 1980s. He continued to work with "National Lampoon" and wrote for numerous publications, consisting of the "New York Times" and "Vanity Fair". He also participated in movie projects, such as the cult timeless funny "Scrooged" (1988), with Bill Murray.

Michael O'Donoghue passed away in 1994 from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 54. His contributions to comedy continue to resonate worldwide of humor and satire, as he left an enduring mark on the market with his valiancy, irreverence, and boundary-pushing funny. "Mr. Mike" acts as a fitting homage to a guy whose work helped reinvent funny and transformed it into a platform for social critique and political satire.