What happens when you combine the cynical Doctor Zaius from Planet of the Apes with the iconic late-night host Johnny Carson? You get Doctor Z, the brilliantly bizarre creation of comedian Dana Gould, and the star of the uproarious YouTube series, Hanging with Doctor Z. Fans were thrilled when Doctor Z leapt from the digital realm to the stage for a live performance at the Dynasty Typewriter theater in Los Angeles on April 14th.
Doctor Zaius persona of Dana Gould as Hanging with Doctor Z host at Dynasty Typewriter live show
As a long-time admirer of the original Planet of the Apes saga, I was ecstatic to witness Doctor Z live at the intimate 200-seat Dynasty Typewriter. Anticipating a live rendition of his popular YouTube show, I was pleasantly surprised by Gould’s innovative approach. Instead of a straightforward adaptation, we were treated to a full-fledged comedy vaudeville variety show, with Doctor Z himself as the unforgettable host.
Before Doctor Z graced the stage, the audience was entertained by a hilarious slideshow. Doctor Z was cleverly inserted into classic scenes from the 1960s Batman TV series, The Love Boat, and even Gone with the Wind. Adding to the retro comedic flavor were parody advertisements for products like “Ted Lange’s Lido Deck Moustache Mortar” and “Tor Johnson’s Liver and Onions” restaurant. These pre-show bits were a nostalgic treat, especially resonating with those of us who appreciate humor from a bygone era – let’s say, those over 40 (or perhaps even 50!). The anticipation was palpable as we geared up for the nearly two-hour show.
Audience view at Dynasty Typewriter theater for Hanging with Doctor Z live comedy show
Dana Gould as Doctor Z in full makeup performing live comedy at Dynasty Typewriter
Doctor Z interacts with Carmine St. Pierre, Paul Lynde type character, during live performance
Close up of Dana Gould as Doctor Z with detailed Planet of the Apes makeup at live show
Doctor Z’s grand entrance launched the show into orbit! His opening set featured topical jokes, including a hilarious quip about his summer plans being disrupted because he usually assists O.J. Simpson in searching for his wife’s killer. Adding to the comedic chaos was Carmine St. Pierre, a twitchy, Paul Lynde-esque character who replaced Doctor Z’s regular band leader, Rusty Steele. St. Pierre’s bewildered presence alongside the simian host generated consistent laughs. This opening segment segued into a surprisingly insightful and comedic deconstruction of Frank Sinatra’s iconic anthem, “My Way.” I guarantee you’ll never hear that song the same way again after Doctor Z’s take on it.
Doctor Z and Rusty Steele perform air drum comedy routine at Hanging with Doctor Z live show
The plot thickened when the “real” band leader, Rusty Steele, and his wife Cloudine made a dramatic entrance, having been tricked into a pointless trip to the airport. Rusty seized the stage for an unforgettable air-drum solo performance of Led Zeppelin’s classic rock anthem, “Black Dog.” His mime drum kit comically fluctuated in size throughout the performance, shrinking and growing in a visually funny bit that had the audience roaring.
Rusty Steele air drumming with shrinking drum set in Hanging with Doctor Z live performance
Doctor Z then introduced a lineup of special guest comedians who each delivered their own stand-up sets. The talented roster included Matt Braunger, Jackie Kashian, Andrea Jin, and Brian Posehn. Confession time: Brian Posehn was the only comedian I immediately recognized, thanks to his roles in The Big Bang Theory and The Mandalorian. Post-show, I was thrilled to grab a selfie with Posehn, who playfully warned me to “stay off the ice,” referencing his memorable speeder bike driving scene in the first episode of The Mandalorian.
Brian Posehn and fan backstage at Hanging with Doctor Z comedy show, with Posehn referencing The Mandalorian
A true highlight of the evening was Doctor Z’s brilliant parody of Johnny Carson’s famous “Carnac the Magnificent” sketch. In this Tonight Show staple, Carson, as Carnac, would mystically divine answers to unseen questions sealed in envelopes. Doctor Z’s twist? He traded Carson’s turban for the imposing helmet worn by gorilla army commanders like General Ursus and Urko in Planet of the Apes. As someone fascinated by the physics-defying stability of those helmets during ape battles, this visual gag was pure gold. In the routine, Dusty Steele (presumably a humorous renaming of Rusty) dutifully handed Doctor Z the envelopes, which he would tap against his helmet before proclaiming a nonsensical answer, and then revealing an equally absurd question from within.
Doctor Z performing Carnac the Magnificent skit with gorilla helmet at live comedy show
Doctor Z taps gorilla helmet in Carnac the Magnificent Johnny Carson parody at live show
Overall, Hanging with Doctor Z live was an exceptionally entertaining and surreal experience. Securing a front-row seat was truly a dream come true. Seeing Doctor Zaius materialize right before my eyes was genuinely mind-blowing. Having a background in special effects make-up, I’m always captivated by the artistry of prosthetics. Gould’s Doctor Z makeup is truly film-quality, rivaling the impressive work seen in the Planet of the Apes movies and TV series. Dana Gould fully embodies the Doctor Zaius persona, delivering a seamless comedic performance from beneath layers of latex, never missing a beat or punchline.
Dana Gould as Doctor Z poses for photo after Hanging with Doctor Z live comedy show
Season Three of Hanging with Doctor Z has recently premiered on YouTube. If you have a fondness for the golden age of talk shows, this series is tailor-made for you. Gould masterfully captures the essence and rhythm of 1970s late-night television, reminiscent of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and even The Joe Franklin Show. So, as Doctor Z himself might say, Go Ape!
For updates on upcoming shows, follow Dana Gould on Instagram. And for more ape-related content, be sure to listen to Dana Gould on a Talking Apes podcast episode!
