DEAD FROM THE NECK UP

Who or What is "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP"?

"DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" was one of the brightest and funniest radio sketch comedy programs of this decade. It featured slightly off the wall humor in a weekly show which devolved from a regulated format to a no holds barred freewheeling laugh fest of great comedic pieces. Alas having said that it can also be said the program is unfortunately no more, having lost its drive due to a lack of interest by the powers that be to syndicate this once in a lifetime program!

"DEAD FROM THE NECK UP", which lasted for four years on CJLX 92.3 FM in the greater Belleville, ontario area, was the brainchild of comic geniuses Steve Dafoe and Scott Henderson. It began meagerly as a fifteen minute slot on a Sunday evening free-for-all music bash hosted by the Weird Beard himself, Bryan Dawkins. Dawkins would later go on to fame as the high mucky muck Producer, Co-Writer, and occasional voice talent on the highly acclaimed but rarely heard "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP." After an initial test as "TWO GUYS IN SHORT PANTS", Dafoe and Henderson were pulled from the airwaves for making alleged pseudo-insulting remarks regarding the Mayor's hair and a certain resemblance of one of the Council Persons to the infamous Yosemite Sam! "TWO GUYS IN SHORT PANTS" were no more.

After a bit of retooling and two weeks in the penalty box Henderson and Dafoe returned in a weekly 30 minute slot as "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP." Starting out with a set format which included comic sketches, phony commercials, a rotating commentary, and a comedic song, Dafoe and Henderson soon realized their strength was in allowing the format to fall into disarray and in the realization that the commentary was crap and that neither Henderson nor Dafoe could carry a tune between them. The show then founded itself as a clearinghouse of sorts for brilliant sketches featuring such odd characters as Two Dead Guys, Stan The Welcome Mat Man and his faithful sidekick Teddy the Topless Dancer, Goody Twoshoes--Actor, John Tirefire--The Man From the Ministry of the Environment, and Wally Wandaleer With Things You Just Don't See On Radio.

Radio had never seen anything like "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" and even CJLX's Station Manager had to admit there was a uniqueness to the program; so much so that the Station Manager had to slap the boys on the wrists a few times and pull sketches which he felt pushed the limits of good taste. Remember boys and girls you can't do sketches about Gummy Snots or bodily functions if you want to be on radio!

Alas after four great heralded in their own mind seasons "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" came to an end without fanfare or free coffee. There was of course the infamous "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" Christmas Special as a footnote to the program but following this there would be no more opportunities for the public to hear "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" again. A demo copy of the program was sent to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for consideration but there was no response. Somewhere the demo tape is now lining landfill or lounging on someone's shelf as a free cassette which they've no doubt utilized to record the complete works of Yanni.

So what happened to Henderson, Dafoe, and Dawkins? Oh they're still around but they don't work together in radio; in fact, they're spread across canada.  Henderson has just published "proof for believing", a collection of Christmas entertainments and has included some very funny Christmas sketches in the book.  his novel, "false ducks" chronicling the adventures of a fictitious radio sketch comedy show will be published in 2007 and also will include some of the great sketches from "dead from the neck" incorporated into the narrative.  As for radio comedy none of the three feels anything can match the success of "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP."

But the legend of "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" should not be allowed to die so easily. Through this website DEAD FROM THE NECK UP will live once again. There are links here to read sketches from the great program and audio samples! BOOKMARK this page because the sketches audio samples will change.. Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your Greengrocer about this page. Let the legend of "DEAD FROM THE NECK UP" live! Keep coming back and e-mail your questions and comments.

IN 2020 THE BOYS REUNITED AGAIN FOR THE DEAD DROM THE NECK UP 25TH ANNIVERSARY COVID 19 QUARANTINE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL. THIS WAS THE FIRST NEW SHOW IN 25 YEARS. GUESS WHAT? THEY DID IT AGAIN 2021 WITH A NEW CHRISTMAS SPECIAL. CLICK THE "READ & LISTEN TO SKETCHES" LINK IN THE MENU TO HEAR THE NEW SHOWS

AND REMEMBER: