PARTICIPANT INC presents Andy Kaufman's 99cent Tour, a series of screenings which survey the work of Andy Kaufman, organized by artist Jonathan Berger in collaboration with the Estate of Andy Kaufman, Lynne Margulies, Bob Zmuda, and Tony Clifton. Each evening-length program will focus on a different aspect of Kaufman's largely unclassifiable creative practice and will feature both classic performance documentation and obscure and never-before-seen footage. Kaufman's undeniably influential role in the evolution of performance art, new media, conceptual art, and relational aesthetics has become increasingly acknowledged among many of the most influential artists working today. Andy Kaufman's 99cent Tour brings figures in contemporary art and culture who site Kaufman as influence, together with those who worked with him directly during the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. These discussions seek to place the intergenerational and cross-disciplinary perspectives of the hosts in dialogue with the work itself, offering new insight in to Kaufman's philosophy, approach, and creative aspirations.

Tuesday, February 12, 8:30pm

ABC's The Andy Kaufman Special, 1979
Buckshot: Uncle Andy's Funhouse, 1980
Hour Magazine, 1982

With a selection of Kaufman Family audio and visual recordings, from 1955-1984 An evening centered on the influence of Kaufman's childhood performances on his professional career, hosted by  Michael Kaufman and Carol Kerman-Kaufman, and Kaufman's childhood friend, the artist Laurie Simmons.

 

Wednesday, February 13, 8:30pm

Midnight Snacks, 1977
Live concert documentation from the San Francisco Galleria Charity, 1981

An evening focusing on Kaufman's live performances, hosted by Kaufman's partner Lynne Margulies and his collaborator Little Wendy in conversation with PARTICIPANT INC founding director Lia Gangitano.

 

Thursday, February 14, 6:30pm 

Artists Dan Graham and Michael Smith in conversation about Kaufman's private and public persona, with footage from 1977-1983, including appearances on The John Davidson Show, 1982, Fridays, 1981, The Dating Game, 1978, at the Sacramento State Fair, 1982, and his self-produced commercials, 1983.

 

Thursday, February 14, 8:30pm

Andy Kaufman at Carnegie Hall, 1979

With a video introduction by artist and author of Concrete Comedy, David Robbins. Hosted by artist Jonathan Berger, in conversation with KIOSK.

 

Friday, February 15, 8:30pm

I'm From Hollywood, 1983

An evening considering Kaufman's career in wrestling, with a selection of documentary footage from 1979-1982, hosted by Lynne Margulies in conversation with Maccarone Inc Director Ellen Langan.

 

Saturday, February 16, 8:30pm

An evening devoted to the life and work of Tony Clifton, including a selection of footage documenting Clifton’s career from 1979-2004.

With Tony Clifton, Mindy Vale, Cleofus Guenvere, and host Lucy Sexton.

 

Tuesday, February 19, 8:30pm

An evening focusing on Kaufman's record collection (1958-1984) and the significance of his relationship to music, as a fan and performer.

Hosted by Hal Wilner, music producer and music supervisor of Saturday Night Live from 1981–1990 with musician, writer, record producer Lenny Kaye; VP MTV, author, journalist Bill Flanagan; author, music producer David Silver; music supervisor of Saturday Night Live from 1975–1980 Janine Nichols; and artist, musician Kembra Pfahler.

 

Thursday, February 21, 8:30pm

An evening observing Kaufman's impact on contemporary comedy, hosted by Al Parinello, Executive Director of The Andy Kaufman Award.

With performances by Andy Kaufman Award winners Marcus Monroe, Nick Vatterott, Harrison Greenbaum, Brent Weinbach, and Blaine Kneece, with emcee Harry Tarjanian.

 

Friday, February 22, 8:30pm

Soundstage: The Andy Kaufman Show, 1983 

Kaufman biographer Bill Zehme discusses Kaufman's relationship to Johnny Carson and the talk show format.

 

Saturday, February 23, 8:30pm

Bananaz, 1978
The Slycraft Hour, 1981

An evening focused on the role of the hoax in Kaufman's work, hosted by Slycraft Hour creator Bob Pagani, with Slycraft collaborator Albin Sadar, legendary hoaxter Alan Abel, and artist Cory Arcangel. Including a survey of Abel’s hoaxes compiled by Jenny Abel and Jeff Hockett.

 

Sunday, February 24, 8:30pm

Variety 77, 1978
Up Close with Tom Cottle, 1983
A backstage interview with Kaufman shot at his Kutcher's Resort concert, 1979
The Joe Franklin Show, 1974

An evening of backstage and broadcast television interviews with Kaufman, in which he speaks about his work, hosted by Light Industry founding director Ed Halter.