The Future of America

Before he anchored a string of nineties studio comedies, Pauly Shore pressed his MTV-minted “Weasel” persona onto an audio release. The act relies heavily on his signature cadence, stretching out vowels and adopting a slacker drawl to warn crowds that they might soon have to choose between English, Spanish, or “Dude” on their driving tests. Recorded live at The Comedy Store in La Jolla, California, the 1991 album arrived right as Shore was becoming a demographic phenomenon through his television hosting duties. The 41-minute set matches the era and the audience, featuring tracks dedicated to aerobics, condoms, valley girls, and his mother, comedy club owner Mitzi Shore. College students bought it in droves, and college music journalists named it the best comedy album of the year.