Song Parodies ->Authors -> Mari Aranoff
Tom Lehrer's theme from the TV show "That Was the Week That Was" was the first song that I parodied. It was written for a Campfire Girls skit in my hometown of Studio City, California in the 60s. The plot: Martians landed on Earth at the same time that the Beatles hit town.
Writing is a favorite hobby, but I'm a serious musician (flutist, singer, keyboardist, and songwriter). I have performed and recorded with groups of all sizes, shapes, and styles. As an English major in high school, I wrote for the literary magazine and became more anal about spelling and grammar. As a music major in college, I acquired no practical job skills.
Years later, I was encouraged to write comedy songs and parodies by then-husband Rick Duncan (I now go by "Mari Aranoff"). We performed as a comedy song duo for several years, and one of our tunes ("Mariwanna") got some airplay on the Dr. Demento show.
Creative influences include Weird Al (I'm a proud owner of his underwear), Ian Anderson, the Banana Man from the Captain Kangaroo show, and my mom. I once owned and managed a recording studio and marched in the Doo Dah Parade (parody of the Rose Parade), but not at the same time. I am the Office Diva for the Department of TV, Radio, Film & Theatre at San Jose State.