Friday, Jul. 10, 2009
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog / Robert Smigel
Fairly or not, comic Robert Smigel is going to be most remembered as the brains behind a hand puppet. Despite the years he spent writing for TV and film — Smigel pens Saturday Night Live's recurring "TV Funhouse" shorts — his true legacy will be as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Birthed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the foulmouthed dog has become a cultural phenomenon, much to the chagrin of both Star Wars and comic book nerds everywhere. He's recorded his own album and followed Conan over to The Tonight Show, extending his ire to concertgoers at Bonnaroo.