Mort Sahl – a devastating charmer

Trailblazing standup comedian Mort Sahl has died at 94. He is credited with revolutionising American comedy in the 1950s with his acerbic political satire. He was described as a cross between Lenny Bruce and Bob Hope and though he never shocked with obscenities, he aimed like a ‘heat seeking missile’ on his target, who would be a public figure of any political inclination.  One tribute said ‘pound-for-pound, [he was] the funniest, most innovative comedian of them all, thro