Andy Breckman was raised in Haddonfield, New Jersey.
His world revolved- when it revolved at all- around comic books and movies. Oh, and TV. Oh, and Mad magazine. Oh, and music.
Before founding his toy and game company, Breckman was an award-winning comedy writer. He began his career writing and performing comedic songs. In his head, he was Bruce Springsteen. In reality, he was not Bruce Springsteen. What’s the opposite of Bruce Springsteen? That was him.
In 1982, while writing for David Letterman, he appeared on the show as a musical guest. Wanna see it? I can’t imagine why, but HERE IT IS.
The folk years
At SNL, rehearsing with Ringo Starr
Gadfly Records released a live CD. It became a huge bestseller nowhere at all. BUY IT HERE.
After Letterman, Breckman wrote for Saturday Night Live. He wrote a number of memorable sketches, including “White Like Me” with Eddie Murphy WATCH IT HERE. and “Japanese Game Show” with Mike Myers and Chris Farley. HERE’S THAT ONE.
He’s also written a number of films, including I.Q., Sgt. Bilko, and Rat Race, which has become something of a cult favorite. HERE’S A CLIP.
In 2002, Breckman created the mystery/comedy series MONK, which ran for eight seasons and won a shitload of awards. If you BUY THE BOX SET, He’ll make 12 cents. Thank you.
Iraq, 2003. With Al Franken and the USO
Since the 1990’s, Breckman has co-hosted a weekly radio show on WFMU called SEVEN SECOND DELAY. Some episodes are pretty lame. The others are straight-up train wrecks. HERE’S A LINK to some recent shows. You’ve been warned.
Other career highlights include writing jokes for Steve Martin at the Oscars, and traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan with Al Franken for the USO.
In 2018, Breckman created and executive produced THE GOOD COP for Netflix, starring Josh Groban & Tony Danza.
A few years back, New Jersey Monthly ran THIS PROFILE of him when they ran out of Bruce Springsteen stories.
On WFMU with co-host and patsy, Ken Freedman
In 2019, Breckman and Grandma’s House Entertainment created “THE MISERY INDEX” for TBS, based on his game “Shit Happens”. It stars Jameela Jamil and the Impractical Jokers. The third season will air in 2022.
Also in 2022: DOWNEY WROTE THAT, a documentary series for the Peacock network, profiling legendary SNL writer Jim Downey, co-created and co-produced by Breckman. Also for Peacock in 2022: a Monk reunion movie, tentatively titled “Mr. Monk’s Last Case”.
Which brings us- finally- to his groovy little side project, UNCLE ANDY TOYS. Breckman feels that creating toys & games is a natural extension of his comedy writing career. “It’s basically show business with dice”.
Uncle Andy launched SHIT HAPPENS on Kickstarter in 2016. It was licensed by Goliath Games and has become a worldwide success. BUY IT HERE.
Check out Uncle Andy’s line of slightly subversive toys and games. They include: IT DIES WITH ME, which includes edible paper and a food-coloring pen.. REAL-LIFE TRAVEL BINGO, a travel game for real, dysfunctional families.. WHO TOOTED?, which combines America’s unofficial national pastimes: poker and farting.. and LITTLE DIABLO, a trash-talking doll featuring the voice of Jon Lovitz.