Cynthia Renner

Screeeeeeetch, ker-klunk, chug chug

Cynthia Renner is an accomplished professional who laughs easily and with gusto. Her laugh lines center around entertainment media. She loves “Car Talk” on National Public Radio and not because of any interest in auto mechanics.

“Have you ever heard that?” she asked. “Oh my god, I don’t know why, but they … I have no interest in cars whatsoever. But they actually have a lot of women call in with these old cars that are making weird sounds, so they have the person make the sound and then they’re very funny while, in an off-beat way, they work through what’s wrong with the car.

“I know it’s weird, but they make me laugh.”

She also touts the “Ellen” show, particularly when the hostess cold calls viewers across the country, a slapstick staple of late-night comedians since Steve Allen. Renner loves the spontaneity and gentle humor in which the show specializes.

“When she’s on the phone with people, especially these 80- and 90-year-old women,” Renner said, “and they’ll say something like, ‘Now Ellen, just between you and me and Jesus Christ, I drink a little.’ And Ellen will just fall on the floor laughing. That kind of laughter is just contagious.”

— Susan Harman

Iowa City Press-Citizen -- March 12, 2009