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Knuckleball: A Sit-Down Comedian Stands Up to Muscular Dystrophy
- "At age 13, with facioscapulohumeral MD, or muscular dystrophy, invading his body, Brett Leake still dreamed of playing baseball. That particular goal didn't work out, but in the process the would-be pitcher absorbed the lesson of the knuckleball--a pitch that finds its own path. Discovering that humor could make people more comfortable with his physical appearance, Leake developed a stand-up act and turned it into a professional career. This film profiles the sit-down comedian (over the years the disease has claimed much of his leg strength) and his extraordinary aptitude for storytelling, homespun philosophy, and heartfelt optimism in the grip of a physical disability. Interviews with Leake and his mother, father, and brother describe a family history in which MD has reared its head numerous times, while the comic's childhood experiences, daily life, and appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and other venues are also discussed. Rounding out the documentary are segments that show Leake delighting a live audience with his routine. (64 minutes) A streaming videorecording."
- "Knuckleball: A Sit-Down Comedian Stands Up to Muscular Dystrophy"