Milton Berle possibly? As a performer with one non-traditional troupe and an emcee with another more traditionaI one I use comedy in many of my acts. As an emcee I might juggle knives one time, pull a ten foot pole out of my pants the next, etc. etc. In old burlesque shows the comedian or the manipulation artist came between acts to bring a little levity to the whole thing. I look at the acts and try to do something that will help set the next theme or in some cases, come behind it and pull it all together. For example, for the classic balloon act before the girl comes on I appear to shove a long balloon down my throat (old magic trick) and then announce the act. Sometimes I bring audience members on stage to interact with etc. This tradition is a long time burlesque mainstay.. Some of the notables who came from the burlesque stage include WC Feilds, Laurel and Hardy, Jackie Gleason etc. Uh, guess I didn't really answer your question. Sometimes we have a recurring theme based piece for the pick up girls or boys with the same music between each act. This is usually funny, like one person dressed as a giant penis who is trying to get the girl to fall in love with him.