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Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story Of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (2009)

by David Bianculli(Favorite Author)

3.79 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1439101167 (ISBN13: 9781439101162)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Touchstone

review 1: I wasn't that aware of the background surrounding the show and its performers. Very insightful to a different time in our culture where political satire and commentary could be so frowned upon. Microcosm of the temperature of the times as this book illustrates the "generation gap" this time on television screens. I found it to be very enjoyable as I learned about a piece of television and cultural history that is largely forgotten today.
review 2: "I think I must have seen every episode of that show as a kid growing up and this behind the scenes look is fascinating. The author covers pretty much every episode their creation and evolution, and interviews many of the participants, many of whom went on to famous careers themselves. Steve Martin. Rob Reiner. And of... more course Pat Paulsen. I had never realized that the Bob Einstein who played "Officer Judy" and now haunts "Curb Your Enthusiam" is Albert Brooks' brother. Tommy Smothers is particularly fascinating when you see how he was the driving force behind the show and realize just how sharp he is compared to the character he played. Even if you weren't a big fan, this book also takes a look at a key transition in American culture as the show manages to straddle the traditional while making way for a new era. So many famous bands had their beginnings there. The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield. By the end, even the Beatles were guests. It made me miss the days of one television, 3 channels, and the whole family having to watch the same thing, especially when I got to snicker at the jokes that were targeted at my generation and going over the head of my parents. What's sad is when you pull your head out of this book and look at the endless prattle of today's reality television and realize we can never return to this level of creativity just because of the economics of television. Great stuff." -J Whitney (an amazon customer/review that's spot on) less

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