- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Touchstone; 1 edition (Dec 1 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1439101167
- ISBN-13: 978-1439101162
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 16.5 x 2.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 612 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#207,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #77 in Books > Entertainment > Humour > Comedy
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"It is hard for many of us to remember--back when there were only a handful of stations on the dial--just how profoundly influential and controversial the Smothers Brothers were. But David Bianculli's brilliant new book has brought it all back to vivid life. ...This is a superb, at times moving, portrait of an entire age -- seen through the dramatic careers of two endlessly interesting entertainers." -- Ken Burns, Filmmaker
"David's book documents a true prime-time crime caper pulled off forty years ago. The perpetrators got away. The Smothers Brothers and the American viewing audience paid the price. As another old saying goes, 'Freedom is a dangerous way of life.' It was ours -- and thanks to David, this is our story." -- Mason Williams, writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
"David Bianculli details the Smothers Brothers' challenging of the CBS censors and the politicians of the '60s, and gets it exactly right. The Smothers Brothers deserve to be placed alongside Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and other rebellious comedy spirits who were willing to risk everything for what they believed. Compelling from start to finish -- a book to cherish." -- David Steinberg
"David's book documents a true prime-time crime caper pulled off forty years ago. The perpetrators got away. The Smothers Brothers and the American viewing audience paid the price. As another old saying goes, 'Freedom is a dangerous way of life.' It was ours -- and thanks to David, this is our story." -- Mason Williams, writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
"David Bianculli details the Smothers Brothers' challenging of the CBS censors and the politicians of the '60s, and gets it exactly right. The Smothers Brothers deserve to be placed alongside Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and other rebellious comedy spirits who were willing to risk everything for what they believed. Compelling from start to finish -- a book to cherish." -- David Steinberg
Book Description
A behind-the-scenes look at the rise and fall of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour -- the provocative, politically charged program that shocked the censors, outraged the White House, and forever changed the face of television.
Decades before The Daily Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour proved there was a place on television for no-holds-barred political comedy with a decidedly antiauthoritarian point of view. In this explosive, revealing history of the show, veteran entertainment journalist David Bianculli tells the fascinating story of its three-year network run -- and the cultural impact that's still being felt today.
Before it was suddenly removed from the CBS lineup (reportedly under pressure from the Nixon administration), The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was a ratings powerhouse. It helped launch the careers of comedy legends such as Steve Martin and Rob Reiner, featured groundbreaking musical acts like the Beatles and the Who, and served as a cultural touchstone for the antiwar movement of the late 1960s.
Drawing on extensive original interviews with Tom and Dick Smothers and dozens of other key players -- as well as more than a decade's worth of original research -- Dangerously Funny brings readers behind the scenes for all the battles over censorship, mind-blowing musical performances, and unforgettable sketches that defined the show and its era.
David Bianculli delves deep into this riveting story, to find out what really happened and to reveal why this show remains so significant to this day.
Inside This Book
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Times have sure changed,
By
This review is from: Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (Hardcover)
From 1967-70, the Smothers Brothers were the hottest thing on TV. The The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour combined their folk singing and comedy act with musical guests and skits by big stars. The brothers, especially Tom, also included never-before-seen anti-establishment humor that was critical of mainstream sacred cows such as politics, religion, and race relations.The CBS network held the show on a tight rein and regularly objected to material that they felt was controversial. Tension between Tom and the censors escalated until the brothers were finally fired in their third season. I have fond memories of the show and especially enjoyed regulars David Steinberg, Officer Judy, and Pat Paulson. This book is recommended for the show's fans and for television historians who want a thorough examination of this ground-breaking series.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews) 26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful and Nostalgic,
By J. Whitney - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (Hardcover)
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 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.
22 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
homage to great comedic satirists,
By Harriet Klausner - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (Hardcover)
Although the biography primarily focuses on the famous TV show that nuked the then boundaries of television, there is more to this solid look at this groundbreaking show. David Bianculli opens with a section on the childhood and early steps of the brothers entering the entertainment world until their key appearance on the Jack Paar show. However, it is the deep look into each show and the battles with CBS and with other members of the show over what can be said or used on the air that makes this a fascinating biography. Finally the ultimate tribute to Tom and Dick Smothers besides bios like this one is how far they opened TV with current satire that tore into the establishment. The show was killed in its third season in 1969, but Mr. Bianculli makes a strong case that its influence remains stratospheric today in Stewart, Colbert and Maher.Harriet Klausner 22 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honesty for the times,
By Karen A. Nichols - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (Hardcover)
The Smother's Brothers were what the country needed and the types that are still vital to our lives. It's called honesty. The network executives without the back bones or balls to weather the storm are the ones to blame for removing them from the airwaves.Anytime you have networks who live for the perks from the politicians who live for the perks from the lobbyists....well, you know the drill. The Story is good and honest, thank you for letting me grow up being forced to think, not follow like a sheep. |
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