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Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour by David Bianculli
g2pro's review against another edition
3.0
After reading Carol Burnett's book I wanted to read this one. The Comedy Hour was filmed at CBS Fairfax where I have worked on and off for the past 12 years. It filled in some history of the lot for me. Some of the guys on the lot have story's about working with the Smothers Brothers.
jonid's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this bbok brought the past into the present. I remember watching but had only a vague understanding of what was really going on in terms of cutting edge comedy and censorship. Well written and well researched
cjeanne99's review
3.0
Interesting background of how the brothers got tot their tv series - and then the book almost becomes an outline of each show - becoming tedious. Would have appreciated knowing more about the decisions and actions that helped push the show to its demise - instead of a chronology.
theartolater's review against another edition
4.0
My wife & I spent some time watching a PBS documentary on American comedy, and they spent a section on the Smothers Brothers. I didn't realize how significant they were up to that point, and a few days later I saw a review in one of my magazines of this book, so I grabbed it from the library. A quick read, focusing mainly on their battles with CBS, but still a really interesting look at the battles they faced, the censorship, and just the attitude of the time.
muffmacguff's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. It occasionally overstates the power of political comedy but nonetheless the Smothers Brothers’ story is an interesting one that CBS is probably pretty embarrassed by today. Most fascinating part for me was learning about the Brothers’ evolution as performers from somewhat milquetoast folk comedy musicians to truly radical folk comedy musicians. Also the segments about Pete Seeger are well worth exploring. A few years back George Clooney planned to make a movie about the Smothers Brothers. I wish it really happened.
imbookingit's review against another edition
4.0
I've only discovered the Smothers Brothers fairly recently, and I've never seen their show (I was 18 months old when it went off the air). After reading this book, I'd really like to fix this.
I knew them as funny folk singers. I'd heard they had a political bent as well, as many folk singers of that era did. I had no idea what they'd accomplished on their show, and how much more they tried to do, but were stopped by CBS and the censors.
I really enjoyed the look at the brothers as people, and I particularly liked finding out about how they influenced the world. Tom Smothers had an eye for talent, featuring writers, comedians and musicians that had never been heard from before, but are well known now.
The late 60s/early 70s were a time of change, and the conflicts within the show were representative of this.
On the one hand, there was a desire (particularly among the younger set) for more openness about sexuality (we're talking use of the word "breast", not anything that would be seen as steamy today), about religion (the first skit that caused problems was one that was actually enjoyed by audiences of clergy of multiple denominations), and drugs.
On the other hand, there was a feeling that the airwaves should be safe for everyone-- that no one should be offended by what they see on TV, and that the network censors had a responsibility to make that happen.
Then there was the political landscape-- the changing views about the Vietnam War, and what was appropriate to say about it was an ongoing issue for the show, and popular opinion underwent a significant change over the three years the show was on the air.
I really only know the big facts about Nixon and his presidency-- this book showed me a part of the kind of control he tried to wield over the entire nation, including the world of television.
The book also does a very good job of showing the influence the Smothers Brothers have had on later generations of shows and entertainers.
The content of the book gets a full 5 stars from me. Unfortunately, the writing style did not work quite as well.
I can't quite describe what bothered me about it-- the best I can say is that I was often aware of the narrator over the story being told, and I usually didn't see the value to this. In addition, the same information was repeated multiple times, perhaps in an effort to make each chapter able to stand on its own.
I didn't have any major problems with the writing, but it did dampen my enjoyment of the book a little.
Overall, this was a wonderful read, and I'd recommend it for anyone with an interest in television, in politics, or this era. Think holiday present!
I knew them as funny folk singers. I'd heard they had a political bent as well, as many folk singers of that era did. I had no idea what they'd accomplished on their show, and how much more they tried to do, but were stopped by CBS and the censors.
I really enjoyed the look at the brothers as people, and I particularly liked finding out about how they influenced the world. Tom Smothers had an eye for talent, featuring writers, comedians and musicians that had never been heard from before, but are well known now.
The late 60s/early 70s were a time of change, and the conflicts within the show were representative of this.
On the one hand, there was a desire (particularly among the younger set) for more openness about sexuality (we're talking use of the word "breast", not anything that would be seen as steamy today), about religion (the first skit that caused problems was one that was actually enjoyed by audiences of clergy of multiple denominations), and drugs.
On the other hand, there was a feeling that the airwaves should be safe for everyone-- that no one should be offended by what they see on TV, and that the network censors had a responsibility to make that happen.
Then there was the political landscape-- the changing views about the Vietnam War, and what was appropriate to say about it was an ongoing issue for the show, and popular opinion underwent a significant change over the three years the show was on the air.
I really only know the big facts about Nixon and his presidency-- this book showed me a part of the kind of control he tried to wield over the entire nation, including the world of television.
The book also does a very good job of showing the influence the Smothers Brothers have had on later generations of shows and entertainers.
The content of the book gets a full 5 stars from me. Unfortunately, the writing style did not work quite as well.
I can't quite describe what bothered me about it-- the best I can say is that I was often aware of the narrator over the story being told, and I usually didn't see the value to this. In addition, the same information was repeated multiple times, perhaps in an effort to make each chapter able to stand on its own.
I didn't have any major problems with the writing, but it did dampen my enjoyment of the book a little.
Overall, this was a wonderful read, and I'd recommend it for anyone with an interest in television, in politics, or this era. Think holiday present!
kristenlopez8's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know who the Smothers Brothers were before reading this book, I read it because George Clooney is making a movie about them, and their television show was controversial. In reading about the Smothers Brothers, their show, and their constant battles with the CBS censors during the turbulent times of the 60s the author does a fantastic job of connecting this to our own times. The Smothers Brothers were inspirations for several television shows and it'll make you roll your eyes to hear how confined the show was. They couldn't say or show anything for fear of upsetting CBS, it's religious affiliates, and President Richard Nixon. Bianculli tells the story not only of the Brothers and their ups and downs, but also the grander political stage by which the Smothers Brothers were making their jokes. The book is filled with great anecdotes about the stars of the time, but also shows the fear and the need for humor amidst political assassinations and civil unrest. A great book for television fans, or fans of the 1960s.
rachel_b_824's review against another edition
In the end, it turns out that I don't need to read a whole book about the Smothers Brothers. (Which is not to say that I don't think they're awesome.)
expendablemudge's review
3.0
If you remember the Smothers Brothers, read this book for a tiptoe thru the tulips (I know it was on a competing show, but timeliness was the aim) buried under the neiges d'antan. If either phrase has left you scratching your wig-holder, look THAT up in your Funk and Wagnalls.
But don't read this rather dense, somewhat longwinded recap of the three-season run of the Smothers Brothers's show. It will mean little to you, and the density of the behind-the-scenes material won't fascinate. The author clearly knows his onions about TV, about the time period, and about the brothers. His style isn't sparkling, but it is very informative and it's never dry. Just thick. Like a fallen souffle, it still has the savor but the texture's just a little off.
I grew up on Smothers Brothers material because my sisters are both much older than I am, so were listening to their albums, and Kingston Trio albums, and Vaughn Meader albums, and Bob Newhart albums. *sigh* What a way to grow up. Then along came the Beatles, and out went everything else...except the Smothers Brothers, the eldest sister was a granola-and-granny-gowns girl to the horror of our Balenciaga-wearing mother.
So along comes the TV show the clean-cut young men put on, on Sunday night opposite "Bonanza" which neither of my parents cared diddly about (if it had been opposite "Gunsmoke" I'd've never even heard of it); the closing-in-on-50 mom and closing-in-on-40 dad tried to be gravy (joke on "groovy," slang of the times...they were as inept at modern slang as I am, and you will be, youngsters) by watching it with their teens and the caboose.
We all loved it. Pat Paulsen was so funny that my arch-conservative parents thought he was the highlght of the show with his first-time-ever-done fake run for President. My sisters loved "Share Tea with Goldie", with a flower child making in-jokes about drugs that Mama and Daddy didn't get. I was in love with Mason Williams, of "Classical Gas" fame. Still one of my very favorite pieces of pop music, up there with "In Your Eyes" and "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel.
No one used dirty words. No one was more than mildly salacious, to my father's disgruntlement. But everyone was ethically opposed to the Vietnam war, and my mother's nephew was a Navy pilot at risk, plus she'd lost "someone close" in the Ia Drang battle (never discussed in detail, quite mysterious), so we as a family were opposed to the unwinnable war (Dad's name for it).
Hard to imagine now, in this fractured entertainment landscape, but the Smothers Brothers drew 35% (THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT) of the TV-viewing audience...and got canceled! If someone drew a 35% share today, the network execs would offer their grandchildren as slaves and their houses as rewards to the people who delivered such monster ratings. Then, well...that was just ordinary. What wasn't ordinary was the men delivering the ratings were young and idealistic and ready to talk about things that were taboo (eg, religious hypocrisy, racial politics) without hesitation. The people who watched the Smothers Brothers were mostly young, mostly rich, mostly well-educated and almost always all three. What an audience!!
And they got canceled.
Even my arch-conservative parents thought that was stupid. "Can't stop people thinkin' and best not to try," said Mama. "What's the use of a Constitution if you can only agree with powerful people?" asked Dad.
Yeah. That's what I'm sayin' after reading this book. They didn't back down from any fight, and they lost the war...but damn, it's hard not to admire their spirit. Tommy, though, comes across as a self-righteous little pisher and Dickie as a self-absorbed bore. But hey, they fought a good fight and today's TV landscape looks the way it does in good part because of these guys and their irritating ways.
Someone give them a show, quick! They're still alive, but who knows for how long!
But don't read this rather dense, somewhat longwinded recap of the three-season run of the Smothers Brothers's show. It will mean little to you, and the density of the behind-the-scenes material won't fascinate. The author clearly knows his onions about TV, about the time period, and about the brothers. His style isn't sparkling, but it is very informative and it's never dry. Just thick. Like a fallen souffle, it still has the savor but the texture's just a little off.
I grew up on Smothers Brothers material because my sisters are both much older than I am, so were listening to their albums, and Kingston Trio albums, and Vaughn Meader albums, and Bob Newhart albums. *sigh* What a way to grow up. Then along came the Beatles, and out went everything else...except the Smothers Brothers, the eldest sister was a granola-and-granny-gowns girl to the horror of our Balenciaga-wearing mother.
So along comes the TV show the clean-cut young men put on, on Sunday night opposite "Bonanza" which neither of my parents cared diddly about (if it had been opposite "Gunsmoke" I'd've never even heard of it); the closing-in-on-50 mom and closing-in-on-40 dad tried to be gravy (joke on "groovy," slang of the times...they were as inept at modern slang as I am, and you will be, youngsters) by watching it with their teens and the caboose.
We all loved it. Pat Paulsen was so funny that my arch-conservative parents thought he was the highlght of the show with his first-time-ever-done fake run for President. My sisters loved "Share Tea with Goldie", with a flower child making in-jokes about drugs that Mama and Daddy didn't get. I was in love with Mason Williams, of "Classical Gas" fame. Still one of my very favorite pieces of pop music, up there with "In Your Eyes" and "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel.
No one used dirty words. No one was more than mildly salacious, to my father's disgruntlement. But everyone was ethically opposed to the Vietnam war, and my mother's nephew was a Navy pilot at risk, plus she'd lost "someone close" in the Ia Drang battle (never discussed in detail, quite mysterious), so we as a family were opposed to the unwinnable war (Dad's name for it).
Hard to imagine now, in this fractured entertainment landscape, but the Smothers Brothers drew 35% (THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT) of the TV-viewing audience...and got canceled! If someone drew a 35% share today, the network execs would offer their grandchildren as slaves and their houses as rewards to the people who delivered such monster ratings. Then, well...that was just ordinary. What wasn't ordinary was the men delivering the ratings were young and idealistic and ready to talk about things that were taboo (eg, religious hypocrisy, racial politics) without hesitation. The people who watched the Smothers Brothers were mostly young, mostly rich, mostly well-educated and almost always all three. What an audience!!
And they got canceled.
Even my arch-conservative parents thought that was stupid. "Can't stop people thinkin' and best not to try," said Mama. "What's the use of a Constitution if you can only agree with powerful people?" asked Dad.
Yeah. That's what I'm sayin' after reading this book. They didn't back down from any fight, and they lost the war...but damn, it's hard not to admire their spirit. Tommy, though, comes across as a self-righteous little pisher and Dickie as a self-absorbed bore. But hey, they fought a good fight and today's TV landscape looks the way it does in good part because of these guys and their irritating ways.
Someone give them a show, quick! They're still alive, but who knows for how long!
michaelnlibrarian's review
3.0
This is the kind of book that I occasionally find in the library that I would never read otherwise. It is mostly chronological description of two-and-a-half seasons that the Smothers Brothers had a TV series on CBS with some pre- and post- history, with a focus on what they did that was advanced (in some sense) for the time and the things that got them in trouble with CBS and others - usually the same things.
Because of the focus on their being "dangerous" there is perhaps not as much about the individual episodes and their guests and so on a more of a fan oriented book would have. More tiring is the amount of detail about the different CBS bureaucrats who got involved in some of their problems - if nothing else, it is as bad as a Tolstoy novel to try to keep track of all these characters.
I was out of the country for the first two years the Smothers Brothers were on and may have seen a few minutes of one or two episodes, so I have been quite astonished by some of the stuff that is available now through selections on YouTube. I'm not sure they themselves were that funny or clever at the time but they sure pushed the limits for the time and some of their guests did pretty interesting things.
Because of the focus on their being "dangerous" there is perhaps not as much about the individual episodes and their guests and so on a more of a fan oriented book would have. More tiring is the amount of detail about the different CBS bureaucrats who got involved in some of their problems - if nothing else, it is as bad as a Tolstoy novel to try to keep track of all these characters.
I was out of the country for the first two years the Smothers Brothers were on and may have seen a few minutes of one or two episodes, so I have been quite astonished by some of the stuff that is available now through selections on YouTube. I'm not sure they themselves were that funny or clever at the time but they sure pushed the limits for the time and some of their guests did pretty interesting things.
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