Jokes change from generation to generation; but the experience of the comedian transcends the ages: the drive; jealousy; heartbreak; and triumph. From the Marx Brothers to Milton Berle to George Carlin to Eddie Murphy to Louis CK—comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff brings to life a century’s worth of rebels and groundbreakers; mainstream heroes and counterculture iconoclasts; forgotten stars and workaday plodders in this essential history of American comedy. Beginning with the nationwide vaudeville circuits that dominated at turn of the twentieth century; Nesteroff describes the rise of the first true stand-up comedian—a variety show emcee who abandoned physical shtick for straight jokes. The end of Prohibition ushered in a surprising golden age of comedy; as funnymen were made into radio stars and the combination of the "Borscht Belt;" the "Chitlin Circuit;" and Mafia-run supperclubs furnished more jobs and money than ever before. Those were the days of the Copacabana; tuxedos; and smoking cigars onstage; when insulting the boss could result in a hit man at your door and obscenity charges could land you in jail. In the 1950s; late-night television cemented the status of the comedy establishment while young comics rebelled; arriving on the beatnik coffeehouse scene with cerebral jokes and social angst. They soon found their own way to fame through comedy records that vied with top musicians for Billboard spots. Then came the comedy clubs of the coke-fueled 1970s and 80s; Saturday Night Live and cable TV; and with the internet; a whole new generation of YouTube stars; podcast personalities; and Twitterati. Through the decades; Nesteroff reveals the contradictions between comedians’ public and private personas and illuminates the often-seedy underbelly of an industry built on laughs. Based on over two hundred original interviews and extensive archival research; The Comedians is a sharply written and highly entertaining look at one hundred years of comedy; and a valuable exploration of the way comedians have reflected; shaped; and changed American culture along the way.
#453508 in Books Johns Hopkins University Press 2007-09-06 2007-09-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .55 x 6.13l; .80 #File Name: 0801887526176 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. fascinating stories reconstructedBy frederick nunleyThis book was an excellent journey through the life of a woodworker living in early Ipswich. I learned so many interesting things from it as the author revealed the layers of community structure and the ways that timber and property were managed by early New England settlers. They brought old ways from their homeland to the new world that eventually evolved into rules that better suited the new worlds huge bounty. It was this that was part of the revolt against taxes and laws from England that started the revolution. It's fascinating how the author was able to reconstruct the era and the details based on one surviving chest and the Ipswich town records. It truly reveals the colonial era in a whole new light that is very personal and intimate. Ipswich is a wonderful town today and this helps bring it's early years back to life.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Historical ImmersionBy Jim TolpinI've been looking for a book that would give me some insight not just into the ways of work but also into the life of work of a colonial-era woodworker/craftsman. This book does just that. You feel you are peering over the shoulder of this artisan as he lives his life in the society; the forest; and the workshops of early New England. Astonishing detail: and as accurate as one can expect due to the long and extensive research and personal experience of the practicing hand tool woodworker/author.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Historical FictionBy PcstI enjoyed this book. The author was careful to enumerate just enough facts to support his story. The Tale of how the Laws and realities of the day meshed with the needs of the time to shape one man's life. I read the book a couple of times before I passed it on in the woodworking club. ([...])
