Download or read book Comical Co Stars of Television written by Robert Pegg and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2015-10-05 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although some scholars credit Shakespeare with creating in Henry IV’s Falstaff the first “second banana” character (reviving him for Henry IV Part Two), most television historians agree that the popular co-star was born in 1955 when Art Carney, as Ed Norton, first addressed Jackie Gleason with a “Hey, Ralphie-boy,” on The Honeymooners. The phenomenon has proved to be one of the most enduring achievements of the American sitcom, and oftentimes so popular that the co-star becomes the star. Twenty-nine of those popular co-stars get all of the attention in this work. Each chapter focuses on one television character and the actor or actress who brought him or her to life, and provides critical analysis, biographical information and, in several instances, interviews with the actors and actresses themselves. It includes people like Art Carney of The Honeymooners, Don Knotts of The Andy Griffith Show, Ted Knight of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Max Baer of The Beverly Hillbillies, Vivian Vance and William Frawley of I Love Lucy, Ann B. Davis of The Brady Bunch, Jamie Farr of M*A*S*H, Ron Palillo of Welcome Back, Kotter, Jimmie Walker of Good Times, Tom Poston of Newhart and Michael Richards of Seinfeld, to name just a few.
Download or read book The Women Who Made Television Funny written by David C. Tucker and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2015-03-26 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most of the bright and talented actresses who made America laugh in the 1950s are off the air today, but their pioneering Hollywood careers irrevocably changed the face of television comedy. These smart and sassy women successfully negotiated the hazards of the male-dominated workplace with class and humor, and the work they did in the 1950s is inventive still by today's standards. Unable to fall back on strong language, shock value, or racial and sexual epithets, the female sitcom stars of the 1950s entertained with pure talent and screen savvy. As they did so, they helped to lay the foundation for the development of television comedy. This book pays tribute to 10 prominent television actresses who played lead roles in popular comedy shows of the 1950s. Each chapter covers the works and personalities of one actress: Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy), Gracie Allen (The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show), Eve Arden (Our Miss Brooks), Spring Byington (December Bride), Joan Davis (I Married Joan), Anne Jeffreys (Topper), Donna Reed (The Donna Reed Show), Ann Sothern (Private Secretary and The Ann Sothern Show), Gale Storm (My Little Margie and The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna), and Betty White (Life with Elizabeth). For each star, a career sketch is provided, concentrating primarily on her television work but also noting achievements in other areas. Appendices offer cast and crew lists, a chronology, and an additional biographical sketch of 10 less familiar actresses who deserve recognition.
Download or read book Sitcoms written by Ken Bloom and published by Black Dog & Leventhal Pub. This book was released on 2007 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes one hundred and one of the most influential, popular, and enduring sitcoms, discussing their actors, creators, plots, running length, and appeal.
Download or read book Films for Television written by and published by . This book was released on 1962 with total page 698 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Great Clowns of American Television written by Karin Adir and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2001-12-01 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are generations that have never seen Sid Caesar become an automobile tire or Red Skelton stick his thumbs in his armpits and intone, "Two theagulls...," never journeyed with Ernie Kovacs to a surrealistic world of his warped imagination. Here seventeen comic talents are profiled (with photographs): their early years, marriages and personal challenges, anecdotes about them, the characters they created, their styles, and often representative dialogue or sketch descriptions. There is a listing of all television shows in which each comic starred (giving length, network, air dates). The comics include Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Carol Burnett, Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Tim Conway, Jackie Gleason, Danny Kaye, Ernie Kovacs, Olsen and Johnson, Martha Raye, Soupy Sales, Red Skelton, Dick Van Dyke, Flip Wilson, Jonathan Winters, and Ed Wynn.
Download or read book In Such Good Company written by Carol Burnett and published by Crown. This book was released on 2017-09-05 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this New York Times bestseller, comedy legend Carol Burnett tells the hilarious behind-the-scenes story of her iconic weekly variety series, The Carol Burnett Show. In In Such Good Company, Carol Burnett pulls back the curtain on the twenty-five-time Emmy-Award winning show that made television history, and she reminisces about the outrageously funny and tender moments that made working on the series as much fun as watching it. Carol delves into little-known stories of the guests, sketches and improvisations that made The Carol Burnett Show legendary, as well as some favorite tales too good not to relive again. While writing this book, Carol rewatched all 276 episodes and screen-grabbed her favorite video stills from the archives to illustrate the chemistry of the actors and the improvisational magic that made the show so successful. Putting the spotlight on everyone from her costars to the impressive list of guest stars, Carol crafts a lively portrait of the talent and creativity that went into every episode. With characteristic wit and incomparable comic timing, she details hiring Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway; shares anecdotes about guest stars and close friends, including Lucille Ball, Roddy Mcdowell, Jim Nabors, Bernadette Peters, Betty Grable, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, Gloria Swanson, Rita Hayworth, and Betty White; and gives her take on her favorite sketches and the unpredictable moments that took both the cast and viewers by surprise. This book is Carol's love letter to a golden era in television history through the lens of her brilliant show. Get the best seat in the house for "eleven years of laughter, mayhem, and fun in the sandbox."
Download or read book Laughter in the Living Room written by Michael Tueth and published by Peter Lang. This book was released on 2005 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For more than fifty years some very funny people have been entering American homes through television's big picture window. From Lucy and Uncle Miltie, to Archie Bunker and Marge Simpson, certain comic stars of television history have become not just cultural icons, but friends of the family. This comprehensive study of the most successful television comedies - including domestic sitcoms, workplace comedies, variety shows, late-night comedy, animated comedy, and more - reveals that, unlike the comedy found in film, on stage, in comedy clubs and concert halls, television's presentation of comic characters and stories must negotiate a relationship with the more privatized and value-laden environment of each American home that it enters.
Download or read book American Reference Books Annual written by Bohdan S. Wynar and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 824 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 1970- issued in 2 vols.: v. 1, General reference, social sciences, history, economics, business; v. 2, Fine arts, humanities, science and engineering.
Download or read book Saturday Night Live written by Arie Kaplan and published by Lerner Publishing Group. This book was released on 2014-08-01 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1975 Saturday Night Live came out of the gate swinging, with a daring, bold, and rebellious vibe that was new to television back then. With a cast of comedic actors known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, television producer Lorne Michaels launched a style of live television comedy that appealed specifically to young viewers with a taste for questioning authority?and that style stood the test of time. From hilarious characters?the Conehead family, Wayne Campbell, the Spartan cheerleaders, the Target Lady, and Stefon?to impressions of US presidents and politicians performed with spot-on precision, the late-night comedy show has shaped American comedy for four decades. With millions of loyal fans across a wide range of viewership demographics, Saturday Night Live has made a significant impact on American culture. It introduced catchphrases such as "Well, isn?t that special?" and "More cowbell!" It influenced public opinion through satirical political sketches and news commentary. It provided rich material for box office hits such as The Blues Brothers and Wayne?s World. It created megastars out of dozens of comedians. And in the process, the show earned an impressive roster of accolades including thirty-six Primetime Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and three Writers Guild of America Awards. It's been ranked as one of the greatest shows of all time and has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Discover how the SNL brand of raucous humor has stayed meaningful and fresh over the years and continues to draw audiences today.
Download or read book Showtime written by Gregory L. Hudson and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2011-03 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: SHOWTIME is the follow-up book to Monologues: Dramatic Monologues For Actors. It is contains 16 hilarious comedic scenes for two actors that range from one to ten minutes in length. All of the scenes are original and are taken from selected plays, films, and television pilots from Gregory's body of work. Like Monologues, SHOWTIME was written to fill a much needed void for comedic scenes for black and minority actors; although this book was written for actors of all races. There are the many unique characteristics in this book that separates it from similar books. The characters can be performs by anyone and there are plenty of scenes for males and females, males and males, older males and younger males, and so on. There are scenes that are appropriate for middle school actors all the way to professional actors. It is the perfect book to produce a show consisting of short comedic scenes for two actors. Also, it is the perfect book for directing funny scenes or shows at high school, colleges, or professional level. SHOWTIME was written to be a comedic actor and director's dream. The characters in each scene allow the actors to explore a different character through: researching, exploring, and understanding the motivation and objective necessary to bring the character to life. For the director, it allows him/her to utilize, enhance, broaden, and develop many of their skills necessary for directing full-scale productions. As a literary resource for educators, SHOWTIME includes: a chapter on vernacular, commonly used vernacular terms, a chapter on copyright infringement, a chapter on stage terminology, a chapter on film/television terminology and more. It is an excellent resource to teach: acting, scene study, and character development. SHOWTIME is original, the characters are diverse, very funny and lots of fun for acting, directing, or teaching.
Download or read book The Sitcom Career Book written by Mary Lou Belli and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Here is a comprehensive career handbook to the television sitcom. Revealed are the rules, the language, and the traditions of this popular art form and how the pacing, jokes and dialogue in a sitcom differ from those in film and theatre. Get insider information on how to launch a career in this exciting industry.
Download or read book Maybe We ll Have You Back written by Fred Stoller and published by Skyhorse. This book was released on 2015-09-22 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “I don’t know why Fred was never a regular on a show. Maybe because he’s annoying . . . just kidding!” —Ray Romano Fred Stoller has played the annoying schnook in just about every sitcom you’ve seen on TV—Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Scrubs, Hannah Montana, My Name Is Earl—and was even a staff writer for Seinfeld, but he’s never found a solid gig. When it comes to Hollywood, it’s a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride, except in his case he’s always the snarky waiter, the mopey cousin, or Man #2. This hilarious and bittersweet rags to rags story of the hardest-working guy in showbiz follows Fred, who started his career as a stand-up comic, from set to set as he tries to find a permanent home for his oddball character. With candor, Fred shares stories of his great adventures pounding the Hollywood pavement, including a humiliating encounter with Billy Crystal, a disastrous one-night stand with Kathy Griffin, and plenty of awkward run-ins at craft service tables. And he always shares his ups and downs with his skeptical, yet loving, mother waiting by the phone in Brooklyn. Everyone can relate to searching for a dream job or waiting for the next big break, and will root for Fred as he weaves his way through the cutthroat world of Tinseltown.
Download or read book Index to American Reference Books Annual written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Beyond the Fringe written by Alan Bennett and published by Samuel French, Inc.. This book was released on 1963 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of comic sketches.
Download or read book TV Book written by Judy Fireman and published by Workman Publishing. This book was released on 1977 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Surveys all aspects of television, including technology, personalities, programs, power, commercials, and current controversies.
Download or read book Quinlan s Illustrated Directory of Film Comedy Stars written by David Quinlan and published by B. T. Batsford Limited. This book was released on 1992 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This reference guide looks at the career histories of nearly 300 comedy stars, some of whom have a prodigious reputation resting only on one or two outstanding films. The author examines their methds and their sense of physical comedy with background stories as to how comic effects were achieved. Over 350 photographs illustrate entries for nearly 300 comedy stars, including John Cleese, Steve Martin and Danny De Vito and older favourites, the Marx Brothers, Mae West and Danny Kaye. Each entry is accompanied by a complete filmography, including film, TV and guest appearances, plus voice-over narrations and films directed.
Download or read book Radio Television Daily written by and published by . This book was released on 1963 with total page 650 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
