Title
Seriously Funny: The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s,Used
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The comedians of the 1950s and 1960s were a totally different breed of relevant, revolutionary performer from any that came before or after, comics whose humor did much more than pry guffaws out of audiences. Gerald Nachman presents the stories of the groundbreaking comedy stars of those years, each one a cultural harbinger: Mort Sahl, of a new political cynicism Lenny Bruce, of the sexual, drug, and language revolution Dick Gregory, of racial unrest Bill Cosby and Godfrey Cambridge, of racial harmony Phyllis Diller, of housewifely complaint Mike Nichols & Elaine May and Woody Allen, of selfanalytical angst and a rearrangement of malefemale relations Stan Freberg and Bob Newhart, of encroaching, pervasive pop media manipulation and, in the case of Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding, of the banalities of broadcasting Mel Brooks, of the Yiddishization of American comedy Sid Caesar, of a new awareness of the satirical possibilities of television Joan Rivers, of the obsessive craving for celebrity gossip and of a latent bitchy sensibility Tom Lehrer, of the inane, hypocritical, mawkishly sentimental nature of hallowed American folkways and, in the case of the Smothers Brothers, of overly revered folk songs and folklore Steve Allen, of the latenight talk show as a force in American comedy David Frye and Vaughn Meader, of the merger of showbiz and politics and, along with Will Jordan, of stretching the boundaries of mimicry Shelley Berman, of a generation of obsessively selfconfessional humor Jonathan Winters and Jean Shepherd, of the daring new freeform improvisational comedy and of a sardonically updated view of Midwestern archetypes Ernie Kovacs, of surreal visual effects and the unbounded vistas of videoTaken together, they made up the faculty of a new school of vigorous, socially aware satire, a vibrant group of voices that reigned from approximately 1953 to 1965.Nachman shines a flashlight into the corners of these comedians chaotic and often troubled lives, illuminating their genius as well as their demons, damaged souls, and desperate drive. His exhaustive research and intimate interviews reveal characters that are intriguing and all too human, full of rich stories, confessions, regrets, and traumas. Seriously Funny is at once a dazzling cultural history and a joyous celebration of an extraordinary era in American comedy.From the Hardcover edition.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Seriously Funny: The Rebel Comedians of the 1950s and 1960s'? A: The book explores the groundbreaking comedians of the 1950s and 1960s, highlighting their cultural impact and the evolution of comedy during that era.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Seriously Funny' is Gerald Nachman.
- Q: What types of comedians are discussed in the book? A: The book features a variety of comedians including Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, Bill Cosby, Joan Rivers, and Mel Brooks, each representing different aspects of comedy and cultural commentary.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 659 pages.
- Q: What is the condition of the book being sold? A: The book is listed as 'New'.
- Q: What is the genre of this book? A: The book falls under the genre of Performing Arts, specifically focusing on comedy.
- Q: When was 'Seriously Funny' published? A: The book was published on January 1, 2004.
- Q: Is this book suitable for someone interested in comedy history? A: Yes, this book is ideal for anyone interested in the history of comedy and the influential figures who shaped it during the mid-20th century.
- Q: Does the book include personal stories of the comedians? A: Yes, Gerald Nachman shares personal stories and insights from his interviews with the comedians, providing a deeper understanding of their lives and careers.
- Q: What format is the book available in? A: The book is available in paperback format.