• Dangerously Funny

  • The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'
  • By: David Bianculli
  • Narrated by: Johnny Heller
  • Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)

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Dangerously Funny  By  cover art

Dangerously Funny

By: David Bianculli
Narrated by: Johnny Heller
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Publisher's summary

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 such comedy legends 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 listeners 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.

©2009 David Bianculli (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“A fast-paced, informative reminder of the importance of speaking out.” ( Kirkus)

What listeners say about Dangerously Funny

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Poor narration

I too found the narration to be uneven and choppy. The book is very interesting and the reader's voice is fine but too often it is poorly edited. It can be jarring when the volume and tone of the voice abruptly changes, sometimes in mid-sentence. I have listened to dozens of audio books and this is the first one that I have been so acutely aware of the edits. It does make for a less than enjoyable listen.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great topic, well written, poorly narrated

I've been a big fan of Bianculli's, enjoying his reviews, blogs and your appearances on Fresh Air. I just heard a repeat of his interview with Terri about Dangerously Funny. This made me race off to Audible.com to see if there was a recorded version (the only kind of book I read for various reasons). At Audible I discovered the book was long and cost more than the usual $14.00 or so I spend for a book. This was $18+ but oh, well. I clicked "buy" without listening to a sample, which I almost always do. Oh, how disappointed I am. A book is only as good as its narrator. I'm sorry but I expected Bianculli's quality...maybe not his voice which I love, but at least as good a speaker. But no, this voice is monotone, unexciting, and just plain irritating (sorry, Heller). I've been considering asking for my money back, but the topic interests me so much that I think I'll stick with it. But if he writes another book, and I hope he does, please don't use Johnny Heller to narrate it. I know it's a lot of work, but he would do such a better job of reading his own material.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Should be taught in history classes. Amazing.

I learned more about the 60s culture wars through the lens of the Smothers brothers than anything before. Got choked up a few times even. I'm a changed person!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Almost unlistenable

The narration is so off-putting as to make it difficult to pick up the book for the next listening. The up and down of his intonation makes it necessary to dial the volume up to hear the quiet parts, assaulting the eardrums a second later. And his bare attempts at imitating Pat Paulson's voice and timing, or Richard Nixon, or Lyndon Johnson, or Bobby Kennedy, grate on the nerves like dragging fingernails on a blackboard. Only the interesting subject matter elevates this rating to a 2.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating Read!

Regardless of your perspective on their politics, this is a fascinating read! Couldn't wait to get to my car for my commute to hear the next chapter.

Having remembered the Smothers Brothers very vaguely, this was a very informative book, not only of their careers, but of the controversy and innovation surrounding the show. The story of how they grew up and became a duo was interesting, especially the big "launch" of their careers after their performance on the Jack Parr show.

The story of their battles with the network censors (and the censors were not always the bad guys) is captivating stuff, especially trying to see it from the perspective of 1960's television. It is also interesting to note that their sketches resulted in personal calls from then President Lyndon Johnson and also Bobby Kennedy's wife.

It is also noteworthy how many "discoveries" of new talent they found along the way. And the way in which they approached showcasing new talent was also very unique for their time.

Near the end of the book, they quoted a number of prominent entertainers and writers who were influenced by the Smothers Brothers. Gary Trudeau's take on their troubles was very insightful - that they started out with the right degree of "rebelliousness", but after awhile Tom just took it too far.

If you're thinking about reading the book and have Netflix or Blockbuster Online, it may be worth the effort and time to rent the DVD's and view a few shows, as it makes the book much more meaningful.

All in all a 5 star read.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A worthy story marred by the narration

Would you try another book from David Bianculli and/or Johnny Heller?

I would buy a book by David Bianculli, because he's got a rare depth of knowledge about this subject. I would not buy another book narrated by Mr. Heller, however. It was very nearly unlistenable.

Would you be willing to try another one of Johnny Heller’s performances?

No.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well done

If you could sum up Dangerously Funny in three words, what would they be?

Comprehensive. Engaging. Historical.

Have you listened to any of Johnny Heller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first for Mr. Heller. Terriffic, terriffic job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No -- this one needs to be parsed out.

Any additional comments?

I was too young for the Smothers Brothers show, but the albums are among my favorites, so getting to hear the details of the rumors/stories about the show I'd always heard was the fascinating part for me. The relationship TV creators and networks had then was fascinating given the era we live in now, and that's the real hidden gem of interest in this book. In the light of history of the SB show itself, it's easy to see who the heroes were -- but the tactics of Tommy Smothers are properly characterized as brave, but also, well, not so bright. I can't speak too much to anyone who is not a SB fan, but the balance of power in that day and age is really explored and puts that aspect of this book on, at the very least, an American historical level, and well worth learning if you like television.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Memories

The series bounces back and forth between actual performance sessions, but weaves a story of behind scenes interplay between the regular cast and guests. Great memories renewed. Too bad the full seasons aren't available on dvd!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Poor narration

The book is okay. The author is so over the top in their gushing praise that it seems almost like a parody. I watched a few clips on YouTube and the Smothers Brothers were bland and repetitive.

The narrator is terrible. Who came up with the idea of doing impersonations of people that are quoted in the book? Really bad impersonations.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

it's quite an enjoyable romp

a really fun ride through the smothers brother's comedy television shows, but the fact that the narrator tries to do all of the voices the author interviewed was not to my taste. also several times the individual chapters read more like essays than part of a book, with the author repeating himself in several places several times. overall still worth a listen, tho.

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1 person found this helpful