Dangerously Funny

The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour'

By: David Bianculli

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

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)

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!

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.

Important

First, the performance was fantastic. The Smothers Brothers provided the shoulders upon which all other “comedy with a message” performers have stood ever since—from SNL through Colbert and so many in between. This is a must read for all my fellow comedy history nerds.

Interesting to read behind the scenes

I was a child when I saw this show. I found the behind the scenes very interesting.

Good story, but just not significant enough

The big question with this book has to be: is it really worth my time to listen to a book about a fight over a television show from 45 years ago?

Well, Bianculli makes a valiant effort to argue that the answer should be yes, and the truth is I found this story remarkably interesting. There are deep questions here about the role of speech and censorship and media and national political divisions and youth culture, and drugs and all of that, and I'm amazed at how much this story comes off as an archetypal story of rebellious free spirits fighting for their freedom of expression against a tyrannical corporate and political structure trying to restrain them. Certainly that's how Tom Smothers saw things. Somehow "freedom" has become a watchword of the right; this book helps remind us that it's properly the province of the left.

That being said, it's still the inside story of a fight over what to put on television 45 years ago, and I can't help but think that it was not worth my time. Moreover to round out the book, there's a fair amount of filler on things like the Smothers' early career, earlier battles over television censorship by Jack Parr and others, and the Smothers' influence on later comedians. Honestly, I think this could have been a really good magazine article. But it's not a great audiobook.

Not super funny, but well worth the money

I'm not an avid audio book consumer, but I do have a few years of at least 30 hrs/week of podcast consumption. So please take those facts into consideration.

First, the book gives exactly what the title says, except, well... Censorship just isn't as good as it used to be, so 'uncensored' means more like 'I let my 8 year old listen to this'. And I did just that while we were on a trip with his grandparents (who by the way LOVED the book). Don't be concerned about catching a crude joke by today's standards. Second, it is accurate through multiple sources in all accounts, and explains conflicting accounts as points of view, which endeared me, personally.

Lastly, while the reader was very good, there were points (probably between takes) where the readers volume rose and fell. I didn't notice it so much while listening with headphones, but through a car stereo I had to adjust the volume up and down a hair every so often.

****

great book q

I used too watch the Smothers brothers ever night on nick at night when i was growing up. after the book I understand more about both sides network and the brothers. I don't agree with all of their politics but I believe in what they were attempting they just went about it all the wrong way. a great books though.

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!

Great story well-told

I picked up this audiobook immediately after Tommy died. I remembered the program fondly although I was pretty young. The details of how the show went down—and what occurred on and off the air with each episode—was all new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride and highly recommend the book most especially to anyone interested in TV production and network history, stand-up comedy, and anyone incensed by efforts to silence points of view critical of authority. After reading several reviews, I had some trepidation due to the harsh criticism of the narrator; I thought he was excellent. There were some very momentary drops in audio level but on my phone it was not that noticeable and only happened maybe a half-dozen times. I didn’t find the narrator monotone at all. And I enjoyed his impressions: I think he did Ed Sullivan and David Steinberg quite well; John Lennon and Harry Belafonte not so much! Haha I’ll forgive him for mispronouncing the town that hosted Woodstock (Bethel—read Taking Woodstock for that wild story). Major kudos to David Bianculli for doing a truly excellent job telling this story. It’s everything I’d hoped for. But mostly, thank you, Dick and Tom. Especially you, Tom, for refusing to shut up!

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.