Sitcom History

Welcome to The Ultimate Baby Boomer Trivia and Quiz Book! Who placed the very first phone call to the moon? President Nixon Who, according to Joan Rivers, had gravy spurt out when her ears were pierced? Elizabeth Taylor Which of the Cartwright boys’ real name was Eric? Hoss, played by Dan Blocker Who told Americans to “Think Small” in their groundbreaking ad campaign? Volkswagen What future American ambassador was signed to play James Bond but was ultimately replaced by Sean Connery? John Gavin You’re smarter than a smartphone and cooler than a calculator. You’ve lived through ...

Browse the world of 1950s sitcoms with or without a remote control in your hand. Opinionated and hopefully entertaining, this book covers the biggest hits and a few misses from the dawn of the television sitcom. From I Love Lucy though The Many Love of Dobie Gillis, the era of the 50s sitcom is covered with many topics of interest and possibly even humor that are the perfect size for bite sized reading unless you feel a binge coming on and then just go crazy. Desi Arnaz and his friends perfecting the three camera sitcom, Jackie Gleason creating a one season wonder in the Honeymooners after ...

In the bestselling traditions of Seinfeldia and Top of the Rock comes a fascinating deep dive into the longest-running live-action sitcom in television history, from its humble beginnings to its evolution as a critically acclaimed cult classic comedy. Charlie, Dennis, Mac, Sweet Dee, and Frank...

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The untold stories behind The Office, one of the most iconic television shows of the twenty-first century, told by its creators, writers, and actors When did you last hang out with Jim, Pam, Dwight, Michael, and the rest of Dunder Mifflin? It might have...

Since premiering in 2009, the groundbreaking television sitcom Modern Family has garnered tens of millions of devoted fans, earning 75 Emmy nominations and 22 Emmy Awards, including five in a row for Outstanding Comedy Series (one of only two sitcoms to ever achieve that feat). Professors have written about it. Psychologists have lectured on it. Leading publications, such as The New York Times and Washington Post, have explained their love for it.

Now featuring exclusive new material including excerpts from Desi Arnaz’s unpublished second memoir and commentary by daughter Lucie Arnaz, here is the expanded edition of the New York Times bestselling memoir of Cuban American entertainment legend, TV pioneer, and I Love Lucy star Desi Arnaz...

In celebration of the Brady Bunch's 50th anniversary, TV writer Kimberly Potts writes a Seinfeldia-like definitive history of the show that changed the family sitcom and made an indelible impact on pop culture. There isn't a person in this country who hasn't heard of The Brady Bunch. Whether...

Why read The Wheel of Sitcom? Because you’ve laughed. You’ve groaned. You’ve fallen asleep to the sound of canned applause or the soothing murmur of small-town life. Maybe you grew up with Lucy or Jerry or Homer… or maybe you’re just discovering the joy of a perfectly timed one-liner. In The Wheel of Sitcom, author Joe Stevens takes you on a warm, witty, and occasionally baffled journey through 100 sitcoms, old and new — from the black-and-white days of The Andy Griffith Show to the fast-cut chaos of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Part review, part memoir, part love letter to the comedy ...

The award-winning co-anchor of PBS NewsHour presents a sweeping and insightful retrospective on the history of Black comedy in America. Black comedians have long played a pivotal role in shaping the American sense of humor. The 1990s showcased a golden era for Black comedy, highlighted by the...

If there's one thing the nation can agree on--we all love Betty White! This spirited homage to Betty captures her unique humor, timeless wisdom, and impish irreverence that's made her one of America's longest lasting and most beloved stars. An unparalleled American icon, Betty White started...

The groundbreaking inside look at the making — and unmaking — of a network TV series, back in print for the first time in thirty years. Smoldering Lust seemed like a sure-fire hit for NBC – a sexy new comedy-drama starring Kate Capshaw from Jay Tarses, the acclaimed, Emmy-awarding winning writer/producer of The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Buffalo Bill and The Bob Newhart Show. But things started to go wrong from the start and author Vance Muse was there to witness it all, from the development, casting, and production of the show all the way to the disastrous test screening, the ...

Go inside the writers’ room and onto the set of the honorary queen of comfort shows—with exclusive interviews from the creator, cast, writers, directors, and crew. Since its finale, New Girl has quietly become one of the most rewatched shows in streaming history—a certified comfort classic...

Now available in Spanish language for the first time! Featuring new material including excerpts from Desi Arnaz’s unpublished second memoir and a revealing epilogue by daughter Lucie Arnaz, here is the revised edition of the New York Times bestselling memoir of Cuban American entertainment...