Your Show Of Shows

by Ted Sennett

(Applause Books). On a Saturday evening in 1950, a live, 90-minute variety program called YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS! premiered on NBC and instantly won acclaim from the critics and public alike. An inspired, witty and sophisticated mixture of comedy, satire and song and dance, the program starred the gifted and inimitable Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Ted Sennet's book, first published in 1977, and now extensively revised and expanded, demonstratres more than ever why the show remains one of television's most glowing achievements. Here are generous, illustrated excerpts from the hilarious sketches that provided Caesar and Coca with opportunities for peerless dual and solo turns, as well as interludes of opera and ballet performed by the leading artists of the day, and the bits by the talented company of players. This edition also includes complete texts from some of the show's funniest skits, comments from Sid Caesar himself, as well as other comedic luminaries who pay tribute to the show's influence, and never-before-seen photographs from the collection of the show's producer and director, Max Liebman. YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS is indisputably one of television's durable treasures. For those who cherish its memory to those who are experiencing it for the first time, Ted Sennett's expanded new edition of this book will be a welcome gift of laughter.

Genres: Tv

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Ronn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, it's lovingly written, full of anecdotes, and there are lots of great pictures. But I did not get the sense of being there, of being in the thick of things. It was like sitting and listen to people two or more generations older than me talk about how great things were in the old days. Not that there's nothing to learn from stories about the old days, but...
Another thing that bothers me is that this book was written in 1977. Bu this time, Saturday Night Live had been around for enough time that, for a show so obviously derived from YSOS, some critical comparisons could have been drawn. But there is no mention of SNL.

[Victoria & David Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lightweight look at one of the earliest and best comedy/variety shows on television. It does have extensive photos and dialog from the show. It does contain a lot of early writing by Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. So what am I complaining about ? I wanted more. Perhaps a bibliography?

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest book about humor since the book's original release!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rickeclectic · Rating 2 out of 5]

The history of the early television show, Your Show of Shows that starred Sid Caesar and Imogen Coca. An amazing breeding ground for comedy and television. Writers and actors included, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. If you want to see the first Saturday Night Live go find an old Your Show of Shows. Unfortunately, the book is more of a lighthearted and nostalgic look at the show, sort of an homage. Lots of pictures, lots of great dialogue from the shows, not a lot of meat otherwise, except in rosy colored history. Almost all the shows were destroyed (they were old kinescopes) and I think this book is out of print now, but the impact of this show on television and comedy in general was huge and the book at least tries to capture that.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the book....lot's of photos. A little background on the producer/director Max Liebman who put everything together and a bit each on Imogene and Sid. Descriptions of all the shows and other talent on the show. But not nearly enough on the writers. I heard wonderful stories told by Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks.

If you are a fan, it's worth the read.