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Inside Comedy: The Soul, Wit, and Bite of Comedy and Comedians of the Last Five Decades
The world of comedy and comedians of the last five decades. By the man the
New York Times
calls "a comic institution himself", the only comedian (26 years in stand-up) to have made Elie Wiesel laugh, as well as having appeared on
The Tonight Show
(140 times, second only to Bob Hope, but who's counting). From the director of TV comedy series
Mad About You
,
Seinfeld
,
Friends
,
Weeds
, and
Curb Your Enthusiasm
.
Larry "I’m lucky. I know and love David Steinberg. You don’t. Now's your chance. Don’t blow it!"
"David has always been a comedy hero to me. One of his many gifts is the ability to inspire funny people to be even funnier, as you will discover in this truly hilarious, insightful book." (Martin Short)
From David Steinberg, a rabbi's son from Winnipeg, Canada, who at age 15 enrolled at Hebrew Theological College in Chicago (the rabbinate wasn't for him) and four years later, entered the master's program in English literature at the University of Chicago, until he saw Lenny Bruce, the "Blue Boy" of Comedy, the coolest guy Steinberg had ever seen, and joined Chicago's Second City improvisational group, becoming, instead, the comedian's comedian, director, actor, working with, inspired by, teaching, and learning from the most celebrated, admired, complicated comedians, then and now. A funny, moving, provocative, insightful look into the soul, wit, and bite of comedy and comedians - a universe unto itself - of the last half-century.
From the George Burns, Lenny Bruce, Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner, et al., to the newer Carol Burnett, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Bob Newhart, and the man for all comedy, Martin (Marty) Short; to the greats of right Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wanda Sykes; and more....
Steinberg, through stories, reminiscences, tales of directing, touring, performing, and, through the comedians themselves talking (from more than 75 interviews), makes clear why he loves comedy and comedians who have been by his side in his work, and in his life, for more than 60 years.
Here Will Ferrell, Eric Idle, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Myers, Groucho himself, and the greatest of them all (at least of the last half century), Jonathan Winters....
Larry "I’m lucky. I know and love David Steinberg. You don’t. Now's your chance. Don’t blow it!"
"David has always been a comedy hero to me. One of his many gifts is the ability to inspire funny people to be even funnier, as you will discover in this truly hilarious, insightful book." (Martin Short)
From David Steinberg, a rabbi's son from Winnipeg, Canada, who at age 15 enrolled at Hebrew Theological College in Chicago (the rabbinate wasn't for him) and four years later, entered the master's program in English literature at the University of Chicago, until he saw Lenny Bruce, the "Blue Boy" of Comedy, the coolest guy Steinberg had ever seen, and joined Chicago's Second City improvisational group, becoming, instead, the comedian's comedian, director, actor, working with, inspired by, teaching, and learning from the most celebrated, admired, complicated comedians, then and now. A funny, moving, provocative, insightful look into the soul, wit, and bite of comedy and comedians - a universe unto itself - of the last half-century.
From the George Burns, Lenny Bruce, Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner, et al., to the newer Carol Burnett, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Bob Newhart, and the man for all comedy, Martin (Marty) Short; to the greats of right Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wanda Sykes; and more....
Steinberg, through stories, reminiscences, tales of directing, touring, performing, and, through the comedians themselves talking (from more than 75 interviews), makes clear why he loves comedy and comedians who have been by his side in his work, and in his life, for more than 60 years.
Here Will Ferrell, Eric Idle, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Myers, Groucho himself, and the greatest of them all (at least of the last half century), Jonathan Winters....
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Published July 13, 2021
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About the author
David Steinberg
2 books7 followersDavid Steinberg CM is a Canadian comedian, actor, writer, director, and author. At the height of his popularity, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was one of the best-known comics in the United States. He appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson more than 130 times (second only to Bob Hope in number of appearances) and served as guest host 12 times, the youngest person ever to guest-host. Steinberg directed several films and episodes of television situation comedies, including Seinfeld, Friends, Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Golden Girls, and Designing Women.
Since 2012, Steinberg has hosted the interview program Inside Comedy on the Showtime network.
Since 2012, Steinberg has hosted the interview program Inside Comedy on the Showtime network.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 28, 2021
Five stars for the stories, 2 stars for the writing, averaged out and rounded up to four stars. The stories are magnificent -- David Steinberg has had a front-row seat to US stand-up and television comedy for 50 years, and he shares some real gems. (He also points the reader to some great Youtube clips of old Tonight Show interviews, etc.)
The writing (or the editing) left so much to be desired. It's repetitive, and full of (the same) superlatives for every. single. comedian. he discusses. Just one example: In a two-page section on Lucille Ball, we are told not once, not twice, but three times that all of her facial expressions, flailing limbs, etc. were meticulously rehearsed, and not at all spontaneous or ad-libbed. That's actually fascinating, and brings a deeper understanding of the I Love Lucy show, but I did not need to read it three times. This is just one example among many.
So, in summary, read it for the stories, but be ready for some really poor editorial choices.
The writing (or the editing) left so much to be desired. It's repetitive, and full of (the same) superlatives for every. single. comedian. he discusses. Just one example: In a two-page section on Lucille Ball, we are told not once, not twice, but three times that all of her facial expressions, flailing limbs, etc. were meticulously rehearsed, and not at all spontaneous or ad-libbed. That's actually fascinating, and brings a deeper understanding of the I Love Lucy show, but I did not need to read it three times. This is just one example among many.
So, in summary, read it for the stories, but be ready for some really poor editorial choices.
January 28, 2022
What a horrible, horrible, horrible book.
The problem starts with the title. It is not a book about comedy or comedians. It’s a narcissistic rant about David Steinberg. At best it’s a very poorly written memoir. Had I known it’s a memoir, I would not have bought it. Steinberg is just not that interesting and his comments are largely vapid.
Its a name dropping list of everyone Steinberg has ever worked with. They are all his best friend and they are all the best at what they do.
The editing is not bad. It’s non existent. Steinberg writes that he stated that Tim Conway was the funniest ever, at least three times over four or five pages. There are multiple examples of endless repetition, like the statement that Robin Williams looked to Jonathan Winters (one of multiple funniest evers) as a mentor.
Everyone he writes about is a “dear friend” that he has had the good “privilege” to direct.
The best evidence that this is just a vanity project is the 3 or 4 pages devoted to Joey Gallo, a person who had nothing to do with comedy, other than perhaps laughing at jokes. Steinberg writes that he knew that Gallo was an unrehabilitated murderer. Why is he in the book at all? Steinberg was the best man at his wedding. Isn’t that nice. Best man for a convicted and unrepentant murderer, with no shame; just narcissistic glory. Same can be said for Bill Cosby who was admittedly a comedian. Pages of laudatory statements. One sentence expressing sadness at his end, without writing what Cosby’s wrongful acts were.
The problem starts with the title. It is not a book about comedy or comedians. It’s a narcissistic rant about David Steinberg. At best it’s a very poorly written memoir. Had I known it’s a memoir, I would not have bought it. Steinberg is just not that interesting and his comments are largely vapid.
Its a name dropping list of everyone Steinberg has ever worked with. They are all his best friend and they are all the best at what they do.
The editing is not bad. It’s non existent. Steinberg writes that he stated that Tim Conway was the funniest ever, at least three times over four or five pages. There are multiple examples of endless repetition, like the statement that Robin Williams looked to Jonathan Winters (one of multiple funniest evers) as a mentor.
Everyone he writes about is a “dear friend” that he has had the good “privilege” to direct.
The best evidence that this is just a vanity project is the 3 or 4 pages devoted to Joey Gallo, a person who had nothing to do with comedy, other than perhaps laughing at jokes. Steinberg writes that he knew that Gallo was an unrehabilitated murderer. Why is he in the book at all? Steinberg was the best man at his wedding. Isn’t that nice. Best man for a convicted and unrepentant murderer, with no shame; just narcissistic glory. Same can be said for Bill Cosby who was admittedly a comedian. Pages of laudatory statements. One sentence expressing sadness at his end, without writing what Cosby’s wrongful acts were.
September 7, 2021
Jeff says:
I came about this book initially by watching the television series I’m Dying Up Here which was based on the book of the same name, although the series is fictional. I also read that book and others, became interested in the Comedy Store, and watched several documentaries. I watched the Inside Comedy series hosted by David Steinberg and features conversations with different comedians focusing on stand-up.
I enjoyed both the book and the series and even was interested in the comedians I didn’t know or like very well. The only problem was that since I watched the series first, I felt like I heard some of the stories before. David tells his history in comedy as well as the big names who started out in stand up, on television as well as the current generation who use the internet to their advantage.
I came about this book initially by watching the television series I’m Dying Up Here which was based on the book of the same name, although the series is fictional. I also read that book and others, became interested in the Comedy Store, and watched several documentaries. I watched the Inside Comedy series hosted by David Steinberg and features conversations with different comedians focusing on stand-up.
I enjoyed both the book and the series and even was interested in the comedians I didn’t know or like very well. The only problem was that since I watched the series first, I felt like I heard some of the stories before. David tells his history in comedy as well as the big names who started out in stand up, on television as well as the current generation who use the internet to their advantage.
October 18, 2021
They were all geniuses and all their routines were unforgettable, even the ones you've forgotten.
It's basically a short memoir padded by Steinberg fawning over virtually every famous comedian of the last 60 years. He calls everyone a genius and bolsters his opinion by listing their Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Included are a number of familiar anecdotes, many of which are told second hand. When it is a personal anecdote it seems shoehorned in just to name drop, like when Paul Newman went backstage to tell Steinberg that he might get in trouble for his Nixon jokes.... in 1977.
The last part of the book where he posts the transcripts of interviews he did with comedians on a cable show a while back offers zero insights and is eminently skippable.
A real disappointment.
For a real book on the history of comedy, please read Kliph Nesteroff's The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels, and the History of American Comedy.
It's basically a short memoir padded by Steinberg fawning over virtually every famous comedian of the last 60 years. He calls everyone a genius and bolsters his opinion by listing their Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Included are a number of familiar anecdotes, many of which are told second hand. When it is a personal anecdote it seems shoehorned in just to name drop, like when Paul Newman went backstage to tell Steinberg that he might get in trouble for his Nixon jokes.... in 1977.
The last part of the book where he posts the transcripts of interviews he did with comedians on a cable show a while back offers zero insights and is eminently skippable.
A real disappointment.
For a real book on the history of comedy, please read Kliph Nesteroff's The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels, and the History of American Comedy.
December 19, 2021
There are many enjoyable anecdotes and episodes contained here but this book loses points because its editing is atrocious. Countless paragraphs are followed by another that repeats the same facts, credits, co-star mentions, etc.
August 1, 2021
More like a 3 1/2. Mostly a lot of fun. My problem at there is so much fawning over every single comedian that it feels excessive. I could have uses a little bile.
January 27, 2021
If you're my age and can remember that there was a longtime host of "The Tonight Show" even before Jay Leno, then there's a pretty good chance that you're familiar with the comedy of David Steinberg.
Steinberg was a "The Tonight Show" regular having been on the show 140 times, second only to Bob Hope, and has been referred to by The New York Times as a "comic institution." He's more present in your life than you've likely ever realized having successfully segued into television directing with such series as "Mad About You," "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Friends," and "Weeds."
A Canadian rabbi's son, Steinberg enrolled at Hebrew Theological College at age 15 and the master's program in English Lit at University of Chicago four years later.
Then, he saw Lenny Bruce (I'm jealous) perform live and his comedy life was chosen.
"Inside Comedy" is not, however, your usual comedian's memoir but instead a journey through the comedy and comedians of Steinberg's time. We're talking the last five decades of comedy, the years of comedy classics like Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball, George Burns, and Mel Brooks to comedy icons like Lenny Bruce and and Bob Newhart to folks like Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, and contemporary legends like Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, and Dave Chappelle among many others.
Steinberg shares personal stories, testimonies, conversations, interviews, opinions, random thoughts, and tidbits both familiar and seemingly fresh.
"Inside Comedy" often feels like an interview with Steinberg himself, practically as if we're on "The Tonight Show" couch together, as he reminisces and tells his tales of directing, touring, directing, and actually interviews many of comedy's most legendary names. At times, the list of names is so overwhelming that you have to stop to soak it in while you also stop to wonder about some of those popular names of this generation whose names aren't between these pages.
The same quality that makes "Inside Comedy" so engaging can occasionally make it maddening. Steinberg squeezes in so many stories and anecdotes that some big names get only surface treatment while other big names get several pages and obvious adoration.
For the most part "Inside Comedy" avoids anything resembling controversy. This is truly a book of adoration and snark is rare. Instead, "Inside Comedy" invites us into a world where the best understand what it takes to become and maintain being the best.
It can't be overly stated that a good majority of "Inside Comedy" feels like a conversation and even a monologue, at times exhaustingly so. Most evenings as I sat down to read, I did so 15-20% of the book of the time because that was simply all my already tired mind could integrate as Steinberg easily and quickly transitions from story to story and anecdote to anecdote with nary a narrative transition to be found. "Inside Comedy" reads like what it must feel like to live in Steinberg's head after 50+ years in the comedy world.
There are times in "Inside Comedy" when you feel like you're getting a special glimpse inside the soul, wit, and bite of comedy and comedians of the last five decades. There are other times when, well, not so much. There are some familiar stories here and some anecdotes that feel like casual banter interesting primarily to the person sharing them. However, Steinberg so enthusiastically shares it all that you can't help but be energized by them all.
Never less than entertaining, "Inside Comedy" reads like you've sat down with Steinberg on "The Tonight Show" couch and he's sharing his stories from a lifetime of making Americans, and Canadians, laugh. It's an endlessly fascinating world and "Inside Comedy" is a fascinating literary work from David Steinberg.
Steinberg was a "The Tonight Show" regular having been on the show 140 times, second only to Bob Hope, and has been referred to by The New York Times as a "comic institution." He's more present in your life than you've likely ever realized having successfully segued into television directing with such series as "Mad About You," "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Friends," and "Weeds."
A Canadian rabbi's son, Steinberg enrolled at Hebrew Theological College at age 15 and the master's program in English Lit at University of Chicago four years later.
Then, he saw Lenny Bruce (I'm jealous) perform live and his comedy life was chosen.
"Inside Comedy" is not, however, your usual comedian's memoir but instead a journey through the comedy and comedians of Steinberg's time. We're talking the last five decades of comedy, the years of comedy classics like Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball, George Burns, and Mel Brooks to comedy icons like Lenny Bruce and and Bob Newhart to folks like Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, and contemporary legends like Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, and Dave Chappelle among many others.
Steinberg shares personal stories, testimonies, conversations, interviews, opinions, random thoughts, and tidbits both familiar and seemingly fresh.
"Inside Comedy" often feels like an interview with Steinberg himself, practically as if we're on "The Tonight Show" couch together, as he reminisces and tells his tales of directing, touring, directing, and actually interviews many of comedy's most legendary names. At times, the list of names is so overwhelming that you have to stop to soak it in while you also stop to wonder about some of those popular names of this generation whose names aren't between these pages.
The same quality that makes "Inside Comedy" so engaging can occasionally make it maddening. Steinberg squeezes in so many stories and anecdotes that some big names get only surface treatment while other big names get several pages and obvious adoration.
For the most part "Inside Comedy" avoids anything resembling controversy. This is truly a book of adoration and snark is rare. Instead, "Inside Comedy" invites us into a world where the best understand what it takes to become and maintain being the best.
It can't be overly stated that a good majority of "Inside Comedy" feels like a conversation and even a monologue, at times exhaustingly so. Most evenings as I sat down to read, I did so 15-20% of the book of the time because that was simply all my already tired mind could integrate as Steinberg easily and quickly transitions from story to story and anecdote to anecdote with nary a narrative transition to be found. "Inside Comedy" reads like what it must feel like to live in Steinberg's head after 50+ years in the comedy world.
There are times in "Inside Comedy" when you feel like you're getting a special glimpse inside the soul, wit, and bite of comedy and comedians of the last five decades. There are other times when, well, not so much. There are some familiar stories here and some anecdotes that feel like casual banter interesting primarily to the person sharing them. However, Steinberg so enthusiastically shares it all that you can't help but be energized by them all.
Never less than entertaining, "Inside Comedy" reads like you've sat down with Steinberg on "The Tonight Show" couch and he's sharing his stories from a lifetime of making Americans, and Canadians, laugh. It's an endlessly fascinating world and "Inside Comedy" is a fascinating literary work from David Steinberg.
November 9, 2021
Nice stroll down memory lane for a Boomer who is a huge fan of the author. Really more of a memoir with some dips into comedic philosophy and anecdotes about other comedians. Much of the content is taken from his TV show Inside Comedy. I enjoyed to a point. Issues: Very redundant--I think a better editor should have tightened up the prose and made the paragraph segues tighter and less awkward; Too many repetitive lists of performers, etc.; Very personal POV reflected in many people left out of "history" like David Brenner, Joan Rivers, also left out more contemporary--Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers and may reflect those who he knows personally and those he "likes" because there is very little real criticism--mostly laudatory and almost pandering testimonials to people's talent and genius etc., all felt very sincere but if I did not enjoy the reminiscing about my own youth, etc. I may not have read the whole book.
August 31, 2021
Steinberg identifies a long list of comedians who he has known since his introduction to the field in the 1970s. Some of the vignettes seem too short while others seem too long and more than once his transitioning was too subtle for me to discern on the auto. Still an enjoyable listen narrated by the author.
January 28, 2024
Interesting stories, but sooooo repetitive. Everyone is the best, the funniest, the most talented, etc.
September 15, 2023
A fantastic look at the world of comedy through David Steinberg's eyes (apparently he's been there for it all)! It starts off with David's story and a summary of comedy's growth and change over the years. Almost immediately though, it throws you into bios, anecdotes, and interviews with all the biggest comedians. Steve Martin, Martin Short, Robin Williams, you name it. So it's like 50 pages of really interesting story and then 290 pages of "this guy, that guy." I had to return it to the library and check it back out multiple times because I ran out of renewals. It still kept me entertained and I came back to it every time, but I recommend being prepared for a long read if you pick this one up.
October 12, 2021
This was like reliving my childhood: watching tv with my parents, adoring comedians all my life and now getting the inside scoop from not just a guy who knows — but a guy I had a major crush on! David Steinberg is adorable with a ‘puckish wit - funny, insightful, smart, with a charming bite. Comedian, actor, director, host, writer, interviewer, friend, father, son, and husband. From Bob Hope and Groucho to Seinfeld and Colbert; talk show hosts from Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Directing sitcoms and tv shows and commercials. Hosting variety shows, talkshows, and conducting interviews. It seems like he knew/knows everyone and was everywhere. A cheerleader for almost everyone he knows - he doesn’t have a mean thing to say about anyone (well - he IS Canadian!) I adore him as much today as ever. This book is a gift.
October 7, 2025
The audiobook is a poor choice, go with the Kindle app or text. The author isn't in prime voice at this age. Because his tone is informal and you can't "hear" quotation marks, it's difficult to understand whether the jokes and stories he's telling are his own, or from his subjects in their recorded interviews. He's not trying to mislead you or steal jokes, but he seems to ramble through the transcripts of the dialogues without sufficient attribution for audio.
The good news is that the stories and jokes are often laugh out loud funny. The bad news? There's just not a lot of structure and cohesion in the telling. So the funniest stuff kind of gets buried. Some material even gets repeated. Hello, editors? I wish Steinberg had more of the disciplined, condensed excellence which audiences once enjoyed in rants of Dennis Miller, for example. (Miller is one of the few top comedians I didn't hear singled out for praise in Steinberg's kudo-packed memoir.)
Steinberg speaks perfect Hollywood-ese: all compliments, nothing negative. Yes, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Don Rickles, Martin Short, and Johnny Carson are giants of comedy history, well deserving of high praise. Others get fawned over less deservedly. Some of the sitcoms he worked on as a director sound like enjoyable places to work, but they played for smiles more than laughs.
Steinberg tries to teach comedy history, but because this is an insider memoir and not an objective appraisal, a bias shows. Comments on censorship in the early days touch the usual bases: Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, etc. The more recent contention surrounding free speech vs. "wokeness" isn't an issue for him. Steinberg is a Canadian and a liberal one at that, so it's not surprising that the decline of late night U.S. TV comedy into an unfunny and sometimes carelessly caustic political echo chamber escapes critical attention.
While the author takes pains to emphasize how smart comedians must "read the room" and be sensitive to the subtle signals sent back by the audience, one wishes he could better explain the late 1970's decline of his own career as a performer. Maybe as boomer-era comedy took on a sharper edge and became more attentive to absurd human flaws, he just was too kind -- or too Canadian -- to call out the mistakes in plain sight. Or maybe he just didn't want to flip the script, reverse course, and see ludicrous behavior coming from all sides and directions.
The good news is that the stories and jokes are often laugh out loud funny. The bad news? There's just not a lot of structure and cohesion in the telling. So the funniest stuff kind of gets buried. Some material even gets repeated. Hello, editors? I wish Steinberg had more of the disciplined, condensed excellence which audiences once enjoyed in rants of Dennis Miller, for example. (Miller is one of the few top comedians I didn't hear singled out for praise in Steinberg's kudo-packed memoir.)
Steinberg speaks perfect Hollywood-ese: all compliments, nothing negative. Yes, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Don Rickles, Martin Short, and Johnny Carson are giants of comedy history, well deserving of high praise. Others get fawned over less deservedly. Some of the sitcoms he worked on as a director sound like enjoyable places to work, but they played for smiles more than laughs.
Steinberg tries to teach comedy history, but because this is an insider memoir and not an objective appraisal, a bias shows. Comments on censorship in the early days touch the usual bases: Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, etc. The more recent contention surrounding free speech vs. "wokeness" isn't an issue for him. Steinberg is a Canadian and a liberal one at that, so it's not surprising that the decline of late night U.S. TV comedy into an unfunny and sometimes carelessly caustic political echo chamber escapes critical attention.
While the author takes pains to emphasize how smart comedians must "read the room" and be sensitive to the subtle signals sent back by the audience, one wishes he could better explain the late 1970's decline of his own career as a performer. Maybe as boomer-era comedy took on a sharper edge and became more attentive to absurd human flaws, he just was too kind -- or too Canadian -- to call out the mistakes in plain sight. Or maybe he just didn't want to flip the script, reverse course, and see ludicrous behavior coming from all sides and directions.
November 15, 2021
I was recently pleased to discover that David Steinberg had written a book about the leading comic minds of our era. He's the right guy for the enormous task. I have been a fan of David Steinberg since my teenage years. I first took notice of him on a TV show in 1969 called "Music Scene" where he co-hosted with the still-fairly-unknown comedian and rising star Lily Tomlin. The show featured performances by then-current rock bands (I remember a particularly exciting performance by The Rascals) with a rapport between David and Lily. I instantly loved the show and became a fan of both co-hosts. (I also had a teenboy crush on the leggy Ms Tomlin.) It wasn't long before both hosts moved on to more high-profile appearances, with Lily ending up on "Laugh-in" and David becoming a writer/performer on the notorious (and somewhat subversive and anti-Viet Nam war) Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Note: David is considered the reason NBC finally cancelled the hit show because of his thinly-veiled comedic"sermons" where he skewered the U.S. Government's involvement in that war. For a teenager like me, it was hilarious, controversial, and sophisticated. Nixon was not a fan.
David became a wandering comedic nomad on TV, eventually becoming a semi-regular substitute host on the Tonight Show, having guest-hosted 140 times for the late icon Johnny Carson. David has also had a couple Canadian TV sketch shoes, and did lots of appearances and eventually began directing many of our classic sitcoms, including episodes of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Designing Women, The Bob Newhart Show, and Golden Girls.
Since 2012, David has hosted 4 seasons of "Inside Comedy" and the last half of this book is an inclusive overview of the revolutionary comedians who have popularized and populated the comedy world of sitcoms, major motion pictures, and comedy clubs over the past few decades. The gifted classic comedians and comic actors he covers are timeless and historic for how they changed the way we see, hear, and experience our current world, and the many stories from interviews of our legendary standup comics and gifted writers, cultural heroes from the last 5 decades, are excellent and concise portraits of each, including such masters as Bob Newhart, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, John Belushi, Gary Shandling, Larry David, Redd Foxx, Tina Fey, Jerry Lewis, Bob Saget, Kevin Nealon, Drew Carey, Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Monty Python's Flying Circus, and many more. Prepare to seek out those greats you may have missed, or only heard stories about. It will be worth your time and you may even discover new talent that will make you see the world in a different way.
Meanwhile, this book does nicely for the to-do list-makers in the audience. Start right here under the guidance of a true expert, Mr. David Steinberg.
Savor it all.
David became a wandering comedic nomad on TV, eventually becoming a semi-regular substitute host on the Tonight Show, having guest-hosted 140 times for the late icon Johnny Carson. David has also had a couple Canadian TV sketch shoes, and did lots of appearances and eventually began directing many of our classic sitcoms, including episodes of Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Designing Women, The Bob Newhart Show, and Golden Girls.
Since 2012, David has hosted 4 seasons of "Inside Comedy" and the last half of this book is an inclusive overview of the revolutionary comedians who have popularized and populated the comedy world of sitcoms, major motion pictures, and comedy clubs over the past few decades. The gifted classic comedians and comic actors he covers are timeless and historic for how they changed the way we see, hear, and experience our current world, and the many stories from interviews of our legendary standup comics and gifted writers, cultural heroes from the last 5 decades, are excellent and concise portraits of each, including such masters as Bob Newhart, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, John Belushi, Gary Shandling, Larry David, Redd Foxx, Tina Fey, Jerry Lewis, Bob Saget, Kevin Nealon, Drew Carey, Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Monty Python's Flying Circus, and many more. Prepare to seek out those greats you may have missed, or only heard stories about. It will be worth your time and you may even discover new talent that will make you see the world in a different way.
Meanwhile, this book does nicely for the to-do list-makers in the audience. Start right here under the guidance of a true expert, Mr. David Steinberg.
Savor it all.
November 4, 2025
Though there’s no questioning the credentials of actor/director David Steinberg to write his comedy memoir “Inside Comedy,” it may suffer from Steinberg being a little too close to many famous comedians and comic actors to write critically about their work, even with the passage of time. Steinberg has worked or befriended most of the great and near great in comedy since the 1960’s, so he does have some funny anecdotes. But readers can’t help but feel that his close friendships (understandably) kept him from being very analytical about their work. The writer shines in covering his early career in Canada, then in the U.S. with writing for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” during its short, yet groundbreaking run. Steinberg worked closely with many artists over the years, especially in directing many episodes of great sitcoms— “Newhart,” “Friends,” “Designing Women,” “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” among others. Making successful transitions from stand-up to comedy writing to directing gave Steinberg a rare perspective in explaining the challenges of each area; this is where his book is strongest. However, the book has a piecemeal aspect that can be a bit jarring to readers. Incidents or comments are sometimes repeated as if they were being mentioned for the first time. For example, in writing about his mentor Johnny Carson hosting the Academy Awards, he mentions the special challenges of hosting a crowd that increasingly disappointed at losing, but Steve Martin is credited with the same comment later in the book. Or a Jack Benny anecdote is repeated three times. An editor should have caught these, as well as suggested ways to trim some of the gushing remarks on his friends that seems unnecessary and unneeded for comedy legends. Steinberg may have set out an impossible task for himself to explain the greatness of comic geniuses, but “Inside Comedy” is still worth checking out for learning more about Steinberg’s remarkable career. Recommended.
December 14, 2023
This is a FUN READ if you enjoy stories about the hottest comedians of the last half-century.
To be 100% honest, I was reluctant to get this book b/c I don't remember watching David's standup routines or watching (re-runs) of any of his 130+ appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. However, I'm so glad that I read this biography b/c David shares many amusing stories of big name comics that he worked with during his long career in showbiz.
From this book, I learned that David was a well-known standup comic in 1960s & 1970s and thereafter became an actor on Broadway and in Hollywood movies. However, he is probably best known as the director of several famous TV hits, including Seinfeld, the Golden Girls, and Friends (just to name a few).
While interesting, David's career and background were not the best parts of this book. Instead, it's the many (short) stories that David shares regarding his interactions with famous comedians/comedic actors during his career. Along with each story, David shares a brief summary of the comedian's career and accolades. It's kind of a WHO'S WHO OF COMEDY over the last 5 decades, including comic legends such as Steve Martin, Lucille Ball, Billy Crystal, Jim Carrey, Don Rickles, Carol Burnett, the Marx Brothers, Marty Short, Tim Conway, Will Ferrell, Mel Brooks, Robin Williams, and many others.
BOTTOM LINE: whether or not you are familiar with Mr. Steinberg's brand of comedy, you'll love reading the inside scoop he shares about famous comedians from the last 5 decades. 👍 👍
To be 100% honest, I was reluctant to get this book b/c I don't remember watching David's standup routines or watching (re-runs) of any of his 130+ appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. However, I'm so glad that I read this biography b/c David shares many amusing stories of big name comics that he worked with during his long career in showbiz.
From this book, I learned that David was a well-known standup comic in 1960s & 1970s and thereafter became an actor on Broadway and in Hollywood movies. However, he is probably best known as the director of several famous TV hits, including Seinfeld, the Golden Girls, and Friends (just to name a few).
While interesting, David's career and background were not the best parts of this book. Instead, it's the many (short) stories that David shares regarding his interactions with famous comedians/comedic actors during his career. Along with each story, David shares a brief summary of the comedian's career and accolades. It's kind of a WHO'S WHO OF COMEDY over the last 5 decades, including comic legends such as Steve Martin, Lucille Ball, Billy Crystal, Jim Carrey, Don Rickles, Carol Burnett, the Marx Brothers, Marty Short, Tim Conway, Will Ferrell, Mel Brooks, Robin Williams, and many others.
BOTTOM LINE: whether or not you are familiar with Mr. Steinberg's brand of comedy, you'll love reading the inside scoop he shares about famous comedians from the last 5 decades. 👍 👍
September 4, 2021
David Steinberg is a Canadian comedian, actor, writer and director ... I remember watching The David Steinberg Show when I was a kid and catching it in reruns over the years. I like reading bios/autobios to learn more about people and get the inside scoop so this book caught my eye.
Steinberg started off doing stand-up. He ended up on The Smothers Brothers in the late 1960s and his act was one of the reasons it was cancelled. His career has included acting and directing shows like Friends, Newhart, Curb Your Enthusiasm and lots more.
I thought this book was okay. He tells stories about the comedians and actors he knows and counts as friends ... from Groucho Marx, Jonathan Winters and George Burns to John Candy, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams to Will Ferrell, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon.
For the most part, I found it interesting hearing about people from someone who knew them. I thought at times he rambled and was repetitive ... the writing could have been tighter. As I was reading, I would come across a name from the past I'd forgotten about so I'd stop and Google them (so I got sidetracked often). Steinberg is Jewish and there were lots of Jewish references ... I'm not so didn't know what he was talking about.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/09...
Steinberg started off doing stand-up. He ended up on The Smothers Brothers in the late 1960s and his act was one of the reasons it was cancelled. His career has included acting and directing shows like Friends, Newhart, Curb Your Enthusiasm and lots more.
I thought this book was okay. He tells stories about the comedians and actors he knows and counts as friends ... from Groucho Marx, Jonathan Winters and George Burns to John Candy, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams to Will Ferrell, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon.
For the most part, I found it interesting hearing about people from someone who knew them. I thought at times he rambled and was repetitive ... the writing could have been tighter. As I was reading, I would come across a name from the past I'd forgotten about so I'd stop and Google them (so I got sidetracked often). Steinberg is Jewish and there were lots of Jewish references ... I'm not so didn't know what he was talking about.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/09...
January 28, 2021
Reading Inside Comedy is like sitting next to David Steinberg at a bar or in a corner somewhere at a party, which isn't too bad because Steinberg is a man who not only met most of his idols in comedy but also managed to befriend them. He's proud to tell you how close he's been with everybody from Groucho Marx and Orson Welles, to Martin Short, Steve Martin and Richard Pryor, who he calls "Richie". He's got lots of stories, some of them pretty good some a little more ordinary, and he tends to be a bit repetitive at times but anybody who grew up in the 60s watching The Tonight Show and The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour will be happy to enjoy this dazzling history of Comedy as David Steinberg saw it from his position in the middle of all of it, from Second City, to doing stand-up at the Hungry I and Bitter End, to guesting and guest-hosting on The Tonight Show, to directing episodic television, to befriending and finally interviewing all the great comedians he admires on Showtime's Inside Comedy, from which perhaps half of this book's material is drawn.
I'd like to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy of Inside Comedy on which I based my review.
I'd like to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy of Inside Comedy on which I based my review.
August 18, 2021
(Audiobook) This work is a solid overview of not just the life and career of one of the top comedic entities in the entertainment business, this is also a de facto history of comedy during his career, spanning the better part of 5 decades. When Steinberg started out, he was in the era when some of the masters like Jack Benny, George Burns and Milton Berle ruled the comedic world. Yet, he saw the evolution of stand-up, the rise of sketch comedy, how the medium changed and evolved. He has worked with classic masters and many of the top comedic talents now. Still, many referenced the influences he knew and worked with when he first started. In particular, Steinberg is forever enamored and respectful of Johnny Carson, who gave him some of the biggest breaks of his career.
For those who want to learn about the entertainment business and the influences of many of the top comics today, recommend checking this book out. Worth the time to read and listen to, even if it doesn't have a lot of laughs per se.
For those who want to learn about the entertainment business and the influences of many of the top comics today, recommend checking this book out. Worth the time to read and listen to, even if it doesn't have a lot of laughs per se.
October 15, 2021
Canadian-born stand up comic and TV director David Steinberg has written a mostly engaging overview of comedy and comedians over the last 50 years. The bulk of the book consists of snippets of interviews with comics from his TV show, Inside Comedy (which includes a few too many quotes from comics extolling just how great David Steinberg is). Overall, Inside Comedy is pretty good, but very poorly edited. Whole paragraphs are reprinted in different chapters, and in the section on Martin Short, he writes that SCTV had "a rough audience" made up of "drunk businessmen", when in fact SCTV had no audience. He also writes that Short joined SCTV in 1957! And there is almost no mention of the great Norm Macdonald, and more egregiously, one of the most influential comics of recent years, David Letterman, goes almost entirely unmentioned. I can only assume Steinberg couldn't score an interview with Letterman, so he chose to omit him.
Some strange decisions, to be sure, but overall if you're a fan of comedy and comedy history, you'll enjoy Inside Comedy.
Some strange decisions, to be sure, but overall if you're a fan of comedy and comedy history, you'll enjoy Inside Comedy.
June 9, 2022
FANTASTIC!!
This was a terrific read from beginning to end… I always remember seeing David Steinberg on all the major talk shows on the circuit growing up and always enjoyed his interview show with the same name of this book… But his stories and recollections and details about so many of the great comics and comedians that I have loved my whole life were so insightful and so entertaining and were told as only Steinberg can… I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the science of comedy and who loves showbiz and entertainment… No surprise that Steinberg is a master storyteller and his recollections of all things comedy and those who have led and paved the way for all the comedians of today are priceless… I knew that he’s been a Director for decades but didn’t realize some of the great TV shows (so many that are my favorites to this day) that he has helmed over all these years… And to learn that he basically gave so many of my favorite performers over the years their start back in Canada was fascinating… Like Mel Brooks, he is a virtual Zelig all his own, having known and worked with everybody in the business especially in the world of comedy…I happily give this book 5 stars!!
This was a terrific read from beginning to end… I always remember seeing David Steinberg on all the major talk shows on the circuit growing up and always enjoyed his interview show with the same name of this book… But his stories and recollections and details about so many of the great comics and comedians that I have loved my whole life were so insightful and so entertaining and were told as only Steinberg can… I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the science of comedy and who loves showbiz and entertainment… No surprise that Steinberg is a master storyteller and his recollections of all things comedy and those who have led and paved the way for all the comedians of today are priceless… I knew that he’s been a Director for decades but didn’t realize some of the great TV shows (so many that are my favorites to this day) that he has helmed over all these years… And to learn that he basically gave so many of my favorite performers over the years their start back in Canada was fascinating… Like Mel Brooks, he is a virtual Zelig all his own, having known and worked with everybody in the business especially in the world of comedy…I happily give this book 5 stars!!
August 27, 2021
To borrow from another reviewer: 4 stars for the stories of these amazing comedians, but 2 stars for the writing (or lack of editing) = 3 stars. Steinberg tells us a bit about himself, and then how he knew and/or worked worked with each of the many comedians he discusses. However, the book contained a lot of long lists of names of those famous comedians, as well as TV shows he directed - and the author did the same for each comedian he discussed, with long lists of their credits and awards, etc. Perhaps in reading the print or eBook, once could simply skip over those lists as they come up, but in the audio, I just had to listen and wait for him to get back to the good parts. Still, I enjoyed it overall and recommend it for comedy fans.
December 17, 2021
David seems like a great guy, maybe because he's Canadian, but this is not a how-to of comedy. It's a memorial of his life, influences, and the comic greats he worked with, complete with pictures. The last chapter are transcripts from his short-lived interview show "Inside Comedy", hence the title.
Nothing wrong with a memoir, but authors need to give more than a mere rundown of data or events. David should offer an interpretation of his rich past. Given David's encounters with so many geniuses, along with his filmmaking and writing experience, he could have offered valuable insight into the industry and how to succeed in comedy. An industry insider is valuable if he can give you tips to succeed instead of recounting stories about success. @IvyDigest
Nothing wrong with a memoir, but authors need to give more than a mere rundown of data or events. David should offer an interpretation of his rich past. Given David's encounters with so many geniuses, along with his filmmaking and writing experience, he could have offered valuable insight into the industry and how to succeed in comedy. An industry insider is valuable if he can give you tips to succeed instead of recounting stories about success. @IvyDigest
December 17, 2021
I enjoyed this book, but... I think it was 352 pages (Hard Copy) long, and it probably could have been about half that length and he often repeats himself... "Did I tell you about the time when Don Rickles did...?" Yes, you already did about 45 pages back. Steinberg has met and worked with most of the major comedians in the last fifty years (except Jim Gaffigan was never mentioned - one of my personal favorites) and his stories are entertaining, so if you want to hear stories about how and when David Steinberg worked with most of them and his own growing up years and what inspired him to go into comedy, then this is the book for you. The were a few laugh out loud moments, but not sure if it was worth 352 pages.
August 13, 2022
Were all the editors busy when this was published? I’ve never read a book that had so much repetition, as though it was written on a deadline and never read through… by anyone… before it was published. Which is a pity because there are some genuinely interesting stories about well-known comedians which could have been threaded together to capture a fascinating moment in time. I kept changing my mind as to whether to finish it because I didn’t look forward to reading long lists of names as though from an archive, or how amazingly talented and likeable they all are, making those accolades meaningless. How could a career comedian have so little regard for entertaining his audience when it came to writing a memoir?
January 10, 2023
Despite the fact that it's theoretically comedy, this book didn't do it for me. I like the injection of many old memories and comedians, but overall, it seemed more of a "look how great I am and how many people I influenced and look at all of my friends!". I'm not sure what COULD have been done, but to me it has an overall self-aggrandizement feeling about it :-(.
I did like the stuff about "Rowan and Martin's Laugh In :-)" It's one of my early memories of TV in my early childhood, and I like learning more about the old show and its edginess. And of course, I like reading about Robin Williams.
Overall, it was okay and into habits humorous stories, but there is definitely more concentration on how wonderful the author was and less concentration on the actual humor.
I did like the stuff about "Rowan and Martin's Laugh In :-)" It's one of my early memories of TV in my early childhood, and I like learning more about the old show and its edginess. And of course, I like reading about Robin Williams.
Overall, it was okay and into habits humorous stories, but there is definitely more concentration on how wonderful the author was and less concentration on the actual humor.
April 13, 2023
Oh boy. This was a disappointment. I like Steinberg and wanted to love this book. However the editorial choice were dismal. At times entire paragraphs were repeated throughout the book, and in some cases had no connection to the previous or post paragraphs. Also, timelines made no sense in some sections and I had to read a few entries a couple of times to make sense of it.
I get that the book is based on his television show, but while reading I went back to the show itself and at times the interviews are just transcribed from the show.
Some of the stories of comics and Steinberg's own history are entertaining, but the work to read through the poor editing was too much to be enjoyable.
I get that the book is based on his television show, but while reading I went back to the show itself and at times the interviews are just transcribed from the show.
Some of the stories of comics and Steinberg's own history are entertaining, but the work to read through the poor editing was too much to be enjoyable.
September 24, 2021
A wonderful sweep through baby boomer comedy
The comedians I grew up with are all here, their words written down for prosperity. From Steinberg's idol Lenny Bruce, through giants like Steve Martin, Martin Short, Second City alumni, SNL characters, we get to hear their words about what makes them tick. A really nice insight for us who remember Steinberg and his gorilla leg on Music Scene and lived through the drama around the Smothers Brothers comedy. David has a rather healthy ego, which is okay because he fesses up to it. Good book, really enjoyed it.
The comedians I grew up with are all here, their words written down for prosperity. From Steinberg's idol Lenny Bruce, through giants like Steve Martin, Martin Short, Second City alumni, SNL characters, we get to hear their words about what makes them tick. A really nice insight for us who remember Steinberg and his gorilla leg on Music Scene and lived through the drama around the Smothers Brothers comedy. David has a rather healthy ego, which is okay because he fesses up to it. Good book, really enjoyed it.
December 24, 2021
David gushes with unending praise for everyone who ever stood on a stage and told a joke in the past five decades. After while it becomes formulaic. Big name comedian struggled for many years, became a huge success, David feels they are the greatest thing the world has ever seen. Blah, blah.
In the parts about his life, celebrity names are sprinkled about like I sprinkle salt on my fries. Without the celebrity names this would have been a lovely pamphlet. Most of these stories I have heard before.
In the parts about his life, celebrity names are sprinkled about like I sprinkle salt on my fries. Without the celebrity names this would have been a lovely pamphlet. Most of these stories I have heard before.
December 1, 2021
The readers who will like the most are probably be 55 to (maybe) 80 when TV had a long list of good comedy for TV. Comedian David Steinberg, who not only wrote funny stories for TV but changed TV and to some degree, changed our culture. His book will bring some good memories and provide some background for what was happening on the TV screens. It's not a book for a college course unless there are some other books to teach the young students to understand how difference TV was.
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