Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White

by Tim Reid, Tom Dreesen, Ron Rapoport

As the heady promise of the 1960s sagged under the weight of widespread violence, rioting, and racial unrest, two young men--one black and one white--took to stages across the nation to help Americans confront their racial divide: by laughing at it.

Tim and Tom tells the story of that pioneering duo, the first interracial comedy team in the history of show business--and the last. Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen polished their act in the nightclubs of Chicago, then took it on the road, not only in the North, but in the still-simmering South as well, developing routines that even today remain surprisingly frank--and remarkably funny--about race. Most nights, the shock of seeing an integrated comedy team quickly dissipated in uproarious laughter, but on some occasions the audience’s confusion and discomfort led to racist heckling, threats, and even violence. Though Tim and Tom perpetually seemed on the verge of making it big throughout their five years together, they grudgingly came to realize that they were ahead of their time: America was not yet ready to laugh at its own failed promise.

Eventually, the grind of the road took its toll, as bitter arguments led to an acrimonious breakup. But the underlying bond of friendship Reid and Dreesen had forged with each groundbreaking joke has endured for decades, while their solo careers delivered the success that had eluded them as a team. By turns revealing, shocking, and riotously funny, Tim and Tom unearths a largely forgotten chapter in the history of comedy.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Comedy

254 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2008

About the author

Tim Reid is an actor, producer, director, and artist who has created and starred in many movies and television shows, including WKRP in Cincinnati, in which he played the overnight disk jockey Venus Flytrap, and Frank’s Place.

Reviews

[Mahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen have each carved out long and successful careers in the entertainment industry on their own. Tim as an actor and producer on such shows as WKRP, Frank's Place, Simon and Simon, and Sister Sister, and Tom as the opening act for such show business legends as Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra. Before that however they were partners in the comedy team of Tim and Tom, America's first(and last) interracial comedy duo. As you can imagine, their unusual brand of comedy was a tough sell in the racially-charged atmosphere of America in 1969. At a time when racial discourse often meant clashes in the streets, Tim and Tom were having it every night onstage. They faced an uphill battle for acceptance as they plied their trade across the country. At most clubs they faced merciless heckling, racial slurs, and an occasional pelting with items thrown by the audience. Once when a patron put out a lit cigarette out on Tim's face, they even had to fight for their lives. Unfortunately, the act broke up in 1975 over frustrations related to their inability to take the act to the next level, and Reid's desire to transition into acting. Tim and Tom also offers some keen insights into race relations in America, particularly when it details Reid's struggles against black stereotypes held by Network executives at the time.

My only knock on the book is that only 60% is devoted to the duo's time together, the remaining 40% details their separate careers, but it's all very interesting. Tim and Tom is an important and inspirational book, and should be read by everyone, especially young comics, so they can understand why they owe these guys a debt of gratitude for helping to pave the way.

[ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's really no logical reason why I was so fond of this book. I'm not old enough to have ever been exposed to either Tim Reid or Tom Dreesen outside of re-runs of WKRP or Simon & Simon (in Reid's case). I'm not a big consumer of stand-up comedy. I only knew about the book because I heard an interview on NPR with both men some time ago and dropped the book into my to-read list. As luck would have it, when it came time to start a new book I let a random number generator do the work and ended up with this one.

I suppose I had an expectation that the book would be funny, and while those moments are certainly present, I ended up being more invested in the emotional journeys of each man individually and as a team. The way they approached and handled the racial tension of the time was brave and I found myself celebrating their successes and wishing for better things for them when things didn't go as well. Reading their stories also helped me realize both how far we've come - and yet how some things haven't really changed at all - in terms of race and it's place in arts & entertainment.

It's not a book I would have ever picked up on my own, I don't think, but I'm glad to have read it and would recommend it without hesitation.

[Jamocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in 1970 and WKRP was a hit in our home from start to finish. I'd heard of the Tim and Tom book for the first time while listening to the HMOTD podcast on iTunes. I tracked down this book during the summer of high racial tension (2020). I would take note of Tim Reid's name appearing occasionally over the years. Everyone from WKRP had rich careers (if they wanted it) and I'd always seen Tim Reid as an actor with a lot of depth despite the WKRP role dumbing him down at times. But who was Tom Dreesen? Not a household name in my opinion. The book would show me he is of equal importance; how someone capable of opening for Frank Sinatra for 14 years was a critical part of the show. Both men have stories rich with characters that shaped their outcome.

I feel the impact of this book largely depends on if you appreciate stories about people who took their shot and nearly missed. Their act pushed ideas and boundaries which steered them to pitfalls and yet greater opportunities. Careers precariously always falling forward from the same point of origin. Wildly successful without ever standing on the top of the mountain.

[MICHAEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this book and learned of these two, as a duo, rather than as two individual performers while at the Newberry Library exhibit on the history of Mr. Kelly's. Picked it up as a fluff piece and it is so much more. Fantastic history of the civil rights era from a couple of guys who did the thing. From meeting in the south suburbs at a chamber meeting to going on the road nationally to perform in all kinds of venues and then ultimately breaking up and achieving their own fame individually. The book alternates chapters following them as individual in the later years, but includes the good the bad and the ugly of their time trying to make the world laugh.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen talk about their lives as stand up comics and as the first comedy duo who were interracial. This was a fascinating look at their lives growing up, how they met and started to perform together, how audiences responded to them and how they ended up eventually parting ways. Tom remained a comedian and was the opener to Frank Sinatra concerts while Tim moved on to TV in WKRP in Cincinnati and Frank's Place. This book is still relevant today.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Tim and Tom perform in the early 70's. Circumstances allowed me to see them, although I was probably too young for their act. They were SO funny. I'd always wondered what had brought them together in the first place, and what had caused the break-up of their act. I enjoyed this book a lot, especially the parts that reminded me of home.

[Sotteria Wetsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

the period was a little before my time. but I recognize many of the names that were included in the story. I picked up the book because of Tim Reid and his role of Venus flytrap. so I really did enjoy hearing how Tim and Tom made it in the business especially during the civil rights time.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of the book is over-the-top fantastic. The childhoods and early skits of an African American comedian and a white comedian. It is so well told. I used it when I taught a seminar on Comedy.

[Denis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In September 2017 Tom Dreesen mentioned that there is a possible movie deal in the works.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it's been around 35 years since Pryor and Wilder made movies together, it's amazing that Tim and Tom have been the only notable interracial comedy team on the stand-up circuit. The good news is that they both eventually achieved recognition on their own (Dreesen as a long-serving opening act for Sinatra, Reid on WKRP in Cincinnati, Simon & Simon, etc), but the roadblocks and prejudice they encountered - from both of their respective races - is sobering and underscores how slowly the nation responded to the civil rights age in the late Sixties and early Seventies.



The last 1/4 of the book gets a bit breezy and conflates decades into a few short chapters. Still the slight-but-important footnote Tim and Tom put into pop cultural history is worth a look.

[Ray Charbonneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of two B- (or C-)list comedy performers, who happened to have a bi-racial act together at the beginning of their careers, at a time when that was uncommon. Interesting enough, but not terribly important.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad bought this for my grandmother, and for one reason or another, I ended up picking it up. I found the story of these two comedians interesting, although I wasn't familiar with the comedy act (sorry, I'm just too young), and read the whole thing.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this to proofread it for Bookshare.org. Found it eye-opening regarding race relations, if a little self-aggrandizing.

[Emilyf11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a lovely book about a time in american history. a story of determination and drive. Definately recommend.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has an interest in comedy, the sixties, civil rights, discrimination, racism, poverty, the triumph of the human spirit....this book is for you.