Funny People

by Steve Allen

Presents exemplary anecdotes about such entertainers as Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Lili Tomlin, Jerry Lewis, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, George Burns, and Jonathan Winters

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Stephen Valentine Patrick William "Steve" Allen was an American television personality, musician, actor, comedian, and writer. Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best-known for his television career. He first gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. He graduated to become the first host of The Tonight Show, where he was instrumental in innovating the concept of the television talk show. Thereafter, he hosted numerous game and variety shows, including The Steve Allen Show, I've Got a Secret, The New Steve Allen Show, and was a regular panel member on CBS' What's My Line?

Allen was a "creditable" pianist, and a prolific composer, having penned over 14,000 songs, one of which was recorded by Perry Como and Margaret Whiting, others by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Les Brown, and Gloria Lynne. Allen won a Grammy award in 1963 for best jazz composition, with his song The Gravy Waltz. Allen wrote more than 50 books and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Reviews

[Gidg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Allen does a wonderful job of telling the back stories of such great talents of Jack Benny, Milton Berle, George Burns, and Jimmy Durante. These comics were before my time but they were from an era of my mother's youth. Growing up my mother shared her love of such talents via old movies and they then too became part of my childhood entertainment. It was nice to hear how these talented comics made it into the business and to have their styles defined by Mr. Allen. But the best part was actually listening to audio of these men either doing their routines or just chatting amongst themselves and telling old tales. This was a nice indulgence in nostalgia. This audible is right up there with the "Hi Bob!" by Bob Newhart audiobook; I loved that audio.

[Chris Doelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In audio format it was fun - the info is a bit dated but fun. Full review --> http://www.ridingwiththewindowdown.co...

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1985. Allen presents anecdotes about famous comedians of the era.

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look into the mind of comedic genius from Steve Allen