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Cultural History
TV In The 1970s
ZoomTV IN THE 1970s What was television like in the 1970s? It was the decade of Roots and the decade of The Love Boat. Silly television comedies were everywhere! The 1970s was the decade of Laverne & Shirley, The Fonz, Mork and … Continue reading
Carol Burnett – Queen Of Comedy
ZoomCarol Burnett is one of the funniest women ever to star on television. And on Broadway. And in films. She is also, by reputation, one of the nicest, most thoughtful and highly respected women in the entire history of … Continue reading
TV in the 1980s
ZoomIf the 1970s, comedies tented to be the ground breakers and dramas were mostly bland and formulaic. TV in the 1980s tended to be quite different. While there were important comedies, most notably The Cosby Show, Cheers and The Golden Girls, for … Continue reading
TV In The 1990s
ZoomThe 1990s were a transformative decade in American TV.. Simply the sheer number of programs on TV in the 1990s grew exponentially This was due to the arrival of cable TV networks, like HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and other channels aiming … Continue reading
Gracie Allen – Underappreciated Comic Genius
Private VenueGracie Allen is one of the funniest women ever to perform in American theater, radio, television and film. And yet if I asked you to name the greatest comedienne's of all time, you would probably mention names like Lucille Ball, … Continue reading
The Marx Brothers
Private VenueThe Marx Brothers were much, much better than you remember! Their humor uplifted American spirits during the Depression and established new standards for comedy. The Marx Brothers combination of odd and unique talents, including a harp playing mime, a Jewish … Continue reading
Sidney Poitier
private IL, United StatesSidney Poitier is, without question, one of the greatest actors in the history of American film. Additionally, Sidney Poitier is the man who broke the color barrier in Hollywood. Like Barack Obama or Jackie Robinson, he was more than just … Continue reading
1945
ZoomJoin me in our time capsule for this amazing look back at one of the most important years in the history of the world: 1945. In 1945 World War II finally came to an end. After the deaths of both … Continue reading
Dick Van Dyke Show: FREE PRESENTATION
ZoomThe Dick Van Dyke Show is well remembered as one of the wittiest situation comedies in the history of television. What is less well remembered is that Carl Reiner's creation was a tremendously influential, but deceptive innovator. The DIck Van … Continue reading
Mel Brooks
Private VenueMel Brooks wrote, directed and starred in some of the funniest movies of all time. He even wrote the music for them! As a TV writer, working for the great Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks contributed to perhaps the funniest TV … Continue reading