Books about 20th century american comedy?

May 5, 2008 1:38 AM

Any recommendations for books/articles/whatever about the history of comedy? Specifically 20th century American comedy?

So as I grow older and hopefully wiser, I find myself more and more interested in older types of comedy, specifically the American variety show from the 50's, 60's, 70's. Not only do I find its ties to vaudeville and the yiddish theater pretty fascinating, but I think it speaks to a different sort of popular mentality that has gone by the wayside. Being an 80's child myself, I seem to want to know more and more of the comedy of days past.

I'm not only talking about books detailing the Smothers Brothers, the Carol Burnett Show, and Laugh in (though these would certainly be greeted with interest), but also books about their (and present) connections to vaudeville. And since vaudeville - in turn - has such a close relationship with motion picture history, the spread of my interest seems to be hovering over many things. And I am utterly lost.

So I'm hoping for you to spin me around and point me in the right direction.

posted by MPnonot3 to media & arts (5 comments total)

Travis Stewart's No Applause - Just Throw Money is a fun history of vaudeville that also draws links to more contemporary entertainment

here's an interview with Stewart about the book

posted by jammy at 4:33 AM on May 5, 2008

You might be interested in this Henry Jenkins book called What Made Pistachio Nuts?
posted by mattbucher at 5:52 AM on May 5, 2008

I enjoyed contemporary vaudeville performer Trav SD's history of American vaudeville "No Applause, Just Throw Money." Here's an interview I did with him (direct MP3 link).
posted by YoungAmerican at 8:32 AM on May 5, 2008

Also check out this chronology: A History of Comedy on Television, Beginnings to 1970.
posted by mattbucher at 8:49 AM on May 5, 2008

The Silent Clowns by Walter Kerr is, for my money, the first book to get if you're interested in the silent film comedians. Great book, talks a bit about the transition from vaudeville.
posted by LobsterMitten at 7:37 PM on May 5, 2008