Customer Reviews

Comic Visions: Television Comedy and American Culture (Media & Popular Culture)

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This is an excellent psychological, socio-historical overview and analysis of the behind-the-scenes casting and creation of many famous and not-so-famous sitcoms, that is not overly academic in style, but is in-depth in analysis, i.e., this book is for all levels of comprehension. An added bonus is the funny commentary and musings that the author adds (Bill Bixby is a "low-rent Alan Alda" etc.,A shortcoming though is the little analysis of big sitcoms like the Jeffersons and Seinfeld. The Last chapter especially needed more information on sitcoms of the 1990s. Overall a fantastic read, and David Marc is really nice and answers your email questions promptly.

Marc has a unique vision of American situation comedy. He sees it through the lens of classical criticism, seeking themes, genres, and other Greek-sounding nouns. He places American sitcoms in historical contexts. He does all of this so brilliantly and in such a readable yet erudite manner that a reader familiar with both "Bewitched" and "Beowulf" will find the book a treasure. I have never found a better book about American comedy in the post World War II era. So much of that comedy was televised that David Marc owns the patent on its intelligent criticism with this book.

Sure, I spent 6 hours a day in school as a kid. But while I hardly remember any of my class schedules from back then, I know that The Beverly Hillbillies was broadcast on Wednesday night at 9, and that Candid Camera and What's My Line? were my ticket to staying up late on Sundays. And while I was able to recite the Preamble to the Constitution on command for my 8th grade teacher, I knew the words to the theme from Pettitcoat Junction much better. Indeed, I could play it on the piano. (I would eventually spend many an evening in college in the 70's with friends singing TV show themes from the 60's.)

Anyone who is a child of television will find his (or her) roots here. "That's where I learned what a normal family is!" In the book, one encounters discussions of episodes and characters to which one nods and says, "Wow, I don't remember that as remarkable (or racy, or stereotypical, or subversive) but I guess it was!" It's a fun read, filled with revelations, at least for me (well educated, to be sure, but not so much in formal pyschology and sociology). And it's always amusing to read a treatment of Father Knows Best in a tone and at a level that was once reserved for Dickens. (I was once forced to read David Copperfield over my Christmas vacation. Never had sympathy for an English teacher since.)