Customer Reviews

Kovacsland: Biography Of Ernie Kovacs

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There have been three biographies of Ernie Kovacs in the last 25 years(well, one of the three is really Edie Adams' memoir); Diana Rico's is the best, and likely to remain so for some time-I wish I had written it myself! Ernie Kovacs was a fascinating, mercurial man with an eclectic and very strong appeal, and Rico manages to capture his personality, talent and tremendous charm without ever tipping over(as so many "star" biographies do)into bathos or hero-worship. Fair-minded, and with accuracy reflecting a lot of primary interviews and careful research, it's also just a plainly well-written, entertaining read. If you've a special interest in Kovacs, or are simply curious about who he was, and what the days of the roaring 50's rat-pack was like, this is a book to seek out.

I know, we're reviewing the book and not the man, but it's pretty hard not to enjoy anything dealing with such a brilliant comedian as Ernie Kovacs. Even if it were just a dry accounting of facts, it would be interesting, because he was. However, it is very well-written and engaging. I don't know why Edie Adams refused to be interviewed for this book, because it certainly appears to be a loving tribute to her late husband. Her contributions are about the only thing that could improve this book.

People use words like "off-beat" and "wacky" when it comes to Ernie Kovacs, but in truth the man had a real sense of humor. By this I mean he understood humor, could almost break it down to the atomic level in his head, and assemble wonderfully funny and original pieces from those atoms. Those of us who love humor love Ernie because he would create new forms of it instead of the trite and hackneyed ones that surround us to this day in bad sitcoms, awful sketch comedy shows, and terrible stand-up. Only when you look at Ernie's stuff do you recognize the stagnant brine most Americans call TV comedy and how ubiquitous it is.

This bio would be best if there was more from Ernie himself on his process, but since tragedy has made that impossible Ms. Rico has stitched together an impressive Persian rug of a tale using those who knew him and worked with him. She also provides exhaustive background on the goings-on in his life to give an excellent sense of perspective and accomplishment. You learn more about Ernie the man than about how he was able to come up with all of that great stuff.

Reading this book is like Ernie's life - funny, detailed, warm, intelligent, human, and over way too soon.

Must reading for any fan of Ernie Kovacs.
So many facts about the life of the most ingenious man who ever got in front of a television camera. He understood the medium of television as no one has to this day. If the technology we have today had been available to him at the time, I can't imagine what he could have created.
"The Nirobe Treo" he created is always funny no mater how many times I watch it.
His untimly death, was one of the saddest events in the world.

Ernie Kovacs HATED "laugh tracks". Too bad his hatedred didn't catch on!

I bought this book several years ago, and I highly recommend it to any Kovacsphile! Diana Rico presents a wonderful portrait of this innovative genius, hitting all of the highs and lows. TV misses Ernie to this day!

There was only one Ernie Kovacs. He died way too soon. Good bio. Thanks!

As only Ernie Kovacs could, this book sounds just as Ernie would say things. His off-the-wall comedy left me laughing to myself and remembering the days of the Nairobi Trio, Percy Dovetonsils and his other insane characters. He divulged a lot of his inner feeling about life, Mom and Edie. I read the enrire book "casually" in 3 days. Highly recommend reading this book about an honest comedian who was way ahead of his time!