The book is an attempt to put a human face on one of the most maligned creatures in broadcasting - the Censor! Each network has them; unseen, unrecognized, unsung. Well, they're not really a bunch of pinch-faced prudes in green eye shades wielding blue pencils. They're hard working, dedicated professionals trying to make television acceptable to a large and culturally diverse audience and, not incidentally, to keep the FCC and the U.S. Congress off the backs of their employers.And it is not easy, for he (or she) catches it from all sides - the creative community that wants to push the envelope - management that wants ratings and increased profits - special interest groups interested in their image - educators who want a classroom and preachers who expect a catechism. Did I say the censor was also a juggler, balancing those interests without compromising the creativity or diluting the entertainment value?There has never been a book written form the viewpoint of a censor. Until now. The book is semi-autobiographical, based on my forty years in the business (twelve with Saturday Night Live!). Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Gilda Radner, Ronald Reagan, Groucho Marx, Bing Crosby: I knew them all. The book tells about them and about censoring, with hopes that the reader will be entertained, but also acknowledge a deeper appreciation of the standards we were attempting to uphold. Sometimes successfully!
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
William Clotworthy recently completed a forty-two year advertising and broadcasting career encompassing the death throes of network radio, the Golden Years of television and today's fragmented market of networks, cable and home video. As an NBC Page, he witnessed programs featuring the legendary Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony, the Fred Allen Show and The Voice of Firestone. He was there for the television debuts of Howdy Doody, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle and Perry Como.He moved on to an advertising career in New York and Hollywood as a commercial producer and program supervisor on many family shows, including Your Hit Parade, You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx, and others starring Bing Crosby, Jack Webb, Johnny Carson and Danny Kaye. He spent six unforgettable seasons with General Electric Theatre and its host, Ronald Reagan. From 1979 through 1990, he was Director of Program Standards ('Censor') for NBC-TV, responsible for Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman.Mr. Clotworthy's long association with major personalities and successful, sometimes controversial, programs provides an interesting and unusual perspective on the television industry.Mr. Clotworthy, a native of New Jersey, is a graduate of Syracuse University. He currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Lack of structure foils potential,
By
This review is from: Saturday Night Live: Equal Opportunity Offender: The Uncensored Censor (Paperback)
It was with great anticipation that I awaited my copy of this book by former NBC censor William G. Clotworthy. However, I was quite disappointed. While the work is rife with information and anecdotes about Mr. Clotworthy's work at NBC, and in particular on Saturday Night Live, the lack of an index - or, for that matter, chapters - made it nearly impossible to navigate and rendered virtually worthless as a difinitive reference book. My advice is to invest in a pack of Post-It notes upon purchase. That said, the book is well written and a quick read. And a note of thanks to its publisher 1st Books for taking the care to get this book to the public. Without their help, it's quite possible that this book would have only existed in manuscript form in Mr. Clotworthy's desk drawer.
4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Such a jumbled pseudo memoir,
By foleydog "foleydog" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Saturday Night Live: Equal Opportunity Offender: The Uncensored Censor (Paperback)
I chosed this book because I was looking for a behind-the-scenes look at network sensors. Instead what I got was a jubled pseudo memoir of one WASP's (his self-description) ranting about morals.
If, however, you're looking for some behind-the-scenes SNL gossip, this may be your book.
4 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It was Great!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Saturday Night Live: Equal Opportunity Offender: The Uncensored Censor (Paperback)
The book was ver informative and funny about all of SNL and its cast over the years. I strongly recommend it!!!!!
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