THE LAUGH MAKERS: A Behind-the-Scenes Tribute to Bob Hope's Incredible Gag Writers [Paperback]

Robert L. Mills (Author), Gary Owens (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2009

"At long last, a book that pays homage to television's unsung heroes -- those wit wizards who face a blank page every day and somehow manage to create something John Barrymore claimed was more difficult than dying: laughter. In his book, Bob Mills not only keeps the reader laughing, but -- like a comedic Houdini revealing his secrets -- shows us how it's done. The Laugh Makers is a "must read" for anyone even thinking about a career in comedy. " - Shelley Berman (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Boston Legal) "In the 70s and 80s, Hollywood Squares often taped next to The Bob Hope Show studio. Judging from the laughter we often heard in the hallway, I always suspected Hope's writers were having a great time over there and now I know why. The Laugh Makers is a fascinating, heartwarming and revealing book on the day-to-day life of comedy writers working for a legend. It also revives long-ago memories of an era and that was so much fun and that I'm sure we'll never see again." - Peter Marshall (Host of The Hollywood Squares) "The author and I have lots in common -- we're both San Franciscans, our comedy careers were launched by a KSFO disc jockey named Don Sherwood, and we're fellow college alumns. Now that I've laughed my way through his backstage stories and priceless recollections of a long and exciting tenure on the road with Bob Hope, I can finally say definitively and without fear of contradiction that Bob Mills is the second-funniest graduate of S.F. State." - Ronnie Schell (Good Morning, World, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.) "When I was first introduced to the author, I said "How do you do?" and he replied, "I make a nice living." Though an incurable smart ass, Bob Mills is one of the warmest, most talented members of our comedy fraternity -- attributes clearly evident on every page of his landmark homage to Bob Hope and his gag writers. So buy his book... please. He's gotten used to that nice living."" - Jack Reilly (Mr. Carlin on The Bob Newhart Show, Stu Pickles on The Rugrats) "It's hard to praise the work of a longtime friend without sounding like you're angling for a free lunch. But Mills has really created something unique here -- an accurate, compellingly readable, hilarious and heartwarming inside view of one of America's most popular variety shows, its legendary host, and its guest stars. And I say that not because I got a free advance copy. Actually, it wasn't from the author -- a hotel where I was staying ran out of Gideon Bibles." - Chuck McCann (The Projectionist, Boston Legal) "In The Laugh Makers, Bob Mills takes us on an exciting backstage journey from London to Stockholm... Bora Bora to Beijing, covering thousands of miles and nearly as many laughs. Today, Mills has more milage on him than Bob Hope's luggage. His book is a real gem that's got sex, violence, intrigue -- and the second page is good, too. Actually, that's a joke Mills wrote for Hope, but I couldn't resist. I have to confess, I read the book in one sitting -- stuck in traffic on the 405." - Pat Harrington (The Steve Allen Show, One Day at a Time)

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: BearManor Media (February 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593933231
• ISBN-13: 978-1593933234
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A native of San Francisco, Bob Mills served in the Navy after high school, graduating from San Francisco State University in 1962 and the University of California Hastings Law in 1965. He practiced in Palo Alto, CA for ten years before moving to Hollywood to write for television.

He worked on the Dinah Shore Show (Syn), the Steve Allen Show (Syn) and the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (NBC) before joining Bob Hope as a staff writer in 1977. He traveled the world with Hope for the next seventeen years. (TV Credits are listed below.)

From 1992 to 1996, he co-wrote a daily topical humor column for the Los Angeles Times called "Laugh Lines."

In 1999, he became an enrichment lecturer for Crystal Cruises and sailed aboard the Crystal Symphony and Harmony, as well as the Diamond, Pacific and Island Princesses and the Celebrity Mercury performing shows based on his experiences with Hope. (Video clips from those shows are viewable at: http://youtube.com/user/thelaughmakers

In 2009, his book The Laugh Makers: A Behind-the-Scenes Tribute to Bob Hope's Incredible Gag Writers was published by Bear Manor Media and was named one of Leonard Maltin's "Top 20 Year-End Picks."

In 1973, he married his wife, Shelley, with whom he lives in Studio City, California.

He is a volunteer reader at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic in Hollywood.
He is an emeritus member of the Writers Guild of America and holds memberships in two professional organizations -- Yarmy's Army, a group of veteran writers and entertainers who meet monthly for dinner and produce fund-raisers for worthy causes -- and The Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, a social club made up of former radio and television professionals founded by Edgar Bergen and Jim "Fibber MaGee" Jordan.

Web site: http://bobhopeshowbackstage.weebly.com

Hosts "Bob Hope Backstage," live, multimedia shows featuring stories, anecdotes and rare video clips from the author's two decades as a staff writer for Bob Hope.

The video clips feature many frequent and legendary guests on the Hope shows including George Burns, Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Mickey Rooney, Glen Campbell, Brooke Shields, Loni Anderson, Jonathan Winters, Don Rickles, Perry Como, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, George C. Scott, Don Knotts and many others including presidents (and Hope's close pals) Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.

Each of the six separate shows are one hour long consisting of commentary and behind-the-scenes stories from my 17 years on the road with Bob Hope and his guests plus 20-25 minutes of clips that illustrate the stories. A Q&A follows. For audiences who remember Bob Hope and the TV era of the 1970s and 1980s, the shows are an entertaining exercise in pure nostalgia in an era when "stars were stars" and TV was worth watching. The remastered DVDs are as clear and colorful as the day they were taped over 30 years ago.

1. "THE PLAY'S THE THING" Typical Hope sketches include parodies of SHOGUN, WINGS, CAMELOT, and GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Sample YouTube video: http://youtu.be/q-7PvEN8Cis

2. "HOPE IN UNIFORM: THE PEACETIME YEARS" Clips from specials taped at the Air Force Academy (1980), Pope Air Force Base, aboard the USS Lexington, West Point (1981) and Annapolis (1982).
Sample YouTube video: http://youtu.be/o8Xinxajqfg

3. "BOB HOPE IN CHINA Recalls his historic 1979 3-hour special from Peking and Shanghai. Guests include Mickhail Baryshnikov, Crystal Gayle, Big Bird, Dolores Hope and Chinese ballerina Zhong Run Liang. Includes Bob's visits to the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square and a song atop the Great Wall;
Sample YouTube video: http://youtu.be/-vK3G6Snye8

4. "HOPE SALUTES THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WORLD SERIES" Two-hour special co-hosted by Danny Kaye in 1978;
Sample YouTube video: http://youtu.be/eQIsGoOof1c

5. "BOB HOPE DOWN UNDER" Bob journeys to the Outback with guests Florence Henderson, Barbara Eden and Charo;
Sample video: http://youtu.be/hJ52nonNsAo

6. "HOPE SALUTES THE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NFL Guests include Betty White, Howard Cosell, Don Meredith, Don Knotts, George Gobel, and Don Rickles; place kicker Garo Youpremian;
Sample video: http://youtu.be/A3uVpVreUuM

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Sound system; microphone; podium; large screen; DVD player; DVD projector

COST: Negotiable depending on travel distance, venue, etc.

PHOTOS FOR PROMOTION, ADS, ETC.: http://bobhopeshowbackstage.weebly.com

REFERENCES:

Crystal Cruises: 1 [phone]
Princess Cruises: 1-800-774-6237
Celebrity Cruises: 1 [phone]
Atherton Baptist Senior Center, Alhambra Don Sturm 626-570-1604
Morningside of Fullerton: Diana Blidy [e-mail]
Freedom Village: Jan Snook [e-mail]
Thousand Oaks Library: Jana Covell [e-mail]
Ventura County Writers Club: Tysa Goodrich [e-mail]
San Marino Library: Denise Dobbs [e-mail]

CONTACT INFO:

Bob Mills
4241 Beck Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]

================================================

Hosts blogs: www.bereftontheleft.blogspot.com
www.laughmakers.blogspot.com
www.bobhopeshowbackstage.weebly.com
www.youtube.com/user/thelaughmakers

Memberships: WGA, West (Emeritus); Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters; Yarmy's Army; married (Shelley), no children; lives in Studio City, CA.
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Television writing credits:

Bob Hope & Friends: Making New Memories Writer NBC Entertainment 1991-1992
Bob Hope and Other Young Comedians: The World Laughs, Young and Old Writer NBC Entertainment 1991-1992
Bob Hope's America: Red, White and Beautiful -- The Swimsuit Edition Writer NBC Entertainment 1991-1992
Bob Hope's Cross-Country Christmas Writer NBC Entertainment 1991-1992
Bob Hope's "Don't Shoot, It's Only Me" Writer NBC Entertainment 1990-1991
Bob Hope's 1990 Christmas Show From Bermuda Writer NBC Entertainment 1990-1991
Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia Writer NBC Entertainment 1990-1991
Bob Hope's Yellow Ribbon Party Writer NBC Entertainment 1990-1991
Bob Hope Christmas Special From Waikoloa, Hawaii Writer NBC Entertainment 1989-1990
Bob Hope Lampoons Show Business Writer NBC Entertainment 1989-1990
Bob Hope's Love Affair With Lucy Writer NBC Entertainment 1989-1990
Bob Hope's USO Road to the Berlin Wall and Moscow Writer NBC Entertainment 1989-1990
Ole! It's Bob Hope's Acapulco Spring Fling of Comedy and Music Writer NBC Entertainment 1989-1990
Bob Hope's Easter Vacation in the Bahamas Writer NBC Entertainment 1988-1989
Bob Hope's Jolly Christmas Show With the All-America Champs Writer NBC Entertainment 1988-1989
Bob Hope's Super Bowl Party Writer NBC Entertainment 1988-1989
Hope News Network Writer NBC Entertainment 1988-1989
Ooh-La-La -- It's Bob Hope's Fun Birthday Spectacular From Paris' Bicentennial Writer NBC Entertainment 1988-1989
Bob Hope's Christmas Show Writer NBC Entertainment 1987-1988
Bob Hope's USO Christmas From the Persian Gulf -- Around the World in Eight Days Writer NBC Entertainment 1987-1988
NBC Investigates Bob Hope Writer NBC Entertainment 1987-1988
Bob Hope Lampoons the New TV Scene Writer NBC Entertainment 1986-1987
Bob Hope With His Beautiful Easter Bunnies and Other Friends Writer NBC Entertainment 1986-1987
Bob Hope's Bagful of Christmas Cheer Writer NBC Entertainment 1986-1987
Bob Hope's High-Flying Birthday Extravaganza Writer NBC Entertainment 1986-1987
Bob Hope's Tropical Comedy Special From Tahiti Writer NBC Entertainment 1986-1987
Bob Hope Buys NBC? Writer NBC Entertainment 1985-1986
Bob Hope's All-Star Super Bowl Party Writer NBC Entertainment 1985-1986
Bob Hope's High-Flying Birthday Writer NBC Entertainment 1985-1986
Bob Hope's Royal Command Performance From Sweden Writer NBC Entertainment 1985-1986
The Bob Hope Christmas Show Writer NBC Entertainment 1985-1986
Bob Hope Lampoons Television 1985 Writer NBC Entertainment 1984-1985
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Hilarious Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars Writer NBC Entertainment 1984-1985
Bob Hope Special: Ho Ho Hope's Jolly Christmas Hour Writer NBC Entertainment 1984-1985
Bob Hope's Comedy Salute To the Soaps Writer NBC Entertainment 1984-1985
Bob Hope's Happy Birthday Homecoming Writer NBC Entertainment 1984-1985
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope Goes to College Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in "Who Makes the World Laugh?" -- Part 2 Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Merry Christmas Show Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Salute to NASA -- 25 Years of Reaching For the Stars Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Super Birthday Special Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's USO Christmas in Beirut Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Wicki-Wacky Special From Waikiki Writer NBC Entertainment 1983-1984
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in "Who Makes the World Laugh?" -- Part 1 Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Super Bowl Party Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Pink Panther Thanksgiving Gala Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Road to Hollywood Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Star-Studded Spoof of the New TV Season -- G Rated -- With Glamour, Glitter & Gags Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: Happy Birthday, Bob! Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: The Bob Hope Christmas Special Writer NBC Entertainment 1982-1983
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope Laughs With the Movie Awards Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope Presents a Celebration With Stars of Comedy and Music Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Birthday at Annapolis Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Comedy Look at the Fall Season: It's Still Free and Worth It! Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Stand Up and Cheer For the National Football League's 60th Year Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Stars Over Texas Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Women I Love -- Beautiful But Funny Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: The Bob Hope Christmas Special Writer NBC Entertainment 1981-1982
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope For President Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's 30th Anniversary TV Special Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Comedy Birthday Party at West Point Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Look at TV's Prime Time Wars Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Funny Valentine Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Spring Fling of Comedy and Glamour Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: The Bob Hope Christmas Special Writer NBC Entertainment 1980-1981
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in the Star-Makers Writer NBC Entertainment 1979-1980
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Comedy Birthday Party Writer NBC Entertainment 1979-1980
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Overseas Christmas Tours Writer NBC Entertainment 1979-1980
Bob Hope Special: Hope, Women and Song Writer NBC Entertainment 1979-1980
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Comedy Special From Australia Writer NBC Entertainment 1977-1978
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's All-Star Tribute to the Palace Theater Writer NBC Entertainment 1977-1978
Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope's Christmas Special Writer NBC Entertainment 1977-1978
Bob Hope Special: The Bob Hope Special From Palm Springs Writer NBC Entertainment 1977-1978
Dean Martin's Celebrity Roast Writer NBC Entertainment 1973-1979
Other
An All-Star Tribute to General Jimmy Doolittle material 1985-1986

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good Old Days May 12, 2009

By Roanne S. Butier

Format:Paperback

Radio was a great friend as I was growing up in the 40s and 50s, and The Bob Hope Show was always one of my favorites. I enjoyed hearing the well-known stars of the day bantering with Bob. Back then I naively assumed that Hope wrote all his own jokes. Eventually I realized that he had some help -- and I found out just how much help when I read Bob Mills' book, The Laughter Makers. Bob tells of the later years with Hope, the 70s, 80s and 90s.

What initially attracted me to the book were these words on the cover: "behind the scenes." Well, I love that sort of thing, and Bob Mills tells us in delightful detail. It was particularly interesting to find out that each of Bob's writers went off on his own to write jokes. Then they'd all gather and meet with Hope. He would listen to each joke, choose the ones that appealed to him and not change a word of what the writer said. A writer's dream.

It was a pleasure to read this book and remember the good old days when a comedian didn't have to tell dirty jokes to get laughs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read and a wonderful trip down memory lane! September 19, 2009

By Martha Bolton

Format:Paperback

This new book by comedy writer Bob Mills brought back plenty of good memories for me. As a fellow staff writer for Bob Hope, I worked with the author for fifteen years and shared many of these funny and endearing moments.

If you're a fan of humor, if you enjoy learning the ins and outs of a comedian's world, if you want a behind the scenes look at the life of one of America's greatest entertainers, then you will certainly enjoy this book.

From the writers' assignment-interrupted dinners at Chadneys (across from NBC), to the impromptu gatherings in Bob Hope's dressing room, to the late night phone calls from a globe-trotting boss, this book covers it all.

It's a fun read and would make a great gift for Bob Hope fans and students of comedy alike.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughing All Over Again March 1, 2009

By Sandra Grabman

Format:Paperback

Once I got well into reading this book, I had the feeling of déjà vu. It seemed as if Bob Hope himself was writing it. That's a very understandable feeling since the author was one of Hope's cherished gag writers, originator of many of the gems Hope delivered in such a wonderful, unforgettable way.

Hope took some of his writers along on his overseas tours, and what stories they could tell. I'm so glad that Bob Mills is now telling them in his own delightful way. He describes a few of those overseas trips in much detail, so it feels as if we readers are traveling with them. Mills' narrative had me laughing out loud many times throughout the book, and I enjoyed every page. We learn quite a lot about Bob Hope - his dedication to his craft, his loyalty to his employees, his solid marriage (so unusual for a superstar!), and many other aspects of his life, up to and including his sad passing. As icing on the cake, Mills ends the book with a where-are-they-now section about the many people who contributed to Bob Hope's success.

One practical advantage this book has is the fact that it's made up of short sections, so it would be great to have with you in airports or doctors' waiting rooms. I love this book and enthusiastically recommend it to you.