Customer Reviews

TV's Grooviest Variety Shows (of the '60 and '70s)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This should be a five-star book, considering the fact that it covers many of the great TV variety shows that so rarely get treated with respect in books on the history of television.

But the book is deeply flawed by misinformation, speculation and shocking stereotypes. On multiple pages the author calls Midwesterners racists. He groups Midwesterners with Southerners as hick, anti-black TV viewers, which shows a lack of understanding of the wonderful people of the Midwest who fought for diversity in media.

The book has much information culled from other books and publications, but the problem is that the author didn't double check some of this information--resulting in incorrect "facts" included. He also doesn't include enough research on the ratings history of shows and put the programs in proper perspective regarding their popularity. He obviously doesn't have a good grasp of the history of television and just based much of his "research" on things stated by other authors.

For example, he goes overboard praising Carol Burnett to the point that the '90s flop "Carol & Company" was called a "success" (it wasn't) and calling "Mama's Family" a "spin-off of sorts." (There was no " of sorts" about it--it's a spin-off of a character from The Carol Burnett Show.)

For the failed show "Turn On" (which was cancelled after one episode in 1969) he wrongly states that Tim Conway was "among the regulars" (sorry--he was the guest host that week) and it seems that the author never watched it, otherwise he wouldn't write that it "wasn't really all that bad a show" (I saw it and it deserved the description as TV's "most notorious flop"). His inaccurate description of the show appears to not be based on first-hand viewing but on information culled from some other books. He even compares "Turn On" to "Seinfled"!!! Is he serious?

His writing style is also very odd--he will tie a TV variety show to a totally unrelated historical fact or mention an unrelated famous death at the time the show aired. The writing style is often "cheesy" and uses forced hype to create an improper image of what was happening with a show.

On the plus side, the book does include many long-forgotten books that are rarely mentioned in other sources. The book's title is even somewhat misleading, since the book includes many pages of shows that were not "groovy." So in addition to including Sonny & Cher, the author follows up with sections on "Turn On" and Phyllis Diller's variety show. It's fun to read about these--but the title should be adjusted to note that much of what is in the book is an homage to some of the worst variety shows.

Some insignificant shows should be dropped (Pop Goes the Country, The Music Scene) and the definition of "variety show" is too broad (Monty Python, Benny Hill and Solid Gold?). The book is a fun read for those who are old enough to remember variety shows (mostly those over age 50) but you have to able to tolerate a quirky writing style and incorrect information.

I took this on vacation and got a kick out of it. I was born in the 60s so I remember the horrific variety shows of the 70s. EVERYONE had a variety show it seemed. I'd like to see a Volume 2 of this book, as I don't think it mentioned shows like Lynda Carter's and Lorenzo and Harriet Music's. I actually remember watching those. Remember the Christmas variety shows every year? Giant gaudy ornaments with dancers in front of them, all in glorious, hideous 70s colors? I'd like to read about some of those.
If you recall those shows/days, you'll like this book.

Over the years, the variety show genre has given us both winners (Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett, Donny & Marie) and losers (Jerry Lewis, The Brady Bunch Hour, Pink Lady & Jeff). However, while a # of books have been written about some of the shows themselves, as well as the details provided in more general TV encyclopedias, an entire book devoted to the genre as a whole was a task no one attempted to tackle before...until now. Davidson does a great job chronicling TV's more well-known variety shows and revealing some little-known facts along the way (did Alice Lon, former "Champagne Lady" on the Lawrence Welk Show, ever mend fences w/her former boss?), as well as chronicling those blink-and-miss-it flops that only proved memorable for the wrong reasons. If you love variety shows, or even just TV in general, this is def a must-read!

Knowing only what I remember from watching my parents watch some of these shows this book seems to render a pretty good account of some of the programs which used to make up the "variety show" genre. I especially liked some of the sidebars which discussed not-so-pupular shows and programs not exactly within this same genre but relevent to some aspect of another show. The bulletized comments at the end of the chapters were also good to get a "feel" for these programs. Overall, a good book!

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

No book about variety shows would be complete without "The Ed Sullivan Show." The variety show spanned over 20 years. His guests varied each week. From the Beatles, Elvis and Bob Hope, Sullivan always thrilled his audience. "The Ed Sullivan Show" was more than just another TV variety show. It was an honest-to-god time capsule of the absolute best the entertainment industry had to offer in the "Golden Age of Hollywood and Broadway." Sullivan launched many careers.

"The Carol Burnett Show" entertained viewers for over 10 years. Her catch phrase was "I'm so glad we had this time together;" I also remember her tugging her ear lobe. How can a viewer not look back at this show and smile? Comedy skits, and sketches, parodies and characters were tackled each week. Regulars, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, became household names. "Mama's Family," starring Vickie Lawrence, became a popular spin-off. Mama often offered words of wisdom, "Eunice, you got splinters in the windmills of yer mind!" and "Is this your time of the month or something?'"

"Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" lasted 5 years. I remember well the performances of Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson and Lily Tomlin. Each week I would tune in to listen to "Sock it to me!" and watch a bucket of water hit someone in the face. Arte Johnson's character Dirty Old Man always left me laughing. Goldie Hawn, the lovable, carefree and slightly goof go-go dancer went on to prove her great talent in a number of movies.

"The Tony Orlando & Dawn Rainbow Hour" lasted 2 years. The show was full of comedy and wonderful music. They were a breath of sunshine each week.

I impatiently waited each week to watch "Donny & Marie," "Sha Na Na," and "The Captain and Tennille."

Last time I was in Branson, MO, I went to see Bobby Vinton. He still has that same charisma that attracted me to "The Bobby Vinton Show" in the mid 70's.

I faithfully watched "Sonny & Cher" each week, dreaming that I was Cher. Remember I was still in high school. The couple had magnetism that drew you to them. I remember being sad when the show ended.

"TV's Grooviest Variety Shows of the 60's and 70's" by Telly R. Davidson is a wonderful walk down memory lane. They just don't make shows like that any more. Davidson enlightens and entertains readers with facts, photos, where they are now and bloopers about stars and shows of the 60's and 70's. He covered all of my favorites. This book is well researched and includes quotes. Davidson clearly demonstrates the impact variety shows had on the culture. This book is extremely entertaining. I highly recommend it to those who survived the 60's and 70's and those that wish they had experienced it.

Book received free of charge.

If you're a fan of classic TV variety shows like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Ed Sullivan Show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Flip Wilson Show, this book is a must-read. What I like best about the book is that Telly Davidson not only gives you a vivid recount of the shows themselves, but also details the fascinating back-stories that explain how the programs were formulated and ultimately green-lighted. Also, the seldom-seen photos of the shows' stars are superb -- I especially enjoyed the shots of Sonny & Cher.