Customer Reviews

Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's hard to imagine how the idea of a comedy team of a black man and a white man would be viewed as shocking and maybe revolutionary. But it was the late 60's and all hell was breaking loose in the states. For these two guys to decide to hold a discourse on race within the forum of comedy was a major achievement. Strange,how we haven't seen anymore interracial teams since.

I was lucky enough to interview Tim and Tom on my [...] podcast for this incredible read. Truly an impressive story in so many ways, poverty to success, the many many sides of discrimination, the the tremendous contributions Tim and Tom made to society outside of show business. I hope this will become an incredible movie! -Doug Vannier

This was a remarkable story about two very successful and interesting people who have led a life few of us could ever imagine. Together, they conquered many obstacles and no doubt enjoyed every minute. I enjoyed reading this book immensley and had a hard time putting it down; give me another week and I may read it again. Norm Elliott

"Tim & Tom" is a compelling story about the audacious attempt of a black guy and a white guy to bring a sense of humor to what is still the most explosive domestic issue in the United States. The wonder is not that they failed as much as is the wonder of their idealistic youth that made them believe they could succeed. And, yet, with this moving account of their careers, "Tim & Tom" does very much succeed, in vividly bringing to life their trails and their truimphs and the enduring friendship between them througout the many years of racial turbulence and conflict. What better testament to this great period of hardly dreamed of social change we're now experiencing than this wonderful story of two pioneers, our country's first and only black-and-white comedy team. This is a story for the ages!

Chris and LaMarr

I loved this book. As a comedy fan, I am always interested in comedians I may never have heard of... Tim & Tom's story is a compelling one, and this book is a tough one to put down. It's not only funny and interesting to read about their personal lives and their professional challenges, it also reveals so much about race in this country -both how the issues have changed and how they stay the same. I highly recommend this terrific book.

Most of the reviews of this book so far have focused on the time that Tim and Tom were a comedy team struggling to make an impact and a living doing what they loved so much but I think the beginning chapters and the ending chapters were just as fascinating.

Usually when reading celeb biographies I just get through the chapters discussing their childhoods but in this book those chapters were fast paced and very well written. Each of these men had pretty tough childhoods to put it mildly but those childhoods brought them to a place where they could meet and form their partnership by putting on anti-drug presentations in schools throughout Harvey Illinois before someone told them they could be funny.

Now for me the best part of the book was the post break up of their partnership. Having done some stand-up comedy I was more intriqued by Dreesen's struggles to get noticed in the Los Angeles Comedy scene.

He had to prove himself all over again as a solo performer.

The stories of his first appearance on the Tonight show with Johnny Carson were a triumph. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading about what it was like to open for Sammy Davis Jr and of course his friendship and partnership with Frank Sinatra as his opening act for 14 years.

There are also some very detailed and interesting chapters about Tim Reid's life after the act broke up. I learned a lot about his sitcom career especially about Franks Place.

All in all this book was excellent and I highly recommend it.

I'm more impressed with who these two guys are now than what they were then...a masterful journey through the soul of America and the price people pay for fame and fortune...MLK said it best when he described the "content of character" as the most important human trait...Great book...it should be on the shelf of every high school library in America....

I was very impressed with all Tim and Tom went through and am more motivated now to pursue my goals, Alex B

hollywood couldn't have come up with a better story....and these guys lived it ! written in very vivid detail you'll feel like you are there with TIM and TOM through evey step of there amazing lives .when reading this it was like watching a movie play out . this book will stir up many emotions in you ! i thought i was buying a 'comedy bio' but this is that and much more ! taking you on a journey through there rough childhoods were fate had them meet up as young adults and become the only inter-racial comedy duo in a time where blacks and whites were still using seperate public wash rooms. it's also a book about friendship and brotherhood and how two guys could strive together to become succesful in a business that loves to knock you down.they traveled this rocky road fighting... with each other and small minded people who could only see colors. however like family...like brothers.... fourty years later there still friends. along the way you'll love the story's about david letterman and della reese etc. this is an excellant fast read...we could only hope that there will be another memoir with more stories from these two amazing careers. my only question is WHEN IS THE MOVIE COMING OUT ???????????

This was probably one of the fastest reads I've ever had. I couldn't put it down. The whole time reading it felt like a roller coaster. I was literally laughing out loud at some points, and other times I was close to tears. I can't believe some the things they went through, good and bad. I was rooting for Tim & Tom to keep going the whole time. Even though I knew the ending, sometimes I wasn't sure if they would make it. I wanted to tell them to keep pressing forward and that if they held on just a little bit longer everything would be perfect and work out. I feel like I just watched a good movie.