or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
23 used & new from $2.95

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
They'll Never Put That on the Air: An Oral History of Taboo-Breaking Comedy
 
See larger image
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

They'll Never Put That on the Air: An Oral History of Taboo-Breaking Comedy (Paperback)

~ Allan Neuwirth (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Price: $19.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 4 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want it delivered Friday, March 19? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
12 new from $11.71 10 used from $2.95 1 collectible from $19.95

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with The Second City Unscripted: Revolution and Revelation at the World-Famous Comedy Theater by Mike Thomas

They'll Never Put That on the Air: An Oral History of Taboo-Breaking Comedy + The Second City Unscripted: Revolution and Revelation at the World-Famous Comedy Theater

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating read. Allan Neuwirth has deepened my appreciation of television’s most daring and successful comedies. -- Susie Essman, Comedian and Actress, Curb Your Enthusiasm

"Reading—or should I say, devouring—this wonderfully (and literally) outspoken book is nearly as much fun as watching the shows themselves. -- Matt Roush, Senior Critic, TV Guide

Product Description

Ever wonder how television evolved from showing married couples sleeping in separate beds to the edgy outrageousness of today's series? "They'll Never Put That on the Air" is an extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at the landmark comedy shows that fought to break down TV's taboos, including All in the Family, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, M*A*S*H, Maude, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Seinfeld and Soap.

Learn about the coming-of-age of American television comedy straight from the famed creators, writers, producers, directors, actors, and network executives who forced the medium to grow up, including Norman Lear, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, Allan Burns, George Schlatter, Susan Harris, Larry Charles, Grant Tinker, Fred Silverman, Joyce Randolph, Tom Smothers, Dick Martin, Valerie Harper, Carroll O'Connor, and many, many more.

Throughout these pages, you'll find tales of determination and defiance, battles with censors, great showbiz anecdotes, plus dozens of cast photos and stills from classic episodes. Whether you've loved these shows since the episodes first aired or are just discovering them today, this book is a must-read!

"Reading? Or should I say, devouring? This wonderfully (and literally) outspoken book is nearly as much fun as watching the shows themselves. This is a great read, and essential for anyone who desires a first-hand account of how TV grew up while making us laugh. As it chronicles legendary censorship battles and landmark breakthroughs, this book is at heart a celebration of the creative process in a medium that could certainly use another wake-up call." -Matt Roush, Senior Critic, TV Guide

"A fascinating read. Allan Neuwirth has deepened my appreciation of television's most daring and successful comedies. It's a miracle that anything good has ever gotten on the air, let alone stayed there!" -Susie Essman, Comedian and Actress,Curb Your Enthusiasm


Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Allworth Press; First Edition edition (February 1, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1581154178
  • ISBN-13: 978-1581154177
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,030,330 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

More About the Author

Allan Neuwirth
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's Allan Neuwirth Page

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

They'll Never Put That on the Air: An Oral History of Taboo-Breaking Comedy
81% buy the item featured on this page:
They'll Never Put That on the Air: An Oral History of Taboo-Breaking Comedy 4.6 out of 5 stars (7)
$19.95
The New York Friars Club Book of Roasts
19% buy
The New York Friars Club Book of Roasts 4.6 out of 5 stars (5)

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and intelligently done, May 23, 2006
Like his previous work, "Makin' Toons", Neuwirth's new book takes a unique look at the television industry by examining the lives, intentions, and minds of the people who created groundbreaking shows. Presented in an interview format (though not structured as actual interviews) "They'll Never Put That on the Air" follows the evolution of the half hour sitcom, from its early days in the fifties through the dense, complex, and controversial shows that appeared in the nineties. The approach is unusual: the growth of an industry seen through the filter of the censors at "standards and practices" whose often archaic rules and regulations forced writers and performers from the "Golden Age" to be even more creative. The result, according to Neuwirth, was elegant innuendo, clever misdirection...and better television. Later, as these restrictions were relaxed, television became more "realistic", but somehow less craftily subversive: shows like "Seinfeld", with its ferocious sense of the absurd, are the exception, not the rule. Neuwirth traces this journey through an admittedly subjective list of breakout hits: The Smothers Brothers, Mary Tyler Moore, All in the Family, Maude, and of course M*A*S*H and Seinfeld. Using these seminal shows as a barometer of public tastes and private genius, Neuwirth offers a cultural cross section of the past fifty years, and the result is informative and addictive. Thankfully it's not catty and dishy as well, though there are certainly angry and disgruntled voices along the way. A fine job of television scholarship: the only thing I might suggest is that the second edition be longer. This is a case where more information would have been welcome. Some elegant caricatures by noted cartoonist Glen Hanson add to the polish of this thoughtful work, and elevate it above the pack.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars How television history was made, straight from the mouths of those who were responsible!, August 6, 2006
By An Avid Reader (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
Allan Neuwirth has done an outstanding job of assembling an amazing collection of the combined voices of those responsible for some of the more iconic shows in television history. Neuwirth does not do the reader this injustice of clouding those voices with too much of his own prose or commentary. Instead he has done a masterful job of interviewing and assembling the remarks of the creators, writers and producers, so that the finished product reads seamlessly like a well written narrative.

Anyone who has ever enjoyed one episode of any of the television shows covered in this book would greatly enjoy exploring the backstory of how they came to the small screen, and learning of the bumps and hickups along the way that shaped and continue to shape even the shows we watch to this day.

An utterly enjoyable read . . . BRAVO!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine survey for any interested in just how TV comedy has changed, August 5, 2006
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
American television has evolved over the years and censorship has changed the nature of what is acceptable and what is un-televised: They'll Never Put That On The Air: An Oral History Of Taboo-Breaking TV Comedy comes from writer/director Neuwirth's fascination with television content from the 1960s to modern times, and comes packed with firsthand accounts from TV comedy writers and creators who tell their behind-the-scenes stories. An engrossing blend of television history and oral history provides a fine survey for any interested in just how TV comedy has changed.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars This Show Has Been Brought to You By. . .
Both Rosie O'Donnell and Megan Mullally auditioned for the role of Elaine on Seinfeld. That's the kind of quality trivia you'll find in They'll Never Put That on the Air. Read more
Published on August 23, 2007 by takingadayoff

4.0 out of 5 stars They'll Never Put That on the Air
Television has really undergone quite an evolution. It wasn't that long ago that shiny clean shows like My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver, and Lassie, were the norm. Read more
Published on July 17, 2007 by Tami Brady

5.0 out of 5 stars For all fans of comedy on television, this book is a must!
Allan Neuwirth has done a fantastic job with this book. If you think you know all there is to know about some of the greatest shows that have ever hit the TV airwaves, Neuwirth... Read more
Published on October 4, 2006 by Geoffrey Dicker

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Tuned TV History at your Fingertips
This is an indispensable treasury of quotes, insights, and verbal lessons in television's rich history...all the good stuff you wanted to know. Read more
Published on April 10, 2006 by Stephen Cox

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   



So You'd Like to...


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.