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Book Cover for: Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy (from the Creator of Laugh-In), George Schlatter

Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy (from the Creator of Laugh-In)

George Schlatter

"To sit with George Schlatter and hear his stories is a gift." -- Billy Crystal

In 1967, producer George Schlatter pitched an idea for a quirky new television show: one inspired by the hippie counterculture, which would take the idea of sit-ins, love-ins, and be-ins, and manifest that politicized, sexualized, consciousness-raising energy into pure comedy. Much to the surprise of NBC executives, Laugh-In soon became the #1 show on American TV, and the careers of beloved stars like Lily Tomlin and Goldie Hawn were born.

Still Laughing features never-before-told stories from the creation of one of the most groundbreaking shows in television history. It also recounts the coming-of-age of one of Hollywood's most iconic producers, from his early nightclub days rubbing elbows with mob figures like Mickey Cohen and John Stompanato, to his influential friendships with Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, for whom George was asked to deliver a eulogy at his funeral decades later.

An inside look at Hollywood in the wake of the cultural upheaval of the '60s and '70s, Still Laughing demonstrates the crucial, deeply creative role a working producer plays in bringing a show (and its stars) to life. With spit-fire humor, tireless wit and keen perception, Still Laughing tells of the rise of some of comedy's greatest talents, and reveals the actual people cloistered inside larger-than-life celebrity.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Unnamed Press
  • Publish Date: Jul 11st, 2023
  • Pages: 32
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.50in - 6.10in - 1.30in - 1.35lb
  • EAN: 9781951213794
  • Categories: MemoirsTelevision - Direction & ProductionTelevision - Genres - Comedy

About the Author

Macks, Jon: - Jon Macks is a comedy writer and award show writer who continues to work as a political consultant and speech writer. He wrote all 22 years on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, has been a writer or head writer on 25 Academy Awards, which is the all time record; and writes speeches and special material projects for a wide range of clients including Helen Mirren, Michael Douglas, Hugh Jackman, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Terry Bradshaw and Terry Fator. He has written five books with the latest being Monologue: What Makes America Laugh Before Bed.
Schlatter, George: - At 96, George Schlatter still goes to the office every day. He is the founder of the American Comedy Awards. For his work on television, Schlatter has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (at 7030 Hollywood Blvd.)

Praise for this book

"To sit with George Schlatter and hear his stories is a gift. To read this book is an even bigger gift. It sounds like him, it feels like him. This incredible career is hilariously written as if you're sitting across from the great man himself." -Billy Crystal
"I wouldn't exactly say that George Schlatter invented show business, but he moved it along in the right direction as much as anybody I can think of. If comedy is king, he's the kingmaker- and I don't know where comedy would be these days without his groundbreaking innovations and encouragements that we have come to take for granted in the business we call Show. Lots of people like to say 'I've got stories!' but George? He's really got stories and thank god somebody finally convinced him to write them down!" -Bill Maher
"George Schlatter gave us Laugh In... and a million laughs we needed then and now. But until I read this book I had no idea about all the shows he's produced and all the people he's worked with. This is the perfect book for fans of comedy and variety television, and funny as hell stories from a legend who worked with the legends." -James Carville
"George Schlatter is absolutely brilliant!!! I have known him for over 40 years. I've watched George make television history several times while helping to make the world a better place. He's very funny and one of the best storytellers to ever live. You will laugh out loud and learn amazing life lessons." -Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Allen Media Group
"There's dish aplenty and gracious appreciations... by a master of the genre; a pleasure for fans." -KIRKUS Review
"Boosted by its garrulous tone, this glitzy account of a bygone Hollywood era is a must for pop culture enthusiasts." -PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review