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Rating:  -
The collaboration of Ken Bloom (playwright, theater director, radio host, arts consultant, and president of Harbinger Records) and Frank Vlastnik (actor, photo researcher, and editor), "Sitcom: The 101 Greatest TV Comedies Of All Time" is an illustrated showcase of the television situation comedy alphabetically ranging from 'The Adams Family' to 'WRKP in Cincinnati'. Profusely illustrated with some 400 photographs of the stars and the sets, "Sitcom" offers so much more than a simple recitation of statistics and trivia to inform the reader as to everything that went into the creation of a truly classic sitcom beginning with the writing and casting, thorough to the directing and acting. In addition to the photos (some taken behind-the-scenes), there is an abundance of expert commentary; biographies of directors, writers, and actors; 'off-set' infobits; and insights into what made these shows so popular with the public. Very highly recommended for both personal and community library Television History collections as a work of seminal research and meticulous effort, "Sitcoms" is a fascinating, informative, entertaining, and engaging read.
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Few baby boomers could possibly resist the immediate familiarity of the classic TV situation comedies highlighted in this well-crafted coffee table book by co-authors Ken Bloom and Frank Vlastnik. They have chosen 101 shows, most of which have penetrated our collective subconscious in the past sixty years. Granted some have become obscure, the list reflects due consideration for enduring popularity and cultural influence, although there are some intriguing omissions from my perspective, e.g., RHODA, MAD ABOUT YOU, and SEX AND THE CITY among others. Whereas most such entertainment reference books stick with mainly the facts of the production, Bloom and Vlastnik go beyond the relevant statistics about each show and inject a hearty amount of behind-the-scenes information along with a surprisingly sharp level of critical commentary on how such shows would stack up against what is offered today.
The list of sitcoms is alphabetical according to title so as not to encourage argument over which ones are the most beloved. Clearly, some have an inarguable place on the pantheon (I LOVE LUCY, ALL IN THE FAMILY, M*A*S*H, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW). A few were surprisingly short-lived (e.g., only 39 episodes of THE HONEYMOONERS exist), while others far outlasted the critical lambasting they richly deserved. An example of the latter is THE FACTS OF LIFE, a hopelessly misbegotten show that somehow endured despite a palpable lack of quality and an ever-changing premise. The most recent shows featured include the still-running SCRUBS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, as well as THE 70'S SHOW, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, and WILL & GRACE, all of which ended their long runs last year.
A lot of great trivia is also included, such as how NEWHART used outtake footage from On Golden Pond for their opening credits or how Fred MacMurray filmed all his scenes for a season of MY THREE SONS in just sixty-five days (thus forcing the other actors to be filmed talking to his stand-in the rest of the time). There are great little features focusing on subjects like sitcom pets and familiar character actors whose names we never knew, as well as pieces like "Brilliant But Canceled" where critically acclaimed but woefully mistreated shows like HE & SHE and ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT are highlighted. Each of the 101 sitcoms includes at least one or two informative profiles of the key actors. Another nice surprise is the number of color, on-set photos presented of shows that are familiar only in black-and-white. This book is great fun to peruse as you spend an evening watching the reruns on Nick-at-Nite.
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I am really enjoying this book--not just for the arcane facts about the shows I already know and love, but also for introducing me to some shows I'd only barely heard of. And the pictures! They're spectacular. The color pictures from B&W shows alone are well worth the price of the book. The writing style is light and entertaining, so it's fun to have around and page through now and again. A perfect coffee-table book--one that you'll actually read.
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This book has only been on my shelf a few days and has already become one of my greatest conversation pieces. The stories, photos and facts are better than any True Hollywood Story. Bloom and Vlastnik have really done their homework. It's a must-have for any television fan.
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I'm a pop culture geek from waaaay back and own several books on the history of television, specific shows, etc. - this volume is hands down the BEST I have ever seen. Everything is here - from how Suzanne Pleshette got her co-starring role on 'The Bob Newhart Show' (quite amazing), all the way to 'fake Jan.' Even a select few of the photo captions are written with not only tongue firmly in cheek, but an obvious love for the genre in general.
A must have. The longer you wait to find this on a clearance rack or on that auction website (I forget its name), the more time you will have missed strolling through the memory-packed pages within. Buy it.
One final note - I was overjoyed to learn that Jerry Mathers didn't get killed in Vietnam after all. (That's a joke).
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