Dive into the vibrant world of comedy in 'The Comedians' by Kliph Nesteroff, a captivating exploration of the craft and culture that shaped American humor. From vaudeville to stand-up, Nesteroff intricately weaves tales of iconic comedians who defined an era and the societal challenges they faced. With rich anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights, the book offers a behind-the-curtain glimpse into the lives of legends like Lenny Bruce and Joan Rivers. As he unfolds their struggles and triumphs, readers will discover the profound impact of humor in confronting adversity. Prepare to laugh, reflect, and be inspired by the untold stories of those who dared to make us smile.
By Kliph Nesteroff
Published: 2015
"Comedy is a mirror that reflects society's absurdities, revealing truths we often prefer to ignore."
InThe Comedians, comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff brings to life a century of American comedy with real-life characters, forgotten stars, mainstream heroes and counterculture iconoclasts. Based on over two hundred original interviews and extensive archival research, Nesteroff's groundbreaking work is a narrative exploration of the way comedians have reflected, shaped, and changed American culture over the past one hundred years. Starting with the vaudeville circuit at the turn of the last century, Nesteroff introduces the first stand-up comedian--an emcee who abandoned physical shtick for straight jokes. After the repeal of Prohibition, Mafia-run supper clubs replaced speakeasies, and mobsters replaced vaudeville impresarios as the comedian's primary employer. In the 1950s, the late-night talk show brought stand-up to a wide public, while Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, and Jonathan Winters attacked conformity andstaged a comedy rebellion in coffeehouses. From comedy's part in the Civil Rights movement and the social upheaval of the late 1960s, to the first comedy clubs of the 1970s and the cocaine-fueled comedy boom of the 1980s,The Comedians culminates with a new era of media-driven celebrity in the twenty-first century.
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“Comedy is a mirror that reflects society's absurdities, revealing truths we often prefer to ignore.”
The Comedians
By Kliph Nesteroff
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Kliph Nesteroff is a renowned author and cultural historian specializing in the art of comedy. He is best known for his books "The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels, and the History of American Comedy" and "We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy." Nesteroff's writing style is characterized by its meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and a deep understanding of the cultural significance of comedy and its evolution over the decades. His work often highlights the intersection of humor with social issues, and he is celebrated for bringing to light the untold stories of underrepresented voices in the comedy scene.
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