TV Confidential with Ed Robertson

TVC 633.5: David Bianculli talks to Ed about how the battles between CBS network executives and Tom Smothers over censorship of behind The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (CBS, 1967-1969) "were like parents who were too strict trying to discipline children who were too rebellious"; the return of The Smothers Brothers to CBS television in 1988, and the emergence of Tom's "Yo-Yo man" character; and the final public appearance of the Smothers Brothers during the launch of a Smothers Brothers exhibit at the National Comedy Center. David's books on television include Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and careers of Tom and Dick Smothers and the legacy of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Tom Smothers passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26 at age eighty-six.

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From March 2018: A special roundtable discussion in which Tony, Donna, and Ed tackle the question What Exactly Constitutes a Classic TV Series? How would you define it? What are the markers: Is it the era in which the show originally aired, such as the Golden Age of Television? Does it have to do with the show's impact on television, then and now? What about shows that were maligned when they originally aired, but are appreciated today? Can a show that premiered over the past decade be considered a classic? Are there any shows on television today that might be considered classics tomorrow?

If you have your thoughts on what makes a classic TV show "classic," feel free to join the conversation by emailing us, [email protected], or posting a comment on our Facebook page or via Twitter. We will work your comments into a future edition of TV Confidential.

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From March 2018: Part 2 of our special roundtable discussion with Tony and Donna about what makes a classic TV series "classic." If you have your thoughts on this topic, feel free to join the conversation by emailing us, [email protected], or posting a comment on our Facebook page or via Twitter. We will work your comments into a future edition of TV Confidential.

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From March 2018: Part 3 of our special roundtable discussion with Tony and Donna about what makes a classic TV series "classic." Topics this segment include shows such as Gilligan's Island, which were panned by critics at the time they originally aired, but which have been become classic subsequent generations have either embraced the show or recognize its quality and impact on other TV programs.

If you have your thoughts on this topic, feel free to join the conversation by emailing us, [email protected], or posting a comment on our Facebook page or via Twitter. We will work your comments into a future edition of TV Confidential.

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TVC 632.1: Part 3 of our three-part conversation with music and television historian Chuck Harter on the legacy of The Monkees television series (NBC, 1966-1968). Chuck interviewed Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and many other key Monkees personnel for Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary, written by Chuck, that explores the history of The Monkees, both the group and the series, and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon. In this segment, Chuck and Ed talk some more about the experimental nature of the second season of The Monkees (particularly, such episodes as "Fairy Tale," "Monkees in Paris," "Monkees Blow Their Minds," and "The Frodis Caper"); how Scottish actor Monte Landis, a frequent guest star during the second season, often brought out the best of the Monkees this season; and the various reasons why NBC did not renew The Monkees for a third season.

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TVC 632.2: Music and television historian Chuck Harter talks to Ed about the Monkees' successful tour of Japan in 1968; why Peter Tork left the group in December 1968, after completing production of their NBC special, 33-1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee; and how the disastrous reception to Revolutions marked the beginning of the end of the Monkees on television. Chuck wrote Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees, the excellent Disney Channel documentary that explores the history of The Monkees, both the group and the series, and the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon.

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TVC 632.3: Music and television historian Chuck Harter shares some final thoughts on the the legacy of The Monkees television series (NBC, 1966-1968), including the revival of interest in both the group and the series in 1986 (following the MTV marathon); the mid 1990s revival, including the tour in England featuring all four Monkees; Mike Nesmith's insight into why all four members gelled, despite their different backgrounds and interests; and why Davy Jones was the only Monkee who truly understood the Monkees phenomenon. Chuck wrote Hey, Hey, We're The Monkees, the excellent documentary that explores the ongoing impact of the Monkees phenomenon.

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TVC 632.4: Film and television actor James DuMont talks to Ed about his upcoming one-man show, My Life as a DJ, and his plans to develop a biopic about his great-uncle, Allen DuMont, inventor of the Cathode tube ray and the founder of the DuMont television network. James can currently be seen opposite Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross in Candy Cane Lane, the new Christmas movie now streaming on Amazon Prime.

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TVC 632.5: Actor James DuMont talks to Ed about filming some of his scenes for Candy Cane Lane at the famous "Schlemiel! Schlimazel!" bottling plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Laverne & Shirley took place; how director Reginald Hudlin likens James' work as an actor to being a closer in baseball; developing his skills in improvisation while playing Danny McBride's right-hand man on The Righteous Gemstones; and the popular "white elephant" party that James' family traditionally throws around the holiday season. James can currently be seen opposite Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross in Candy Cane Lane, which is now available for streaming on demand on Amazon Prime.

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TVC 631.4: George Schlatter, creator and producer of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and Real People, discusses why Turn-On (ABC, 1969), the surreal sketch comedy series that was canceled fifteen minutes into its first and only network TV broadcast, was ahead of its time. The first two episodes of Turn-On are now available for viewing on demand, for free, on the Clown Jewels channel on YouTube. The print edition of George's memoir, Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy, is wherever books are sold, while the audio edition of Still Laughing is now available from Audible.

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