On television and comedy

the long version

On Television and Comedy examines the history and evolution of television comedy by exploring some of the specific ways in which America's most popular medium - television - has developed its own themes and forms over the past forty-five years through the work of a wide variety of writers, performers, and programs. From the comedic genius of Jack Benny, Milton Berle, and George Burns, to the antics of ALF, Martin Mull, and the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the 13 essays included in this volume examine the "traditional" forms of television comedy - the variety show and the situation comedy, which evolved from vaudeville, radio, and film - and the "modern" forms of television comedy, which include such recent innovations as parody versions of talk shows and music video presentations.