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

Baby boomers will fondly remember Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, an innovative, political, and risqué NBC comedy series (1968–73), informed by the countercultural hippie era and influenced by vaudeville, Ernie Kovacs skits, and the UK’s That Was the Week That Was. But Laugh-In is only one achievement of Schlatter, who here recounts his legendary career producing TV shows and star-studded variety specials in an episodic, colloquial manner. As told to coauthor/comedy and award show writer Macks (Monologue), the nonagenarian producer fondly recalls his career from Vegas agent to revered Hollywood figure. Readers learn about the booking challenges presented by pampered actors and Schlatter’s backstage encounters with prominent comics and singers, such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Steve Lawrence, Redd Foxx, Danny Thomas, and more. Lily Tomlin introduces the book, and Goldie Hawn provides an afterword. Those seeking Laugh-In synopses should instead consult 2014’s Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In by Ken Feil or 2009’s From Beautiful Downtown Burbank by Hal Erickson.