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Biography & Autobiography Entertainment & Performing Arts

When Variety Was King

Memoir of a TV Pioneer: Featuring Jackie Gleason, Sonny and Cher, Hee Haw, and More

by (author) Frank Peppiatt

Publisher
ECW Press
Initial publish date
Apr 2013
Category
Entertainment & Performing Arts
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781770410299
    Publish Date
    Apr 2013
    List Price
    $17.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781770411579
    Publish Date
    Apr 2013
    List Price
    $26.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781770903555
    Publish Date
    Apr 2013
    List Price
    $13.99

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Description

 

He created Hee Haw, the number-one show on TV. He wrote and produced variety shows for Jackie Gleason, Andy Williams, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Sonny and Cher, and Perry Como. He invented the rock TV show Hullabaloo. He was the most popular producer of his time — a time when variety television was king.

With his writing/producing partner John Aylesworth, Frank Peppiatt developed dozens of TV shows but their career began on air in the initial days of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, alongside other talented newcomers like Norman Jewison and Arthur Hiller. Then came a call from New York to write for the Eydie Gorme/Steve Lawrence show in 1958, and quickly “A & P” became the most in-demand writing and producing team around.

Peppiatt, a man who spent his life behind the scenes writing comedy and turning entertainers into household names, now recounts his own remarkable life story: a humble Canadian boy who grew up to create iconic American TV shows amid a cast of Hollywood celebrities. When Variety Was King captures the early days of TV with humour and spice.

 

About the author

Editorial Reviews

 

When Variety Was King is an enjoyable look back at a long lost TV genre from behind the typewriter of a harried, talented, humble Canadian writer who modestly carved a niche for himself as an unsung hero of the golden age of television, who had a lot of fun and had very few regrets throughout such an impressive showbiz career.” — West End TImes

“[The] stories are informative and interesting, especially for those are hooked on celebrities.” — Winnipeg Free Press

“For fans of TV history, there’s a gold mine here.” — Booklist