Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy

George Schlatter

“To sit with George Schlatter and hear his stories is a gift. To read this book is an even bigger gift. It sounds like him, it feels like him. This incredible career is hilariously written as if you're sitting across from the great man himself.” — Billy Crystal

In 1967, producer George Schlatter pitched an idea for a quirky new television show: one inspired by the hippie counterculture, which would take the idea of sit-ins, love-ins, and be-ins, and manifest that politicized, sexualized, consciousness-raising energy into pure comedy. Much to the surprise of NBC executives, Laugh-In soon became the #1 show on American TV, and the careers of beloved stars like Lily Tomlin and Goldie Hawn were born. 

Still Laughing features never-before-told stories from the creation of one of the most groundbreaking shows in television history. It also recounts the coming-of-age of one of Hollywood’s most iconic producers, from his early nightclub days rubbing elbows with mob figures like Mickey Cohen and John Stompanato, to his influential friendships with Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, for whom George was asked to deliver a eulogy at his funeral decades later.  

An inside look at Hollywood in the wake of the cultural upheaval of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Still Laughing demonstrates the crucial, deeply creative role a working producer plays in bringing a show (and its stars) to life. With spit-fire humor, tireless wit and keen perception, Still Laughing tells of the rise of some of comedy’s greatest talents, and reveals the actual people cloistered inside larger-than-life celebrity. 

Praise for Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy

"To sit with George Schlatter and hear his stories is a gift. To read this book is an even bigger gift. It sounds like him, it feels like him. This incredible career is hilariously written as if you're sitting across from the great man himself."
—Billy Crystal, actor, comedian, and filmmaker

"I wouldn’t exactly say that George Schlatter invented show business, but he moved it along in the right direction as much as anybody I can think of. If comedy is king, he’s the kingmaker—and I don’t know where comedy would be these days without his groundbreaking innovations and encouragements that we have come to take for granted in the business we call Show. Lots of people like to say, ‘I’ve got stories!’ but George? He’s really got stories and thank god somebody finally convinced him to write them down!"
—Bill Maher, comedian and TV host of Real Time with Bill Maher

"George Schlatter gave us Laugh-In...and a million laughs we needed then and now. But until I read this book I had no idea about all the shows he's produced and all the people he's worked with. This is the perfect book for fans of comedy and variety television, and funny as hell stories from a legend who worked with the legends."
—James Carville, political consultant, author, and actor

"George Schlatter is absolutely brilliant! I have known him for over forty years. I’ve watched George make television history several times while helping to make the world a better place. He’s very funny and one of the best storytellers to ever live. You will laugh out loud and learn amazing life lessons."
—Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Allen Media Group

"There’s dish aplenty and gracious appreciations, too... Lively notes on TV comedy by a master of the genre; a pleasure for fans."
—Kirkus Reviews,

"Boosted by its garrulous tone, this glitzy account of a bygone Hollywood era is a must for pop culture enthusiasts."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Eyebrow-raising…spills laugh-out-loud-worthy anecdotes."
—Peter Larsen, The San Diego Union-Tribune

"What a pleasure."
—Leonard Maltin, Maltin on Movies

"Schlatter's autobiography Still Laughing is a compendium of stories about entertainers he's known and worked with…an entertaining read."
—David Bianculli, NPR

"If you love vintage show business stories like I know I do, Still Laughing is brimming with priceless tales..."
—Donald Liebenson, RogerEbert.com

"An inside look at the Golden Age of Hollywood in the wake of the cultural upheaval of the Sixties and Seventies. It demonstrates the crucial role a working producer plays in bringing a show to life."
—Joe Donahue, The Roundtable at WAMC Northeast Public Radio

"Schlatter’s story is one of the rapidly changing world of TV and the impact it had on changing the culture in the mid-20th century."
—Brian Boone, Vulture

"Still Laughing paints a vivid portrait of the Golden Age of Hollywood with never-before-told stories from Schlatter’s nearly 70-year career."
—Talkhouse,

"Still Laughing was a tremendous read…I’m so glad we still have a George Schlatter in our midst…Still Laughing is an enlightening and fascinating read for anyone."
—THEBOOKSELFBLOG,

"The book is an inside look at the crucial role a working producer plays in bringing a show to life, and reveals the actual people…cloistered inside their celebrity."
—Bruce Haring, Deadline

"An absolute must for pop culture enthusiasts written by one of the true heroes of the comedy genre."
—Marc Berman, Forbes