How come the Nation’s first Black and White stand up comedy team (Tim & Tom) couldn’t stay together?
Was it educational and cultural differences–or maybe one was funnier than the other?
Could it have been the Nation’s audiences weren’t ready for their approach to racial humor back in 1969?
It couldn’t have been something as commonplace as a woman coming between them...could it? The story is in the book!
Professional Reviews
That's Not Funny!
In That's Not Funny!, Vince Sanders has written an enjoyable account about the intersection of social and political changes with the entertainment industry in the United States in the 1960's and 70's. While telling the story of Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen, Vince injects his own insights into a racially divided society and the part the entertainment industry played in the changes following the civil rights movement. Imbedded are also his observations and philosophies about success in the industry - observations from a man who progressed to the top of his own segment of the entertainment worl during the time that Tim and Tom were performing as the "nations's first black and white standup comedy team."
Terry Olson, Director
Orange County (Florida) Arts & Cultural Affairs
That's Not Funny!
What adds the most credibility to That's Not Funny! is the real-life postscript. The portrait of Reid as ambitious has been borne out by his remarkable third act as an independent producer and director, helming a studio that makes African-American-themed films. Sander's rendering of Dreesen as a comic whose material was questionable, but whose work ethic was unparalleled also fits. He never became a superstar, but was so respected by peers that he thrived under the patronage of Davis, Sinatra Johnny Carson and David Letterman.
Jake Austen
(Time Out Chicago Review)
In That's Not Funny!, Vince Sanders has written an enjoyable account about the intersection of social and political changes with the entertainment industry in the United States in the 1960's and 70's. While telling the story of Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen, Vince injects his own insights into a racially divided society and the part the entertainment industry played in the changes following the civil rights movement. Imbedded are also his observations and philosophies about success in the industry - observations from a man who progressed to the top of his own segment of the entertainment worl during the time that Tim and Tom were performing as the "nations's first black and white standup comedy team."
Terry Olson, Director
Orange County (Florida) Arts & Cultural Affairs
What adds the most credibility to That's Not Funny! is the real-life postscript. The portrait of Reid as ambitious has been borne out by his remarkable third act as an independent producer and director, helming a studio that makes African-American-themed films. Sander's rendering of Dreesen as a comic whose material was questionable, but whose work ethic was unparalleled also fits. He never became a superstar, but was so respected by peers that he thrived under the patronage of Davis, Sinatra Johnny Carson and David Letterman.
Jake Austen
(Time Out Chicago Review)
