Outrageous

A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars

By: Kliph Nesteroff

Narrated by: Kliph Nesteroff

From the preeminent historian of modern comedy comes an expansive history of showbiz and the culture wars

There is a common belief that we live in unprecedented times, that people are too sensitive today, that nobody objected to the actions of actors, comedians, and filmmakers in the past. Modern pundits would have us believe that Americans of a previous generation had tougher skin and seldom complained. But does this argument hold up to scrutiny?

In Outrageous, celebrated cultural historian Kliph Nesteroff demonstrates that Americans have been objecting to entertainment for nearly two hundred years, sometimes rationally, often irrationally. Likewise, powerful political interests have sought to circumvent the arts using censorship, legal harassment, and outright propaganda. From Mae West through Johnny Carson, Amos ’n’ Andy through Beavis and Butt-Head, Outrageous chronicles the controversies of American show business and the ongoing attempts to change what we watch, read, and hear.

©2023 Kliph Nesteroff. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Outrageous is required reading. An essential book of the social history of the United States—with laughs.”―Steve Martin

“Outrageous is an enlightening and entertaining, detailed, and wide-ranging (and fun!) overview of the never-ending war between censorship and comic voices in showbiz going all the way back into the 1800s. Kliph Nesteroff is an expert unparalleled on the history of comedy, and this couldn’t be a more perfect book for our times. I loved it.”―Bob Odenkirk

“Kliph Nesteroff is the Doris Kearns Goodwin of comedy. Outrageous is thought-provoking and often hilarious. I was only offended eight times.”―Judd Apatow

Relevant

A great history of the culture wars. I enjoyed this book and its look at controversy and comedy through the days of vaudeville to the modern era.

must read

generally a very good book, but should have been read by a professional. the odd emphasis and high pitched characterization got annoying at times

In our times

A perfectly researched book and much needed reading in these times. A book that doesn’t take side - it seems shows us what has happened all along the way.

The controversy has an early beginning and possibly no end

The narrators voice was a bit grating at times - the history and details are helpful to remind this media controversy is nothing new and sadly the religious right wing continue to carry on.

Important

Everyone should read/listen to this book. It provides important context that could, hopefully, give real perspective to everyone on both sides of the culture war which perpetually waged in our society.

Hate to say this is a must read

It's a must read, to be aware and educated about how long conservative 'think tank' ideology has existed, and how pervasive and regurgitated it has become.
I hate to recommend it, because it only takes a few chapters to understand the depressing rhetoric that gets used over and over and over throughout the decades of pop culture. I finished the book out of appreciation for the work that went into it, but after awhile, the countless examples of chosen and professed ignorance is tough to bare.
But that's why it's a must read. So that one can be aware and not devolve into the same ignorance.

Well-researched historical list

More than an actual story or historical weaving, Cliph does a fine job of listing a (more or less) chronological history of primarily showbiz-related scandals. Envelopes were pushed, lines were crossed, and palms were greased throughout history. Proving that nothing has changed, and not much about human nature will change. Red vs Blue, us vs them, good vs evil will never cease. Good book. Know your history and know the villains. This book can help identify who’s who.

Just narrate in a normal voice

The author sabotages his own book with silly and stupid accents. It’s too bad someone didn’t explain this to him. Was there a director or producer paying attention to this “performance?” This turns what could’ve been an interesting listen into a major annoyance. Ugh!