PBS Specials

Caesar's Writers (1996x4)

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This special, presented in the form of a panel discussion, reunites comedian Sid Caesar with nine of his writers who created material for his classic series from television's golden age: "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar's Hour." Host Billy Crystal opens the program by showing clips of Caesar in classic skits, including scenes with Imogene Coca, Nanette Fabray, Carl Reiner, and Howie Morris. Moderator Bob Claster leads guests Mel Tolkin, Carl Reiner, Aaron Ruben, Larry Gelbart, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Danny Simon, Sheldon Keller, and Gary Belkin in a discussion of the following topics, among others: Impresario Max Liebman's organization of "The Admiral Broadway Revue" and his habit of throwing lit cigars at Brooks (a clip of an Admiral television commercial is shown here), the cost of producing each episode of "Your Show of Shows," why their collaborative efforts were a mixture of electricity and hate, why Ruben was elected to type up their ideas, Caesar's compulsive meticulousness, the