We're Not Worthy: From In Living Color to Mr. Show, How '90s Sketch TV Changed the Face of Comedy

In the 1990s, sketch comedy reached new heights with the emergence of shows like Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and Monty Python. Author and comedian Jason Klamm explores the era in his book "Were Not Worthy," featuring over 150 interviews with trailblazers and insiders, revealing hilarious stories and on-set antics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: 1984 Publishing

In the vibrant '70s and '80s, Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and Monty Python captivated television audiences with their sketch comedy. However, the 1990s brought a new wave of excitement, with grunge music, oversized denim, and a heightened focus on sketch comedy. Television stations, eager to tap into this trend, vied for their own hit sketch show, promising low budgets, massive laughs, diverse cast members, and fresh content.

Amidst this landscape, Saturday Night Live, once considered ailing, found new life. The question on everyone's mind was, "Were we worthy?"

"Were Not Worthy: The Definitive Account of '90s Sketch Comedy" by author and comedian Jason Klamm takes readers on a nostalgic journey back to the decade that forever changed our sense of humor. With over 150 new and candid interviews, Klamm delves deep into the behind-the-scenes of more than 50 sketch shows that ruled the '90s, including groundbreaking classics like In Living Color, MTV's The State, Mr. Show, Kids in the Hall, The Ben Stiller Show, and Mad TV.

What sets this book apart is its comprehensive coverage of the era's notable stars. The Wayans family, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Coolidge, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, and Janeane Garofalo are just a few of the names that emerged from this golden age of sketch comedy. Klamm's interviews with these trailblazers provide a glimpse into their creative processes, on-set antics, and the political dynamics that shaped the television landscape.

In addition to the interviews, Klamm also sheds light on the producers, writers, directors, and other insiders who brought these sketch shows to life. The book is filled with hilarious stories, on-set antics, and head-turning television politics, offering a revealing trip back to the decade that placed comedy on a whole new level.

Whether you're a fan of sketch comedy or simply curious about the cultural landscape of the 1990s, "Were Not Worthy" is a must-read. It serves as a tribute to the talented individuals who paved the way for the modern comedy we enjoy today and reminds us of the power of laughter to unite and inspire.

Weight: 950g
Dimension: 157 x 237 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781948221269