PIONEERS OF TELEVISION
ACTING FUNNY
TUESDAY, MAY 6 @ 9:00PM
From the depths of television history to the chart-topping hit shows of the 21st century, TV actors have always excelled at providing audiences with a good laugh. Their performances made us laugh and together, they brought comedy acting to the television age. Through the decades, comedic acting has undergone many evolutions, each incarnation leaving its distinctive mark on the genre’s development and acting as a legacy for generations of funny folks eager to learn the craft.
This episode peeks behind the curtain to reveal the backstage techniques of America’s favorite comedic actors, tracing the form from slapstick to improvisation and impressions, from sketch comedy to scripted, narrative banter. Robin Williams dissects his signature frenetic improvisational style first honed during the early days of “Mork & Mindy,” attributing his success to his comic idol and co-star Jonathan Winters.
