The STUNNING Reason NBC Promoted, and Then Killed, Legendary Comic David Brenner's Sitcom "Snip"

[@gallery7596]

Personally I wouldn't classify ''Van Dyke & Company" as "uninspiring banality." When it comes to comedy, Dick Van Dyke is one of television's great trailblazers. And while his variety series may not have been renewed for a second season, the industry still felt it was fine enough to award with an Emmy for outstanding variety series.

[@collegeman1988]

I remember David Brenner on The Tonight Show mentioning that he thought laugh tracks in TV shows being silly because many of those people who were recorded laughing years ago were now dead.

[@randyzeitman1354]

No one had a problem hiring Paul Lynde.

[@Scipio488]

That's because Paul Lynde never played a gay character; he only played characters gayly.

[@hensonlaura]

Or Richard Chamberlin, or the Village People or Trueman Capote and many, many others. Anybody remember "Uncle Max" Detweiler in the Sound of Music? SO GAY. Even very old b&w movies from the 30's had "confirmed bachelors" (code for gay) as supporting characters, theater too.

[@rollowarlin8450]

Now gays get married and bachelorhood ?@@hensonlaura

[@trudimarrapodi6722]

​@@Scipio488Exactly! Many of the actors who appeared regularly on TV in the '60s and '70s were gay, and the public would only find out about it later, but the characters they played were never written as gay. They were, at most, campy, like Lynde's Uncle Arthur on "Bewitched," and of course Lynde could get away with all kinds of double entendre as the center square on "Hollywood Squares." But for the most part, other actors on TV of the era played roles that were straight or not really sexual--Joe Flynn, Hayden Rorke, Billy DeWolfe, Charles Nelson Reilly (he was pretty campy too), Dick Sargent, Robert Reed, and many more. And of course, every show with kids on it seemed to have an appearance by Jodie Foster, usually in a "tomboy" role. But until the Billy Crystal character on "Soap" (played, interestingly enough, by a straight actor), there weren't recurring gay characters, with maybe the exception of Beverly LaSalle, the "female impersonator" (today, drag queen) who became a friend of the Bunkers on "All in the Family"--and then was murdered.

[@j.r.cilliangreen4083]

Didn’t Soap have an out gay character?

[@mediatrocities]

Yes. Played by Billy Crystal. That was on ABC, which took more chances than NBC did during the late 1970s.

[@terrygracy8345]

NBC has or used to have connections to the Catholic Church. They always show Notre Dame football games, Days of Our Lives was centered around the Catholic Church. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it

[@brianthomas2434]

ABC took chances because they had no choice, being number three of three networks at the time. Soap was still threatened with boycotts, only succeeding the opposition was all mouth and no numbers. As I said, ABC HAD to gamble. They got Monday Night Football because the other networks didn't believe it wouldn't work.

[@brianschroeder2292]

Very much so

[@gilgamess]

"Van Dyke and Company" was short-lived, but it wasn't banal. It's hampered by a laugh track, but it featured early appearances from Andy Kaufman, one of the writers was Bob Einstein and it won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series.

[@thetreasurehouse1742]

By that time, Van Dyke was overexposed. It also didn't help that variety shows were on the way out.

[@bokesnmokes]

Andy Kaufman was a talentless hack.

[@maryturpel8413]

I remember, as a fan of Lesley Ann Warren, looking forward to Snip. When it was pulled just before it even aired, they joked that Snip beat the record set by Turn On, the show that was pulled mid show.

[@timothymooney4466]

What a shame, since "Soap" aired only one year later with no trouble. Brenner was so good, it would have been a hit. And who wouldn't like seeing Leslie Ann Warren (my Cinderella) every week?

[@Laceykat66]

It is always about timing.

[@Laceykat66]

I saw Brenner live at Knott's Berry Farm in the 1970s and laughed so hard I had to sit down for an hour after the show. To be honest, the "gay character" started to become the central theme of the press promotions for the show. There was even an article about how the producer called in gay hairdressers to help the cast get used to the concept and present it in a less stereotypical manner. It was news like that that may have stirred up what you call today "cancel culture." (See SOAP and even more interesting history, Love Sydney, which you hinted at). And you pointed out, there were plenty of gay characters in TV stretching back to the 1950s, many of them solid characters and not just comedy fodder.

[@marcomacias3960]

was that Lucille Ball with Dick van Dyke in the ''Van Dyke and Company'' snippet?

[@mediatrocities]

Yes, it was.

[@sandraandrews9907]

RIP David Brenner 🙏🎤🎭 You were so clever and funny!

[@randyzeitman1354]

Simple question .... Why didn't ABC and CBS also not pursue a show with Brenner.

[@lewisojeda]

Don't know, but if I had to guess, Brenner was probably contracted to NBC for appearances, especially on The Tonight Show. If that was the case, it works out better for him, because it can give him landing if a show gets canceled. There are instances of actors being left high and dry when going to shows that eventually tanked.

[@rumrstv]

Just for the record, Lenny Bruce for the most part invented observational comedy. You could also include Mort Sahl as an originator (He talked about the absurdity of various news events) but Lenny used he own life experiences for his "bits". Lenny changed the course of stand up comedy and paid a huge price to do it. David Brenner built on the ground work Lenny laid down as did so many others. Today all standup comedy is observational. Nobody does jokes anymore. Example of old school joke: A funny thing happened on my way to the theater tonight, a man came up to me and said he hadn't had a bite in weeks, so I bit him! That was pre-Lenny Bruce comedy. Nobody would do jokes like that now.

[@hayberdasher8625]

I am fascinated by the 1970s (born 1972) and your take on the LGTBQ aspect is something I never thought about or was even aware of. Thank you for this super informative and researched video.

[@mediatrocities]

I appreciate it. Thank you much!

[@bethmessner4453]

I was always a fan of David Brenner! Bravo for a very well done video! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@mediatrocities]

@@bethmessner4453 Thank you very much! Mediatrocities has more videos about unusual TV shows, music and movies with more coming. Please tell your friends!

[@richfarmer3478]

Why "sorry Love Sidney" ? He was a gay character with a photo of his deceased lover in the living room.

[@lewisojeda]

Sidney's character is basically NBC's way of "catering" to gays without having to delve into his own personal wants, needs and drives that his orientation would presume for *most* gays. Did NBC want a celibate gay? That's fine, but it's not going to be representative or respectful of what most who identify as gay would go through.

[@jrasicmark1]

I remember the hoopla about Snip. The thing that got me about the show was that David Brenner was not the heartthrob that Warren Beatty was in the movie. But I remember David Brenner tried another shot at sitcoms later. After the success of Robin Williams spinning off Happy Days into Mork and Mindy, they tried casting David Brenner as an angel sent to Earth to look after a single mom and her kids in a sitcom called Out of the Blue. I remember it premiered, but didn't do well and I don't think it lasted long. I thought the theme song was catchy and I was hoping future episodes would be reminiscent of Bewitched or My Favorite Martian.

[@timothymarkin4481]

Actually Jimmy Brogan, who wrote for The Tonight Show, was the star of Out of the Blue. I remember that show and that’s how I first noticed Brogan.

[@jrasicmark1]

Really? Wow, I could swear I remember Brenner in that. I can even picture him in a scene on the couch giving advice to the kids and he's wearing a blue shirt with a black vest! I guess the Mandela Effect has struck again!@@timothymarkin4481

[@jrasicmark1]

I just searched for an episode here and you're right. There is a slight resemblance between Brogan and Brenner, so I guess that's what confused me. I totally forgot Dixie Carter was in that show before Designing Women.@@timothymarkin4481

[@lewisojeda]

After being "lost" for decades, the Johnny Carson KZbin channel has released a very good video recording of Freddie Prinze's debut on "The Tonight Show" (referenced in my video above). One of the best standup debuts in TV history: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ3Wfox4mMeXodE

[@jyesucevitz]

my mom had a unique, but great laugh. there were many nights i I'd be woken up by her laugh (she tried to be quiet.) and I knew it was between 11:30pm and 11:40pm. (a bit later with a comedic guest. like David Brenner.) I'd always know her and dad are watching Johnny. thanks for those memories.

[@badad0166]

Never knew of this. Thank you. As a ten year old in the seventies, I was taken to see David open for Tony Bennett on a Vegas trip. I remember seeing daylight in the casino as we cued up. That's how long ago that was. There was also an older security guard, who went to pull his gun on me, because I touched a slot machine. One of the few times I ever saw my dad get his back up (with ample reason, I might add). I also saw a taping of David's short lived talk show in NYC in the mid to late '80's. He razzed my classmates for their matching T-Shirts and Blue Lou was in the band, so that was neat. David was a fixture of my youth. Always there, always solid.

[@marklauzon186]

This was wicked interesting to see. Ty!

[@singlesideman]

It's Walter Wonderman, not Wanderman, and that was Carroll O' Connor in the clip with him in East Side / West Side, which I think you should have mentioned because he's so famous yet this was years before his signature role.

[@mediatrocities]

His gravesite: www.findagrave.com/memorial/66577495/walter-wanderman

[@rollowarlin8450]

Well, his wandering days are over. So be it.@@mediatrocities

[@BenChurchill76]

I know this is not really on-topic, but man, I think James Komack looks so much like Gene Rayburn!

[@jyesucevitz]

though unaided did David get paid for the filmed episodes?

[@mediatrocities]

I don't know for sure, but the usual procedure is that actors would be paid for appearing on episodes. I'm sure that would be the case for Brenner. No one, of course, would be entitled to residuals, because the show never aired. If, by chance, "Snip" would ever get back on TV, it'll be interesting to see who gets paid through its ownership.

[@hatednyc]

8:45 “All In Family?” 😂

[@MrJoeybabe25]

The rehearsal space for "Snip (at 5:30) looks like the space used on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" when rehearsing "The Producers".

[@John-uz3oy]

Snip was a rip off the movie called Shampoo with Warren Beatty

[@paulj0557tonehead]

It's not a rip off if they acknowledge it was inspiration for it.

[@Laceykat66]

A TV show ripping off a movie??? Wow, when did they start doing THAT ?? 😄😄😄

[@alanmackie7012]

5:05

[@Scipio488]

Wow, it's ALMOST as if you watched the video.

[@s.marcus3669]

There was nothing "comedic" about BBBS. It was a wartime drama/adventure. There were some comedic moments but that doesn't make it a "comedy".

[@hensonlaura]

My dad was a pilot & really loved that show. Him & his crew idolized those WWII pilots; they were men's men. Tough, capable, dependable guys who knew how to laugh.

[@rollowarlin8450]

Stand to your glass's steady !@@hensonlaura

[@christianrokicki]

It is similar to McCales Navy so people are confused

[@jamesoniris2647]

This is such a good channel! I love Matt Baum and I hope you get some more views

[@lewisojeda]

Thank you for your support! I will definitely have more coming soon!

[@MarvinMonroe]

All In THE Family

[@susiemitchell1198]

give us the answer to the question and forget the long drawn-out history of tv.

[@thetreasurehouse1742]

Prinze was "discovered" on one of the final "Jack Paar Tonight!" shows in 1973.

[@cg5648]

Didn’t Jack Paar leave the tonight show long before 1973?

[@snakefinger]

I’ll never get enough of behind the scenes drama from Hollywood t.v. Or movies.

[@Laceykat66]

I agree. This post prompted me to look up the Bob Denver show where he ran a daycare center that was promoted and then pulled before it aired. I can't find anything though.

[@trueherbsman]

great meaty atrocities!

[@JohnGood-fz3vm]

Boy do I feel foolish...After seeing that photo of Bobby Gentrie holding the Guitar, it struck me WHY guitars are shaped that way. Notice how her "Boob" is gently being cradled in the curve of the guitar? It's no wonder that most men I know like to watch "Dolly Parton play the Guitar"! LOL!

[@ski6703]

Yes. I know Puerto Rican men call their lady "mi guitarra".

[@buddharocket]

Thank you nbc

[@writeralbertlanier3434]

Nicely researched video. I knew Brenner as a comedian but never heard of this series. From what I know of the TV business, something about what happened to SNIP strikes me as rather suspicious: 1. If NBC was nervous about having a minor gay character in the series , why allow Komack to keep the character in the script, cast an actor in the part and shoot 5 episodes ? That doesn't make sense . After all where was standards and practices in all this? Wouldn't programming and top execs have notes about this from the outset? 2. NBC could have snuck this on the air as an unheralded mid-season replacement or summer show. Instead they approved this as not only a fall show but a major new show. Why bother considering what eventually happened to the show? 3. The series shot at least 5 episodes. Let's assume each episode cost $1 million each in budgeted production costs . That's $5 million plus advertising and promotion costs. Since SHIP didn't air at all, production companies and studio have to eat those costs .That's a costly decision by NBC. I guess as Robert Stack used to say just another unsolved mystery....

[@mediatrocities]

These are all good points brought up. One significant point that can be brought up today (because of social media) is reputation. With no social media presence in the mid-70s, much of what happened gets explained away with trade media talk and press releases. It was daring for Brenner to call the network out on their decision, but by that time, he had decided stand-up was his career trajectory and stuck with it the rest of his life. The network could not weather the ill publicity as well today...and that's a good thing for the public.

[@writeralbertlanier3434]

@@mediatrocities Brenner likely got disgusted with network politics abd opted not to do a series after SNIP. So no surprise he would speak out. As I noted in my previous post, there is something else going on here. Even now TV remains a somewhat conseevative medium. You don't make investments in a green lit go to series show and then mysteriously not air the episodes at all.

[@sharky0873]

TV episodes did not cost $1 million back then, not even close. But I’m sure they weren’t happy throwing away whatever it did cost.

[@writeralbertlanier3434]

@@sharky0873 No one said they did. I noted to assume each episode was 1 million to make a rough economic estimate . If they weren't happy dumping the series fiscally , NBC wasnt indicating that They could have aired it then cancelled it to recoup costs though commercials and sponsorship They didn't even do that . They just didn't air it.

[@rollowarlin8450]

His humor was simplistic, and youth orientated. That goes very well with a PeeWee Herman kids show or Hew Haw audience if you catch my drift. l liked his style.@@mediatrocities

[@glenzig07]

Good for NBC

[@sg-yq8pm]

You Win ... *Moron of the Day* .... Congratulations!

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

All about freedom ... except when you're not.

[@glenzig07]

@@OuterGalaxyLounge lol… oh another opinion… lol… the fragility

[@glenzig07]

@@sg-yq8pm lol… oh another opinion… lol… the fragility

[@glenzig07]

@@OuterGalaxyLounge sure… let NBC have the “freedom” to fight the tyranny of the alphabet community… see how that works???

[@tolfan4438]

This show did air at some point , I remember seeing it. It wasn't very good

[@mediatrocities]

If you know where in the United States it was distributed and aired and when, let me know. As you can see from Brenner's interview, it aired in Australia. Would love to know if any American company has it in its vaults.

[@tolfan4438]

@@mediatrocities I can't remember , I was about 7 or 8 . I remember it made me feel uncomfortable for some reason . I was in Philly and I think it was network tv.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

was never a big fan of david brenner. there was no mention of billy crystal's gay role on the tv show "soap." i always thought he was the first openly gay regular character on a tv show. i would love to post my opinion about gay's, and how they've taken over the world, but unfortunately youtube censorship prevents me from doing so. youtube constantly deletes my comments, blocks me from posting comments and threatens to shut down my entire channel for posting ANY criticisms of the "gay-lobby" whatsover. we all know how angelic and perfect gay people are. and if you don't agree then they'll shut you down. expressing reality is now called a "hate" crime. go figure.

[@TokyoXtreme]

Gay people _are_ holy… that’s why so many of them enter the clergy 😅

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

David Brenner had a short run syndicated talk series. It was 🗑. He took Letterman's top ten list & format. Not funny.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

@@DavidLLambertmobile... i forgot about that. there was a period there where they were handing out late night talk shows to anyone with a pulse. when that failed they decided to hand out daytime talk shows to a bunch of nuts and made a fortune.

[@gilbertgiles]

What an idiotic and unnecessary smear of Van Dyke. Tactless and quite wrong. Unfortunate that to make your subject seem more interesting you have to insult something else.

[@mediatrocities]

Criticism of a show does NOT equal criticism of a legend like Dick Van Dyke. The point was that NBC was putting up shows that were not connecting to audiences. Also, the traditional variety show format was getting quite stale by that time and Van Dyke deserved better.