Contestants were asked to carry out stunts.Contestants were asked to carry out stunts.Contestants were asked to carry out stunts.
- Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
- 2 nominations total
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- ConnectionsFeatured in Matinee (1993)
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Average
Beginning as a radio show in 1942, People Are Funny hit the television screen in 1954 with the same simple premise, to bring on ordinary audience members as contestants to perform some "stunt", and awarding a prize based on the success of said task. Hosted by Art Linkletter, each episode follows a number of stunts, anything from asking contestants to find their own house which they have physically moved somewhere else in the city to a millionaire dressing up in rags and asking a stranger for a bed for the night in their home. Primarily just Art, the guests, and the audience, the show would have been filmed and aired live, something considered unique for more modern series like SNL, however at this time was the expectation. There are very few on-location segments, as camera equipment wasn't even something you could just wear on your shoulder at this point, and even fewer pre-recorded segments, so most of the footage is of Art interacting with the audience. Often for the retelling of what happened during the stunt guest would have to bring other witnesses back to describe what happened, as said they couldn't really go out and film the reactions to the stunts themselves. The show itself wasn't bad for its time though, and I didn't mind Art Linkletter himself, he's certainly an icon of the age, however didn't love how pushy he often was, grabbing the arms of guests to keep them in frame, or pushing them off set as soon as their segment ended, but again they were trying to get something out live in real time, so the pressure was certainly on. With only 12 episodes at my disposal, those I watched were fun, though a bit dry, and the undertone of 1950s sexism / racism got to be a bit much, it was non-surprisingly present throughout (though not any worse than its contemporaries). For any interested in TV history, it gives a strong look into every day people and their reactions, much like a candid camera would, but as entertainment we have certainly come a long way.
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- coles_notes
- Nov 5, 2023
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- Runtime30 minutes
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