Going Too Far

Going Too Far examines the evolution of counter-cultural comedy in America from the 1950s through the 1980s. The book traces how edgy, anti-establishment humor developed from early stand-up pioneers through to the emergence of influential comedy institutions and publications. Tony Hendra combines cultural history with first-hand accounts, particularly focusing on the rise of National Lampoon magazine where he served as an editor. The narrative covers major figures like Lenny Bruce and John Belushi while documenting the impact of venues like Second City and publications including Mad Magazine. The book provides both an insider's perspective and a broader analysis of how this rebellious strain of comedy reflected and influenced its era. Beyond pure documentation, it explores the complex relationship between humor and social change during a transformative period in American culture.

Readers found this satirical book lacking compared to Hendra's other works. Many mentioned it felt dated and relied too heavily on inside jokes about 1980s media and politics. Readers liked: - The industry insights from Hendra's experience at National Lampoon - The examination of how satire evolved in U.S. media - First-hand accounts of working with major comedic figures Readers disliked: - Dense, academic writing style - Tendency to name-drop without adequate context - Focus on media business details rather than comedy analysis - Limited appeal beyond those already familiar with 1970s-80s satire Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.1/5 (28 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (11 reviews) "Too much insider baseball, not enough actual humor" - Goodreads reviewer "Expected more given Hendra's comedy background" - Amazon reviewer "Has some interesting history but gets bogged down in media industry minutiae" - LibraryThing user

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🎭 Author Tony Hendra was the first editor to give comedic legend John Belushi his start, hiring him to work at National Lampoon magazine in 1973. 🎬 Prior to writing about comedy, Hendra was himself a pioneering satirist who performed at Second City and appeared in the mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" as band manager Ian Faith. 📚 National Lampoon, a key focus of the book, began as a spinoff of Harvard's humor publication The Harvard Lampoon - the first time the university publication had ever licensed its name. 🎯 The term "boomer humor" coined in the book refers specifically to comedy that emerged from the cultural and political tensions of the 1960s, rather than just humor created by baby boomers. 🌟 Many comedy institutions discussed in the book, like Second City and National Lampoon, became launching pads for SNL stars - with Second City alone producing over 50 cast members for the show.