The Secret Word Is Groucho

Groucho tells it like it was, in a book that contains the best humor, dialogue, and repartee from his TV spectacular, You Bet Your Life.The show was one of the most popular of all time and continues to draw millions of viewers during its frequent reruns all across the country. Now Groucho describes the origins of You Bet Your Life, its trial-and-error period, and how it became one of the most successful shows in television history. He has compiled the cream of the weekly jesting, the sidesplitting ad libs and antics. There are hilarious exchanges with stars such as Jack Benny, George Burns, Phyllis Diller, Liberace, Dick Cavett, and Edgar Bergen. There are many “civilian” (noncelebritiy) contestants who matched wits with the irrepressible Groucho and provided us with classic moments in TV comedy (who could forget such guests as the man who played the tube, Mrs. Housing Department, and Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, to name only a few?)Groucho includes many behind-the-scenes anecdotes, with reminiscences by the writers, directors, and producer of You Bet Your Life, including the ever smiling George Fennemen, producer and announcer. The typical audience “warm up” session between Fennemen and Groucho is one of the highlights of the book.From start to finish, The Secret Word of Groucho is vintage mirth making with an irresistible nostalgic appeal topped off with informal photographs that catch guests and celebrities off guard. Groucho, now eighty-five years old, is still up to his raffish level of humor and proves once again that for everyone who likes to laugh—the secret word is GROUCHO.