This fun and informative book takes fans of "Hogan's Heroes", the classic 1960s sitcom, behind the scenes to reveal the details of the show's creation, the controversy surrounding its unlikely premise, interviews with the stars and crew, a detailed guide to each of the 168 episodes, and much more. 25 photos.

Robert Clary is best known for his portrayal of the spirited Corporal Louis Lebeau on the popular television series Hogan's Heroes (on the air from 1965 to 1971 and widely syndicated around the globe). But it is Clary's experiences as a Jew during the Holocaust that infuse his compelling memoir with an honest recognition of life's often horrific reality, a recognition that counters his glittering five-decade career as an actor, singer, and artist and distinguishes this book from those by other entertainers.

Analyzes the unique satirical social and political commentary offered by Hogan’s Heroes during a volatile period in American history. Hogan’s Heroes originally aired between 1965 and 1971 on CBS, corresponding to the most uncertain years of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. In an era when attitudes about the military, patriotism, and authority were undergoing a sea change, Hogan’s Heroes did not offer direct commentary on the conflict, but instead explored incompetent military leaders, draft dodging, and perpetual war in an absurd storyline about Allied saboteurs inside a World War II German prisoner of war camp. In Hogan’s Heroes, author Robert Shandley argues that the series reveals much about the parameters of comedy on militarism and war before the popularity of comedic social realism that would define later programs, like the more critically acclaimed M*A*S*H. In three chapters, Shandley investigates the significance of Hogan’s Heroes to social, cultural, and television history. First, Shandley places Hogan’s Heroes within its generic and television history contexts, providing background on the genre of "uniform sitcoms" that were popular in the mid-60s. In the second chapter, he places the series within the historical, filmic, and televisual discourses surrounding World War II, including the fact that several of its actors were refugees from the racial politics of Nazi Germany. Finally, Shandley demonstrates how the series uses its generic framework to engage in debates about the conflict in Vietnam and American militarism and shows that Hogan’s Heroes laid the groundwork upon which M*A*S*H would build. Since the storyline and characters in Hogan’s Heroes do not significantly progress throughout the run of the show, Shandley primarily analyzes the show at the episode level to make the most of specific performances and content. While it was moderately successful in its network run between 1965 and 1971, Hogan’s Heroes has enjoyed constant play in syndicated re-release since its cancellation. Fans of this well-loved show and scholars of television history will appreciate this insightful study of Hogan’s Heroes.

An insider’s look at the surprisingly successful, perennially popular classic 1960s sitcom set in a prisoner-of-war camp in World War II Germany. If your fondest TV memories involve the POWs of Stalag 13 cleverly outwitting their captors, Schultz stammering “I know nothing!” and Hochstetter threatening to send everyone to the Russian front, then this is the book for you. This fun and informative book takes you behind the scenes of the classic 1960s sitcom to reveal: the story behind the creation, production, and eventual cancellation of the series the controversy surrounding the show’s unlikely premise interviews with many of the show’s stars and crew biographies of the stars and supporting actors a detailed guide to each of the 168 episodes a guide to collecting Hogan’s memorabilia and more . . . Hogan’s Heroes is more popular now than ever before, especially in Germany, where it has become a surprising cult hit. In this book, most of the show’s stars and behind-the-scenes personnel share their memories and reflect on the series’ enduring popularity.

Since his untimely death on June 29, 1978, Bob Crane's unofficial biography has become akin to a broken record. Like a skip in the acetate, his murder and the scandal that grew from it have been the repeated focus of attention, to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Over time, the line between fact and fiction blurred, and his life story became distorted. All perspective on Bob Crane as a human being was lost, and he became nothing more than a two-dimensional cartoon character without depth, dimension, or definition.Now, nearly two hundred people who knew the Hogan's Heroes star personally and better than most--family; friends as far back as elementary school; colleagues in radio, television, theatre, and film; and the man who was helping him battle and overcome his addiction, Reverend Edward Beck--have spoken out on Bob Crane's behalf, and in many instances, for the first time. Within the pages of this book, they share their memories and thoughts about a man whom they knew as an exceptional and talented musician, a genius in radio, a sharp-witted comedian, a gifted actor and director, a man driven to success, a doting and loving father, a loyal friend, and a kind and gentle spirit with a sunny personality--a man who, while not perfect, was vastly different from how he has been presented over the decades.Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography balances the scales and sets the record straight, providing a full and complete history of Bob Crane, clarifying who he really was--and maybe just as importantly, who he was not.

The 1978 murder of actor Bob Crane remains unsolved. Hook retested the original blood evidence, and searched for the identity of the killer. He shows how police mistakes and missing evidence impacted the investigation, and raises new questions in the search for truth.

When it comes to stirring up a little excitement in class, Otis Spofford knows just what to do. He can turn a folk dance fiesta into a three-ring circus, or an arithmetic lesson into a spitball marathon. Even his friends George and Stewy can't keep up when it comes to Otis's mischief. Best of all, Otis likes teasing Ellen Tebbits. She's so neat and well-behaved—there's something irresistible about making Ellen mad! But when Otis's teasing goes too far, he feels sorry . . . and then nervous. For now Ellen isn't just mad . . . she's planning something! Beloved author Beverly Cleary brings real understanding to this wonderful story of a "bad boy."