Tim & Tom: American Comedy in Black and White

Tim and Tom (Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen) was not your average comedy team. Yes, they told jokes. Yes they dealt with hecklers and anxious crowds. But the duo wasn't only a stand out for the comic zingers that they threw out. No. They also stood out for another reason. During the late 60s and early 70s, Tim and Tom became America's first 'black and white" comedy team.

Off the fading edges of desegregation and polarizing racial attitudes, Tim and Tom faced the turbulent race issues of the day, head on. Their brand of comedy was intelligent, in your face, and always grounded in a racial context. And as you would imagine, this scheme did not always go over well. In fact, after just their fourth time on stage, the pair was beaten by a group racially charged hecklers.

At the least, Tim and Tom's comedy was challenging, at best it was compelling. But unfortunately, it wasn't profitable. Because they weren't making any money, Tim Reid decided to go solo; a decision that was adamantly opposed by Tom Dreesen.

Shortly after the duo's split, Tom Dreesen landed a plush gig on The Tonight Show, and his career took off. However, at that time, Tim Reid was less fortunate. While his former partner's career was rising, Tim was struggling to find any work, (let alone feed his family). In fact, as Tim Reid recalls in a recent NPR interview, he "was on the bed with his wife watching Tom on the Tonight Show... He killed it... at the time I had no job and no money..." But little did Tim know that his big break was around the corner.

In 1978, Tim Reid landed the role of "Venus Flytrap" on the new hit show, WKRP in Cincinnati. WKRP, which aired between 1978-1981, eventually went on to syndication prosperity, making Tim Reid a household name. In 1987, Reid went on to create and headline the critically acclaimed show, Frank's Place. After the improbable cancellation of Frank's Place, in 1993, Reid scored the role of "Ray" on the popular show, Sister, Sister.

Tom Dressen individual success turned out rather well, too. After his initial performance on The Tonight Show, Dreesen became a regular. And he also went on to tour with Frank Sinatra as his opening act.

For a more detailed and riveting account of Tim and Tom, check out their new book, Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White.

'Tim and Tom' - Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen

Tom Dreesen

DJ Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid)

Cast of WKRP in Cincinnati

Tim Reid with Sister, Sister co-stars, Tamera and Tia Mowry

Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White

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