Lenny Bruce: the Making of a Sitcom Summary

Late in 1960, Fred Silverman, a production assistant at ABC Television discovers a hilarious comedian, Lenny Bruce, and recommends getting him under contract before NBC or CBS is able. He next reports a successful meeting with Bruce. Silverman doubts that a Jewish Davy Crockett show will succeed, but considers a comic Audie Murphy might work, particularly if it were set in Nebraska. Bruce is excited about finding "Roach and Head" at ABC. Silverman has been assured that Bruce's itching and nodding off are the result of allergy medicine.

Risen to Vice-President of ABC Programming, Silverman writes a memo to Bruce critiquing Bruce's pilot script, written on cocktail napkins. He offers a series of suggestions about toning down the title ("Have a Heartland" rather than "Schmucks"), character and dialog, best friend, wife, daughter...