Backstage

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring In The Italian Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2000 Verified Purchase Where's Dean? That seems to be the main question asked by everyone who ever appeared on the Dean Martin Show. Lee Hale gives us a behind the scenes look, hence the title, at the inner workings of a show that had phenomenal run for a period of 10 years. Mr. Hale shows us how hard everyone around Dean had to work so that Dean looked like he didn't have to work. Although much is said about the fact that Dean never rehearsed prior to taping the show, it was for the very same reason that the show was a success. The main theme of the show; let Dean do what he did best: Be Dean Martin. As the show's producer, Greg Garrison, would say when it was time for Dean's appearance on the show; "Bring in the Italian". And sliding down his fireman's pole would come Dean right into our living rooms and our hearts. Not only does the book take a look at the success that was the Dean Martin Show, but looks at the long gone genre of the "variety show". I can remember watching Dean, the Carol Burnett Show and Red Skelton. That was some great T.V. Overall, the book is a good read and it is full of photos that remind us how much fun it was to have Dean around.