Surely You Can't Be Serious

The True Story of Airplane!

By: David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker

Narrated by: "Weird Al" Yankovic, Arne Schmidt, Barry Diller, Beau Bridges, Bill Hader, Bob Weiss, David Zucker, Dick Chudnow, Hunt Lowry, James Murray, Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jimmy Kimmel, Joe Praino, full cast

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

This program is read by the authors (David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker), Laura Orrico and Joe Praino, with special appearances by an all-star cast of comedy giants, including the film's stars, Julie Hagerty and Robert Hays, as well as Beau Bridges, Barry Diller, Michael Eisner, Peter Farrelly, Bill Hader, Jimmy Kimmel, John Landis, Patton Oswalt, Trey Parker, Molly Shannon, Sarah Silverman, Matt Stone, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Lee Bryant, Joyce Bulifant, Dick Chudnow, Ken Collins, Jon Davison, Marcy Goldman, Ross Harris, Hunt Lowry, Rich Markey, James Murray, Tom Parry, Lorna Patterson, Pat Proft, Arne Schmidt, Lloyd Schwartz, and Bob Weiss.

"funny and weirdly inspirational, satisfying both the comedy obsessive and the merely curious."—The New York Times

"Sprinkled throughout are anecdotes from some of our most successful comedians today, like Weird Al, Bill Hader, and Jimmy Kimmel, telling the stories of what a comedy gamechanger this movie was. A funny and enjoyable listen about a cult classic. Certainly recommended for comedy fans, but also for those with an interest in Hollywood and movie making."—Booklist

Surely You Can't Be Serious is an in-depth and hysterical look at the making of 1980s comedy classic Airplane! by the legendary writers and directors of the hit film.

Airplane! premiered on July 2nd, 1980. With a budget of $3.5 million it went on to make nearly $200 million in sales and has influenced a multitude of comedians on both sides of the camera.

Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night. The directors explain what drew them to filmmaking and in particular, comedy.

With anecdotes, behind the scenes trivia, and never-before-revealed factoids, these titans of comedy filmmaking unpack everything from how they persuaded Peter Graves to be in the movie after he thought the script was a piece of garbage, how Lorna Patterson auditioned for the stewardess role in the back seat of Jerry’s Volvo, and how Leslie Nielsen’s pranks got the entire crew into trouble, to who really wrote the jive talk. It also features testimonials and personal anecdotes from well-known faces in the film, television, and comedy sphere, proving how influential Airplane! has been from day one.

Four decades after its release, Airplane! continues to make new generations laugh. Its many one-liners and visual gags have worked their way into the mainstream culture. This fully organic expansion of the ZAZ trio’s fan-base, prompted solely by word-of-mouth, comes as no surprise to longtime fans. When all around us is in flux, laughter is priceless.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“The Zucker brothers and Abrahams debut with a rollicking oral history unpacking how their 1980 comedy Airplane! was made … This is a must-read for anyone who loves the film.”—Publishers Weekly

“This delightful book, like Airplane! and many other ZAZ productions, is multilayered, incisive, and surprising … A hilarious, well-structured account of and tribute to a significant film.”—Kirkus Reviews

“If some day they ever wrote a book about how Airplane! got made, I’m sure it would be a bestseller.”—The Pittsburg Picayune

Was the movie as good as the book?

For everyone that only watched the movie, instead of reading the book, this is proof that the movie was better than the book! If you’ve enjoyed the movie, listen to this! Great background on………

Funny history of a very funny movie

Too many comments from people unrelated to the production of Airplane . Would have been nice to hear more from those involved with Airplane, from studio staff all the way down to set hands.

Shirley Fantastic!

Just a wonderful listen, warm, funny, insightful, love these guys and was a joy to hear about their journey from those actually there.

what a ride

I had so much fun re-warching the movie after this book and I watched Kentucky Fried Movie for the first time! Much like the movie, there were so many great moments in the book! You'll just have to read (or listen, like me) for yourself

Great behind the scenes look at a fantastic movie

I loved hearing voices from all the different folks involved and from some of the kids that the actors who are no longer with us.

I had no idea how influential the movie was

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed hearing the stories from the people involved and the story of how the trio developed their talents through theater. I'm inspired to put down my laundry and ignore the professionals for my next endeavor.

Most enjoyable audiobook of the year

This isn’t just about the making of Airplane! but also a look into trying to make it 1970’s/80’s Hollywood and interesting insight on the source material they parodied. It was fun to listen to these guys reflect on their journey to success with this movie.

So good

Fantastic behind the scenes information about the funniest movie ever made. Relived the movie again.

Great Behind the screen look at it

This book was great to listen too. It took me behind the screen on the making of this classic movie

The funniest movie ever

I finally got to hear the back story on the back story. How these guys got started, it all feels meant to be. If you love this movie you’ll love all these stories.
Read by ZAZ