Episode 5: Stop, Collaborate and Listen (with Don Reo)

How to Be Abe Lincoln

Abe Lincoln would have loved Slappy White. Slappy was a black comedian and actor who appeared on shows like Laugh In and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, performing hilarious acts that were often social commentaries of the civil rights movement and the inequality of black Americans. During this time and before his acting career, he hired a young and soon-to-be legendary television writer and producer Don Reo to accompany him on stage and write jokes, who not only joins the show for this episode, but also makes many appearances in Jonathan's book. Don made a career of successful collaborations, launching shows like Blossom and My Wife and Kids, writing for smash hits like M*A*S*H and The Golden Girls, and co-authoring a book with Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band. Reo embodies two key tenants of Lincoln's persona - the ability to laugh and the ability to collaborate with people of all manners, including the difficult ones. How was Lincoln able to achieve such success when his own cabinet was full of people trying to take him down? Mr. Don Reo is here to give us some insight.