Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker staff writer and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, conducted more than 300 in-depth interviews on the topic of . . . reality teEmily Nussbaum, New Yorker staff writer and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, conducted more than 300 in-depth interviews on the topic of . . . reality television?! The title is a bit of a cheat because it comes from the movie The Truman Show. But the whole thing is written well and held my interest, even though I haven't seen some of the shows Nussbaum writes about. (But I have seen a lot of them. Even The Gong Show.) I didn't know that the whole reality vs. scripted conflict goes all the way back to radio, when people complained that writers and actors and musicians were being thrown out of work by a show called—I'm not kidding—Candid Microphone....more
I love this series. Fast-paced plots, appealing characters, and so funny. I didn't know that I wanted humor in my mystery novels! I'm sad that this isI love this series. Fast-paced plots, appealing characters, and so funny. I didn't know that I wanted humor in my mystery novels! I'm sad that this is the last in the series so far, but the author has promised to write at least one more....more
Gorgeous art, confusing plot. I'm still not sure what happened. Feel free to explain it to me if you've read it.Gorgeous art, confusing plot. I'm still not sure what happened. Feel free to explain it to me if you've read it....more
Disappointing. I've enjoyed Biskind's earlier books, and I was hoping that he would select a dozen or so "peak television" shows and explain what madeDisappointing. I've enjoyed Biskind's earlier books, and I was hoping that he would select a dozen or so "peak television" shows and explain what made them successful, unusual, memorable, or otherwise worthwhile. Instead, this is a mostly business-focused account of scores of TV shows. We ping-pong around in time, so it's hard to get a sense of trends or sea changes. And there's a lot about harassment, humiliation, and general misery on the set. I did get one memorable image out of this book, though: David Chase, at the top of his Sopranos success, a multimillionaire, with his teeth rotting out of his head because he was so phobic about going to the dentist. What a shame for him and for the people around him....more
This is a series of essays about how people who are greatly admired can have some bizarre ideas that don't pan out. For example:
• Thomas Edison tried This is a series of essays about how people who are greatly admired can have some bizarre ideas that don't pan out. For example:
• Thomas Edison tried to invent a telephone that would allow the living to communicate with the dead. • Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, not only fell for a silly hoax but also tried to convince the public that fairies are real. • Albert Einstein was constantly being rescued because he was a terrible sailor who frequently capsized and couldn't swim. He loved sailing, though. • NASA built a space capsule but didn't include a toilet. Also they thought one of the first women in space would need 100 tampons. For a six-day trip. All tied together. (Marcia Belsky set this story to music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmyBy... )
Entertaining lookback at how the original Mean Girls movie got made, why it has succeeded, and how it morphed into a Broadway musical and a musical fiEntertaining lookback at how the original Mean Girls movie got made, why it has succeeded, and how it morphed into a Broadway musical and a musical film. The author does not interview the major players, which harms this book. But she does what she can with the supporting cast and key crew members. I especially liked the interviews she did with today's tweens and teens who are fans of this movie. She points out that this is a movie about girls and their motivations and talents and struggles. The boy they occasionally fight over (what was his name again?) is mostly just a prize to be won....more
Dolly Parton fan: How long does it take to style your hair? Dolly Parton: I don't know. I'm never there.
Who sometimes wears three wigs at once, one on Dolly Parton fan: How long does it take to style your hair? Dolly Parton: I don't know. I'm never there.
Who sometimes wears three wigs at once, one on top of the other? Who is still exploring new-to-her musical genres and striving to be a better person every day? Who had an illiterate father and yet is now a juggernaut in business and philanthropy? Dolly Parton, of course.
In this coffee-table-sized book, Dolly reflects on her career, personal growth, clothes, and accessories. (One chapter is called, "I Will Always Love . . . Shoes.") As always, she radiates lovingkindness and is generous and specific when giving credit to others. No wonder some of her employees have worked for her for 30 years. And she's funny!
While Dolly has always had her own style rather than following fashion trends, I think this book would be interesting to anyone who is into fashion, textiles, or fame. This book is intelligently written and thoughtfully curated. And on the cover, has Dolly's dress been subtly stippled so that it shimmers and glimmers as you open the book? Well, of course it has....more
Fascinating, often harrowing account of a long career as a death investigator in New York City. The author is no-nonsense but feels deeply and suffersFascinating, often harrowing account of a long career as a death investigator in New York City. The author is no-nonsense but feels deeply and suffers a great deal. Her account of succeeding professionally and creatively, despite troubles with alcohol and depression, was inspiring but never sappy.
Most interesting case, to me: a husband's diabetic overdose in which the wife and the husband's psychiatrist seemed to have a passionate connection and most likely got away with murder.
Most interesting scandal, to me: The author's supervisor and one of the author's coworkers both called off work "sick" one night and then got caught . . . cuddling . . . on a Jumbotron . . . at Yankee Stadium during a game. This would be fun office gossip except that the non-cuddling coworkers had to investigate more deaths that night, over a larger area of the city, and had to meet with the relatives of all the people who had died while hospitalized that day. This isn't like Office Space where people slack off and the TPS reports pile up but nothing really terrible happens....more
This 1957 novel alludes to abortion, lesbianism, and menopause without using any of those words. It's a bit talky but still an appealing read and veryThis 1957 novel alludes to abortion, lesbianism, and menopause without using any of those words. It's a bit talky but still an appealing read and very influential. If you have the edition with the introduction by Kelly Link, don't read the intro until you've finished the book. She gives away far too much of the plot, so her essay should really be an afterword....more
I raced through this one. Sparkling, witty, thoroughly reported account of queerness in American television, mostly from the late 1970s until 2010 or I raced through this one. Sparkling, witty, thoroughly reported account of queerness in American television, mostly from the late 1970s until 2010 or so. The interview with Susan Harris is especially good. She was a driving force behind Soap and The Golden Girls.
My favorite bits of trivia:
• The Golden Girls, an extraordinarily popular and high-quality show, had its origins in a bit of stage patter at a network upfronts presentation. Original title: Miami Nice.
• In 1975 the Federal Communications Commission insisted on a Family Viewing Hour. The idea was that the first hour of prime time television (8 until 9 on the coasts) would be dedicated to family-friendly viewing. It was a disaster. Family-friendly content tended to be boring. Each network made a different determination of what content was family friendly. Networks moved individual episodes with controversial content to 9 o'clock, which confused people when they tried to find the shows they liked. Ratings declined. Conservatives still weren't happy because the scheme basically ignored people in the Central and Mountain time zones. The project ended in 1977.
• One of the lines of dialogue on the Ellen DeGeneres sitcom before she came out went something like this: "People will finally see me for who I am—a homo[pause]wner."
Science fiction thriller that's also about grief, loss, memory, isolation, and being biracial. To me, this novel was confusing, but in a challenging wScience fiction thriller that's also about grief, loss, memory, isolation, and being biracial. To me, this novel was confusing, but in a challenging way rather than an annoying way. It takes a while for the different strands to merge, and the time-travel part involves quite a bit of repetition. Very satisfying ending.
It was a little saddening to read about a future in which there are massive, unpredictable blackouts while also reading Things Are Never So Bad that They Can't Get Worse, a nonfiction book about massive, unpredictable blackouts in Venezuela. Maybe the future is closer than we think....more
I always enjoy learning more about banned books. There's a short blurb about each one, so this is just a quick look rather than a deep exploration of I always enjoy learning more about banned books. There's a short blurb about each one, so this is just a quick look rather than a deep exploration of trends or advice on how to fight a ban or challenge. I especially appreciated the information on books not originally written in English.
I'm interested in the essay I Hate Men by the French author Pauline Harmange, but Amazon wants $12.99 for the 80-page Kindle book. She hates men, and sometimes I hate capitalism....more
White nationalism is not a monolith, and neither are the women who believe in it. Some of them are very focused on religion (which can be different foWhite nationalism is not a monolith, and neither are the women who believe in it. Some of them are very focused on religion (which can be different forms of Christianity or Mormonism or Paganism or entirely new religions such as Odinism), others on being a "tradwife," and still others on scapegoating Jews or Black people or Brown people. Some want to be famous, and others want to work behind the scenes. Honestly, I would be less disgusted with them if they were all just straight-up grifters who would say or do anything to bilk the rubes. But some really do believe in white nationalism—either because they admire its principles or because they think it's the best deal they can get with the money, status, looks, and resources that they have. These women are extremes, but some of their messages get into the wider culture and get repeated by people who consider themselves liberal and tolerant. And then sometimes they get mad when white supremacist males tell them to shut up and get back in the kitchen! Who could have guessed that these men could be so mean and cruel and unsympathetic?????
This book made me sad, but it's worthwhile reading because it's important to know who and what is out there....more
"It would be difficult. Nearly impossible. But the voice in her heart said, 'Show them.'"
Inspiring story about a Japanese-American chef who has fused c"It would be difficult. Nearly impossible. But the voice in her heart said, 'Show them.'"
Inspiring story about a Japanese-American chef who has fused cuisines of different cultures. When she was young, her parents blatantly favored her brother and crapped on her dreams. When she was a little older, she ran into the belief that women can't be sushi chefs and that small, slightly built women like her aren't strong enough to work in a restaurant kitchen. Now she lives her best life with her partner and creates food that reflects her imagination. Her signature dish is called Not Bound by Tradition, and I say right on....more
This book is called Year of the Tiger because it was published the year the author turned 48, her fourth Tiger Year under the Chinese zodiac and far lThis book is called Year of the Tiger because it was published the year the author turned 48, her fourth Tiger Year under the Chinese zodiac and far longer than many people expected her to survive. Wong is a disability rights activist, writer, visual artist, and enthusiastic consumer of ice cream. This is a collection of her essays, letters, podcast appearances, and art, plus writing and art she commissioned from others. Some pieces are serious, while others are playful. Wong contends that just because she's publishing a memoir doesn't mean she's a zoo animal. The rest of us don't get to peer at her and learn everything about her just because we invested a little time and/or money in her. Wong is writing another book, this one about sexuality. ...more
Wrenching but sometimes funny metaplay that won the Pulitzer and a whole bunch of Tony awards. Maybe I'll see it someday after the pandemic ends.Wrenching but sometimes funny metaplay that won the Pulitzer and a whole bunch of Tony awards. Maybe I'll see it someday after the pandemic ends....more
Colorful and fun. I think little kids will love this because it encourages so much action—kiss-blowing, bum-shaking, pose-striking, twirling, and so oColorful and fun. I think little kids will love this because it encourages so much action—kiss-blowing, bum-shaking, pose-striking, twirling, and so on. This book also does a good job with representing people who have disabilities. One of the drag queens uses a wheelchair, and another is an above-the-knee amputee....more
You may know Julio Torres from his HBO stand-up comedy special. His favorite color is clear. This book explains that even if other people think you'reYou may know Julio Torres from his HBO stand-up comedy special. His favorite color is clear. This book explains that even if other people think you're supposed to have a certain type of job or act a certain way, you can do something else instead. And by being what you want to be instead of what others tell you that you have to be, you can be happier and maybe help other people in ways they hadn't expected. There's no specific LGBTQIA+ content here, but I think the moral lessons apply. Also this is a very cute book in which a plunger—sorry, I mean a vase—argues with a vacuum cleaner. (The vacuum cleaner really sucks. And then it blows. But it finds a way to keep its little wheels from getting tired.)...more
Beautifully drawn account from someone who was theyah. Minus one star for the book's treatment of Louise Day Hicks. She was a racist, so there's plentBeautifully drawn account from someone who was theyah. Minus one star for the book's treatment of Louise Day Hicks. She was a racist, so there's plenty to attack her for without making fun of her looks and drawing her topless. (Yes, I get the Delacroix reference. I'm not a bumpkin.)...more
Funny and sometimes thought-provoking interviews with comedians and other thinkers. Profits go to 826 National, a nonprofit that helps kids with creatFunny and sometimes thought-provoking interviews with comedians and other thinkers. Profits go to 826 National, a nonprofit that helps kids with creative writing...more
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