Movies Books

Over the years, "The Twilight Zone" has grabbed us by the imaginations and refused to let go. It has given us things to think about, it has given us a good chuckle or two, and it's also given us nightmares.
But what made "The Twilight Zone" what it is today? Two things: Rod Serling and his stories. Rod Serling weaved incredible tales of value disguised with Martians, robots, and other fantastic things. Many believe him to be one of the best writers of the twentieth century, and this book is proof.
"As Timeless as Infinity: The Complete Twilight Zone Scripts of Rod Serling, Vol. One" is a magnificent book that contains exactly what the title says. Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" scripts. "Yeah, that's really cool," you may think. But consider this. It's not re-typed or anything like "Richard Matheson's The Twilight Zone Scripts" or "The Twilight Zone Scripts of Earl Hamner" (also edited by Tony Albarella). Instead, this gigantic book contains Rod's actual type-written scripts, some even including hand-written notations from the creator of "The Twilight Zone" himself. Each script has been preserved quite nicely over the years (they're each a little over 40-years-old) and each has a wonderfully-written commentary by Tony Albarella, who dives into the technical aspects of the episode and even interviews some of the cast and crew. The book is even signed by Carol Serling, who has provided magazines and text books with Rod's scripts over the years. It also has some nice words from Richard Matheson and Rockne S. O'Bannon.
Scripts included in this volume are:
"The Time Element" - The hour-long unofficial pilot for the series.
"Where Is Everybody?" - The official pilot.
"Third From the Sun" - Based on a short story by Richard Matheson.
"The Purple Testament"
"The Big, Tall Wish"
"Eye of the Beholder"
"A Most Unusual Camera"
"A Most Unusual Camera" - Alternate version with different ending.
"The Mind and the Matter"
"The Dummy" - Based on an unpublished story by Leon Polk.
I thought it was the perfect "Twilight Zone" book, and even that is an understatement. We can all thank Mr. Albarella for doing the marvelous task of bringing Mr. Serling's unnaturally amazing scripts to the public. We can also thank Carol Serling for entrusting Mr. Albarella with such an unimaginable responsibility.
I found myself glued to this book. Rod's scripts are all incredible and each one is written so well. Rod truly was a master story-teller, there's no doubt about that. A truly fantastic book.
I give it 90 out of 10 stars.

MM

Rod Serling was so great as host of The Twilight Zone that it's easy to forget that he was also a writer of immense talent. His stories strike a reader with almost as much force as they do those who view them in televised form. Usually lacking the hamstringing luxury of excessive time in which to unfold a tale, Serling made use of economy and compacted irony and intelligence into his writing as virtually no other individual throughout literary history ever has before. This anthology is a fine presentation of some of this master's most extraordinary works.

Rod Serling rode the leading edge of culture in his era. His work still resonates today, forty-five years after the debut of his masterwork. That masterwork has been on the air continuously ever since.

Serling's passionate commitment to equality and justice--and especially his willingness to fight The Powers of the Day for these beliefs--anticipated the social turmoil and progress of the Sixties. His use of fantasy to illustrate relevant points about the real world, transformed drama.

That's one hell of a legacy to document, but "As Timeless as Infinity: The Twilight Zone Scripts of Rod Serling" is up to the task. Its finest touch may be presenting the master's work in its original hand-typed and pencil-edited form. The script pages are as blurry and old-fashioned looking as the black-and-white episodes of Twilight Zone. And Serling's brilliance shines through this time-frozen fog as clearly on the page as it does on the screen.

The scripts are the core of this book, but they have elegant support: touching tributes, heart-felt appreciations, and sublime treats such as original clippings of ads and reviews and telegrams and contracts. And of course production photos. There is something for everyone in this volume, the first of a projected ten. These additional pages lend an unusual authenticity to the book; they frame the time that surrounded yet could not restrain The Twilight Zone.

Perhaps the finest aspect of this book that is external to Serling's work is the editor's commentary which follows each script. Tony Albarella is a lifelong fan and affianado of The Twilight Zone. He offers the same thoughtful analysis that he gave to Earl Hamner's Twilight Zone scripts in an earlier book, and so much more. You are treated to production notes, snippets from interviews, historical background, philosophical comment.

I found myself entranced by the tale of how the projectionst for "Where is Everybody?" got so wrapped up in the story that he left CBS President William Paley sitting in the dark between reel 2 and reel 3 of the audition screening. And my mouth dropped open at the real-life twist regarding Cliff Robertson's brush with death before production of "The Dummy."

You want the details? Buy the book. There's a treasure on every page.

Ever since the release of "The Twilight Zone Companion" by Marc Scott Zicree twenty-two years ago, followers of THE TWILIGHT ZONE and Rod Serling have awaited the possible release of a second opinion, if you will. Zicree's comprehensive volume covers the series in depth, and everyone who calls themself a fan of THE TWILIGHT ZONE has a copy of this book. "The Companion" has been criticized for its brevity and lack of thorough coverage of many episodes, possibly due to publisher requests that the book serve as a casual episode guide.

Other attempts have been made in recent years to expand upon what "The Companion" did. Most recently and notoriously, the horridly-written and overpriced volume by Presnell and McGee (1998) and several other books on the series that have included episode guides with commentary. 2001 and 2002 marked the release of Richard Matheson's TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS, and in 2003 Earl Hamner's eight scripts were released. The scripts of Charles Beaumont are also scheduled for publication (edited by Roger Anker, to be published by Gauntlet Press), the three TWILIGHT ZONE scripts written by Jerry Sohl (edited by Chris Conlon, to be published by Bear Manor Media), as is a collection of eight scripts written by non-mainstream writers compiled by Andrew Szym (to be published by Bear Manor Media). The eight ZONE scripts and stories written by George Clayton Johnson were released a number of years ago, in 1976.

Tony Albarella undertook the project of introducing all ninety-two scripts written by Rod Serling. Having gotten a warm-up on the art of commentary writing as editor of Hamner's TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS (Cumberland House, 2003), Albarella's commentaries here are excellent. Although not cast as an episode guide, this looks to be the finest analysis of TWILIGHT ZONE episodes to date. After audiences have taken Zicree's words as 'the last words on TWILIGHT ZONE' for many years, Tony Albarella gives a particularly insightful look at each episode. He has taken the time to interview many actors who appeared in/starred in each segment. His analysis of the episode "The Big Tall Wish" (the only TWILIGHT ZONE episode to star black actors) is particularly impressive; this episode is largely downgraded in fan circles for its problematic and flawed plotline, but here receives a thorough explanation for why it succeeds.

Included in each volume are the original, unedited, typewritten copies of Serling's scripts, sometimes with handwritten annotation. Bonus items include a photo gallery with production and publicity stills, and short but touching tributes to Serling and the series by actors. Also included are nice essay appreciations by well-known TV and sci-fi writers.

After years of being bottled up and not readily available, this series of script books surely looks to be one of the finest of TV script collections available.

For those interested in the particulars, the following press release (courtesy publisher Gauntlet Press - www.gauntletpress.com)lists the details of this series as a whole and volume one in particular:

Gauntlet Press is thrilled to announce we will be publishing all 92 of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone scripts, authorized by his wife Carol Serling. This will take the form of a 10 volume signed, limited edition set entitled AS TIMELESS AS INFINITY: THE COMPLETE TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS OF ROD SERLING.

Except for The Twilight Zone Magazine and a few textbooks, this is the first time that Carol Serling has authorized (and will take an active role in) the publication of these scripts. Each volume is limited to a run of 750 copies. Each copy is hand-signed by Carol Serling and hand-numbered. The books are edited by Tony Albarella, one of the Board of Directors for the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and the co-author of THE TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS OF EARL HAMNER.

AS TIMELESS AS INFINITY will offer a unique and definitive look at Rod Serling's landmark The Twilight Zone teleplays. The classic scripts will be reprinted directly from Serling's personal collection, currently housed in the Special Collections Archive at Ithaca College. As editor, Albarella worked closely with Carol Serling to bring out material that has never before been made available to the public.

The scripts will appear in their original format and will not be typeset or altered in any way. In many cases this includes Rod's handwritten changes or notations. The Ithaca material also includes some revisions and earlier script drafts that differ, to varying degrees, from the final shooting scripts. Variant details will be included where appropriate to document the creative process and track the evolution of the stories.

A commentary will accompany each rare script; in many cases this will include interview material with cast, crew and select comments from Serling himself. In addition, many of Rod's friends and colleagues will pay tribute to the man and his work. Included will be appreciations from contemporaries that worked with Serling as well as current talents that were inspired by him. Participating in volume one will be legendary author Richard Matheson and Rockne S. O'Bannon (creator of the television series Alien Nation, Sea Quest DSV, and Farscape, as well as a principal writer for the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone).

Preparation for this ambitious collection began in early 2002. Since then, scores of exclusive interviews have been conducted and the gathering of unique material is an on-going process. A few surprises will be offered along the way, including examples of Serling's personal correspondence, vintage communications from CBS, rare production photos and much more.

Rod Serling was a true visionary - one of the pioneers of early television - and The Twilight Zone showcased some of his finest creations. AS TIMELESS AS INFINITY will present these ageless tales in a tribute worthy of Serling's legacy.

The list of scripts to appear in Volume One is as follows:

1) "The Time Element"
This hour-long was not an official Twilight Zone, but the widely accepted unofficial pilot. A Desilu Playhouse production from 1958 about time travel, it recieved surprisingly good ratings and that's what encouraged CBS to consider Serling's "sci-fi/fantasy" proposal. This show is seldom seen and has never been offered in print in any form.

2) "Where is Everybody?"
(the official pilot)

3) "Eye of the Beholder"

4) "Third from the Sun"

5) "The Purple Testament"

6) "The Big, Tall Wish"

7) "A Most Unusual Camera."
Two versions of this script are included with the book - one that is the "final shooting script" and one that is a complete, alternate version that varies from the other in several respects.

8) "The Mind and the Matter"

9) "The Dummy"

Volume One is 488 pages in length.

Wow! The Avant-Garde Finds Andy Hardy is the best book on film that has ever been published. Ray's use of Andy Hardy is a perfect vehicle for understanding film in general. This book's scholarship is deep without being obscure or boring in any way. Ray's clear writing allows even the most novice reader to understand his most profound ideas. Yet, serious cinema afficadadios still have a great deal to learn from this master. Ladies and Gentlemen, Harvard publishes this book for a reason. The Avant-Garde Finds Andy Hardy is film study at its best.

I HAVE taken Mr. Ray's courses, and this book is an excellent introduction to his methods and viewpoints. Mr. Ray's ideas are the sort that should change film thought for the better.

Though this text is certainly an excellent attempt at rethinking the problems in which film studies has become trapped, it is also a useful model for new approaches within the wider disciplines of English and cultural studies. Top notch and very readable!!

I am a film student from Australia and Ray's book 'A Certain Tendency of the Hollywood Film' was one of the best texts I have read on American cinema. I haven't read this, his more recent book yet but want to deperately. I live in Japan and would like to know its availablity.

i attend the institution where ray teaches, while i have not taken any of his classes, i have read this book and i must say it is by far the most enjoyable "theory" book i have ever read. ray uses andy hardy movies as a base for discourse on both the "meaning" and value of film studies, as well as links current theorists (derrida,barthes, etc.) within the avant-garde of surrealism. a great intro to film theory, narrative analysis, or for anyone interested in ways of teaching courses outside of tradtitonal cirriculum. abc....method included arp...........arp...........arp!!!!!!!!

Twelve O'Clock High! is the story of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in England during World War II. Written by authors Beirne Lay and Sy Bartlett, both original staff officers of the 8th Air Force, this novel draws heavily from actual experiences of airmen in battle and their commanders on the ground. This is "must reading" for any serious aviation enthusiast or historian, as the book weaves a spell-binding and realistic tale of drama, action, and human suffering. A chronicle of patriotism, Twleve O'Clock High! is the novel of America's "Gettysburg in the Sky."

I have read this book two to three times a year since 1968, and just finished it again. The one copy I have had over the years has fallen apart, and the book is rubber banded together.

This title should be required reading in Jr Hi to teach children what americans have been through to become the people we are today,as will as to salute this "Greatest Generation". The characters are three dimentional, and touch you like no others will again. When I read this book, it is like sitting down and visiting with an old friend. I will never get tired of this tale. This story is one that will live forever in your heart.

Twelve O'Clock High is, of course, one of the best works of fiction about the air war in Europe ever to be published. But that is not why it's still required reading at America's service academies. The book is a fascinating study in the psychology of command and commanders. It explores the satisfaction of command - taking a dispirited air group and turning it around to become the point of the 8th Air Force's aerial spear, and changing a group of crybabies into a disciplined, proud unit. It also shows the price in human lives and mental anguish inflicted upon a commanding officer who must, time and again, order his men into battle with the certain knowledge that some of them won't be coming back. It further offers hints on how a commanding officer can deal with the stress he must needs inflict upon himself, and shows clearly the fine line a leader walks between familiarity and emotional disassociation. In some ways the book is almost a roman a clef, particularly in the characters of Savage, Bishop and McIlhenney, with the action itself a composite of various air actions, including the notorious "Black Thursday" raid of October,1943 on the Schweinfurt ball bearing works. But for all that, it's still a compelling read for all who are interested in what makes miltary leaders tick. This book cannot be recommended too highly, and it is so superior to the movie that there is no comparison. I rate it as a "must-read."

Lt.Col.Beirne Lay, Jr. USAAF flew B-17 combat missions in the European Theatre in World War II. He created the 918th Bomb Group by putting together his unit the 91st Bomb Group and the 8th Air Force. Brig. Gen. Frank Savage was based on the real Brig. Gen. Frank Armstrong. After World War II Lay and writer Sy Barlett wrote the novel and the 1949 Screen Play 12'O CLOCK HIGH. This book is excellent.

Lt.Col.Beirne Lay, Jr. USAAF flew B-17 combat missions in the European Theatre in World War II. He created the 918th Bomb Group by putting together his unit the 91st Bomb Group and the 8th Air Force. Brig. Gen. Frank Savage was based on the real Brig. Gen. Frank Armstrong. After World War II Lay and writer Sy Barlett wrote the novel and the 1949 Screen Play 12'O CLOCK HIGH. This book is excellent.

This is a legit, professional product. If you're purchasing this for either leisure or for study, you'll definitely be getting your money's worth. There's nothing wrong with those screenplays that they sell for a movie that is chock full of glossy, full-color photographs, but those publications change the layout of the script, which is another aspect of scriptwriting a student of that particular art needs to learn. The screenplay for "Batman Begins" has the complete script, a full storyboard collection, and interviews with the director and screenwriter of the film. Black and white. No frills. Professional. I highly recommend this product. You'll love it!

I've always found it fascinating on how they make movies nowadays. I've taken film classes, but it wanted to see the scripts that they use. This is the complete screenplay to the movie " Batman Begins." You not only can read the linings, but you can see how they decided to put together these scenes through the storyboards. This is an excellent item for any movie buff, or any butting filmmaker. It will give you an idea on how to start writing a screenplay, and you can go behind the scenes in see how they put together this blockbuster.

Batman begins is a awesome movie. Sweet special effects, very,very,very,very good actors, great storyline, some good princibles....ect. Don't even worry about rent'n it first, because if you like action, suspense, sweet special effects, and all that comes with a action movie, you might as well buy the dang thing!!! And you won't regret it!!! HIGHLY recommend this movie.

Being a huge Batman fan, I waited in anticipation for this movie to be released. I wasn't disappointed. After seeing it, David Goyer and Christopher Nolan have really "got" the whole idea of the myth that is the Batman.
They have stayed true to the Batman history, and have delivered what many believe to be the "ultimate comic book movie".
While probably not for the kids, this version of Batman is definately what this Bat-fan has been waiting for - tough, dark and intimidating.
This screenplay seems to reveal the original script that Goyer/Nolan pitched to Warner Bros. I say "seems to" because there are a few notable changes from the film version as released. I can only assume that Warner Bros changed certain areas to ensure that the film recevied a PG13+ rating in the US, while here in Australia it received a M15+.
Without giving too much away, the script as presented in this book has a darker edge to certain scenes, and in my opinion, is exactly how the movie should have been done.
I rate this as 5 stars based on the way Goyer and Nolan have finally portrayed the Batman as he was meant to be.
I only hope that Warner Bros can secure both Nolan and Goyer for the sequel.

This is actually a "proper" book, not a money grab replete with pictures and a few snatches of dialougue here and there.

It is the *full* screen play and shooting script, with story boards.

The book also contains interviews with Christopher Nolan and David Goyer who give insight into what they wanted to achieve and how they see the character. I found it interesting how they both mention that the first four films was not how they saw Batman. And they wanted to show a Batman more reminiscent to the character who actually shows up in the comic book. They also wanted to keep the film grounded in reality and hearken back to the grand epic films by directors such as David Lean and John Houston. Which they more than achieved. It is clear that both men took the film seriously and wanted to make a film that audiences would enjoy. Much to my pleasure.


This is a great book for those who loved Batman Begins. Or those who are interested in script writing.

Once again Charlotte saves my behind by keeping my kids busy through a chaotic weekend. With the latest book, we are actually stopping the kids from reading to go outside and play !

What's more is that Charlotte, the author actually emailed the kids !!!! Having been huge fans of Charlottes for years now, my kids went crazy when an email arrived from Sonic's Author. Charlotte thank you so much for paying attention to my kids -- The Best of Luck to You !!!!!

Sonic and Chris and the gang are on a super snowy planet, searching for another Chaos Emerald. Standing inn their way are the hilariously evil Dr. Eggman and his inept robot henchmen, Rouge, and the usual cast of Metarexes. The puns are marvelously awful ("there's no business like snow business" and "ice to meet you"), and the author really captures the excitment and action of the Sonic Series.

Veramente un bell libro. Lo consiglio a grandi e piccini , ben scritto . Non vedo l'ora che esca la versione Italiana.

I laughed. I cried. And then I laughed some more and peed a little. It was a movie that came to life right in front of me!

much better than that ice-laden James Bond movie with the bad theme song...

Beauty and the beast is a wonderful story where a unique twist in fairytales comes to play. Most fairytales of this era portrayed women as inferior characters that are weak, stupid and easily manipulated by male characters in the story, but beauty and the beast is just the opposite, where the woman,(Beauty), is smart, intellegent and strong. This story gives young children good values, such as beauty is on the inside and not the outside, not to judge a book by it's cover, and that women are a strong and equal counterpart in society.

Beauty and the Beast is a great story about a girl named Belle who lives with her father Maurice who was an inventor. When one night Maurice gets lost and ends up at this castle and what he doesn't know is that a beast lives there. I liked this story because it's very entertaining and interesting. A good part in the story was when Belle made the decision to live with the Beast. The lesson this book gives is don't judge anything by its appearance, it might be something completely different on the inside. The age level for this book would be ages 4 and up.

I love this book! Even though I am in the seventh grade,I read the book all the time, and all the other classics Disney makes.Fairytales-I love them especially when everything come out great! Buy this book well it last cause it is sure worth it! ô¿ô @-}--

This book is a classic tale of love and devotion. Belle gives up her freedom for her father, and is willing to do it again for the Beast whom she once hated. A woderful retelling of the French folktale.

Walt Disney?s Beauty and the Beast Read-Aloud storybook is one of the best I?ve seen. Not too long and not too short ? this story is great to read at bedtime or anytime. Illustrations are taken directly from the Disney movie. My preschooler and toddler love the enchanted objects in the castle (especially when I try to sing ?Be Our Guest?). I love the message is presents ? loving someone for his inner beauty. I highly recommend it for little princesses ? and princes - everywhere.

this book runs the gamut from joyous hedonism to the extreme visciousness of humankind. I cannot remember the last time I was so emotionally drawn in and captivated by such intelligent, breathing, living characters. This book is a powerful must read for anyone concerned with what makes humanity tick, and the absolute evil that seems so inherently possible. A love story that trancends all generations. This is proof that the human will is a miraculous thing.

Bent is a powerful play about the treatment of gays during the years that the Nazi powers controlled Germany. The play starts with two lovers who are arrested and sent to a concentration camp. There, one of the lovers dies. The survivor however continues to cling to an existence and meets another gay prisoner. They move rocks back and forth across a courtyard all day. The men fall in love, despite the fact that they are in a hopeless situation and are constantly guarded and watched as they gradually starve and are worked to death. The play shows us that love may emerge from the human spirit in even the most bleak of times and places. This drama is well written and very moving. It is an important piece of gay literature, dramatizing a terrible chapter in gay history that is often forgotten and hidden.

This is probably one of the most important plays I have ever read. It is just about love surviving in the harshest of places. Don't believe the other review about the characters not being developed enough. They are. And the play is amazing. I understand the importance of it in gay literature, but that is not the reason that I feel its important. I just think it needs to be read. The idea that we can tell a person not to love FOR ANY REASON is unnacceptable. Just read it. It may change your life.

If i could give it more stars i would. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to be a part of a production of this play. Everyone in the world knows of the treatment of the Jews in concentration camps during WWII. Little is known, however, of the treatment of homosexuals that lived and died next to Jews, political prisoners and criminals in these death camps. Martin Sherman sheds light onto this subject in this very chilling and in your face tale of love between two homosexuals in Dachau. You must read this play. It is very powerful and moving. It, along with the documentary Paragraph 175, has changed my life and the way I view alternative lifestyles past and present.
Do yourself a favor and buy this play. You won't regret it.

I enjoyed this play but I found it hard to feel much emotion for the characters because they were not developed enough in my opinion. The persecution of any group of people, whether Jewish, Gay, Gypsy, or others.. is horrible and should never be condoned. I am glad that this play was written. It sheds some light, however small, on the treatment of Gays by Nazis. More should be written on this topic!

This was the first scriptbook I bought and I was really excited to read it. Some of the dialouge was wrong but most of it was correct. The episodes were spectacular and immediatly I got my freinds togethar and we acted it out.

Its been about 3 months and my script book is starting to curl at the ends. :( But thats alright because its still in good condition .... I dont know why I'm telling you this ...

If you love to act this is for you!! This is ALL SCRIPT!! Unlike, Once More With Feeling -- this is a bit of a better buy. :)

This was the first Buffy script book I ever bought and I thought it was pretty good. I could now act it out with my friends (I was always Buffy he he ) and stuff. The only problem was that it was the original script and some of the dialouge wasn't right. (as you will see with all the other Buffy scripts) but I think its totally worth your money!! Its brilliant! Awesome! Amazing! You'll capture Buffy, Drusilla, Spike, Angel, Kendra, Willow, Xander and GILES' humor, peronsality and everything that makes Buffy great!! BUY IT BEFORE THE RUN OUT!! ITS THE BEST!!!

Although BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER had been a first rate show from its inception, it was during the shows based upon the scripts that it started moving towards something approaching genuine greatness. Before these shows, it had been a superb series, but after these it became something considerably more. The most unbelievable thing is that as great as these six episodes (well, five of them anyway) are, the ones following were even greater, so great as to place Buffy among the greatest shows in the history of the genre, and arguably the greatest. The two episodes following these six would be ?Surprise? and ?Innocence,? and from that moment on Buffy would exist on an artistic level unmatched on television.

?Lie to Me? was written by Joss Whedon, and as fine as many previous shows had been, it is one of the first truly great moments in the series. Billy Fordham, played by Jason Behr (who would shortly after this achieve television stardom playing an alien in ROSEWELL), an ex-boyfriend of Buffy?s from L.A., shows up unexpectedly in Sunnydale. Eventually we learn that he is, in fact, dying, and has cut a deal with Spike and his crew to turn the Slayer over to them in exchange for being made a vampire. The episode has many funny moments (such as when Angel, Xander, and Willow go to a faux vampire club, and Angel remarks that none of them know anything about vampires, including how they dress, when a wannabe walks by dressed exactly like Angel), but even more poignant moments, like when Ford explains to Buffy his reasons for betraying her.

?The Dark Age? was written by Dean Batali and Rob DesHotel, who co-wrote a number a number of episodes of Buffy during the first two seasons. This is the best script they produced. Ethan Rayne, to whom we were introduced in ?Halloween,? makes his second appearance in the series. By far the most interesting aspect of the show is the way that we manage to learn more about Giles background, all the way to learning that his former mates had called him ?Ripper.? I enjoyed the few episodes that featured Ethan Rayne, and was always perplexed that he appeared in only four shows??Halloween? and this episode in Season Two, ?Band Candy? in Season Three, and ?A New Man? in Season Four. There was talk on a couple of occasions of Anthony Stewart Head doing a show set in England based on ?Ripper,? and if he had, I?m sure Robin Sachs would have been his ?Lex Luthor.?

?What?s My Line?? is a phenomenal two parter, and is notable not merely for introducing Kendra, the second slayer, but for the writing debut of the great Marti Noxon, who would become one of the greatest writers in the run of the show as well as co-executive producer, eventually running things when Joss Whedon ceased the day-to-day overseeing of the show. She co-wrote the first half with Howard Gordon, and then wrote the second by herself. One of the major themes of Buffy during the first two seasons was her hesitancy to embrace her calling as slayer. Although she wouldn?t fully accept the role until the first show of the third season (?Anne?), these two episodes stress her reluctance to be the Slayer more than any other shows prior to them (and even after ?Anne,? although she has accepted who she is, she struggles against her fate). These are exceptionally well-written shows, and one can engage in endless discussion the Kendra/Buffy relationship. Kendra, unlike Buffy, has completely accepted her fate, and while Buffy can never be like Kendra, she does learn from her to accept her calling.

?Ted? (written by David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon) is not as strong on paper as it ended up being onscreen. Although it is a first rate script, John Ritter absolutely nailed the part of the psychotic robot Ted, and turned in one of the most memorable guest appearances in the entire history of the show. This is the episode that contains Giles famous quote about subtext rapidly becoming text. No other show in the history of TV has ever contained lines as clever as that one.

?Bad Eggs? was Marti Noxon?s third contribution to the show, and unfortunately perhaps the weakest script she ever did. One of the most amazing thing about the Second Season is that while the strong episodes established it as one of the great shows in the history of television, it nonetheless had a surprising number of pretty rotten episodes. Also, some of the strongest shows are preceded by the weakest. Just as ?Becoming? would later be preceded by ?Go Fish,? so ?Surprise? is preceded by ?Bad Eggs.? This might be an accident, but I doubt it. I suspect they realized it was a weak script, and wrapped the season-long story arcs around it. After this season, each season had considerably fewer weak episodes.

These six scripts show Buffy, which was already a very good show, in the process of becoming a great one. The scripts that immediately follow the ones in this collection are arguably as strong a group of scripts as any show in the history of television.

This book is great for fans who haven't seen the first six episodes of the second season. It gives the lines and stage directions to them so you feel like you've seen the actual episode. It even includes scenes which may have been removed from the original episode.

This book chronicles the first arrival of Spike, whom is now an important character. It also has "Halloween" which includes some funny stage directions from Joss Whedon.

If you haven't seen the beginning of the second season of Buffy or if you want in-depth information on the episodes' scripts, you should definately buy this book.

I happen to like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I love reading through the scripts when I'm bored with watching the same episodes over and over. Its just nice to be able to read.

What's more fun than firefighters, trucks, lots of action, and absolutely anything produced by Richard Scarry?

The children in your circle will adore this fun book, that has absolutely everything to keep their attention through multiple, enjoyable reads!

You can't go wrong with this one!

First off, this is a Richard Scarry book, so your child is definitely going to love it. Plus it's about fire engines, so it's everything a busy little reader could want!

This book is wonderful for children. I think that all Richard Scarry books are great for children

This book is full of vehicles, real and imaginary, my son loves anything that goes! Mr. Frumble's many accidents always makes us both laugh. The action always makes him excited too. I'm not a good writer, all I can say is my son's first exclamation was from this book "oh dear". I've read it so many times now that he and I both have memorized it!

An entertaining account of Busytown's four firefighters. The firefighting pigs save the town from the dangers of fire (and in some cases from themselves). Filled with Scary's action-packed, humorous drawings. A very fun book.

I love this book and I'm so glad I found it again.I had one when my son was little (18 now!) and we lost it so I was thrilled to find it on Amazon since I have a toddler once again!It's so sweet and the little rhyming page is adorable.Who doesn't love Kermit?

We tried for a long time to get our daughter to give up the bottle at nap time. Since she never took a pacifier or had a special toy or blanket, this was very hard for her to give up as it was her only "comfort" for nap times. She loved this book, having me read it to her again and again. We followed saying bye, bye to the bottle just like they did in the book - making an event of boxing them up and saying bye, bye. She felt very proud making the decision that she was a big girl and it made what had been a such a hard thing, much easier!

I bought this book for my daughter who is 191/2 months old. She was still taking a nightime bottle. The day this book came we read it several times. The next day I asked her if she was ready to say "Bye Bye Bottle" and she said she was. We packed up the bottles as Kermit does in the book and said bye bye to each one. She has not had a bottle in almost three weeks!

For a long time "Bye Bye Diapers" was my favorite Muppet Babies story (I could recite it in at least three languages) but this book has grown on me until it threatens to overtake that tale.

"Bottle" features Kermit, who--although Ms. Piggy would no doubt argue the point--has always been the leader of the late Jim Henson's muppets. Kermit loves his bottle, and although the motivation seems a bit shallow, he has an epithany of sorts midway through the book and decides to try drinking from a glass. Realistically, it would be wise proceed slowly, perhaps moving up to a sippy cup, but of course Kermit is a dreamer and, by the end of the story, imagines that soon he will be drinking from any cup he chooses. Don't each of us have these kinds of simple, distilled dreams? When I think of my own personal quest to become a top-ranked reviewer at ..............--how impossible that seems at times, particularly since my reviews don't seem to get published--the story of the little frog who dares to dream of drinking like a grownup never fails to inspire me to charge on toward that distant horizon!

I bought this book and read it to my 26 month old daughter. She only took a bottle at night and I told her she was a big girl now and she needed to say bye bye to the bottle. I read her this book twice and handed her a bottle of water instead of milk and she looked at me and I said bye bye bottle. She said bye bye and has never had one since that night. It was so easy I wish I had done it long ago. Now she even sleeps all night!