Television Books

It's hard to find information on Pier Angeli so this book written by Jane Allen is a perfect source. I originally bought this book because I am a huge fan of James Dean and she is mentioned in so many of his biographies. After reading the chapter on him, I felt compelled to find out about what happened to her later on after his death. And it was not happy. I see Anna Maria Pierangeli as a young woman looking for love in all the wrong places and in the wrong people, hoping to recreate the security and comfort she had with her father who had died just as she reached stardom.

She was a misunderstood young woman who wasn't prepared for how big she was getting in the movie industry and who was too trusting, though this was not her fault but mainly part of her nature. She was a kind person who had a good heart and had the best intentions for those she cared about, especially her sons. But too many heartbreaks (the end of her relationship with James Dean, his death), failed marriages to Vic Damone and Armando Travajoli, the physical and mental abuse she endured from lovers she hoped to find companionship with, hoping that it would lead to some sort of happiness in the end.

All of this took over her life, thereby making her believe that she could not find the happiness she longed to have. This biography is very intimate and shows the readers a side of her that she desperately tried to hide away for fear of rejection, rejection that she frequently experienced. A lot is provided about her personal life, the betrayals, the never-ending events of unhappiness, disappointment, etc. It seems that life never really treated her fairly and during the times when it seemed that all was well, they were simply too good to be true and always came to a miserable end. I felt sympathy for her because of what she had to go through, an independent life which she desperately wanted when she was dating James Dean and when she got it, she found that she couldn't harness it herself, especially after James had died. All that she went through led to her untimely death, which was NOT suicide, apart from what fans and/or other biographers claim.

It hurts me to think of all her pain and misery, thinking that Jimmy Dean would have been heartbroken if he was watching over her after his death. It's true, she was a loving person even though at times she turned to alcohol and pills to relieve her of her pain, even if it was only temporary. She believed she could depend only on love to get her through, part of her idealistic life. But in the end, she could not have this. As true to the title of her biography, she did have a fragile life. I could not put the book down and page by page, I felt that I could relate to her, her emotions, her views, and her reasons for her actions which weren't in her best interest, though through no fault of her own but simply her misguidance by those who controlled her and her weakness to stand up for what she wanted, to be a non-conformist (an influence that Jimmy Dean had tried to help her to demonstrate).

After reading that Pier considered Jimmy to be her one true love, you start to think about what could have been between them had fate not intervened, leading up to his unexpected and sudden death. Pier went through many hardships, many that she should not have had to endure. Whether you are a James Dean fan or not, this book is a must-read, you won't be disappointed.

And I don't say that lightly. This is an incredible book for several reasons.

Information, especially good detailed information on Pier Angeli is quite hard to find and here is a whole book in English, just about Pier.
The book is well researched and is written in a warm , respectful tone towards its subject.
You don't always see that in a biography.
I also enjoyed the format and layout of the book. I thought it was done beautifully.It also had some photos of Pier I'd never seen before.

Most of all I was just grateful for an opportunity to find out more about Pier . And I was happy to see her story sympathetically told.Her story should be much more well known and she is sadly underrated as an actress.
I first heard of Pier because I am a huge fan of James Dean.
But I have became a fan of Pier in her own right.The book touched me deeply. I did not know that Pier had experienced so much unfairness and agony in her life, especially in her final years. I knew she had experienced some rough times throughout her life, but I did not half the things she had been through.I think Jimmy would be saddened to know all the pain that his "Annarella" has suffered.
Pier was a sensitive , fragile, unique woman and I relate to certain aspects of her character such as her oversensitivity and the part of her that never wanted to fully grow up and let go of the innocence and free spirit of childhood very much.
What happened to Pier was a tragedy.I still don't understand why the studios turned their backs on this beautiful , talented actress. That was a huge mistake because it cheated both Pier and her fans out of all the terrific work she was capable of doing.
If the major studios hadn't unfairly turned their backs on her , she would have had the lasting quality career she deserved.Her life would have probably have been different and she might even be alive today.Who knows?
I don't mean to make this book seem all negative because its not.Pier's story is a heartbreaking one thats for sure, but the book also celebrates the good things in her life-her beauty, her love and loyalty to family, her love for her children, her talent, her once luminous career.And the book also presents proof that Pier DID NOT commit suicide as is so wildly reported and believed.
I would recommend this book to any fans of Piers, any fan of classic Hollywood , its personalities and its darkside,and also to fans of James Dean. There is a chapter about her relationship with him and several mentions about him in the book.

My only possible complaint about the book is sometimes I feel the Author tried to insert her own speculations as to what Pier was thinking and feeling at certain moments, when nobody not even her family or friends could know that unless Pier came out and explicity told them, but I suppose thats common practice in a biography.
But it don't feel it takes away any from the high quality of the book.

Jane Allen, lets us all know the truth about how much Pier Angeli and James Dean really loved each other. The questionable paternity of one of her children. The shocking papers that were found in James Dean's Porche after his death. The eyewitnesses who saw the lengths each one had gone to to see each other. There has to be a movie made about this relationship that gets deeper into their rocky romance not just their intimate moments in Malibu at the beach house but their long talks. They had so many interests in common not just a loss of a parent which is what everyone who has seen the other television movies about James Dean have found out. Their love for each other was emphatic in every way. I know that they were reunited when she left this world, accidentally, as Jane Allen points out, on September 9th, 1971. This is a great book.

The only thing I have to negatively comment about is Jane Allen's belief that Pier wanted to be envied. Pier wanted to be adored by her fans. She always wanted praise but not envy.

this was a wonderful read, and beautiful written story of the life of the equally beautiful yet flawed pier angeli, i think the title was a bit misleading because i don't think pier was as fragile as the world thought she was, in the book i saw a woman who just didn't really have her piorites right and made bad decisions.the only thing i critize about the book is the book format, it's written as though you are reading a newspaper with very small print.

Information on Pier Angeli is hard to find; I'm so glad I found this book! Pier's story is wonderfully told - I simply could not put this book down. I highly recommend it!

Strouse is one of the most underrated composers of the American musical theatre. This is mostly due to the large number of failures he has been associated with. After reading his revealing memoir, it is easy to see why that happened. Strouse is singularly lacking in self esteem, and has been far too easily led, nor has he stood up for himself properly. This is a shame, because he wrote some of the best scores of the late twentieth century, including his masterpiece "Rags," a show that seems certain to be rediscovered one day and take it's place among the great ones.

Strouse promised a lot of "dirt" in this book, but I can't say it really delivers in that regard. Other than revealing that Arthur Laurents is an egomaniacal bastard (hardly a news flash) and that Strouse and Adams made a contribution to the development of "Hello, Dolly!," there isn't anything much along those lines.

One thing that emerges that is sort of surprising is how many close friends of Strouse's are gay; to the extent that it comes as a shock that he isn't gay himself! It is a testament to his open, accepting spirit.

It becomes very clear by book's end that Strouse suffers from chronic depression. One wonders why he isn't on medication for it. His creative output, despite that, is astounding.

I would have enjoyed more about Strouse's creative process, his aesthetic tastes, his opinions of the work of his contemporaries, and so on. The personal details are interesting, but after all, it is their work that fascinates us about these geniuses.

A fascinating autobiography of a genuinely 'nice' gentleman. Too often Strouse is left out in the panoply of great Broadway composers. As a (former) HS musical director, I conducted Annie, with with my staff on Birdie and the quality of the scores is beyond reproach. I remember the original Applause on Broadway; it's still one of my favorite scores. I enjoyed the 'backstage' chit-chat between producers, directors, and choreographers. It would have been wonderful to be a fly on the wall. My only disappointment is that I wanted to know how Lee Adams felt when Charles began collaborating with other lyricists. Highly recommended and a fast read!

What sets this autobiography of the great Broadway composer Charles Strouse apart from other "and then I wrote" memoirs, is that although Mr. Strouse gives plenty of fascinating info on the what, who and where of his career, his main focus is on how it felt to create those shows, work with those people, and live that life. So the reader is drawn in and effortlessly identifies with him, coming away with the experience of a life lived in musical theatre. The only curious element is that, although his portraits of famous collaborators like Arthur Laurents, Alan Jay Lerner and Sammy Davis, Jr. are quite vivid, we are left with only a shadowy outline of Lee Adams, who wrote the lyrics to many of his most famous shows, such as "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Applause."

A truly enjoyable and quick read. Many insights are offered into the world of Broadway musicals. Strouse reveals several things about himself that are very interesting. Some Broadway writers,producers, etc. really come off as horse's a---s. Like the bit where he ways he has made more money than he can spend. Was sorry that it wasn't longer!

A must-read for all fans of musical theatre, this heart-warming candid and funny autobiography provides a fascinating look into the world of showbusiness. Charles Strouse writes candidly about his ups-and-downs in showbusiness, the nagging insecurities that have followed him throughout his career and of course provides juicy tidbits about Teresa Stratas, Arthur Laurents, Leondard Bernstein and more.

I thought this book was very well done. Detaild information and is explained as if you have no idea about the process and job of a radio producer, which I didn't. This is a great explanation for anyone working in radio in any aspect.

I'm not really that familiar with radio production, but am more interested in the creative process in general, and I found this to be a worthwhile and engaging read. The writers are entertaining and personable, and make everything that they talk about exciting and interesting to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you listen to the radio and ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, this book is for you. The authors provide an often humorous description of the day to day activities that are done to bring the listener must-hear radio. Even the technical chapters were written in a way that somebody like me who has no connection to radio (other than listening) could understand and find interesting. Whether you are in the broadcasting field or just interested in radio, this book is well worth purchasing. The book was enjoyable to read and it gives the reader a new appreciation for what happens behind the scenes to bring the listener a good radio show.

I worked with John Swanson at WTMX for almost 2 years, though not along side of him. I read this book and learned an large amount of what a producer does. It helped me out in a college radio show I do. Since it's a small station we don't have producers, so it's up for the DJ to do everything. This book made it easy to understand what I need to do for a successful show.

I have nothing to do with radio and I stumbled across this book to get a peek into the world of radio production. If you want to get into radio in any capacity, this book paints a great picture of how good shows are put together day in and day out.

If you don't want to get into radio or if you do but you just can't seem to escape those golden handcuffs at Fargenflam Inc., then this book is still a good read. As Rick and John bring you deeper and deeper into their radio producing world, they share many stories that add humor and depth to the subject matter.

It's a good read. I liked it but I am sticking to the much simpler world of TV.

Randall Cross
MTV Networks

An absolutely fascinating book detailing all that happened in front of and behind the CBS cameras of the ill-fated Judy Garland Show. Also, every episode of the show is examined in detail, and the author takes a straight-down-the-middle approach to the book's subject matter.

Over the years I have read every book about JUDY and excluding the 'book' written by Mel Torme' many have been decent. But, not until this book has the talent, the class, the POWER that was JUDY GARLAND been properly conveyed!The book is informative about what went on in front of and behind the scenes of THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW. But also, it shows how at certain points JUDY wanted certain things done a certain way for a specific reason!!! Case in point, her singing 'THE BATTLE HYMM OF THE REPUBLIC'. She knew why it had to be done, she knew how it had to be done, and she knew that it had to be done!!!! AND SHE DID IT!!!! And what 'we' see on video during that performance is what JUDY was, is, and always will be!!! A performer who should have been left to do what she did-SING!And reading this book, you'll see why she is what she is, and how she got what will always be hers! LEGEND!!!!

The Judy Garland Show consisted of twenty-six shows that aired in the CBS Sunday night line up in the 1963-1964 season. The network considered it an immediate and expensive failure and the series was canceled as soon as contractual obligation allowed. Isolated exceptions aside, the series was neither syndicated nor re-run and, with the exception of various "art" screenings it seemed to vanish completely.

Nonetheless, The Judy Garland remains one of the single most discussed and written-about series in broadcast history. Garland biographies aside, it is inevitably touched upon--and often focused upon--in histories of broadcast television, where it is usually held up as an example of how even the greatest talents, biggest budgets, and best intentions can be exploded by mismanagement, network politics, and in some instances pure spite.

Two major publications have focused on the series. The first was the 1970 OVER THE RAINBOW WITH JUDY GARLAND ON THE DAWN PATROL by Mel Torme, the respected singer-songwriter-composer, who contracted to write and arrange special musical material and make three guest appearances during the first season. Torme places blame for the series' failure squarely upon the shoulders of Garland herself, painting a frightening portrait of a greatly talented but extremely unstable and often vicious star self-destructing through booze and pills and determined to drag all those around her down with her. Although denounced as grossly inaccurate by many associated with the series, it was for many years generally accepted as authoritative.

The second was 1990's RAINBOW'S END by Coyne Steven Sanders. Amassed from meticulous research and seventy-five interviews with individuals directly involved in the series, it explodes DAWN PATROL with the force of an atomic bomb. Sanders freely acknowledges that Garland was a tempestuous individual with profound chemical dependencies--but his interview subjects note that, far from being difficult, she actually withstood a great deal more unpleasantness from others than she actually caused herself.

What ultimately emerges is a story of Garland's mismanagement, first at the hands of agents Begelman and Fields, then at the hands of such employees as Mel Torme, but ultimately and most destructively at the hands of CBS executives James Aubrey and Hunt Stromberg--each with their own self-serving agendas and all determined to drain The Judy Garland Show to further them. It is also a story of great talents and opportunities simply thrown away.

With the advent of DVD, The Judy Garland Show at last began to reach a wide audience, and the actual product bears out Sanders' contentions. At its best, it was extraordinary, offering not only Garland very near the peak of her vocal talents, but a host of great performers that read like a Who's Who of 1960s show business--June Allyson, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Bobbin Darrin, Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee, Jane Powell, and Barbra Streisand, to name but the most obvious, most of whom Sanders interviews to great effect. But the program was "fiddled to death" by constant CBS reformatting, too often saddled with inept writing and insipid guest stars booked on studio demand, and ultimately unable to establish any consistent formula acceptable to both Garland and CBS.

According to Sanders, Garland did indeed spiral out of control toward the end of the series--but given the madhouse into which she was thrown it is amazing that she did not run screaming down the street at the very beginning. And, as Sanders so astutely points out, she has had the last laugh after all. Few series television programs of the early 1960s, including those that bested The Judy Garland show in ratings, have survived in the public memory. But The Judy Garland Show, for all its flaws and faults, seems to become more greatly respected with each passing year.

After reading Sander's meticulously documented assessment of The Judy Garland Show, you'll never again look at broadcast television with quite the same eye. Very strongly recommended, not only for Garland fans, but for any one with an interest in the medium.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Coyne Steven Sanders is, undeniably, _under_ the rainbow with this treatment of Ms. Judy Garland. In a good sense. First, one must respond to the treatment here of Micky Rooney, without whom we would still probably be responding to Ms. Garland in the same way. In the birth of the cliche, there is a moment when the idea itself is not a cliche but is instead an archetype. In this way cliches are to be honored as original ideas so fitting to such a large number of {events} that they become, through no fault of their own, a cliche. Sadly, this treatment of Micky Rooney in relation to Ms. Garland does not recognize the fact that Mr.Rooney was a cliche _from the beginning_. He personified the cliche by occupying one from the moment he embarked on his character--the same wide-eyed, over-eager, lifelessly hyperbolic grating dunce he dusted off every time the cameras were stupid enough to have him within their frame. If only Steven Sanders would have bitten into this none-too-tender tendril of the gas that was Micky Rooney! Instead, it is waived away like a bad odor that the reader imagined should have dissipated 5 minutes earlier. By failing to contextualize Ms. Garland within this necessary border, Coyne Steven Sanders renders a full quarter of this book into a wide pie of plums and pits; into a full line of outergarments best suited for intemperate climes. Three cheers for Coyne! Because, after all, this author is able to, in this book, show us why we should all, as I do, love Judy Garland with each breath we take. I love her. Yes. I love this book, and I love Judy Garland.

This book, which accompanies the box set (Vol 1) of Judy's TV series, is an invaluable resource for any serious Judy Garland fan. The writing is clear and concise, the approach is objective (but with great empathy for Judy), and the research conducted by the author is impressive. Until this book was written, the only documented history of this landmark TV show was the book written by Mel Torme, which was mean-spirited and by no means a balanced account of what really went on. Congratulations and much gratitude to Mr. Sanders for a very memorable read.

Buy this book right now. Even if you aren't interested in film. If you've ever walked by a poster advertising a film, buy this book. Why are you still reading this review? Why aren't you ordering this book? In fact, don't order it online here, run to your local Borders and pick it up right now. Hurry, it'll close soon! Well, okay, buy it online, but you'd better use overnight shipping! I'm warning you!!! Buy it.

Now!!!!!

"Saying that Jerry Ziesmer probably has delivered the greatest assistant director book ever written doesn't do it justice. His tales from the Kleig was in "Ready When You Are, Mr. Coppola, Mr. Spielberg, Mr. Crowe" are not only an insider-insider's look into what actually happens in the making of movies--from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" to "Apocalypse Now" to "Jerry Maguire"--but also a compendium of perceptive glimpses at the personalities and decision making by great filmmakers and actors across four decades. This book relates the biz and its lore with color, intimacy, candor and horse sense..."

An amazing inside story of filming with Frances Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Cameron Crowe told by their assistant director. The author relates the tales of filming "Apocalypse Now", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "Jerry Maguire", "Scarface" and so many others. A truly enjoyable book for the film professional or for those who just enjoy films.

Jerry Ziesmer tells the kind of inside stories you usually only hear (if you're lucky) over beers after shooting's wrapped for the day. Without ever whitewashing or pulling punches, he offers a thoughtful, compassionate perspective on the trials and tribulations that led to some of the greatest films of our day. This is simply one of the best books ever written on the nuts and bolts, the passions and personalities of filmmaking, period. Thanks Jerry.

Disclaimer--I know Jerry from working with him on the Director's Guild Council, and I have utmost respect for him as a professional filmmaker. But I never knew his talents extended to such cogent, fun-to-read, full-of-insight writing until reading this wonderful book. It combines the best of both worlds--the "inside baseball" stuff that pro's with years of experience will still find new and fresh and helpful to their work AND the "Hollywood" anecdotage that any fan of great movies and moviemakers will read with a chuckle and a tear and a lot of smiles. If you really want to go "Behind the scenes"--save the trip to Universal's tour and get this book instead. You'll learn a lot, and have a great, great time!

Although Stephen's writing style may make it difficult for the scholar to take him seriously (he sounds more like an Info-Age
geek than a academic), he presents some extrordinary ideas that shouldn't be ignored or overlooked. For example, his list of the new elements and principles of design spawned by Info-Age art
forms is revolutionary. A must read for the Info-Age artist,
art critic, social-critic, or art educator!

I read Stephen's last summer and I'm now rereading parts of it in preparation for using video in my classroom next Fall. There's no doubt what Stephen says is true. The role of the image can often be even more powerful than the word. For example, Henry Hampton's documentary, Eyes on the Prize, conveys much more emotionally and intellectually than any book on the Civil Rights Movement. Even the most prolific readers out there are moved by powerful motion pictures and documentaries. So far me Stephen's work is only a start in terms of examining what we can be done with visual communication, especially the video.

I teach a graduate design class, and this book is a great way to let students think about their role in the fast changing world of visual communications. Stephens has a great way of putting things in perspective, and notes that each fundamental change in communication has met with resistance, i.e. we still think of TV as the Boob Tube. When I read it a few years ago, it seemed so new--it's fun to see how his theories are quickly melding into our culture seamlessly. It's been an optional read for my students--now it's time to make it mandatory!

His take that nobody has really fully taken advantage of "the language" of video because it is still in its infancy was very interesting and supported pretty well in the book. However, I felt there has to be more to developing video than the fast cuts of Pellington who he so often refers to. Also, I felt he undervalued the contribution new media will have, choosing to encapsulate aspects of interactivity and other digital technologies under the umbrella term of "video." It seems if video is going to fulfill a new function in terms of its ability to change how we get information and even think, it will do so within the framework of digital media, in which video, still images and words can each co-exist seamlessly and utilize their particular strengths.

His ideas are intriguing and challenging and his clear writing style makes the book a very good read. Even with what I felt were the weaknesses mentioned above, his challenge to video to rise above what it is now is needed and will hopefully encourage even more people to experiment with what video can do.

With TV viewing increasing, it is no wonder more people depend on television than books or newspapers. Mr. Stephens states that the image has not conquered the word yet, it may not happen at all, but he fears it will. Eloquently written and researched, with an excellent chapter 'thinking "above the stream"' that includes director Mark Pellington (Arlington Road). This book is especially useful for journalism students.

This is a great book to have if you are a fan of Wes Anderson or of the film.

My favorite thing about this screenplay is being able to read scenes that did not end up in the movie or the deleted scenes. I would recommend this for any Royal Tenebaums or Wes Anderson fan.

It is the screenplay of the movie, the same one that should have won the Oscar this year. For people who haven't seen the movie, reading the screenplay first may not be such a great idea. I know this movie went over a lot of people's heads, and I'm not positive one can fully appreciate the story from just reading it. However, I definately recommend reading it after seeing the movie, there is so much great dialogue that is easily missed and a lot of subtle humor that is more obvious written on the page. This was one of the best movies of 2001 and the screenplay is a great way to appreciate it again while waiting for the dvd.

"The Royal Tenenbaums" is really a great and clever film. Although it's not really classified as a solid comedy, it had me laughing aloud from start to finish. Then again, I like that weird kind of humor. To me, it was just a great film that took chances. It wasn't out to win a popularity contest. Wes Anderson makes films the way he envisions them and the way he wants them to be.

The thing that stands out the most in "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the brilliant script that was written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson. The dialogue witty and realistic, and each character stands out and leaves an impression on us.

The story is about Royal Tenenbaum and his dysfunctional family. Him and his wife separated many years ago, but the divorce was never final. His wife, Etheline, kept the house and raised the children by herself. They each reached to fame in some way or another, but not without problems lurking about. After many years have passed, Royal finds out that Etheline has been asked to take somebody's hand in marriage. Royal comes up with a scheme on how to get himself back into the picture, bringing forth a crazy and unexpected family reunion like you have never seen.

With only set directions and dialogue, this reads more like a play. There are no camera angels, which is why it reads like a script for a play. You'll appreciate it more if you've seen the movie, but reading it is just as enriching and enjoyable to me. You get to relive your favorite moments and exchanges through words.

"The Royal Tenenbaums" by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson is a magnificent screenplay and can be enjoyed many times over. With great dialogue exchanges, characters, and out-of-control and unpredictable situations, this is a screenplay worth reading over and over again. A work of art, if you ask me.

Favorite line from the movie: "Anybody feel like grabbing a couple of burgers and hitting the cemetery?" - Royal Tenenbaum

I thought that the Royal Tenebaums was one of the best films I have seen this year, after what I thought had been a disasterous year of film making,it was a breath of fresh air, the only other two films I feel are on a level with it are Amelie and The Man who wasn't there!
From the very opening I wanted to go and see the film, with it's bright colours and quirky story line, the very advertisment had me drooling with delight.
I had mixed reviews from some of my friends, some thought it was boring, others hilarious, after going to see it with my brother and sister it was a unanimous decision, this film was AMAZING!
The plot itself was so simple, yet the characters made the film what it was, I absolutely loved Richie and I thought that Pagoda was brilliant, going to see this film has to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.

S Club 7 In Miami's Official Scrapbook is definitely a gem. I was expecting to recieve the book and see pictures and information about the show that I already knew. However, this book has tons and tons of pictures that I've never seen before! There's at least four pages simply devoted to pictures of the show in a really cute scrapbook style. Also, there are two pages devoted to each S Club 7 member telling a little bit about them. There's a couple of other pages that talk about the show's episodes and their summaries, what songs are performed on what episode, etc. All in all, this was an excellent buy and I only wish S Club's three other TV series were scrapbooked like this! I recommend this to anyone who loves S Club or their series Miami 7.

This is a really good book. It has 2 giant posters or S Club, behind the scenes of Miami 7 pictures, a guide to each member containing facts and a full biography page. In each 'Beginners Guide' there is a picture or a S Clubber. It also includes the story guide of the Miami series, along with many other posters it has quotes from the series, the S Club 7 lingo, it also has a whole other page of 25 facts, and a page of 'Classic Moments'. This book is loaded with information and pictures! Go and buy it.

Although this book doesn't really have that much info on the band, it has billions of pictures. There are several fold-out posters, losts of collages, and an episode guide, too.

Even though it's a bit old, every S Club fan should own this!

The S Club 7 has millions of pictures, good info about the band, and 2 great posters that I put on my locker @ school. The pictures are great, and for their birthday!! Happy reading!

This book is all about the show. It has lots of pictures. Even summeries of all the episodes with what songs were sung. This book is perfect for anyone who loved the series. Even comes with posters!

Some of the memories my wife and I have of catching fleeting glimpses of TBN and other Christian TV include bizarre moments like a female televangelist interviewing an armless woman...and asking her how she puts on her makeup; and Robert Tilton spouting out "Someone is called to give a million dollars to this ministry;don't think about it, don't pray about it...just call in!"...followed by a long outburst of tongues to confirm the word.

I have a hard time with many of these shows; but I have to dare to believe God is using some (all?) of them, even if...well, you know.

So I was thrilled to hear that one of my favorite Sarcastic Lutherans (check the author's blog name), and a brilliant thinker, had been asked to write a book about the experience of watching 24 hours of Christian television (in the company of some wonderful hand-picked friends)..TBN, to be exact.

I must have prayed for her the moment I heard she had the job.

As hilarious as the book is(it exceeded even my high expectations here), I found it not only appropriately respectful (some will disagree...maybe even the author!), but hugely helpful in many "serious" ways...
It is her humility ("I, too live in a lavish lifestyle funded by the giving of the faithful, and this realization is discomforting. It is undoubtedly the plank in my own eye" -p.67) and wit that grant her authority to note out loud and in public things any of us have noted privately,like:

"I'm fairly certain that the descriptor 'Christian' when applied to music and TV shows is not an indicator of theological content but instead points to what is absent:profanity, homosexuals, liberals, uncertainty--basically anything that would challenge a particular worldview."

One well-crafted subtheme: ,I must say Bolz-Weber's passing insights about "simulacra" (12, 56) or "hyperreality", which at first glance appear as easy jokes....are incredibly helpful. This is territory that Ian Robertson picks up regarding U2's intentionally ironic and subversive "Even Better Than The Real Thing"/ZOO TV era use of this method (Chapter 6 in the Mark A. Wrathrall edited "U2 and Philosophy").

And finally, how about this? At one point in the 24-hour marathon, a Christian celebrity "sits on a garish sofa talking about how Jesus is better than nightclubs, which is, of course, a false dichotomy. I believe in Jesus and nightclubs,or even Jesus in nightclubs, but that's another story" (133)

Or is it?
Maybe that point is the prophetic punch right through dichotomy to"real reality," and the very story, of this vital book...or the next one she will hopefully write.

Full review:

[...]

In her first book, Bolz-Weber does what some might consider impossible: she combines theological reflection, prosperity gospel, elevated caffeine and sugar levels, and the effects of sleep deprivation into something that is both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply thought-provoking. Assigned to watch 24 consecutive hours of programming on Trinity Broadcasting Network and reflect thereupon, she and her friends zero in on what makes much of this programming deeply disturbing. The book is worth the purchase price simply for the chapter subheadings, which had me laughing out loud. However, the book is not simply an exercise in skewering the deficiencies and excesses of the programming, although it does that superbly. Bolz-Weber is one of the rare individuals who is able to turn her laser-like gift for critical reflection back upon herself and her own tradition as well as toward the assigned target, and that is what makes the book so thought-provoking. This is not a book to be read once, but rather to be read once and then savored more deeply. Bolz-Weber raises questions that more liberal Christians need to consider, and takes us for a riotous journey along the way.

Nadia Bolz-Weber's first book, Salvation on the Small Screen?, is as provoking as it is gracious and as theological as it is humorous. Bolz-Weber and friends spent twenty-four hours straight watching Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in an experiment of theological and sociological reflection. Rooted deep in love for both Lutheran tradition and healthy cynicism, Bolz-Weber provides us with a play-by-play theological critique of TBN's television programming. Benny Hinn, Joel Olsteen, Paula White, the Crouch family and a myriad of Christian television shows are all rightfully questioned in their consumeristic dependency, theological shallowness and their all together sociological weirdness. While wildly entertaining to read Bolz-Weber's sarcastic, provoking responses, it is her gracious willingness to reflect deeply on her own tradition's weaknesses that really won me over. While at times I could not prevent myself from bursting out loud in laughter, it is the beautiful conversational approach to theology that left me refreshed. What is perhaps most surprising about this book, is its conclusion. Bolz-Weber's final arrival is her unapologetic and perhaps even less than hoped for claim: if God can work through me and my own tradition, in all its brokeness, then God must be able to work through TBN and the absurdity of evangelical TV programming. I'm with Nadia...as much as I don't want to admit it, that is the ever-widening embrace of the gospel!

- Timothy K. Snyder, curator, The Netzer Co-Op (Austin, Texas).



Timothy K. Snyder is pursuing the Bachelors of Arts degree in Theology (Dec. 2008) from Texas Lutheran University (Seguin, Texas) and is currently a graduate student at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota). He serves as Curator at The Netzer Co-Op, an emerging-missional community in the Lutheran (ELCA) tradition.

Both heady and down to earth, reverent and cynical, "Salvation on the Small Screen?" paints an ironic yet truthful picture of Christianity's struggle with its own self. Dark humor and cynicism meet humility and surprise in this work of the heart and intellect. Before the progressive, socially-conscious liberal left or the conservative, evangelical religious right can say that they have won this battle, Bolz-Weber stops them, and herself, in their tracks. As much a narrative as this is an introspection, Salvation is a worthy read, full of humor, irony, and of the "stuff" that keeps this world spinning. This is a must read for anyone wishing to be honest about and entertained by the current state of Christianity in the US and world. And the eggs...I'll take six!

I read about this book on a blog and decided to order it from Amazon. I was not disappointed. The author writes with wit, and the kind of humor that is lacking in today's writing. She also raises some very good questions that have needed to be raised.

What's more, and this is something you don't see every day, she writes with a humility that's brave enough to point out the "shortcomings" of her own traditions while analyzing others.

She articulated very well so many of the issues that I have had in the past with Church TV.

All in all, it was a very fresh approach. Humor, honesty, and humility. You don't often find those qualities successfully woven into one book.

The best book I have read in years.

Truly this author must be a sensual and extremely strong willed human being. Her unique style of writing makes the reader feel a personal involvement in her truly amazing life. This remarkable tale takes you back in time as you relive with her a life that is filled with drugs, sex, extortion, gambling, kidnapping, stalking, mental and physical abuse, and even more! Her strong will and love of life are all the tools she has to keep her alive. The book compels one to keep reading and is very difficult to put down. She blames no one for her misfortunes. She shows us that life is a learning experience. Her ability to convey her erotic experiences (with many famous rock stars and sport superstars) is done with a flare that brings the reader into her soul. Although she is the first to admit the mistakes she has made, she stands proud. She tells us, "If we cease to learn from experience, we might as well be dead".

Buy and read this book. It will make you cry, laugh, and experience remarkable feelings. I learned much as the writer helped me to understand my own views. She gives us a jolt of reality. In essence this woman shows us not to judge others without all the facts and even then to understand that there is always the unknown. I hope she writes another book (or has already done so). I would buy it in a flash!

This book takes you on an incedible journey in the author's life. You travel through time and witness the intoxicating events that keep you uncontrollably turning the pages. She brings you through the world of gambling, extortion, drugs, murder, stalking, mental and physical abuse. Even after she has been through what most of us could not live through, there is more. She becomes a stripper to survive and winds up having affairs with some very famous sports celebrities. This book is definately adult material.
...
This book is a must read for those who think that the light is difficult to see at the end of the tunnel. If miss Kert could have made it to the other side she gives insperation to all of us. BRAVO

thx to those who have reviewed my book and to those who may purchase it...this is my story....it is the story of a woman who had to keep fighting ...just to stay alive...i was kiddnapped, stalked, physically and mentally abused and that list goes on...the mountains that i climbed to get out of my situations are amazing to say the least... that as well as the complexity of my life story....and my reasons for writing this heart wrenching account of this captivating story....

if u have bought the book...or are contemplating buying it...please visit my wesite
http://www.cybertpi.com/daveda/

Speaking from personal experience, I was aghast at the review
from Lilgurl. She is in fact a little girl who could not understand the obstacles and malicious men her mother faced.
She turned her life around to become a dedicated mother to her 2 children.
This book is a life experience and those that are to young should not be permitted to read it, until they can fully comprehend, and not condemn their mother, but praise her for turning her life around.