Television Books

I got this as a gift. It has great coverage of a whole lot of the popular characters. Also has step by step drawings for many of the favorites. If you know someone who is into drawing, and enjoys the Simpsons, it is highly recommended.

My husband and I grew up watching the Simpsons, so when this book came out my husband was very interested in it. I got it for Christmas for him. He was very happy to see how many characters they show you how to draw, and how detailed the pictures are.
This is very good buy for a Simpsons fan, or someone interested in learning to draw.

Very well written and illustrated, Very easy to follow the instructions and get first class results. I bought it as a gift for my eight year old nephew and now he's ready to start illustrating for the TV show ... well not quite But he's enjoying it. Five Star Product

Great book. So much fun for the weekend drawer. Could have more information/fun facts. But still, great book.

This is a really good book! If you love the art of The Simpsons, ever wondered how they are made? This book is for you. It is that very well made that it even seems easy to draw them!

Every recipe I have made from this book has never ceased to amaze me and those I serve it to for unique and amazing flavor. The ensalada de orzo diablo is amazing - I make it often and it is received with enthusiasm and even those unsure who may take a little at first (even if to be polite) come back for a big second serving. Don't forget to try the chinese asparagus salad, it's so good!

I collect cookbooks, and many I have never used, or barely used; this book however is well loved, is used frequently, and has the splatter marks to prove it!

I had some time to kill while waiting for a flight to take off from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. I started looking at some cookbooks, and this offering from Mad Coyote Joe was displayed prominently. Once you flip through this book, it's as good as bought!

MCJ is upfront about his background - he's not a trained cook, but he loves the food he makes, knows it backwards and forwards, and has a passion for letting others know about how to make the stuff he loves. Most importantly, the language he uses is clear and concise and is therefore accessible to all levels of readers, including those like me who have to ask our spouses where they keep the butter.

The recipe for Joe's 'Two-Chile Salsa' is alone worth the price of admission. This is the type of dish you bring to a gathering and as the guests gorge themselves you're bound to get an incredulous "*you* made this?"-type of reaction.

I live in arizona and make sure to watch the "sonoran grill" on tv everyday. Sorry to those of you outside the arizona area. I dont believe they broadcast anywhere else. Mad coyote joe lives in cavecreek arizona with his wife and children and hosts this great cooking show from his own backyard while throwing scraps at his yellow lab. He is the top authority on everything sonoran. This book is full of his best recipes for fresh,hommade salsa.BBQ rubs and anything else grilled. If you like the flavor of the southwest you'll love this book even if you dont know the show!

I have tried most of the recipes in this book, and have repeated many of them over and over again. I have not tried one yet that was not a big hit with the family and friends, all of which are southwestern cuisine fans. The instructions are vague, but I was curiously complimented that Mad Coyote thought I already knew the basics. The flavors from each of the recipes (ie: Black Bean/White Corn Salad and Gazpacho Soup) are outstanding. A great way to impress any dinner party guest.

Mad Coyote Joe hosts "The Sonoran Grill", a popular television cooking show and in this superb regional cookbook showcases 130 of his favorite recipes featuring a Southwestern touch. From Posole (a classic American Indian soup), to Chile Rellenos (a delicious Mexican dish), to Habanero-Lime Butter (perfect for vegetables, potatoes, grilled fish and pork), to Sonoran Mesquite-Smoked Brisket (a true Sonoran dish with a twist!), The Sonoran Grill offers the best of the Southwest suited for transforming even the most novice kitchen cook into a skilled grilling expert!

Very satisfied with product purchased from this seller. Fast delivery, honest description of product per seller and packaging was great. I bought this book for my husband and he enjoyed reading it. Thank you!

"Unfinished Business" by Ralph Heibutzki is a great read and provides great insight into the life of a not-so-well-known American guitarist. I was a fan of Danny Gatton before his untimely death and own 8 CDs by him. After reading Ralph's book, I ordered the other half of Gatton's canon (8 CDs and an instructional DVD) including a live soundboard recording by Evan Johns from the period when Danny was playing with Evan.

As I was one that always wondered what would cause a "normal" guy like Danny to take his life, on the heels of Roy Buchanan taking his own life, the book provided much insight into those dark days. It also provided insight into his glory days, his love of classic cars, and his struggles with the music industry.

The book was so captivating that I took it everywhere with me. I doing so, many folks inquired about it ... and more people in my town knew of Danny than I ever imagined. One friend was so impressed with my overview of the book, he requested to read it when I finished with it. Because I want to keep my signed copy intact, I'm buying him a copy as a gift.

If you have any interest in Danny Gatton or any interest in an amazing American guitar hero, "Unfinished Business" is his story.

The book reinvigorated my interest in DG. I had a couple cds of his and knew him to be a hot shot guitarist, but never concentrated much focused listening time on his music. Reading the book has gotten me on a DG binge, and I've picked up a few more cds and some live recordings (Fat Boys 1974!) and have listened alot more closely. Before reading this book, I didn't know about his death or anything about any interfamilial squabbles, but the author presented them very even-handedly. I knew Gatton was a well respected and influential guitarist but I was still surprised to read about some of the other musicians who were influenced by or impressed by his music. And being a guitar player myself (big surprise) I feel motivated to try to learn a lick or two of his myself. Thanks for the great book!

As a musician, I was very fortunate to know Danny personally as he played in one of his earliest DC bands with my uncle, Rick Harmel. I recall that he took time to show me a few practice scales almost everytime I ran into him - no matter how busy he appeeared - and he was a warm-hearted, generous guy to the core.

This book balances the abrupt, tragic end of Danny's life with the highs and motivations that made Gatton a player's player. It also spotlights many of the people (like Arlen Roth) that contributed their loyalty and friendship to Danny. Thank you Ralph for a great homage and superb, thorough account of the life of the Master of the Telecaster. A "must read" for all guitarists - and anyone else who enjoys a moving account of an accomplished human being.

The other reviewers have discussed the merits of Danny's playing, so I will mostly stick to extolling the book. Heibutzki talked to just about everybody, and found most if not all of the print material and used this in his thoughtful, comprehensive biography.
As an interviewer, the author got his subjects to open up, and what they say frequently tells as much about themselves as about Danny. As a consequence, the reader gets a sense of the mileau of clubs, studios, band and record label politics, and Washington DC and Southern Maryland music and lifestyle from the 60's to the 90's. A great deal of attention is paid to Danny's interest in cars, and his family life, as well as his early days gigging in various teenage bands and with Liz Meyer & Friends before he became "unfamous".
Also, the book comes with a bibliography and discography, as well as a useful index, showing the author's almost academic thoroughness.

Here is someone who took something ugly and painful and created some of the most beautiful and funny moments in entertainment history. He's made us all feel better about our imperfect childhoods and our questionable families but he's also got a lot of supportive people rallying around him and hoping the rest of his life is never ugly or painful again.

This is one of the most realistic autobiographies I have ever read. George Lopez is human, funny, nostalgic, sad, and creative. The more I learn about his life and his success, the more I believe in the power of the human spirit. Spellbinding from the first to the last page, I learned to appreciate the long and winding road to success. More George Lopez, please!

I have to comment in regards to the reader who said that George Lopez is not Mexican...he is Mexican in the sense that I am Italian...it's in my blood. Is there anything wrong with his being a proud American? Why shouldn't he embrace that part of himself? As he said himself, it is Americans who buy his tickets and watch his program and 90% of them happen to be white. George Lopez is obviously very proud of his accomplishments, his Mexican heritage and his American citizenship that was his birthright. We love you George Lopez.....never change....never become leary of your loyal audience the way that so many comedians end up becoming...and always know that when we are not laughing WITH you, that we are crying WITH you! I know, huh!

I was moved by his difficult upbrings and how he fought back. I couldn't stop laughing when he talked about the mexican culture and their strange habits & sayings, because I could definitely relate being mexican myself.

I love this book. Not only did the book help me understand his comedy even more but I was was able to relate to him more now than before I read his book.

On top of him giving us a look into what his life was truly like he still made me laugh with his excerps.

When a few friends and I decided to explore commercial acting, we needed a roadmap. This book is it! There are a lot of acting books out there, but Stuart's stands out by explaining the process of breaking into commercials from the ground up without talking down to his reader. Concise, highly readable, and, most importantly, backed by Stuart's knowledge as both a working actor and casting director, this book teaches you how to be a professional and hit the ground running in a very competitive business.

This book is short and to the point. Sometimes when people write these kind of books, they elabroate forever. Not this one. There's not a lot of wordy explanations. I appreciate that. Info very precise with good advice and techniques pertaining specifically to commercials. Stone not only deals with the audition process, he helps you avoid making mistakes and falling for scams as well as showing how to market yourself.
I have not seen a more detailed or informative book on the subject.

This book is very short and the information is very general. Only a few things pertained specifically to commercials at all. There are much more detailed and informative books out there.

I read Stuart's book and became so motivated to get out and start making things happen for myself with reagards to my acting career. He give excellant advice on what to do and how to do it. Anyone reading this book, will not want to put it down. It truly is the best book ever!

Industry Insight - "Acting Out"
By Holdon Log, LLC

If you are looking to work as a successful actor in commercials, or perhaps you already are and are in need of a brush up, we'd like to point you in the direction of Acting Out written by Stuart Stone, CCDA (Commercial Casting Directors Association) and Clio Award winner and Dennis Bailey.

If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Stuart at an audition or in a class, reading the book he co-authored, Acting Out, will offer you guidance and give you insight on what is expected before, during and after a successful audition. More importantly, as mentioned on Stuart's Web site (www.CommercialActing.Info) is how to "turn callbacks into bookings."

Several of us at Holdon Log (from all different backgrounds and at various stages in our commercial acting pursuits) recently read Acting Out and we agree that more Industry mysteries had been revealed, explained better and reinforced while turning the pages of this easy-to-read guide book complete with cleverly depicted moments that happen in real commercial casting sessions.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Before Meeting A Prospective Commercial Agent:

"When you get an appointment with an agent you should call and confirm the night before, for a morning appointment, and the morning of, for an afternoon appointment. This effort will show them you are responsible. Many actors forget the business part of the equation; your professionalism will set you apart from the actor wannabees. Dress like you would on a general commercial call-with a leaning towards upscale casual. Avoid perfumes or colognes. Bring an up-to-date picture and resume with you. If you have a demo reel of your commercials, bring that as well. Arrive twenty minutes early to secure a parking space and find the office. Do not be late. And call if you have any problem keeping your appointment. The agent is taking time from his or her busy schedule to meet with you. DO NOT keep them waiting."




While Preparing For Your Photo Shoot & What To Look For While Selecting Your Headshots:

"The most important thing to remember is this: You want your picture to look like you do when you walk into any given audition. We can't stress that enough, so we're going to repeat it. You want your picture to look like you do when you walk into any given audition at any time. Not how you'd like to look after a visit to the plastic surgeon, not how your mother tells you how you look when she pinches your cheek, but how you really look."


During The Commercial Audition:

"It is imperative that you establish a beginning, middle and an end to your actions. This is a hard and fast rule in approaching any type of audition. You are, in a sense, performing a complete, short scene for the camera."



"While working, whether alone or with a partner, do not memorize the lines. Fully familiarize yourself, stick an operative phrase or two in your head, but do not commit the pages to memory. Unlike a theatrical audition where you have leeway to rehearse and memorize, the time you have with commercial copy is minimal. Most actors try to impress the casting director by having the dialogue memorized but they end up trying to remember the copy and are not able to act at all. They end up leaving the acting out, which is 50% of the work. Once in the audition room there will be a cue card with the copy clearly printed in bold magic marker situated on and easel next to the camera. Use it. If you memorize the copy, it's almost impossible to use the cue cards to help you out if you forget memorized lines. Instead, develop the skill of cue card reading."


During The Callback:

"No matter how many people are crowded into the room, focus your attention on the director. He or she is in charge this time around."

"It is generally important to wear the same clothes and hairstyle you did on the original call. (Click Here To View An ActorTrack Software Tip) "



When You've Worked The Job You've Booked...Before You Go:

"Then before you climb into your car, circle the set and thank everyone. Everyone. Not only is it just good manners-personal and professional-it is good business. Human nature being what it is, people like to work with actors they know are talented and personable...Kindness and integrity-as well as talent-are remembered."

[...]

All The Rage covers the different formats that Aaron McGruder's comic has undergone as it transitioned from a newpaper strip to animation. In this reviewer's humble opinion, some of his very best strips are included in this volume. I own all of the Boondocks books and this is by far my favorite.

I love the strip and I'm sad that it's over.
That being said, this pieces all the "best of" non-comic moments together. I read that it was 200+ pages, and thought, "Wow! That's a lot of comics!"
Well, the current comics comprise about 1/2 of the book, 1/4 goes to interviews, and 1/4 are "controversial" strips. Ooh, controversy!
These are great. If you have seen the first or second season of the shows, you will recognize some story arcs a little too well, even down to the line. Awesome.

All the Rage: The Boondocks Past and Present is more than just the latest collection of the politically charged, African-American culture-centric newspaper comic strip - it also gathers a massive assortment of interviews with comic creator, writer and cartoonist Aaron McGruder, and even prints some of the most controversial strips for the first time. Young, unsmiling radical leftist Huey gives his cynical take on everything from McDonald's ridiculous attempts to emulate hiphop culture to high-level political hypocrisy, while his gangsta-wannabe little brother Riley represents the aspect of modern rap culture that is blindly obsessed criminality: "Man, I'd never steal music off the internet... it's easier to just steal it from the store." No cow is too sacred in All the Rage; there are jabs galore for the more questionable aspects of black and white culture alike. The interviews reveal a passionate side to McGruder, embedded in his desire to do more than make his readers laugh; he also wants to make them think, and in that All the Rage is a resounding success. Highly recommended.

For any fan of Aaron McGruder or his 'Boondocks' series, this book should be at the top of your list. I've bought two copies for my daughters and need to buy one to keep for myself.
Not only are the drawings great, but McGruder's comments are invaluable in painting a good picture of the current political climate, especially the ways in which Freedom of
Speech rights are being violated and squelched. Please read this book (and his others) and save it to pass along to your descendants.

This is the final installment of McGruder's Boondocks comic strip. It's a bit weaker than the other two large volumes, but still very strong. There were some strips from the first collections scattered throughout, and not necessarily in order. That threw me off here and there. There's a large section of articles and interviews which are quite interesting. And finally there is an anticlimatic "controversy" section. We've seen these before and McGruder adds nothing new. Still, even though this is a weaker collection than we've seen before, it's still worth reading.

Great Book. It's a wonderful comparison of the manga and the Anime as well as a great reference for how each character is developed. Also makes a great picture book for my 2 year old. She sits with daddy and looks at the picturers.

This book has lots of interesting info on all the characters and enemies throughout the first part of this great anime/manga series Inuyasha. It has many full colored pages and director, voice actor,etc, commentary. It also features sketches of important characters and enemies in the series from Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku to Kaede, Seshomaru, Jaken, Yura, Mistress Centipede, and many others. I found the sketches useful for learning how to draw. Anyways, this is definetly a must have for all Inuyasha fans.

First of all, let me say my daughter is a complete InuYahsa addict. :) She loves the serial tale. That said, this book is marvelous! It has drawing examples, story snippets, voice character interviews.... very informative.

Beautifully colored drawings and detailed black and white work.

My only complaint refers to the hardbound version..... The spine of the book broke down the back very quickly and had to be taped. Otherwise the book is very well constructed.

Be aware the book is made to read from back to front in the typical Japanese manga manner. A little difficult for me, but my 9 year old daughter grasped the concept immediately....

Well worth the money for reference value alone.

Other reviewers have given accurate particulars about this volume, and I agree with their high ratings. This book is really a delight and a perfect way to spend a couple hours in Inuyasha bliss. I was incredibly impressed with the color panels from the manga, taken from Shonen Sunday Jump. The beautiful printing job brings out the quality of Takahashi's art, and I find myself going back and studying these pages again and again. There is also a nice section at the beginning (short but sweet) about the difference between manga and animation when it comes to storytelling techniques. As it's been said elsewhere in these reviews, if you're a fan of Inuyasha, this is a must-have. Keep in mind this isn't a voluminous book with tons of text ... you can read the whole thing in just two or three hours. But the art in it, and its A-plus presentation here, offers many more hours of enjoyment and you may, like me, find yourself returning to this book repeatedly and feeling like you've picked it up for the very first time. The art in it is that good.

I am actually over 13 years old , however I didnt want to give my email address out so I said I was younger. This is a great book. I bought it for my 16 year old son and he absolutely LOVES it. He is into drawing japanese animation and this book was a great inspiration. All of his friends who are mostly the same age want to get the book to. I did see it at Borders also , for the same price , and you dont have to pay shipping and handling charges, also you dont have to wait for it to show up. Borders also had a huge selection of other Inuyasha books and other Japanese animation characters.

Great recaps of the first season with brilliant photography, the best lines from each episode, and some fun behind the scenes info. I'm enough of a BONES junkie that I would buy one for each season!

ok, so I admit it, I am a diehard devoted fan to the Fox TV show Bones. This is an amazing guide/companion/keepsake book to the show. The quality is amazing, glossy full color pages all the way though and detailed glimpses into each episode and a breakdown of each season (season 1 and 2 so far). There's interviews and antidotes galore on the actors, creative behind the scenes of the making of the show. You can't go wrong by investing in the purchase of this book. It's inexpensive and high quality. I almost forgot to mention all those amazing photos of David Boreanaz also.

I bought this book, at first, just to read. But now I use it all the time when I'm watching Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD. It is very informative! A must-have for any Bones lover!

Can't wait for Season 3 to be released. Great going Amazcon. Service as always fantastic.

For anyone who is a fan of the TV shows Bones, this book is a must. There are lots of little anecdotes about the actors as well as information on each of the season one and season two episodes.

This book is a great insider's guide to the inner-workings of the Hollywood machine. I found it not only enlightening and helpful, but entertaining as well. The author often illustrates a point or principle with personal anecdotes that brings the issue to life. In fact, I wish he'd done this with virtually every subject he discussed. He also dwells heavily in the world of pitch meetings: how to get the meeting, how to prepare, what to do, even what to wear (not a suit) and how to sit (not on the couch if possible).

Lent goes into great detail on the function of all the major cogs in the movie-making wheel: producers, directors, actors, agents, managers, creative executives, and more. For those of us with a script to sell but little in the way of industry know-how this is an invaluable course.

On the downside, I'm sure most people reading this book are relatively new to the business and the first questions on their mind are: "Do I need an agent, and how do I get one?" Lent, in my opinion, wrote the book in the wrong order. I would have addressed this point up front, but instead you have to wait 123 pages for your answers. And it's not just burning curiosity that would serve this order, Lent often speaks about 'your agent' in the first 100 pages as if he's assuming you've got one and I don't think that's a fair assumption. My second fault with the book is his exceedinly sparse coverage of the screenwriting contest world. This is a vital topic for new screenwriters, one he devotes an astonishingly petite 4 pages to. The topic is well represented online, but we turn to Lent, again, for an insider's view on this milieu and are very disappointed with the lack of coverage.

Overall, a quick and easy read that provides loads of useful and applicable information.

First a disclosure - I am not a screenwriter. I am an avid reader. So the fact this book didn't thrill me may mean nothing. If you're in pursuit of this dream you may have the background to assess the advice proffered.

From purely a readers point of view I think the book could flow better. I have a keen interest in most things Hollywood, and those chapters dealing with Hollywood as town were intriguing. Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

I read this book expecting to find a lot of Hollywood gossip. Instead, it was a down to earth 'how to' guide for becoming a star-screenwriter.

Some of the suggestions are very specific to the industry. For example, how to decide when to move to Hollywood or how to get across the San Fernando valley for an interview when you don't own a car. Most of the advice is fairly general, though. Ben Franklin would approve.

The text is fast paced and entertaining. It doesn't quite read like a novel, but you will start watching for the author's name to appear on your local cinema.

Wow! Full of sound advice from experience. Michael Lent is clearly someone who pays attention to the whole process. The best part is he shares it with the rest of us! This book is fun to read from start to finish. Lent constantly encourages the reader (screenwriter) to adopt an attitude of, what I would call, "strategic humility" in their business dealings. How rare!!! This stuff helps in life too! I've never written a feature length screenplay, but I still found this book efficacious in learning the ins and outs of this goofy industry. And I know goofy - www.chrismundell.com

I'm on my third reading of Michael Lent's "Breakfast with Sharks" (2-7-05), and I highly this book to any screenwriter making serious go of trying to sell his/her work.

Micheal Lent doesn't make things up. His book is filled with real life "lived" experiences.

This book is a godsend if you've a written a screenplay and have started your foray into the next scary step-selling!! "Breakfast with Sharks" will help you disciminate information and buzzwords used at screenwrinting seminars and help decode the Hollywood Creative Directory.

My favorite section in the entire book is "Studio Notes: What They Are and How to Handle Them".

Overall a great book, insprationaly it ranks right up there with Karl Iglesias' "The 101 Habits of Hightly Successful Screenwriters".

- Review given by Eric C.Henrikson Febuary 7, 2005

This book is incredible. My class will be required to read it, learn it, live it! EVERY STUDENT SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO READ THIS BOOK.

It's conversational, practical, and not only do you get great advice from the authors, but from TV professionals all over the country.

Siegel and Weaver's book walks you through the entire process of finding an internship and then how to make the very best of the opportunity. Resumes, interviews, and successful phone manners are just a few of the many topics this book covers. After reading this book I found a great internship in LA and even was hired full time! Make sure to pick one up!

This book is a useful source for everyone in need of advice regarding interning in the media industry. From day one of looking for your dream internship Breaking Into Television holds your hand. This book guides you from the interview to your first day, and then into making your internship into a potential career. After reading this book you feel motivated and informed to become a "super intern".

If you are a college student majoring in television production, you know that internships are the only key to getting a career in the field. This book will be a vital asset to anyone fighting to secure an internship in the field of broadcasting.

While many of the suggestions on actions one should take and how one should behave were things I found to be common sense, it was reassuring to read them being suggested in this book, not only by the authors but by the countless TV professionals that they quoted throughout the book.

There were also several suggestions made that I wouldn't have thought of. I'm so glad that I read this book before I began my search for an internship. Now that I am in the middle of working as an intern for a local PBS station, I continue to find the book's suggestions helpful. I consult it every once in a while for new ideas.

Breaking into Televsion is one of the most useful books I have ever read. I just started an intership working for my local Senator. My friend who wants to get into television gave me this book to read before I started. Wow, this is great imformation! There is advice from just about everone in the television business who stated out as as interns. There is also advice from people who now are incharge of inters. If you are an intern or are planning on interning this is a very useful book.