Game Shows Books

This is by far the best book I've seen yet about how to succeed in the craft business. Caputo is a very good writer. This book is easy reading, so I was actually able to read it cover to cover (and enjoy it!).

It covers everything from market research, to show displays, to salesmanship. Very thorough and extremely helpful. My business is doing a lot better due to this book. If you are in the craft business, I'd highly recommend that you read this one!

As someone who is just starting out in the craft business, I can affirm that this book is a wonderful guide. If you are like me, you have always loved crafts, and most likely would never have started your own business if the product had been anything else. The business and marketing side can be scary to someone who has never done it before, not to mention more than a little confusing. I highly recommend this book as a follow up to Kathryn's other book, How to Start Making Money With Your Crafts, and as a precursor to some of the longer and more involved craft business books out there.

In her first book, Kathryn helps you develop and focus your product line. In this one, she takes your finished product and helps you market and support it. I found the chapters on market research, display construction, and salesmanship the most helpful of all. With pictures of real displays and selling environments on almost every page, the reader cannot help but come away with a bounty of ideas and plans for their own display.

Besides being informative, this book is easy to read and gives multiple real-life experiences in order to better connect to the reader. Both this and Kathryn's other book have really broken down the craft world for me, making it feel much clearer and giving me a real sense of control over my own success.

I finally found a book that was from a guys point of view. I enjoyed reading this book more than any of the others I've read. I looked forward to seeing more books from a guys point of view.

The best thing about this story is that the main character, Rob, is not a total pig. Sure, he falls head over heels for a girl because of her looks. Sure, he acts like a loser whenever he's within a 50 miles range. BUT(here's the catch) he's looking for Ms. Right and looks are not necessarily the only important thing: HAVING A FEW FUNCTIONING BRAIN CELLS IS ALSO A PLUS. Wow, what a man! Anyway, he and his friends take a sun-drenched vacation on a beach loaded with beautiful girls. 2 of his friends are the skirt-chasing (in this case bikini) types and his other friend is a love-sick, devoted boyfriend pining for his girl back home. Rob is the only sane one. Throughout the story, Rob suffers disaster after disaster on the "Beach Babes" dating show and it looks like things will never happen between him and his dream girl. The MOST CHEESY THING about this story is the inside cover. It is almost an indecent picture of a boy in a bathing suit and a girl wearing the skimpiest of bikinis! Hey, I thought this was a G-rated romance series! The best thing about this story was that it was written from a guy's point of view, Rob's. (And they say that women are hard to understand. Ha!

I think this book would be excellent for people who watch the program

If you like the show, you'll have a blast with this audio program!

As a fan of the NPR radio show, "Wait, wait, don't tell me," I had to get this book once they announced that it was in print. I read it over a period of two days, laughing and learning about some of the weird and odd news that don't always make the headlines. I've listened to the show for about a year now and I still intend on listening to it for years to come. I give it four out of five stars simply because the book isn't long enough. Maybe the "Wait, wait" staff should come out with a sequel in the next few years or so. ... You won't regret it.

This is a very funny book based on the radio show. I'm something of a trivia fan, and this book has some of the funniest and most entertaining trivia I've seen. The cover says, "Test your knowledge of narcissistic entertainers, stupid criminals, and windbag politicians." That was enough to get me to pick it up and take a look, and I was glad I did.

The book has trivia on other subjects besides the three main ones above. In fact there's quite a variety of stuff, so it's hard to summarize it, but I thought I'd at least mention a few things to give you some idea of what they're like:

A British spy manual during WWII recommended sneaking into German brothels and putting itching powder in the condoms.

Elvis offered to help President Nixon track down Communists and drug abusers.

Bob Dylan told the L.A. Times that he dislikes today's popular music so much that if he was coming of age today, he'd turn to architecture or mathematics instead of music.

Zsa Zsa Gabor once had an affair with Kemal Attaturk, the former president of Turkey, saying, "He dazzled me with his sexual prowess and seduced me with his perversion."

A species of ant belonging to the Camponotis genus can, when provoked, shake so violently that they explode, showering their enemies with sticky goo. They're able to do this because of a special gland that runs the length of the body.

There's even a funny piece of trivia about life in Antarctica. Condom machines were installed in the bathrooms at a research station on the Ross Ice Shelf. The owner of the vending machines said that, "It's pretty much a little village where everyone knows everyone, so if they walk into the loo to buy a condom it's a lot more confortable than going to the local shop and buying them where everyone knows what's going on."

More than 1500 people work at the station during the summer, compared to only 50 during the winter. So I guess most of the romantic dalliances (and condom sales) take place during the comparatively warm summer months. :-)

And lastly, for our almost as frigid neighbors to the north (having travelled around a lot of Canada myself), the Canadian Wildlife Service is worried about the increasing population of beavers and possible untoward encounters with tourists, campers, and park visitors. The Service issued a warning saying, "Beavers rear up on their hind legs and loudly hiss or growl before lunging forward to deliver extremely damaging bites." (The book then says the Service has advised Americans not to wear wood when travelling to Canada :-)).

Anyway, that should give you some idea of what the book is like. Overall, a very funny book that had me chuckling and laughing out loud more than any book I've had in quite a while.

In years past, I enjoyed a bit of Newhart. He was always a "clean" comic to the best of my knowledge. However, when he spoke of his time as a draftee during the Korean War and how he manipulated the system to avoid overseas duty, I was completely turned off and view the man in an entirely different light. Instead of cheering me up, it left me sad and even a little mad.

I bought this book for my mom and dad because besides Bob Newhart Jack Lemmon is there favorite. My father laughed so hard no sound was coming out of him. We were laughing hysterically just watching him. Get this book! It is a great book even if you're not even sure who Jack Lemmon is. You won't be sorry! The seller is amazing and stands by there product 100%.

While I don't read show biz biographies--heaven knows theres too many of them and those subjects are already over-idolized--I saw this one. Newhart has always been my favorite "clean" comic. That doesn't mean I don't like, say, Lenny Bruce. But, say, Eddie Murphy and George Carlin overdo the "let's be audacious" thing. Newhart doesn't need to do that.

What's more, I've always wanted to learn a little about what makes a comedian's mind tick. (Though Newhart explains in one chapter that if he sees another book on the science of comedy, he's going to "throw up.")

Actually, Newhart is quite eloquent. His vocabulary impressed me. There is, of course, name dropping, but it doesn't come across that way. He has a chapter, for example, on golf, those with whom he'd golf and witty anecdotes about other golfers, like Dean Martin--and an interesting story about Clark Gabel and Robert Wagner.

Interspersed with the biography are many of his bits. But he adds to them. Like I've always liked his "airline and stormdoor company" bit. He adds a little about the real flight, on a C47 with seats bolted down--when the aircraft did cargo flights the seats were taken out.

He does talk about both of his television shows. While I'm not a TV watcher and don't think I ever saw either of them all the way through, he even explains a little about how each show came about--and how his wife offered the plot of the finale of all of them.

Oh, and the one I "read" was an abridged, CD version. I couldn't imagine reading this, but Newhart read it with his usual, stammering version, part of his bit. (Indeed, he distinguishes at the beginning of the book between stammering, which he does, and stuttering.

Overall, it's a lot of fun. And you might even learn a little, about his background, about what makes things funny--and about the political correctness that pervades a bit too much of our society. (Yes, I even admit that!) As Newhart says, we need to laugh at ourselves too!

Being a long-time Bob Newhart fan I could hardly wait to buy this book. As would be expected, Bob tosses out his genteel type of humor in his telling. It's hard to put down.

Fun book, easy to pack. Better for someone old enough to remember Bob Newhart era of 60's, 70's & 80's!

Though I read this account two years ago, I still vividly recall of my impressions. This is not a book you soon forget. Though some say this is hype or improbable, I found it believable and think it was accurately written (however,I am sure certain details were left out). Mr. Barris makes no apologies for his behavior, which I found particularly interesting because to do what he did one would have to be able to be an emotionless sociopath or psychopath. He is obviously highly intelligent and for someone who created many of the game shows we still watch 40 years later, this was the ultimate game! Anyone who favors the genre of murder mysteries or finds True Crime intriguing, would not want to pass up this book. I also think those in law enforcement and the psychology professions would gain insight into the motivations of a hired killer.
If you enjoyed the movie, the book is much better!

Some fantasize what they would do if they win the lottery and some fantasize being a hitperson for the CIA.

One should most likely take this book with a few grains of salt. Even if it isn't true it is still entertaining. Quick reading.

I saw the movie "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" first and then I read the book. As interesting and well made as the movie is, the book is actually better. I was a regular viewer of Mr. Barris's television programs and watched them quite a bit when I was growing up along with millions of other boomers.

It is a strange leap from producing "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game" to being a contestant in Barris' real life version of "The Homicide Game." Yet, this is precisely what this story from Mr. Barris asks the reader to believe. Yet something in the back of my mind tells me that it is not actually all that difficult to imagine Mr. Barris actually saying, "And now here's a prize selected especially for you. It's a three-eighty hollow-point!"

I always thought Chuck Barris did not deserve all the vile and spiteful things that were said about him during his television producer days by critics and so-called media experts. He was just giving America what it wanted. Compared to the infantile sitcoms of the day, his game shows were far more mentally engaging. The first book I read by Barris was "The Game Show King: A Confession" and I was amazed at how well he wrote. But then again, this is a well educated, well traveled mature man who has lived life above and beyond the everyday Joe since 1965, so I should not have been as surprised as I was. "Game Show King" is a better insight into his complex and fascinating personality than "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and does not get into the CIA angle at all.

That Barris is just plain wired differently from normal people is obvious to anyone who ever saw "The Gong Show." However accepting that what he wrote in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" could all be true is certainly a stretch. Yet Mr. Barris is clever enough to make his story very convincing and extremely entertaining. There are very few clues here that he could be making the entire thing up, but they are there for informed readers. For only one example, he writes about CIA operations which happened in the USA. Of course, this is specifically forbidden by law and they simply wouldn't do that. They would get the FBI to do it. There are other very minor details that are also questionable.

The true mystery of this book and its sequel "Bad Grass Never Dies" isn't whether or not the CIA angle is true. The real mystery is that since Barris doesn't need the money why does he bother to write these books at all? As of yet his true motivation remains a mystery, but I wouldn't be surprised if his next book is about why he wrote the "Sunny Sixkiller" books. I've seen him interviewed and he's been extremely evasive when directly questioned on the story's validity. None the less, this is one very enjoyable book that I had trouble putting down and finished in no time flat. I was left wanting more. I really enjoy Barris's writing style. I think he could have been an everyman's Tom Clancy or Ian Fleming if he'd really wanted to be. Instead of carving a literary legacy for himself, he will be remembered primarily as "Chuckie-Baby" Barris, the apparently deranged master of disaster on "The Gong Show." This is a pity as he writes so well. The ending of this book is really very good. The ending of the film it is just not as good. I would have enjoyed reading an entire "Sunny Sixkiller" series if he had written one.

Very good and interesting but of course I am a Chuck Barris fan. It is especially interesting to read the book and see the movie in the same week. The BIG QUESTION of course is: is it true or another Barris Production? And reading the book will still keep you guessing. I have a BA degree in Psychology and JD degree in law and still I cannot figure out if it is fiction or non fiction - the only disappointment I had was (after reading his first book) I wanted this book to be longer AND I wanted updated material and to know more about Penny (his wife). I hope he writes again!

Forget whether or not it's real. It's a good yarn that is convincingly told. Funnily enough, the parts of the story that concentrate on his role as a CIA agent are probably less interesting than his life as a gameshow producer and his own inability to be content with anyone or anything.

The Big Question is a game show which airs in 2011. Contestants compete for the chance to answer a final question which if they answer it correctly will take all their problems away by making them one of the richest people in the world. Downside though is that if they get the question wrong, they are executed in prime time.

The Big Question you start asking yourself as start is why do new characters and their storylines keep getting introduced? As the number of characters grow and we keep jumping back and forth between storylines, and periods of time, it does become a little confusing as to whose life you're reading. However all these storylines do cross paths with one other at some time in the novel, and the majority of these characters want to be contestants in the final chapters when the actual Big Question Game show airs.

The majority of the characters are actually very interesting, as are there life stories. Many of these eccentric characters would not be out of place in a Bill Fitzhugh, Dave Barry or Carl Hiaasen novel. Some are a bit far fetched or a little unbelievable and the predictability of what will happen to them or which other character's storyline they are going to cross is also a factor. The book is a lot of fun though, but the actual percentage of pages revolving around the Big Question (or Death Game as its original creator called the pilot) would be 10% of the book at most.

Other similar death themed reality TV show books you might want to check out are Richard Bachman's (aka Stephen King) The Running Man and also The Long Walk. The Jason Strain by Christa Faust where death row inmates are put Survivor style on an island and have to battle each other to the death (and also surprise guest the captured Jason Vorhees) where the winner is granted life in jail also may appeal to fans of the lethal game show.

The Big Question is an enjoyable book, it basically a heap of different character driven storylines, but their lives are quite interesting to read about.

The Big Question is a plot vehicle to tell the intertwined stories of about a dozen characters who are desperate, unhappy, or just screwed up enough to try out for a game show where they may be killed. Those that meet do so in the green room at the broadcast. None is particularly likeable but many of them have some decent depth written into them.

It's not about the game, it's about the characters from varying walks of life whose lives have little meaning to them. And the ending delivers.

There is a lot outrageous humor and genuinely funny moments in Chuck Barris' THE BIG QUESTION, but don't mistake this satirical novel for lightweight entertainment. It is a dark view of American society and human nature using the game show as metaphor. And who better to explore that metaphor than Chuck Barris, one of the great innovators of the game show form. Barris not only knows television, but he also has a gift for creating vivid characters both sympathetic and reprehensible, and THE BIG QUESTION has a big cast. Barris is an author who both entertains and surprises the reader with his deftness in weaving comedy and tragedy together. I found the book to be a compelling page-turner which I could not put down during the final 40 pages as the story came to its shocking conclusion. I read THE BIG QUESTION while on a cruise, so I can highly recommend it as both well-done popular literature and a good vacation read.

I love The Big Question! Mr. Barris has a true talent for story telling and making his characters come to life. There were times, while reading this book, that I laughed out loud.

Chuck Barris is one of the best novelists in America today. I will buy every one of his books.

The Unicorns go on a game show called Best Friends,to show they are Best Friends,and They are competing with The 8 Times 8 Club.The 8 Times 8 Club is made up of all 8th Graders.

The Unicorn Club are all excited to take part in the BestFriends gameshow,in which they will answer questions about eachother,but when they fail miserably,they may never forgive eachother.

Although this book did show potential, it lacked material that would have helped me read it faster. It was good to read about the different clubs but it just didn't interest me. I think this is a book tht younger readers(8-10yrs.) would enjoy, it is to immature to ages past that. I am 11 and now feel that most Sweet Valley books are not worth my time.

To prove their popularity, the Unicorns (Lila Fowler, Mary Wallace, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, Ellen Riteman, Maria Slater, Mandy Miller, and Evie Kim) appear as contestants on the hit TV game show, Best Friends. Playing opposite The Unicorn Club is the Eight Times Eight Club (eight other middle school girls), their arch rivals. Whichever team loses will have to sing "Puff the Magic Dragon" in front of the entire school, not to mention being completely humiliated on national TV.

While the Unicorns are busy trying to remember each other's hobbies and such, they're also preoccupied with earning $300, to pay back their principal for destroying his last toupee. By working together, the girls are hopefully making a bond that will survive the tricky questions of the upcoming show. But if they do lose, will they have what it takes to remain friends--or will they become bitter enemies instead?

This series reminded me a lot of The Baby-sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin and the Taffy Sinclair series by Betsy Haynes. Both series are geared towards more younger readers (8 to 12-year-old girls) and deal with cliques/clubs and female competition over popularity, boys, etc. I was never much of a Unicorn fan when I was reading the Sweet Valley Twins series years ago, and I'm not much of one now. The girls are much too superficial and selfish, and even though Elizabeth tries to clear up their reputation in this book, they still come through as snobs. (By the way--since this is Elizabeth's story--, why is she in the club? Last time I remember, she disliked Lila and the Unicorns. Conflicting storylines.)

I can't say that this new series is such a great idea. Unless you're an avid Unicorn fan--or just love to read anything by Francine Pascal--, I'd recommend sticking to the Sweet Valley Twins series instead.

I liked this book because it was very fast paced. It only slowed down a few times. This book also teaches you that no matter how different you are you can still be freinds. I'ts not all that exiting to be a carbon copy of all the people around you.

Watch your whiskers stilton

Watch your whiskers Stilton by Geronimo Stilton.... If you like fantasy this is your kind of book. Especially if you like Cinderella...One morning Geronimo Stilton woke up and couldn't find his newspaper in any store or newspaper stand and Geronimo is the owner or the rodent glaze. Then he finds out that he is going out of bisnes. So he has to go on a game show to save the rodent glaze. But he could loss his very valuable tail. Does he loss his tail or dose he win and save his tail. Read this great book and find out!!

In the book Watch your wiskers Stilton.Geronimo loses his his comany because a one eyed rat steals his comany.Through the book Geronimo fights
for his comany back.In the middle of the book one of the mouses that is named ShifT.paws helps Geronimo get his comany back in chapters 13 and 14
ShifT.paws gets Geronimo on mouse trap.
Mouse trap is a game show that a mouse gets asked questions if they get it wrong they sit in a mouse trap if they don't get it right the mouse trap pinches their tail when Geronimo goes on the show he's nervous but he gets the gold and gets his comany back.I recomend this book to people who needs to find a book to read.

By:Carisa Lopez

This is a helpful resource. What I find most useful is the clear structure for each game show. With some tweaking, a catechist could use any of the games in a variety of settings, from a small group to a larger class. Even though the games are clearly explained, it is still time consuming to "stage" any of them because of the supplies the host/teacher needs to assemble. Also, if you want to adapt the questions to your specific curriculum/chapter/unit, you'll have to write the questions yourself. Overall, I think this is a good kick start for your own creative thinking.

Think way back to your years in school. Do you remember playing a game of classroom "baseball" to review important information before a big test? I can still remember the question and answer from our government class that gave our team the "grand slam."

Do you remember "Dale's Cone of Learning" from your teacher training? Dale Edgar's model is that students learn best through direct experience, simulations, games and excercises.

If you would like to add fun "game show" style learning to your programs, please get a copy of the latest spiral bound book from St. Mary's Press: "Ready to Go Game Shows that Teach Serious-Stuff-Bible Edition" by Michael Theisen. This little book contains a dozen learning activities modeled after popular current shows such "Who Wants to Be a Millonaire," "Wheel of Fortune" and others. By the way, a variation of the baseball game I mentioned above is in this book.

Preparation for these games is easy and the supply list is, in typical St. Mary's Press style, inexpensive and easy to obtain. A working knowledge of the game shows helps, but is not required. Unless your teens have been raised in a media vacuum, they will recognize and be ready to play these games. If, however, it is you who has been in the media void, Michael explains the games in a clear, easy manner. The included diagrams for the room set up will help you to quickly construct the right environment. Questions and answers are clearly listed for the Bible based subjects and include simple notes for the "teachable moment."

Both classroom school teachers and volunteer teachers will find this volume useful. You will also like the size of this book. It is small and light which makes it easy to put into a book bag. The spiral binding lets the book lay flat for easy reading. We need more spiral bound resources!

I would invite you to encourage your teams to create their own question sets for future games. What a great project for older teens to do- create questions and games for young teens. The old quote, "If you would truly know something, teach it." applies here.

"Who wants to be a better teacher?" You will be when you use your copy of "Ready to Go Game Shows."

And that's my final answer