Breezy Bee - TV host Autobiography
934795
Interesting guy with significant knowledge and practical advice as well as a high profile job as a TV host in the UK.  "Anchorman" meets Reverend Langstroth.  More entertaining than informative, but useful practical information.
1129320
Lots of good stories and information from a man who grew up inside the show
455274
SCTV is one of the funniest shows of all time.  The show was a sketch comedy show based around a fictional television station.  Dave Thomas was one of the stars and writers on the show and most famously known as one half of the McKenzie Brothers which was created on the show.  The book takes you from the early pre-TV days of the comedy troupe through to it's end.  You get the insider's perspective from Mr. Thomas and it is a very intriguing read.  The book is also chock full of great pictures.  If you are a big fan of the show, this book is a must read.
13708
Excellent reading for all aspiring broadcasters and everyone in radio; whether in management, on air, or technical. A winner for me.
3721791
I've listened to Mike and Mike a lot over the past few years and very much enjoy their program.  This book is a quick little insight into the life of Greeny and the format make the book a very quick read (I completed the whole thing on a round trip flight from Hartford, CT to Washington, D.C.).  I think the overriding theme of dealing with being a minor celebrity and what it took to get to that point made it quite interesting and in the end I would recommend it for anyone looking for a pseudo-sports book without getting into a lot of technical aspects.
4454563
The undeniable truth is that Dick Van Dyke may consider himself lucky or charmed by good fortune, but he was (and still is) a very talented and versatile man. This memoir glazes over his very successful career in show business, but primarily focuses on his personal life ------ his one marriage, his children, his 35 year relationship with Michelle Triola Marvin, his midwestern roots, the lean years as he tried to establish himself as a performer, and the gravy years after his career took off.
While this memoir wasn't particularly deep (he didn't dwell on the 'what ifs' or ruminate on the misfortunes that fame can present)or highly detailed, it was loaded with a lot of interesting anecdotes that fleshed out the story of his life. In passing, he recalls missing a job interview with a network in Chicago and a fleeting (and I mean fleeting) one- sided exchange with broadcaster Dave Garroway. He talks about the people he grew up with in Danville, Il which included Bobby Short, Gene Hackman (via his friendship with Hackman's cousin), and Donald O'Connor.
Told in a rambling, conversational tone, this book is very readable and easy to get into. I also think that it illustrates that Van Dyke is one of those guys that can be described as 'what you see is what you get'. He comes across as a very nice person who is very easy to relate to because he is not full of himself. In many ways Van Dyke's life hasn't been perfect, but he has the hindsight to realize it has been a good one.
4237127
This book is a fascinating cross between a standard "fanzine" bio -- giving enthusiastic fans all (and even MORE than all) they want to know about a star and/or show -- and a solid show biz bio. So it'll please and disappoint some. This isn't a hedge, but a fact.
Nancy Cartwright is a supremely young talented actress/voice-over artist who, unless you live on Jupiter, know is the REAL voice of 10-year-old Bart Simpson (and some other characters on the show). The questions: Could she write a book that satisfied detail-hungry Simpson's fans with tidbits about how the show is created, animated, written, voiced. Could she provide bio info on the other cast members? Could she give behind-the-scenes stories about the various highpowered guest stars? And could she also do a SOLID  show biz bio that shows how she got from point A to Point B, from a child in awe of show biz figures, especially voice-over stars, to a behind-the-scenes star? The answers: YES...and no.
This book could be gifted to EVERY youth who seeks any career for one reason alone: it shows in the beginning how, at an early age, she was smart enough to pick a prominent mentor with whom she could consult, who could help open doors a tiny crack for her. It was Daws Butler, voice of a zillion cartoon characters such as Yogi Bear. She had the TALENT but was smart enough to seek out advice, meet her mentor, take his advice and let him guide her through the show biz obstacle course early in her career.
For Simpson's fans, the book is rich in enormous detail (also in italics and a conversational style that becomes slightly grating at times but is sincere). What comes across is Cartwright's underlying modesty (but she is confident) and her continued (endearing) ghee-whiz  awe at being in a business where she can meet all these famous people. There's also a nice collection of photos and a little cartoon in the lower right hand corner that animates when you flip the pages. Some non die-hard Simpsons fans MAY flip this book's pages since it most successful as a book for fans of the show.
On the other level, as a show biz bio of interest to more than die-hard fans, it doesn't work as well, but has definite merits. There's a superb blow-by-blow explanation of how the program is created, animated and voiced. Excellent descriptions are given about voice-over specifics -- so this would indeed be an IMPORTANT book for someone who wants to do cartoon or commercial voices. They can learn about what goes into voice-overs, the importance of goal-setting, the importance of trying to implement a goal and the importance of seeking mentors (for at least advice before leaping into things).
Yet, because it is a mixture it somehow doesn't seem to TOTALLY fulfill either mission, as a fanzine book or show biz bio. But that is NOT -- rpt NOT -- Cartwright's fault: she is an enormously talented young woman who has already shot to the top of the voice-over business NOT because of her mentor, but because of incredible talent. We might forgive her if her book is not as solid or fascinating as the immortal Mel Blanc's solid 1988 autobiography That's Not All Folks. He was about a lot older than her.
Cartwright has a long career ahead of her -- and will most certainly continue to skyrocket once the Simpson's is off the air. We're sure to see her write another autobiography some years down the pike -- and that one will surely be a classic. For now, My Life As A 10-Year-Old Boy will do quite nicely.
1352756
As a radio professional myself, I very much enjoyed reading about the evolution of radio and the marvelous myriad of personalities involved.  Since the beginning radio has been filled with colorful and interesting people.  It reinforced in me that I picked the right profession to dedicate my life to.
I would recommend this book to any professional broadcaster. If we fail to have an appreciation of history, we fail to grasp the big picture.
Jeffrey McAndrew
WHBL News Anchor and Editor and author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
2948155
The key to Samantha Bee's humor is in her contradictions - she plays a repressed person who is outrageous. And unlike many comics whose work is hilarious on TV, she can actually write funny stories that are worth reading. This memoir of exaggerated tales of her childhood, adolescence and early adulthood probes the frustrations, hurts and stupidities of growing up human on planet Earth. Her strongest material is the least self-conscious. Bee's portrayal of herself as an ugly, awkward, indoorsy bookworm and TV watcher is both affecting, worrying and probably close to the truth. Her adolescent years, in which she made dangerous visits to older men, are scary and true-sounding, echoing the way that nave youngsters find their way in the tricky and perilous word of the sexually savvy. Bee hit a few sour notes in her diatribe against May-December relationships. Her comments about the problems of older people crossed from wickedly insightful to needlessly mean. She redeemed herself with tales of her hunky college roommate, simultaneously irresistible physically and repulsive mentally.

"I Know I am" is a quick read -- I devoured it over a weekend, which is superfast for me. While Bee doesn't have the depth, insight and subtlety of a David Sedaris, the book was a fun read. It didn't achieve Sedaris's laugh-out-loud funniness, or oh-my-god appallingness.  But it was a nice autobiography of tarted up truths about growing up in the Western world.
2482578
I really enjoyed this audiobook. Great insight into a great performer.  The only 92 year old to have an album at the top of the charts.
If you like her music you will love this autobiography. Read in part by Vera and the rest by her daughter, very entertaining and informative.
4832563
this book is one for only true snl fans, like myself. it isn't just full of lines like: "oh, i remember when this happened..." or "then on this episode..."  you get a complete picture of how the show works; how it was created, the day to day schedule and some behind the scenes gossip. although there are some "remember when" moments, it's not all reminiscent. when i first heard of the book, i figured it was going to consist of a lot of gossip about who was dating who, and who hated who, etc, etc. there was some of that, and truthfully, i would have liked to know more. as a younger fan (i was born nearly 5 years after the show's conception), i missed all the controversy in the show's beginnings. on the other hand, this book will please those fans who have been with the show since the beginning. it covers everything from the beginning of lorne michaels' career, memorable characters and moments straight through the book's publication, why you won't see anthony michael hall in reruns, and why you should be suprised you see eddie murphy. there are interviews with writers, cast and crew members and guest hosts both old and new, along with complete cast lists. buy this book for any of these resons, or if you're just interested in the way things work; you'll see the show and it's cast in a whole new light. you're gonna love it.
3314601
Heartfelt and fun.  A breezy look at how the Mike O'Meara Show podcast began and ultimately flourished. Told in the principals' own voices, with fun contributions from family and friends. An insightful peek behind the curtain at the inner workings of the best podcast on the internet.
3443866
Emmy winner Marcia Wallace is best known for her role of Carol Kester in the 1970s Bob Newhart Show and her voice as Miss Krabapple in "The Simpsons." This autobiography is honest, candid, and filled with self-deprecating humor.

Marcia's life began in Creston, Iowa as a baby boomer. She didn't have an ideal if childhood but managed to survive pain with humor. She would go to New York City as an overweight aspiring actress with a sense of humor. She studied and worked in Improv and acted in plays and musicals. Despite her television success, Marcia still acted on stage touring the country in various productions.

This autobiography captures Her humor and spirit. She found love and happiness albeit short lived with Dennis Hawley and they adopted a son, Michael. Marcia had battled and survived breast cancer before she succumbed to it in 2013. Dennis died of pancreatic cancer in 1992.

Don't think that she didn't have her demons. She wasn't viewed as attractive according to society's standards. She suffered from low self esteem and was a late bloomer. Reading her memoirs, she doesn't bash anyone or even pity herself. She had led a remarkable life as a comedic actress on stage in regional theaters and on our television sets. She was also a spokesperson and breast cancer survivor. But her favorite roles were wife and mother.

I hope one day there will be a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television with her name on it.
2262248
Great detailed diary of the Randy Rhoads / Rudy Sarzo dynamic duo of the early 80's.  Makes me wish I would have been old enough to see one of these shows.  Rudy seems super down to earth and honest.  I really am enjoying this book!
192605
What a delightful read. Actually enjoyed this book a lot more than Bb Nwhrt's book or the one about Bb Hp.  I may not agree with Mr. Reiner on some issues, but it was most interesting to read this memoir and get a different take on how things were in the entertainment and tv business while I was growing up.
3647647
Really a interesting book, talks a lot of different people that were or was on the show, Great Read!
4006774
"Short and Sweet" is just that.  Jerry Maren's book covers his 60+ year career in and out of Hollywood, and is loaded with rare photos.  Who knew Maren was in Star Trek the original TV series, Lidsville, Bewitched, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, New Zoo Revue, and many others, in addition to well known roles such as a Munchkin in Oz.  Edited by Stephen Cox, author of some of the best TV and movie books ever written.