Audiobook Review: Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks by Dick Cavett

Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks
by Dick Cavett (Compact disc Biography Cavett)

Based on his columns in the New York Times, Cavett reads his own essays about his life growing up in Lincoln, behind the scenes in movies, TV, and Broadway, college life at Yale, and general comments on current events. Probably only interesting to those who remember his TV talk show or appreciate the classic stars and celebrities. His stories, over eight hours on seven discs, were humorous, interesting, and poignant, and ended far too quickly.

 

This recording was a 2015 Grammy nominee for Best Spoken Word Album (losing out to Jimmy Carter reading his own biography). For more Cavett entertainment, the library owns other Cavett books as physical copies and on Hoopla, four various sets of The Dick Cavett Show on DVD, and his interview with John G. Neihardt is on DVD in the Heritage Room.

 

( official Dick Cavett index on the New York Times web site )

 

See Scott C.’s earlier review of Brief Encounters in the July 2015 Staff Recommendations here on BookGuide!

 

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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New Booktalk Booklist on BookGuide: Biographies & Memoirs - 2023 with Jen J.

On April 14th, 2023, Jen J., a librarian at the Bennett Martin Public Library downtown, presented a new talk at the Bethany Branch BookTalks, on the theme of recently published biographies and memoirs. Her selections covered everything from entertainers (actors, singers) to criminologists to journalists. Altogether, she included 10 new biographies.

Check out Jen's selections in this new booklist on BookGuide at the following link:

Biographies and Memoirs - 2023

Book Review: Number One is Walking: My Life in Movies and Other Diversions by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss

Number One is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions
by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss (Biography Martin)

Comedian/actor/musician/writer Steve Martin and cartoonist Harry Bliss team up for a second collaborative book, following their 2020 release, A Wealth of Pigeons.

 

This time, it’s even more autobiographical than it was the last time. The first 60% of the book is Steve Martin’s reminiscences about his years in the motion picture industry, where he made over 40 films before ultimately becoming disenchanted with the film-making process and walking away. This portion of the book is told through a series of cartoons of Steve and Harry taking a walk with Harry’s (talking) dog, and Steve throwing out bits and pieces of memories, which Harry then illustrates. The book is crammed with dry, wry humor and fond memories. And Harry’s artwork, while occasionally fanciful, also includes absolutely stunning recreations of many of Steve’s co-stars or the other celebrities in whose orbit he occasionally found himself.

 

The latter 40% of the book is a collection of (mostly) single-panel cartoons co-created by both Martin and Bliss — which feel very much like Bliss’ frequent contributions to the New Yorker magazine.

 

I enjoyed Number One is Walking a great deal, and constantly found myself in awe of Harry Bliss’ ability to capture the essence and personalities of so many recognizable entertainers and celebrities in a few simple brush strokes. However, as much as I enjoyed reading this, I left this book feeling like I wanted more than I was given…it feels very lightweight, especially in comparison to most celebrity biographies. On the other hand, even if each of Steve’s show biz memories is only 2-4 pages long, the artwork brings them all to life! So…it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try A Wealth of Pigeons by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss, or the autobiography Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, or possibly Steve’s humor book, The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten. The Tweets of Steve Martin.)

 

( official Harry Bliss web site ) | ( official Steve Martin web site )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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Audiobook Review: How Y'all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief From a Life Well-Lived by Leslie Jordan

How Y’all Doin’? Misadventures and Mischief From a Life Well Lived
by Leslie Jordan (Biography Jordan and Hoopla Audio)

When actor/singer/comedian Leslie Jordan died in late October (after suffering a “medical incident” while driving and fatally crashing his car), I had no idea how sad I was going to be. It wasn’t that I was an ardent fan of his, who tracked down everything he’d ever appeared in. But, his bubbly, sarcastic, Southern gay personality had been a staple in film and TV comedies and dramas for decades, and it didn’t seem possible that he was suddenly gone. So I was especially happy to be able to enjoy his distinctive voice as he narrated the audiobook version of his 2021 best-seller How Y’all Doin’?

 

Despite always being sort of a cult-favorite actor for many fans, it wasn’t until COVID-19 hit and everyone sequestered themselves in their homes in 2020, that Leslie achieved mega-fame. Despite not even initially knowing what Instagram was, he launched a new Insta account, where he shared his personality and quirky musings, and managed to gain 5.8 million followers. Which led to this, his second book (his first, My Trip Down the Pink Carpet (2008) isn’t in the libraries’ collection). Leslie wanders back and forth in his career and personal life, not holding anything back as he shares recollections filled with both hilarity and strong sentiment. Despite his seeming befuddlement with technology and social media, his stories of his explorations of Instagram are among the highlights of this incredibly entertaining and informative autobiography. Leslie makes this book feel like he’s sitting and chatting with you.

 

I got this as an audiobook-on-CD through the libraries’ InterLibrary Loan service, but if you can do downloadable audio, the Lincoln City Libraries do have it available through our Hoopla streaming service. I had tried reading this book in print format when it came out in 2021, but just couldn’t get into it. But when he read it aloud, How Y’all Doin’? became one of my favorite reads of 2022. He’s one of those performers I think I would have loved to meet in person. Strongly recommended, for anyone with an interest in celebrities, behind-the-scenes on the entertainment industry, the acting profession, and LGBTQ+ personalities.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try My Trip Down the Pink Carpet, also by Jordan, but only available through InterLibrary Loan.)

 

( official Leslie Jordan web site )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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Book Review: Forever Young: A Memoir by Hayley Mills

Forever Young: A Memoir
by Hayley Mills (Biography Mills)

If you came of age in the 60s and 70s, you are probably familiar with the name Hayley Mills, a British child and teen actress who starred in some big Disney films such as The Parent Trap and in other movies of the era. I most remember her in The Moonspinners, a young adult suspense story filmed on the island of Crete. This is her account of her family, professional, and personal lives and how she often struggled to find balance between them all. Her father was the well-regarded actor John Mills. Her older sister Juliet is also in the business of film and theater, and her younger brother appeared in some movies as a child. Mills’ mother was a frequently frustrated writer and dependent upon alcohol. Added to this was her marriage to a much older man, a producer, as well as an unfortunate negligence by Hayley’s parents to safeguard her set-aside earnings, much of which was mishandled by her family’s lawyers. In the end, she has come through a number of trials with a positive attitude, spiritually anchored, and grateful for her loved ones and her place in cultural history.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Boys by Ron & Clint Howard, Unsinkable, A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds or The Girl On the Balcony by Olivia Hussey.)

 

( Wikipedia entry for Hayley Mills )

 

Recommended by Becky W.C.
Walt Branch Library

 

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Book Reviews: Home and Home Work both my Julie Andrews

Home: A Memoir of My Early Years and Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years

by Julie Andrews, and Julie Andrews with Emma Walton Hamilton (Music 782.14 Andrews & Biography Andrews)

 

These two autobiographies should appeal to and even fascinate anyone who is a Julie Andrews fan — she of the sublime soprano and the bawdy sense of humor. Home: A Memoir of My Early Years goes into great detail about her childhood and teen years and the very hard work it took to be one of the world’s most “naturally gifted” singers. It also covers her Broadway trials and triumphs. Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years delves into her two marriages, her primary film career, and her blended and growing family. Did you know that she and second husband, acclaimed movie director Blake Edwards, adopted two Vietnamese orphans? That’s just one tidbit you will learn more about. Andrews is, of course, most strongly identified with the iconic musical films “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music” but has done a number of other movies of differing genres. She is very open in both memoirs about her family relationships and associated dynamics and her personal struggles and satisfactions. Home Work was co-written by Andrews’ biological daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. The two ladies have also shared authorship of over 30 young people’s books.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try any autobiographies of Carol Burnett, Debbie Reynolds, or other variety performers; any movies written and/or directed by Blake Edwards or starring Julie Andrews; any movie soundtracks or other music albums featuring Julie Andrews.]

[ publisher’s official Home web page ] | [ official The Julie Andrews Collection web site ]

 

Recommended by Becky W.C.
Walt Branch Library

 

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Review: My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie by Todd Fisher

My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie
by Todd Fisher [Biography Fisher]

Most people know the names Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Their brother/son, Todd, is not so well known but is just as essential to the story of their lives. What may also be not as well known is that the Reynolds-Fisher family were definitely not always rich even though they were absolutely famous. In this loving biography of these two extraordinary women, Todd pays tribute to their struggles and their indomitable spirits. Not to be outdone, he includes the escapades and relationships he’s had himself, and the range of film and recording industry expertise he’s gained throughout his life. Todd’s and Carrie’s father, and Reynolds’ first spouse, singer/actor Eddie Fisher is about as ne’er-do-well a character as you can find — until you meet Debbie’s other husbands! And then there’s Carrie’s lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder and drug abuse coupled with her own romantic disappointments. From an “only in Hollywood” childhood to managing his mother’s short-lived Las Vegas hotel-casino-museum to having to cope with his sister’s and mother’s concurrent deaths, Fisher has worn many hats as only one of two stable male members of their little nuclear family. Debbie’s older brother, Bill, always near by over the years, outlived her but had his own health scare less than a week after her death. Through all the turmoil and triumph of their lives, Todd remained very close with his mother and his sister, always ready to defend them and to accept them as they were, always the one true ‘man of the house” even at a young age. And now he and his wife, his Uncle Bill, and Carrie’s daughter, Billie, are all who are left of the Reynolds clan from Texas. While being emotionally charged, the book is also pragmatic in its assessment of fame and fortune, and how fickle those can be. And, in the end, it is borne out that a loving family can make it through seemingly insurmountable odds and heartaches if they stick together, have faith, and never say “Can’t.”

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Unsinkable, A Memoir, and Debbie : My Life, by Debbie Reynolds, or Wishful Drinking and Postcards From the Edge by Carrie Fisher]

[ publisher’s official My Girls web page ] | [ official Todd Fisher web site ]

Recommended by Becky W.C.
Walt Branch Library

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Shirley, I Jest! A Storied Life by Cindy Williams

Shirley, I Jest: A Storied Life
by Cindy Williams, with Dave Smitherman [Biography Williams] 

I always appreciate a good pun, so, this title and Cindy’s cute, smiling face are what caught my eye initially on the cover of this book. This is a fairly quick read but very enjoyable. From “American Graffiti” to “Laverne & Shirley”, Cindy Williams has had a somewhat charmed career, even if uneven! She provides a good amount of her family background in addition to a number of very interesting tales of her brushes with famous people, both before and after she became famous herself. It’s refreshing to read something that’s neither sleazy nor sensationalized about someone who’s a pretty normal person underneath the ‘star’.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try What’s So Funny?, by Tim Conway, This Time Together, by Carol Burnett or Make ‘Em Laugh, by Debbie Reynolds]

[ Wikipedia page for Cindy Williams web site ]

Recommended by Becky W.C.
Walt Branch Library

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But Enough About Me by Burt Reynolds on Compact Disc

But Enough About Me
by Burt Reynolds [Compact Disc Biography Reynolds] 

While I’ve never been what you would call a “huge” Burt Reynolds fan, I’ve definitely seen my share of his movies–being a child of the 70’s. I can remember watching “Smokey & the Bandit”, along with just about every other living human I knew…there was something free, uninhibited about Burt’s laugh during that movie–I always remembered it and felt like he must really know how to have fun! Years later, when he was in “Boogie Nights”, I was impressed that he had such a serious side (despite the often funny, hokey parts of the film). He proved himself to me as a solid actor.
So when I saw that Burt had written a memoir, I knew I had to read it at some point. I saw the opportunity to check out the audiobook (read by Burt himself) and I seized it! It must first be pointed out that Burt Reynolds is now 80 years old, and you can hear it in his voice. But I loved this book all the more because it was read by him!

I am constantly amazed and impressed by the vast amount of people Burt has worked with and made friends with over the years. Of course, I knew about Dinah Shore, Angee Dickinson, Sally Field, Loni Anderson, and Jon Voigt, etc. But there are so many other famous people that he knows or knew, well. Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis, Ossie Davis, Dom DeLouise and many more. After describing his childhood and his relationship with his parents, Reynolds spends the rest of the book going over his many friendships, as they evolved and as he evolved as an actor. He mentions movies he’s grateful he was a part of, as well as films he passed on or was passed over for. He dishes on a few celebrities that he does not respect or just never got along with (think Joan Crawford, Raquel Welch, Marlon Brando). I suppose the whole book reads like a “Who’s Who” of Hollywood, but because many of the people mentioned are from a time when I was growing up, it appeals greatly to me.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try If You Ask Me (and Of Course You Won’t), by Betty White, and Wishful Drinking, by Carrie Fisher]

[ publisher’s official But Enough About Me web site ] | [ Wikipedia page for Burt Reynolds ]

Recommended by Tracy T.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Make 'Em Laugh by Debbie Reynolds (on CD)

Make ‘Em Laugh: Short-Term Memories of Longtime Friends
by Debbie Reynolds [Compact Disc Biography Reynolds] 

I was looking for a short, funny, autobiography as a book-on-cd, and this latest collection of remembrances by legendary entertainer Debbie Reynolds fit the bill perfectly. In a series of interconnected chapters, Reynolds reminisces about some of the many people whom she’s crossed paths with over the course of a lengthy entertainment career. Debbie has two autobiographies to her credit already, so in this volume she picks some stories that didn’t make it into either Debbie: My Life (1988) and Unsinkable (2013). Explore her friendship with — or, in the case of Milton Berle, bare tolerance of — the classic comedians. Read about her experiences as a young starlet making her way through the treacherous waters of “casting couches”. Learn about the various personal assistants Debbie has had over the years, and how much of an impact they’ve had on her life. Laugh at Debbie’s recollections of funny encounters with daughter Carrie (Star Wars) Fisher, and how Debbie’s granddaughter has carried on the family acting tradition, even to the point of landing a role in the new Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.

I would have loved to have had Debbie narrate this short volume herself, but she doesn’t. Instead, actress Judith Ivey provides very capable narrating skills. In fact, Judith makes an obvious attempt to sound somewhat like Debbie, so it’s easy to feel lulled into a sense that it is Debbie sharing her stories directly. There’s not a lot of depth here, but if you’re looking for some light-hearted, feel-good entertainment industry stories, I recommend this one!

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Debbie: My Life and Unsinkable, also by Reynolds.]

[ Publisher’s official Make ‘Em Laugh web site ] | [ official Debbie Reynolds web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short (downloadable audiobook)

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
by Martin Short [Biography Short / Downloadable Audio / Compact Disc Biography Short]

Martin Short has always been one of my favorite comic actors. He throws himself into bizarre characters that really add life and texture to even the most bland productions. Many of his popular “bits” have really taken on a life of their own, particularly the Pat Sajak-obsessed Ed Grimley (from whom the title of Martin’s book originates), and the fawning and repulsive Jiminy Glick. In this very enjoyable autobiography, Short recounts his experiences growing up in Canada, pretending to be an entertainer and talk-show/variety-show host at a very young age. Short provides numerous amusing and insightful observations about the entertainment industry in both Canada and the U.S., and the many fascinating actors and comedians he’s worked with. I particularly enjoyed his tales of working on both Saturday Night Live and SCTV. For such a gifted comic actor and writer, making me laugh at the humor in his life was child’s play. However, the chapters in which he recounts his wife’s battles with ovarian cancer, to which she succumbed in 2010, are ultimately the most moving part of this showbiz memoir. I checked this out from the libraries as a downloadable audiobook, and in retrospect I must say that this is really the only way to enjoy this biography. While well written, and probably enjoyable as a printed book, the audiobook format allows for Short, who narrates, to launch into dozens of character voices, sing songs and emote. This was a truly moving and laugh-filled reading/listening experience. I can’t recommend this highly enough — one of my favorite reads in the past few years!

[ publisher’s I Must Say web page ] | [ Martin Short page on Wikipedia ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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How I Got This Way by Regis Philbin

How I Got This Way
by Regis Philbin [Biography Philbin]

The structure of the book is unique because each chapter is dedicated to a person that affected his life. So it's sort of made up of a group of short stories about these thirty people and the interactions he had with them and then at the end of each chapter he talks about what lessons he learned from them. Some of them are emotional others are comedic. These people range from his wife Joy to Jack Nicholson, to David Letterman — who wrote the forward — and of course his longtime cohosts Kathie Lee and Kelly Ripa, though he calls her Pippa. I enjoy the chapter on Jerry Seinfeld. Apparently Regis didn't pay attention to the show Seinfeld, until after it entered syndication and then became obsessed with it to the point where every morning he would discuss the episode he watched the night before. The crew and Kathie Lee eventually would just roll their eyes. But he liked that it was a show about nothing because really so was their talk show. It's a quick read and it's got a lot of humor, while still remaining serious at times. -- recommended by Carrie K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try other talk show host biographies - Johnny Carson, Larry King, Dick Cavett, etc.]

[Also available in downloadable audio format.]

[ publisher's official How I Got This Way web page ] | [ Regis Philbin on Wikipedia ]

 See more books like this on our Ornery Old Men booklist

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Johnny Carson (on CD)

Johnny Carson
by Henry Bushkin [Compact Disc Biography Carson]

I've always been a fan of Johnny Carson, not only for his success and fame as the preeminent late night TV talk show host of the past 50+ years, but also for the fact that we can call him a Nebraska boy -- though born in Iowa, he grew up in Norfolk NE. Henry Bushkin was Carson's personal attorney for almost two decades, during the very height of Johnny's success. This biography is Bushkin's look back at Johnny's (and Bushkin's own) life during that time period. In many ways, this biography takes a great deal of the luster off of Carson. Bushkin takes a "no holds barred" approach to telling stories, and Johnny comes off as a egocentric martinent. But there were reasons for Johnny's keeping everyone at a distance and being something of a control freak. Bushkin's storytelling style is very natural, and this book moves smoothly from one engaging story to another. I enjoyed this one as a Book-on-CD, narrated by actor Dick Hill -- he provides Bushkin with a colorful, eccentric voice. In the end, I'm left with the feeling that Johnny Carson was somebody to admire from afar, but that getting too close to him could reveal an unseemly side. I will still fondly remember all the years spent watching him on The Tonight Show and admiring his talent. But I'm now rather disappointed in him as a human being. Well written and narrated -- I recommend this to anyone who's interested in Carson as a real person, rather than as the sanitized TV persona. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Here's Johnny, a much more "friendly" look at Carson's life, by his TV sidekick Ed McMahon.]
[Also available in regular print and Large Print formats.]

[ Carson 360 web site ] | [ official Henry Bushkin web site ]

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Unsinkable: A Memoir

Unsinkable: A Memoir
by Debbie Reynolds [791.451 Rey]

Debbie Reynolds is a triple threat — in movies, music ("Aba Daba Honeymoon", anyone?) and books — two autobiographies, that is. In 1988, she published her first memoir, Debbie: My Life and now catches us up in 2013 with Unsinkable: A Memoir. She completely lives up to the latter adjective, borrowed from the nickname of one of her most beloved portrayals — "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", one of the real-life Titanic survivors. From her practically dirt-poor beginnings, through three husbands who all cheated her emotionally, financially and sexually, and in spite of a lingering dream to collect and preserve iconic Hollywood treasures which ultimately died, Reynolds has endured to leave a legacy whose impact may not be fully realized while she is still living. Her perseverance, determination, and talent are definitely her hallmarks. From the heroine of "Singin' in the Rain" and "Tammy" to her pop-culture identification as Princess Leia's mother, Mary Frances Reynolds of Burbank, CA via Texas is an entertainment legend and a lesson in survival. Both books are filled with anecdotes of her Hollywood and movie-making experiences and friendships, and go into sometimes alarming detail about the three scoundrels who were her husbands, the second of whom at least showed affection to her children (Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher) and treated them well. The newer bio is almost like two books in one, in that the last third of it is a chronological catalogue of her movies along with specific recollections about them. There were some things I was surprised to learn about Reynolds, such as her relationship with Robert Wagner when they were both young adults, or her ownership of a dance studio. Other disclosures are well-known, like the fact that when Eddie Fisher left her for Elizabeth Taylor and La Liz in turn left Fisher for Richard Burton, she and Taylor were able to become friends again after some time had passed. These memoirs are eye-openers to the fact that "having it all" can be a gigantic illusion even for someone as wholesome and capable as Debbie Reynolds but that at the same time having a strong will, a strong faith, and a strong family group can get you through pretty much anything. -- recommended by Becky W.C. - Walt Branch Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Wishful Drinking and Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher; Getting Along Famously: A Celebration of Friendship; Best of Debbie Reynolds (CD); and some highlights from Debbie's movie career (underlined DVDs are in LCL collections): Two Weeks with Love; Singin' In the Rain; I Love Melvin; The Tender Trap; Tammy and the Bachelor; The Rat Race; How the West was Won; The Unsinkable Molly Brown; The Singing Nun; What's the Matter with Helen?; Charlotte's Web (as the voice of Charlotte); Mother; In & Out; One for the Money; Behind the Candelabra.]

[ Debbie Reynolds page on Wikipedia ] | [ official Internet Movie Database pagefor Debbie Reynolds ] | [ official Debbie Reynolds web site ] 

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Johnny Carson: King of Late Night

Johnny Carson: King of Late Night
[DVD Biography Carson]

Heeeeere's Johnny! Warts and all. This episode of PBS' American Masters arts biography series takes a look at King of Late Night, from his beginnings as a teenaged magician in Norfolk, NE to the height of his popularity as the host of The Tonight Show for over 30 years. Filled with rare home video footage from his childhood and punctuated by interviews with dozens of comedians and Tonight Show staff, this is an engaging look at Carson's enduring popularity and influence. It's particularly interesting to see how much credit some of today's entertainment superstars give to Carson for helping to launch their careers. This DVD includes two "special features" -- a behind-the-scenes of Kevin Spacey doing the voice-over narration and reminiscing about Johnny, and additional interview outtakes. Watch for Drew Carey nearing breaking down as he remembers his first appearance on The Tonight Show! [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Here's Johnny by Ed McMahon; Forty Years at Night: The Story of the Tonight Show by James VanHise; various DVD collections featuring Johnny's favorite Tonight Show moments.] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [subscribe to Scott's monthly booklist newsletter -- It's All Geek to Me! -- or any of 37 other booklist-style newsletter on the libraries Books, Movies & More subscription page]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official American Masters - Johnny Carson web page ]

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Tough Without a Gun: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of Humphrey Bogart

Tough Without a Gun: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of Humphey Bogart
by Stefan Kanfer [Biography Bogart]

A detailed study of Humphrey Bogart. Told chronologically, the biography really picks up when "Casablanca" enters the storyline. The author discusses and evaluates Bogart's films, the other actors, interesting stories of everyone involved. Last couple chapters discuss Bogart's influence on Hollywood and society, and why there will never be another Humphrey Bogart. Not for the first-timer seeking initial info on Bogie. Best read by those already familiar with his filmography and life to really enjoy the depth of discussion. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable E-book format.]

[ Publisher's official Tough Without a Gun web site ]

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Conan O'Brien Can't Stop

Conan O'Brien Can't Stop
[DVD 817 Obr]

This DVD provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and making of Conan O'Brien's summer tour after leaving "The Tonight Show" and during his contractual ban from television. While this documentary contains snippets of the tour show, be advised it is NOT an entire filming of the show itself. The DVD provides an interesting perspective of a Conan O'Brien we don't see on his late night show. It is hysterical how funny Conan can be, even when not in front of an audience. While his crass attitude can be offensive, even to his own support team of colleagues, you really see the commitment and loyalty of his staff that have stuck beside him through thick and thin. The DVD shows Conan really as his raw self- a man who eats, sleeps, and breathes humor every day in almost every situation. This DVD ultimately shows the true master of improvisation at his lowest moments trying to turn lemons into lemonade...while apologizing for really bad hair. -- recommended by Jeremiah J. - Bennett Martin Public Library
[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official Conan O'Brien Can't Stop web site ]


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Bossypants (on CD)

Bossypants (on CD)
by Tina Fey

I've enjoyed Tina Fey's writing and acting on both Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, and was pleased to see she was the narrator of the audio version of her own book. Her sarcastic, witty attitude comes across perfectly as she reads Bossypants, and it's obvious she's having fun sharing her memories. At the same time, however, I sort of felt as if this biography was very light -- she doesn't really go into any serious depth about any of her topics, instead breezing through her experiences almost like an outsider, or teasing us with hints of a greater story, which then she doesn't share. Still, if you enjoy biographies about the making of television shows, or you're a die-hard SNL fan, or you grew up making jokes or "putting on a show", you'll probably enjoy this one. I definitely enjoyed listening to this more than I did reading it...Fey's personality comes across very effectively on audio. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio and print formats.]

[ Publisher's official Bossypants web page ] | [ Tina Fey page on Wikipedia ]

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If You Ask Me (and Of Course You Won't) (on CD)

If You Ask Me (and Of Course You Won't...)
by Betty White [Compact Disc Biography White]

Betty White reads her own book to you on this book-on-CD. I enjoyed this light memoir as she discusses a few favorite topics. She doesn't dwell long on each topic but mentions her latest projects, working with Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sigourney Weaver, the Hot in Cleveland TV show and her co-stars, reminiscences about her husband, some of her early work, and of course stories of her animals. Only two hours on CD. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in downloadable audio and print formats.]

[ Betty White on Wikipedia ] | [ publisher's official If You Ask Me (and Of Course You Won't) web site ]

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The Garner Files

The Garner Files
by James Garner

James Garner has always been one of my absolute most-favorite television actors. Though I was born a little too late to have enjoyed him in Maverick, I consider The Rockford Files to be, perhaps, one of the most perfectly-constructed television series ever made. And James Garner deserves the lion's share of the credit for that. He puts out the impression of gruffness or, as he mentions in his biography, "crochetyness", but underneath it, he's got a warm personality. His autobiography is definitely written in his voice -- he shares anecdotes, both positive and negative, from throughout his career. He's blunt but honest about the people whom he has issues with, but cordial and sentimental about the creative types whom he respects. He spends about equal time on his TV and movie careers, but also a large amount of the book covers his personal life outside of the show-biz trappings -- his hard-scrabble youth, his love of both golf and racing cars, and the issues of growing older. I very much enjoyed this book, and recommend it highly to anyone who's a fan of Garner's extensive body of work on screen. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try This is Jim Rockford..., Maverick on DVD, The Rockford Files on DVD, James Garner's feature films, particularly The Great Escape, Murphy's Romance, My Name is Bill W., Support Your Local Sheriff, and so many others...] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ James Garner page on Wikipedia ] | [ official Internet Movie Database page for Garner ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.