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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Talk Show

Talk Show
by Dick Cavett [791.45 Cav]

After years in the entertainment industry as the host of his own titular TV talk show, Dick Cavett was invited by the New York Times to pen a regular "column" for that august publication. Knowing that Cavett came from Lincoln, I was happy to find Talk Show on the new books display recently. Cavett has a witty, observational tone to his writings. He's also very funny, in that dry, intellectual, "New Yorker" way. Still, despite the type of sophisticated image that he projects, it is fun to hear him talk of his formative years living in Lincoln. Cavett's subject matter for his columns varies wildly, from the expected remembrances of his talk show days and the many celebrities he interacted with, to his childhood, to his public battles with severe depression. Cavett is easy to listen to -- I sampled the book-on-cd version of this title. However, whether you're reading this or listening to it, I caution that Cavett is an unapologetic liberal, and conservatives or supporters of George W. Bush are likely to be put off by some of Cavett's angrier columns. Never-the-less, it's a pleasure to re-visit one of the 1970s and 1980s TV icons I grew up on...especially with the "local" connection! [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Cavett's earlier books. Also, the libraries have several DVD compilations featuring "best of" collections of bits from the Dick Cavett Show...these are definitely worth checking out!] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available in book-on-cd format.]

[ Dick Cavett entry on Wikipedia ] | [ official Dick Cavett NYT blog from which this book originated ]

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American on Purpose

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot
by Craig Ferguson

Most people who watch TV probably know Craig Ferguson primarily as the host of The Late Late Show on CBS. He was also a cast member of The Drew Carey Show sitcom. In addition, he's a screenwriter, stand-up comic, and erstwhile punk rock drummer, among other things. Although I don't agree with every comedic choice he makes on his show, I think he's a very good host/monologuist and I enjoy his smart-aleck-y personality and his intelligence. In this memoir of his life up to now, he takes us through his physical and emotional ups and downs, including alcoholism and ill-fated relationships. In telling his anecdotes, he shows a lot of admiration for his parents (now deceased) and those who've befriended him, takes responsibility for his negative behaviors, and illustrates the variety of reasons why he has chosen to add American citizenship to his native Scots heritage. Plus, he mentions Nebraska! I would have given a higher numeric rating to this book but for the prevalence of the f-word -- someone who writes this well should know that over-use of 'expressive' words and phrases de-emphasizes their impact! -- recommended by Becky W.C. - Walt Branch Library

[ Publisher's official American on Purpose web page ] | [ Wikipedia page for Craig Ferguson ]

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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.