Tom Holmberg May 21 Share May 21 50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic Brian Levant (Author), Fred Fox Jr. (Author), Henry Winkler (Foreword) ISBN: 9798886636451 Peek behind the curtain into the making of Happy Days, the ultimate American sitcom, in this detailed season-by-season history written by two of the show’s longest-serving writer-producers. One of the most successful TV shows of all time, Happy Days drew in 30 million viewers weekly at its peak and launched the careers of stars like Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, and Robin Williams. Now, just in time for its 50th anniversary, tune in for exclusive access, as writers Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr. chronicle life on set and examine the evolution of a television show that made history. Featuring new interviews with the creators, cast, and crew of the show and a foreword by The Fonz himself, explore rarely-seen photographs and personal anecdotes on a season-by-season journey behind the scenes. A PHOTOGRAPHIC TREASURE TROVE: This coffee-table art book includes stunning, full-color photos of candid moments between cast and crew, lovingly preserved scenes from the show, exclusive shots that capture the energetic set, and a look at some of the vintage collectibles that brought the sitcom into fans’ homes. REVELATIONS ABOUT THE CREATIVE TALENT BEHIND THE SCENES: Explore the strategies and big gambles that fueled one of the most successful shows of all time, as told by the individuals who made it happen. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: Gather anecdotes straight from Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Anson Williams, Marion Ross, Ted McGinley, and a host of Hollywood royalty who worked as a team to change the landscape of television forever. NOSTALGIC GUIDE TO A SPECIAL PLACE AND TIME: Take a deep dive into the in-world lore that will bring to life the 1950s Milwaukee of Richie and Joanie Cunningham, Potsie Weber, Ralph Malph, and, of course, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli. 1 Link to comment
Tom Holmberg June 4 Share June 4 Killer Story: The Truth Behind True Crime Television Claire St. Amant ISBN: 9781637746059 For every true crime story that makes headlines, there's a separate drama happening behind the scenes. Follow a journalist and TV producer from 48 Hours and 60 Minutes as she carves out a career in the ruthless, knives-out world of true crime television . . . one killer story at a time. Serial killers. Homicidal spouses. Sociopathic criminals. Claire St. Amant has met them all. She spent nearly a decade in network television chasing the biggest true crime stories in the country, including the murder of Chris Kyle, plastic surgeon turned murder-for-hire suspect Thomas Michael Dixon, the Parkland High School mass shooting, the disappearance of Christina Morris, and serial killer Samuel Little. Bringing a true crime story to network television requires quick thinking and tenacious stamina, and in her debut memoir, Claire offers true crime fans a rare in-depth look on the other side of the yellow tape. In Killer Story, readers will learn what it really takes to get these gripping cases on the air with insights such as: How it feels to share space with a dead-eyed murderer Which TV show has a reputation for “eating their young” How reporters win over skeptical cops and reluctant lawyers Why TV journalists are always racing against the clock—and competitor sabotage What happens when a district attorney decides journalists have committed a felony The unresolved crimes that still haunt the author to this day Claire’s journey into—and out of—true crime television offers an eye-opening look behind the scenes of investigative journalism and an unforgettable read for all true crime fans. 2 Link to comment
Tom Holmberg June 7 Share June 7 From Crimea with Love: Misadventures in the Making of Sharpe’s Rifles Jason Salkey ISBN: 9781800181830 The rollicking behind-the-scenes story of Sharpe's Rifles, one of British TV's most beloved shows, featuring a foreword by Sharpe author Bernard Cornwell. In the summer of 1992, Jason Salkey was cast in a role that would change his life forever. Sharpe’s Rifles, a Napoleonic war drama, was to be shot in the Crimean Peninsula. Little did the producers know that they would be sending Jason and the crew to film in a rapidly disintegrating Soviet Union. There they faced near-starvation and danger round every corner as they set about creating one of Britain’s most successful and critically acclaimed television programmes. From Crimea with Love documents the mishaps, blunders, incompetence and downright corruption that made Sharpe’s Rifles go down in British television folklore for its unique tales of hardship. Follow the cast through intense depravation and constant catastrophe until they become every bit the jaded, battle-hardened soldiers we saw on screen. Tapping into his diaries, photo journals and video log, Jason brings you an eye-opening, jaw-dropping insider’s account of one of the best-loved shows ever made. 1 Link to comment
Tom Holmberg June 11 Share June 11 Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill: The Complete Critical Companion to Better Call Saul Alan Sepinwall ISBN: 9781419777196 The complete critical companion to AMC’s Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated series Better Call Saul from the author of Breaking Bad 101 and The Sopranos Sessions Across six critically acclaimed seasons, Better Call Saul surprised audiences and subverted Breaking Bad fans’ expectations for what a prequel/sequel series could be. Bob Odenkirk reprised his role as the morally compromised defensive attorney and revealed the tragic and inevitable downfall of Jimmy McGill, a small-time con artist with big dreams and even bigger schemes. Audiences were introduced to now iconic characters, including Rhea Seahorn’s Kim and Michael McKean’s Chuck, as well as villains like Tony Dalton’s Lalo, who rivaled Breaking Bad’s most sinister creations. In Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill: The Better Call Saul Critical Companion collects chief TV critic at Rolling Stone Alan Sepinwall’s critical essays on every episode of the Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated series. Sepinwall covered Better Call Saul from start to finish, and conducted exhaustive interviews with creator Vince Gilligan and stars Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seahorn, reproduced here alongside new interviews with series cocreator Peter Gould. Timed to the 10th anniversary of the first season, this ultimate companion book, and follow-up to Breaking Bad 101, serves as a guide to the series’ greatness and place in pop-culture history as fan’s kickoff celebratory rewatches and new fans discover the series for the first time. Link to comment
Tom Holmberg June 18 Share June 18 On 1/23/2024 at 2:26 PM, Tom Holmberg said: Mystery Science Theater 3000: A Cultural History MATT FOY AND CHRISTOPHER J. OLSON This book examines the cultural impact and creation of the cult-hit television series Mystery Science Theatre 3000. It looks at the most famous episodes, creators involved, and analyzes why the series has resonated with so many viewers. ISBN: 9781538173480 A fun and fascinating deep dive into the impact and creation of the cult-hit television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. Few television shows can boast the long-term cult popularity and cultural influence of Mystery Science Theater 3000—or MST3K to its legions of devoted fans, known collectively as MSTies. Created by quirky standup comic Joel Hodgson and producer Jim Mallon, Mystery Science Theater 3000 was a low-budget and altogether unconventional comedy series about a man trapped in space and forced to watch the worst movies ever made alongside a pair of homemade, wisecracking robots named Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot. In Mystery Science Theater 3000: A Cultural History, Matt Foy and Christopher J. Olson explore the vast cultural influence of the cult television series, charting how the show’s aesthetics, style of humor, and distribution innovations heralded shifts in popular culture and media production and criticism. The show also engaged viewers in the do-it-yourself media subculture of the 1980s that blurred the lines between media producers and consumers and introduced the art of media “riffing” into popular culture. Beginning with the humble origins of MST3K, Foy and Olson dig into everything from the show’s journey across networks to the must-watch episodes. Also discussed are the endeavors of cast members after the show’s cancellation, including RiffTrax, Cinematic Titanic, and the Mads Are Back, as well as the show’s second life through a Kickstarter campaign and a Netflix revival. This is an essential guide to all things MST3K for fans both new and old. 1 Link to comment
Spartan Girl June 20 Share June 20 The late Donald Sutherland’s memoir comes out in November 2 3 Link to comment
Tom Holmberg June 25 Share June 25 Believe: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way into Our Hearts Jeremy Egner ISBN: 9780593476062 The definitive book on the TV show Ted Lasso, written by New York Times journalist and editor Jeremy Egner, celebrating the show’s improbable rise and cultural impact while never losing sight of the heart, friendship, and passion that have made it an enduring favorite for the ages When Ted Lasso first aired in 2020, nobody—including those who had worked on it—knew how a show inspired by an ad, centered around soccer, filled mostly with unknown actors, and led by a wondrously mustached “nice guy” would be received. Now, eleven Emmys and one Peabody Award later, it’s safe to say that the show’s status as a pop culture phenomenon is secure. And, for the first time, New York Times television editor Jeremy Egner explores the creation, production, and potent legacy of Ted Lasso. Drawing on dozens of interviews from key cast, creators, and more, Believe takes readers from the very first, silly NBC Premier League commercial to the pitch to Apple executives, then into the show’s writer’s room, through the brilliant international casting, and on to the unforgettable set and locations of the show itself. Egner approaches his reporting as a journalist and as a cultural critic, but also with an affection and admiration fans will appreciate, carefully and humorously telling Ted Lasso’s story of teamwork, of hidden talent, of a group of friends looking around at the world’s increasingly nasty discourse and deciding that maybe simple decency still had the power to bring us together—a story about what happens when you dare to believe. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.