Last night I finished reading "Hold the Roses," Rose Marie's autobiography. It wasn't very well written but the stories she told were interesting. She has had an incredible life and after reading this book, I have a greater admiration for her.
Over the summer I read "My Anecdotal Life," Carl Reiner's autobiography. It was very well written and very interesting. He is so funny! I am in awe of the gifts and talents these people possess.
Has anyone else read these books? If so, what did you think? It would be fun to have a discussion about them.

Lolac
:read:

Hey Lolac!

I haven't gotten a chance to read "Hold the Roses" yet (From the reviews I've read at amazon.com, I understand Rose still leaves us guessing about the black bow!), but I have read Carl Reiner's book and Mary Tyler Moore's book, "After All." I loved reading both these books, especially the parts about TDVDS.
Mary's book wasn't as well written as Carl's, but I expected that, after all Carl's a professional at writing! In Mary's autobiography, she shows the readers she isn't like Mary Richards, but in fact very different from her TV character. As I read her book, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her for some of the things she went through in her life. I recommend this book for any of her fans!
Carl Reiner's book was completely different than Mary's! I liked how he chose to write his book; telling a few short stories as opposed to telling his entire life story. (Until I read this book, I never realized Carl was such a potty mouth!:lol: ) I can definitely relate to the one story about Carl not being a strong singer and having the whole orchestra play his note and Carl still hits the wrong note! When I read that, I was like, "That's me!!!" lol

Kurt

Lolac,
Although I've never been much of a recreational reader, I would love to read both those books, and may someday. But finding the time to do it seems to be almost impossible. Between work, home obligations, and my hobbies, I'm always strapped for time. I'm sure you are too, though.
Thanks for mentioning them. I'm glad to hear you liked them. Maybe I'll take one of those books with me when I go away for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Steve

I haven't read Rose or Carl's books, but they'll be on my next Amazon.com order! I have read Mary's autobiography. I agree she has had her share of tragic events in her life.

I'm currently switching back and forth between reading a book about Vivian Vance called "The Other Side of Ethel Mertz" and Tim Russert's autobiography "Big Russ and Me". If you're an I Love Lucy fan I think you'll enjoy reading Viv's biography. I'm mainly interested in the Russert book because I grew up in the same neighborhood in Buffalo as he did, although our paths never crossed. He's a few years older than I (In case you didn't recognize the name, Tim Russert hosts NBC's Meet the Press).

Hold the Roses is a nice, easy to read book. It is enjoyable, admirable and yes, not very well-written, but full of joy and love and humor.

I haven't read The Other Side of Ethel Mertz, but I've always been interested in Vivian Vance, televisions greatest second banana if there ever was one. No one can top her as the star's best friend, neighbor, crony, etc.

I read Tim Russert's book. I liked it very much, since I grew up in a similar neighborhood with similar people who all led similar lives with similar values. All were and are good people. Two things I did not enjoy about Russert's book are 1) his adoration for Kennedy. I know this was a common thing among people of that generation, but with all we now know of the man, and his presidency and political career, I cannot undstand how people still hold him in esteem. 2) I know the book was about Russert and his father, but the guy could have given his mother SOME credit. I think that this women stayed as long as she felt she had to in the marriage, meeting and satusfying Big Russ's big ego. She dserved at least one chapter.

his adoration for Kennedy. I know this was a common thing among people of that generation, but with all we now know of the man, and his presidency and political career, I cannot undstand how people still hold him in esteem.

Well, here's a clue... JFK got us out of a possible nuclear war...

""Well, here's a clue... JFK got us out of a possible nuclear war...""

Which, because of his own ineptness and that of his advisors, he had placed us into in the first place. Not a place for historicalk debate, but JFK's administration, upon real study, was only a mediocre one. He may have been charismatic (a phoney) young, handsome, etc, but his presidency was noweher near the greatness of others. This has been proved over and over. I have to get my copies of the Op Ed that were done by the major bewspapers about this on last years anniversary of his death. That was there whole point. Had he not been assassinated, he would not be as revered as he wrongly is.

I put a hold on Rose Marie's book at the public library. It should be in soon. I can't wait to read it!


Kurt

Originally posted by DickVanDykeMan
I put a hold on Rose Marie's book at the public library. It should be in soon. I can't wait to read it!


Kurt

I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Kurt. She's had quite a life!

Lolac
:wave:

Originally posted by BWLuv
...but JFK's administration, upon real study, was only a mediocre one. He may have been charismatic (a phoney) young, handsome, etc, but his presidency was noweher near the greatness of others. This has been proved over and over. I have to get my copies of the Op Ed that were done by the major bewspapers about this on last years anniversary of his death. That was there whole point. Had he not been assassinated, he would not be as revered as he wrongly is.
BWLuv & Screenwriter,
The above quote reads closely, but not identically, to many I've read by Ronald Reagan's detractors during his postmortem 'tour.'
Without getting into this debate on one side or the other, let me state that neither side has ever been convinced of the other's 'correctness' or 'worthiness,' and apparently, will never be. We all choose the informition that best supports our own views. It just comes so naturally.
One thing that appears evident to me as I get older, is that we humans will continually manifest or invent new ways and means of dividing ourselves one from another, rather than find reasons to come together in the spirit of benevolence, despite our differences, as we do on this message board.
Segregation never seems to go out of style, it just shifts it's justification :( .

Steve

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
BWLuv & Screenwriter,
The above quote reads closely, but not identically, to many I've read by Ronald Reagan's detractors during his postmortem 'tour.'
Without getting into this debate on one side or the other, let me state that neither side has ever been convinced of the other's 'correctness' or 'worthiness,' and apparently, will never be. We all choose the informition that best supports our own views. It just comes so naturally.
One thing that appears evident to me as I get older, is that we humans will continually manifest or invent new ways and means of dividing ourselves one from another, rather than find reasons to come together in the spirit of benevolence, despite our differences, as we do on this message board.
Segregation never seems to go out of style, it just shifts it's justification :( .

Steve

Well said, Steve. Besides, I believe the political discussions would be better received on a political discussion board.

Lolac
patriot:

For those who've read Rose Marie's book:

Is it family friendly reading? I'd hate to pick it up and find out that it contains foul language and sexual escapades. I'm no prude, but I like to find out what I'm getting into.

I remember picking up Doris Roberts' book at a bookstore (she's the older lady from the Raymond show) and being shocked to find both adult language and sex stories in it. I didn't expect that from her and it certainly altered my opinion of her. I'd rather not have my image of Rose Marie tarnished this way either.

Originally posted by Charlie Chan
For those who've read Rose Marie's book:

Is it family friendly reading? I'd hate to pick it up and find out that it contains foul language and sexual escapades. I'm no prude, but I like to find out what I'm getting into.

I remember picking up Doris Roberts' book at a bookstore (she's the older lady from the Raymond show) and being shocked to find both adult language and sex stories in it. I didn't expect that from her and it certainly altered my opinion of her. I'd rather not have my image of Rose Marie tarnished this way either.

It is family friendly. She does not go into details of her sex life. There are one or two swear words, but that is it. I am very conservative, I don't even go to R rated movies, and I enjoyed this book.

Lolac
:wave:

Originally posted by Lolac
...I am very conservative, I don't even go to R rated movies...

Lolac
:wave:
...Which is why you didn't post on "The Gin Game" thread! Now I get it. :faint:

Steve

Sorry to say but I've been disappointed in all the books
except the two that were specifically
about the show. And I admit that
seems unfair even to me. When a person sits down to write they want
to write about their whole life and
not just one little area. But that
is basically what most readers care
about, ya know, what did they say
about _______. And it usually isn't
much. They gloss over what made them
famous and go into great detail about
everything else. And it bothers me
when I think of how many details
they must have and never get spoken
or written about. So I think the
two books about the show are also
the best about the people involved.
And I always want to read more and
always look forward to any books
by anyone involved in the show but
I always wish there was more said
about the show itself.

Originally posted by Samme
Sorry to say but I've been disappointed in all the books
except the two that were specifically
about the show. And I admit that
seems unfair even to me. When a person sits down to write they want
to write about their whole life and
not just one little area. But that
is basically what most readers care
about, ya know, what did they say
about _______. And it usually isn't
much. They gloss over what made them
famous and go into great detail about
everything else. And it bothers me
when I think of how many details
they must have and never get spoken
or written about. So I think the
two books about the show are also
the best about the people involved.
And I always want to read more and
always look forward to any books
by anyone involved in the show but
I always wish there was more said
about the show itself.

Samme, I agree with you on one point. I would have liked for her to devote more space to her time on The Dick Van Dyke Show, but the fact of the matter is, TDVDS was only 5 years of a very rich life and I was fascinated to learn about the other things she had done as a performer. Her life is anything but dull and I found that when I'm watching my TDVDS DVDs, I'm looking at her with a greater respect. I'm glad I read the book.

Lolac
:wave:

Originally posted by Lolac
It is family friendly. She does not go into details of her sex life. There are one or two swear words, but that is it. I am very conservative, I don't even go to R rated movies, and I enjoyed this book.

Lolac
:wave:

Thank you for the feedback! It's nice to hear that Rose Marie wrote a classy book.

I did watch "The Gin Game" but I knew full well going into it that there was language. I could also separate the characters from the actors.

It's a shame that Hollywood stars often feel like that they need to talk dirty to sell their books. With a notable exception or two, do biographies of Presidents or other world leaders focus on their most intimate moments? Of course not; the public part of their lives make for much more interesting (and intellectually stimulating) reading.

Tony Randall, whose public image was the epitome of class, chose to include in his autobiography details of a "contest" he once got into with Milton Berle. Needless to say, the phrase "too much infomation" came to mind.

On your recommendation I read Rose Marie's autobiography and found it fascinating.

How times have changed. In the 60's a perfromer honed his or her craft for 20 years before they were allowed a gig like Sally Rogers. These days all you need is a surgically enhanced figure, a pretty face and you are given the same opportunity. Perhaps that is one of 1 000 reasons that DVDS is superior to anything we have seen lately.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I think on my vacation this summer I will read Mary Tyler Moore's autobiography. That one sounds interesting, too!

Lolac
:wave:

I have a question about Rose Marie. Why does she wear the bows in her hair? I even notice that she wears the bows now. I have never read her book, but I think it would be very interesting.

She teases us with the bow at the end of the book, but will not reveal the secret as to why she wears it.

Lolac
:confused:

Thank you for that information Lolac. I am thinking about checking the book out .

I read somewhere that her father would beat Rose Marie whenever he got drunk. Is this true? And does she mention any incidents like that in her book? If it is true, that's terrible! I never understood how one could beat their own children!

Also, does she say much about her husband's death? I was devestated when I found out that he died so young and during the show too. I would probably cry if I heard her talk about it. :crying: