the best/worst books about tv shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bb · 10-13-2001, 03:14 PM

Of all the trivia books out there on tv shows/ stars which one is the best? Worst?
Which books do you have in your collection?

Many of the Lucy books I thought were well done though more/ less the same thing is said in each one of them, except the one about Vivian Vance. The book was great. "The other side of Ethel Mertz".

Russell Johnson and Sherwood 's books about Gilligan's Island were great books too. Lots of interesting info.

However I thought Bob Denver's book ( same thing with the Beaver's and Don Knotts ) bios , I get this feeling there were written in a hurry.

The ref. books such as Marsh& Brooke's Directory of Prime Time TV Shows, and Wesley Hyatt's Daytime TV directory are great as well as the one about Games Shows.

The worst book about tv I have or I should say "had" was Sam Frank's guide to finding you shows on videotape. Some of the info in there was good but his opinions were way too much. Lucy fans should avoid this book as he slams the redhead there. He even says point blank that he hated Lucille Ball. Plus any show featuring rock and roll and country music was slammed too.

I always believe that critic should have an open mind before they talk about their opinions. But to actually personally hate a form of music or a certain star, then that person should NOT be a critic. Its not far to the artist.

Sean Snow · 10-13-2001, 04:22 PM

I Only Have two TV Books:
"Come and Knock on Our Door" (Three's Company)
"Growing Up Brady" (TheBrady Bunch)

dugferd · 10-13-2001, 05:07 PM

books? Who needs a book when there's TV?

DJM77 · 10-13-2001, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dugferd:
books? Who needs a book when there's TV?

Because there are a lot of interesting things in books that never get mentioned on TV.

I have a book called The Complete Directory To Prime Time Network And Cable Shows. It gives information on more than 5,500 televison series from 1946 through 1998. I highly recommend this book.

I also have a book called Former Child Stars: The Story Of America's Least Wanted. It's also a good book but the books author, Joal Ryan tends to be too harsh sometimes.

dawsongirl · 10-14-2001, 02:06 AM

Books, books. Love TV books.

The Game Show Encyclopedia, written by Fred Wostbrook (I don't think that's his last name exactly) is cool.

Brenda Scott Royce's book on Hogan's Heroes is cool, but I think she was bitter toward Richard Dawson for not talking to her something.

Both Simpsons books I have are great.

All my Lucy books are good.

I'm sure there's more, but it's late and I can't think.

Chelsea · 10-14-2001, 05:54 AM

Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows...

My Manual to Life....

Speaking of, I need to go out and buy the 3rd edition of my life manual

(Obsessed w/ Game Shows, can you tell)

Also, I got this little book on how to draw The Simpsons (family members). It;s actually very easy (standard geom. shapes)

TV Guy · 10-14-2001, 12:30 PM

I'm sure there are some exceptions to this, but I've found that the best ones are written by impartial third parties. The ones written by the actors themselves tend to be a little slanted (like David Cassidy's "Partridge Family" book) or filled with factual errors (like Barry Williams' "Growing Up Brady").

I bought "The Lucy Book", chronicling all of Lucille Ball's TV appearances, and it is by far the most accurate of the books on that subject. "Desilu" is really well done, too. "Come and Knock on Our Door" ("Three's Company") is another one that is very well researched and written.

Probably the worst TV book I've ever read is "Written Out of Television", which chronicles cast changes in various TV shows. It's filled with more factual errors than you can believe, and it is really poorly written -- the author doesn't stay on subject when he's writing about a particular show, and is constantly mentioning facts that are irrelevant.

Attmay · 10-20-2001, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bb:
The worst book about tv I have or I should say "had" was Sam Frank's guide to finding you shows on videotape. Some of the info in there was good but his opinions were way too much. Lucy fans should avoid this book as he slams the redhead there. He even says point blank that he hated Lucille Ball. Plus any show featuring rock and roll and country music was slammed too.

I paged through that book in a book store, and I loathed it. After reading his comments on Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, The Bob Newhart Show, and of course Lucy, I could have strangled him.

There won't be an update. Sam Frank died a few years ago. For his biased condemnation of classic TV, good bloody riddance!

Montana Ponine · 10-20-2001, 07:33 PM

"Come and Knock on Our Door" was really good.

------------------
*~°~* Montana Ponine *~°~*

Chrissy: What part of the body do brains come from?
***********
Terri: Meet our dear friends from France, Pierre and..uh...
Jack: Fifi.
***********
Blair: Look, I know a phony when I see one.
Jo: You should. You spent enough time looking in the mirror.
LOL

bb · 10-21-2001, 07:31 AM

What did Sam Frank die from? Thats the first time I heard this.

My Aunt bought me his book when she was on vacation in Virginia Beach. At first I thought it was cool, that his til I started reading his so called opinions.

He also hated rock & country music with a passon. Well anything after 1965 according to Frank.

As I said earlier if a person really hates a certain show/star for personal reasons then he/she should NOT be a critic. They got to be open minded.

...he was the first time I saw Lucy slammed in print. Wonder how those 2 get along now.

James · 10-28-2001, 01:51 AM

I currently only have two books, "Growing Up Brady" by Barry Williams (aka Greg Brady) and Lauren Johnson's trivia book of 1,500 questions about TBB. I can't get enough of "GUB" and the trivia it presents!

What I'd like to get in the future is the story of Jerry Mathers (aka Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver) on "Leave It To Beaver". I do believe it's called "And Jerry Mathers As The Beaver".

What I'd like to see written in the future is the story of Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold in "The Wonder Years". The idea came to me after having read "Growing Up Brady". I'd like to learn some little-known facts about the set of "The Wonder Years".

west · 10-31-2001, 11:01 AM

The best TV book I've read is "Inside The Wild Wild West" by Richard Cangey. Cangey was an actor/stuntman on the series for the last three years. He tells all about his experiences with all the actors such as Robert Conrad and Ross Martin, and guest starring actors and actresses. Its like being on the set of the show, and tells of the off set antics that occured. The book can be purchased online at http://www.sprocketboy.com/insidewest/
Check out this website its really awesome.
west

10-13-2001, 03:14 PM	#1
bb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2001 Location: Martinsburg, WV usa Posts: 276	the best/worst books about tv shows Of all the trivia books out there on tv shows/ stars which one is the best? Worst? Which books do you have in your collection? Many of the Lucy books I thought were well done though more/ less the same thing is said in each one of them, except the one about Vivian Vance. The book was great. "The other side of Ethel Mertz". Russell Johnson and Sherwood 's books about Gilligan's Island were great books too. Lots of interesting info. However I thought Bob Denver's book ( same thing with the Beaver's and Don Knotts ) bios , I get this feeling there were written in a hurry. The ref. books such as Marsh& Brooke's Directory of Prime Time TV Shows, and Wesley Hyatt's Daytime TV directory are great as well as the one about Games Shows. The worst book about tv I have or I should say "had" was Sam Frank's guide to finding you shows on videotape. Some of the info in there was good but his opinions were way too much. Lucy fans should avoid this book as he slams the redhead there. He even says point blank that he hated Lucille Ball. Plus any show featuring rock and roll and country music was slammed too. I always believe that critic should have an open mind before they talk about their opinions. But to actually personally hate a form of music or a certain star, then that person should NOT be a critic. Its not far to the artist.

10-13-2001, 04:22 PM	#2
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,408	I Only Have two TV Books: "Come and Knock on Our Door" (Three's Company) "Growing Up Brady" (TheBrady Bunch)

10-13-2001, 05:07 PM	#3
dugferd Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 20, 2001 Location: Richmond VA USA Posts: 112	books? Who needs a book when there's TV?

10-14-2001, 02:06 AM	#5
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,134	Books, books. Love TV books. The Game Show Encyclopedia, written by Fred Wostbrook (I don't think that's his last name exactly) is cool. Brenda Scott Royce's book on Hogan's Heroes is cool, but I think she was bitter toward Richard Dawson for not talking to her something. Both Simpsons books I have are great. All my Lucy books are good. I'm sure there's more, but it's late and I can't think.

10-14-2001, 05:54 AM	#6
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows... My Manual to Life.... Speaking of, I need to go out and buy the 3rd edition of my life manual (Obsessed w/ Game Shows, can you tell) Also, I got this little book on how to draw The Simpsons (family members). It;s actually very easy (standard geom. shapes)

10-14-2001, 12:30 PM	#7
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I'm sure there are some exceptions to this, but I've found that the best ones are written by impartial third parties. The ones written by the actors themselves tend to be a little slanted (like David Cassidy's "Partridge Family" book) or filled with factual errors (like Barry Williams' "Growing Up Brady"). I bought "The Lucy Book", chronicling all of Lucille Ball's TV appearances, and it is by far the most accurate of the books on that subject. "Desilu" is really well done, too. "Come and Knock on Our Door" ("Three's Company") is another one that is very well researched and written. Probably the worst TV book I've ever read is "Written Out of Television", which chronicles cast changes in various TV shows. It's filled with more factual errors than you can believe, and it is really poorly written -- the author doesn't stay on subject when he's writing about a particular show, and is constantly mentioning facts that are irrelevant.

10-20-2001, 07:33 PM	#9
Montana Ponine Tragically Beautiful Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2001 Location: Sondheimville Posts: 4,529	"Come and Knock on Our Door" was really good. ------------------ ~°~ Montana Ponine ~°~ Chrissy: What part of the body do brains come from? ********* Terri: Meet our dear friends from France, Pierre and..uh... Jack: Fifi. ********* Blair: Look, I know a phony when I see one. Jo: You should. You spent enough time looking in the mirror. LOL

10-21-2001, 07:31 AM	#10
bb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2001 Location: Martinsburg, WV usa Posts: 276	What did Sam Frank die from? Thats the first time I heard this. My Aunt bought me his book when she was on vacation in Virginia Beach. At first I thought it was cool, that his til I started reading his so called opinions. He also hated rock & country music with a passon. Well anything after 1965 according to Frank. As I said earlier if a person really hates a certain show/star for personal reasons then he/she should NOT be a critic. They got to be open minded. ...he was the first time I saw Lucy slammed in print. Wonder how those 2 get along now.

10-28-2001, 01:51 AM	#11
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	I currently only have two books, "Growing Up Brady" by Barry Williams (aka Greg Brady) and Lauren Johnson's trivia book of 1,500 questions about TBB. I can't get enough of "GUB" and the trivia it presents! What I'd like to get in the future is the story of Jerry Mathers (aka Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver) on "Leave It To Beaver". I do believe it's called "And Jerry Mathers As The Beaver". What I'd like to see written in the future is the story of Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold in "The Wonder Years". The idea came to me after having read "Growing Up Brady". I'd like to learn some little-known facts about the set of "The Wonder Years".

10-31-2001, 11:01 AM	#12
west Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 26, 2001 Location: Mission kansas usa Posts: 45	The best TV book I've read is "Inside The Wild Wild West" by Richard Cangey. Cangey was an actor/stuntman on the series for the last three years. He tells all about his experiences with all the actors such as Robert Conrad and Ross Martin, and guest starring actors and actresses. Its like being on the set of the show, and tells of the off set antics that occured. The book can be purchased online at http://www.sprocketboy.com/insidewest/ Check out this website its really awesome. west