M. Giant's
Velcrometer Throwing stuff at the internet to see what sticks
Friday, June 20, 2008
From Publisher's Weekly:
A TV Guide to Life: How I Learned Everything I Needed to Know From Watching Television Jeff Alexander. Berkley, $15.50 paper (272p) ISBN 9780425221556 Alexander, a writer for notoriously acrid web site Television Without Pity, takes on the common wisdom that television rots your brains by examining the wealth of knowledge he’s gained through his lifelong pursuit of television viewing. Sly, wordy and tongue-in-cheek, Alexander offers commentary, insight and information that straddle the line between impassioned viewer and cagey insider. Limiting himself to pure entertainment (no public or educational television here), Alexander distills the influence that scripted dramas and comedies, past and present, have on collective views of school, life, love, jobs, medicine, cops, friends, superpowers and death. While he does raise valid, and funny, points while berating television’s glamorous, unrealistic portrayals of doctors, lawyers, cops and a particular group of city-dwelling friends, it’s always evident that he’s made his living dissecting television—something that may alienate the masses who watch television simply to be entertained, not to fuss over the differences between NBC’s fictionalized portrayal on 30 Rock and Studio 60. On the other hand, fellow television writers, industry insiders, critics and true media junkies should find some barbed laughs.(July)
You've "made [your] living dissecting television"? That's going to come as a surprise to everyone who knows that's completely untrue. Fuck's sake, you'd think if they were going to make it the FOCUS OF THE REVIEW, they might actually find out whether it's true.
I had a similar thing happen when I learned through a review of the book (now known as The Book) that I had made my living as a dating expert. Which: HA HA HA HA!
Whatever, Publisher's Weekly. I've read the book, and the book is awesome, and you don't have to have been dissecting television professionally since you were an infant like Jeff Alexander to enjoy it.
I picked up a copy at the Borders on Michigan Avenue today. I hope you make oodles of money, since you've been entertaining me for free for several years.
In my defense, I am moving, and I am buried under boxes half the time. If losing my temper at Publishers Weekly is my worst offense of the week, I will be doing well.
I am the happiest girl in happytown because I received my VERY OWN signed copy in the mail today at work!!! Can't wait to read it, then buy copies for presents this Christmas.
Any money received from advertising this month will go to benefit:
BET RED It's ON. The Tomato Nation/Donors Choose Challange is back, and bigger than ever. As always, all ad money in September and October will go directly to the contest.
