A recent survey revealed that Americans are reading fewer books than at any other time in history. What are they doing instead? Watching TV, surfing the Internet, and otherwise partaking of pop culture. We here at tvdvdreviews.com have a solution: why not read books ABOUT TV and pop culture? Here is a list of our favorites. Remember, this list is highly selective. If it isn't on our own shelves, it isn't on this list. Happy reading!
Our top pick: The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946-Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh: If you have only one TV book in your collection, this should be it. What Leonard Maltin's guide is for film, this volume is for TV shows, but with much greater detail and scope. The Complete Directory features an entry for every TV show ever to play during prime time, including the dates of first and last telecast, its broadcast history (days, times, and networks), its cast, and a detailed description of the series. The entries are packed with information, and they are sometimes several pages long. The appendix includes complete prime time schedule grids for each season, annual Emmy Award winners, the top-rated programs by season, spin-off lists, and much, much more. This book belongs in the library of all TV fans.
Revolution Televised: Prime Time and the Struggle for Black Power by Christine Acham: This examination of African Americans on television is sometimes blind to the medium's flaws (Acham's defense of Good Times, for example, is too strenuous) and overly academic, but readers interested in this often overlooked subject matter should give this book a read. The chapter on the controversial The Richard Pryor Show alone is in itself worth the price of the book.
The "I Love Lucy" Book by Bart Andrews: Thanks to extensive interviews with the show's stars and off screen personnel, this gossip-filled book presents the complete behind-the-scenes story of the making of I Love Lucy. Andrews is obviously a fan, but he isn't afraid to dish the dirt when it comes to backstage personality clashes. Originally published in 1976 and updated in the 1980s, this easy-to-read title also includes a detailed episode guide.
Prime Times: Writers on Their Favorite TV Shows edited by Douglas Bauer: This essay collection features twenty-three authors writing about their favorite television shows. Some of these pieces are terrific (Elizabeth McCracken on America's Funniest Home Videos, Susan Perabo on Days of Our Lives, Richard Bausch on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Virginia Hefferman on Davey and Goliath, to name a few), some are merely entertaining, and others are just too smart for their own good, as if the writers feared being looked upon as uncool for stooping to write about television. The remaining essays include Nick Hornby on The West Wing, Phyllis Rose on Survivor, Susan Cheever on Father Knows Best, Barry Hannah on classic TV, Jill McCorkle on The Andy Griffith Show, James Alan McPherson on Star Trek, Jayne Anne Phillips on Big Valley, David Shields on Howard Cosell, Lan Samantha Chang on Gilligan's Island, Nora Ephron on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Stephen McCauley on infomercials, Douglas Rushkoff on science fiction, April Bernard on Danger Man, Michael Gorra on Masterpiece Theatre, Mark Leyner on Hawaii Five-O, Alan Lightman on The Twilight Zone, Sven Berkerts on black-and-white TV, Henry Louis Gates Jr. on Amos 'n' Andy, and Lloyd Schwartz on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.
Retro Hell: Life in the `70s and `80s, from Afros to Zotz by the editors of "Ben is Dead" Magazine: Think of this as the Zagat guide to pop culture. The editors of the zine "Ben is Dead" weigh in on everything from ABC After School Specials to Zoom!, and everything in between. Entries are arranged alphabetically and include reminiscences and comments by various editors. Although this book is now out of print, inexpensive used and remaindered copies can be picked up at Amazon.
Saturday Morning Fever: Growing up with Cartoon Culture by Timothy Burke & Kevin Burke: This book can't really decide if it's a history of Saturday Morning TV or a guide to Saturday morning TV shows. As a result, it's not entirely successful as either, but it still makes great reading for anyone who automatically begins making popsicles out of toothpicks, ice cube trays, fruit juice, and plastic wrap upon hearing the phrase "Time for Timer."
The Adventures of Amos and Andy: A Social History of an American Phenomenon by Melvin Patrick Ely: Amos 'n' Andy was wildly successful as both a radio serial and a TV sitcom, but its broad racial stereotypes (and the fact that the radio show was created and voiced by white actors who often made personal appearances in blackface) made it a highly controversial hit. Written by a professor of African-American studies, this book delves into both sides of the controversy with special emphasis on the changing racial climate of the 1930s through the 1950s. The focus here is mostly on the radio show, but anyone interested in the series as it relates to social protest and societal change should give this book a read.
Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence by Paul Feig: If you liked Freaks & Geeks, you'll love this hilarious memoir by the show's creator, a proud ex-geek. Readers bewares: Each page features several laugh-out-loud funny moments, so if you read it in public, you just might end up embarrassing yourself. Feig's follow-up book, Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin, doesn't live up to his first, but it still will manage to evoke nods of recognition in geeks everywhere.
Do You Remember?: TV: The Book That Takes You Back by Michael Gitter, Sylvie Anapo, and Erika Glazer: This well-designed book uses pictures, theme song lyrics, catch phrases, and other bits of ephemera to spark reminiscences about TV of the '60s, '70s, & '80s. It is very useful as a conversation starter among TV-loving friends.
TVacations: A Fun Guide to the Sites, the Stars, and the Inside Stories Behind Your Favorite TV Shows by Fran Wenograd Golden: How would you like to vacation in Twin Peaks? Or maybe Knots Landing? Sure, these places are fictitious, but this book provides a detailed guide to where you can find the real-life places that provided the exteriors used in your favorite shows. The entries are divided by region. Also included are airdates, background information, and "Fun Facts" on each show. You'd better get busy: some of the landmarks detailed here are already gone - like Taxi's garage in New York City, which was bulldozed in the late 1990s to make way for a pharmacy.
Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley & Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick: Superstar Elvis Presley made several historic TV appearances, from his post-Army gig with Frank Sinatra to his '68 Comeback Special. These two exhaustive, exhausting volumes delve into every aspect of The King's too-short life, including the stories behind those TV specials. If reading a two volume biography seems like two much, then you might want to check out Bobbie Ann Mason's Elvis Presley, a slender, idiosyncratic volume that is part of the Penguin Lives biography series.
The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television by Wesley Hyatt: This guide is to daytime TV what The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946-Present is to prime time. Where else can you find information about Rubik, The Amazing Cube, Romper Room, General Hospital, Let's Make a Deal, and some show called Pud's Prize Party all in one volume? Omissions and mistakes are pretty easy to find, but this is still an invaluable resource. The book, published in 1997, is out of print, but used copies can easily be picked up at Amazon for as little as $3, far less than its actual worth.
TVparty: Television's Untold Tales by Billy Ingram: Based on the acclaimed Web site, this book takes a gossip-filled look at TV: the mysterious death of Superman George Reeves, the Little Rascals curse, the turmoil behind-the-scenes of Good Times. Special attention is also given to kids' shows of the '50s and '60s (including Andy's Gang, Captain Kangaroo, and Gigglesnort Hotel) and variety shows of the '70s (including The Richard Pryor Show). Extremely well-designed (it perfectly transfers the Web site to the printed page, something that many Web site-based books fail to do), this book is good, trashy fun. Also included is a bonus CD-ROM with show clips, commercials, and network promos.
Honey, I'm Home!: Sitcoms: Selling The American Dream by Gerard Jones: This immensely readable book looks at the history and development of sitcoms, starting with the days of radio right through modern-day favorites like Married...with Children and Roseanne. Not only does Jones examine how classics like I Love Lucy were created, he also analyzes TV trends to find out WHY we watch what we watch.
Easy to read but packed with information, this book is highly recommended.
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs : A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman: This book of essays examines many facets of pop culture from a media savvy thirtysomething's perspective. Whether he's writing about The Real World, Billy Joel, the Celtics vs. the Lakers, or Saved by the Bell, Klosterman's unique voice makes even the goofiest of subjects interesting.
As Seen on TV: The Visual Culture of Everyday Life in the 1950s by Karal Ann Marling: This book isn't really about TV. Instead, it is an interesting look at the sensibilities and tastes that developed in 1950s America. It is a bit academic, but if you are up for a challenge, it's worth a look.
Pufnstuf & Other Stuff: The Weird and Wonderful World of Sid & Marty Krofft by David Martindale: The Krofft brothers were responsible for some of the most memorably weird kids' shows ever produced, including Lidsvillle, H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost. Written with the cooperation of the Kroffts, this book gives the inside stories behind all of their Saturday morning oddities...and their even stranger nighttime shows like Pink Lady and Jeff. Also included are episode guides and theme song lyrics for all of their kids' shows. Fans of the Kroffts' creations will savor each and every page.
Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests by James A. Miller & Tom Shales: Fans of sketch comedy in general and Saturday Night Live in particular should not miss this fascinating oral history of SNL. Featuring interviews with almost everyone involved with the series from the 1970s through the date of publication, this book is breezy, fun, and informative. The good times and the bad, the personality clashes and the love affairs - it's all here in this essential read.
Speed Racer: The Official 30th Anniversary Guide by Elizabeth Moran: Remember this kooky Japanese import? If not, you've probably never seen it - it's pretty hard to forget. This colorful book provides a detail episode guide, a history of the series, and more behind-the-scenes info than you can cram into the Mach 5's roomy trunk. This book is out of print, so snap up a used copy today.
Laughs, Luck...and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time by Jess Oppenheimer with Gregg Oppenheimer: Before creating I Love Lucy, Jess Oppenheimer got his start in radio, writing for stars like Fred Astaire, Jack Benny, and Fanny Brice. Lucy fans will definitely enjoy this chatty autobiography recapping his career from those early days through his memorable work with Lucille Ball. Because Oppenheimer died before completing Laughs, Luck.and Lucy, the book ends without fully exploring I Love Lucy, but this is still a worthy read. Included is a bonus CD containing the complete "Young Matrons League Tryouts" episode of Lucy's radio show My Favorite Husband, excerpts from other episodes, I Love Lucy's "Vitameatavegamin" scene, and much more.
Archie Bunker's America: TV in an Era of Change, 1968-1978 by Josh Ozersky: This look at the ways in which TV changed during the turbulent period from the late '60s to the late '70s is highly informative. It's also so academic that it should come with a diploma. Worth reading, but not for the faint of heart.
St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture Edited by Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast: Clear some space on your bookshelf, because this is an actual dive volume encyclopedia - the kind you might find at your local library. Containing over 2,700 entries covering subjects in a broad variety of categories, including film, music, print culture, social life, sports, television and radio, and art and performance. With entries that run the gamut from short (75-150 words) to long (3,000 words), this informative resource is perfect for browsing on a lazy day at home. Published in 2000, the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture is not exactly up-to-date, but with complete sets available for only $59.95, this weighty reference set is a real steal.
Totally Awesome 80s : A Lexicon of the Music, Videos, Movies, TV Shows, Stars, and Trends of that Decadent Decade by Matthew Rettenmund: Imagine VH1's I Love the '80s in book form and you'll have a pretty good idea of what's in this book. Filled with top ten lists and other fun stuff, this book will provide much conversation fodder for those of us who lived through the totally awesome '80s.
The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows by David Schwartz, Steve Ryan, & Fred Wostbrock: Another great reference book, this one devoted to game shows. Wanna know what contestants on Funny Boners had to do? Can't quite remember who hosted The Joker's Wild? When did Body Language run on CBS? Answers to those and other questions can be found here. There is also an informative appendix which includes an index of game show personalities and a year-by-year listing of the top rated shows. This is THE book for Game Show Network junkies.
Poplorica: A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions, and Lore that Shaped Modern America by Martin J. Smith and Patrick J. Kiger: Find out how TV dinners were invented, why Americans are obsessed with their lawns, and who was responsible for the rise in black velvet painting in this breezy look at pop culture.
Glued to the Set: The 60 Television Shows and Events That Made Us Who We Are Today by Steven D. Stark: In this must-have book, author Stark picks 60 TV shows that changed us for better and for worse. Organized by decade, his picks are smart, insightful and informative. If you think TV is meaningless, read this book.
TV Guide from the editors of TV Guide: The digest-sized TV Guide published for over fifty years is a thing of history, now replaced by a full-sized, glossy magazine that emphasizes content over listings. This redo isn't perfect - the articles are slight, some of the columns are dumb, it borrows too much from the publisher's now-defunct Inside TV, and don't bother looking for local listings - but it is a leap forward in making this once essential magazine vital again.
TV Guide: TV on DVD 2006 : The Ultimate Resource to Television Programs on DVD from the editors of TV Guide: This handy reference guide provides information on more than 3,000 TV DVDs, including the premise and cast of the show as well as the discs, running time, and number of episodes. Don't expect reviews or opinions - just a semi-comprehensive listing of what TV shows you can expect to find on DVD. An excellent resource for TV fans who want to know if Benji, Zax, and the Alien Prince is on DVD and, if so, the number of episodes included.
The TV Theme Song Trivia Book: Mind-Boggling Questions About Those Songs and Themes You Can't Get Out of Your Head by Vincent Terrace: Test your knowledge of TV theme songs with this fun and challenging book.
From Hill Street Blues to ER: Television's Second Golden Age: by Robert J. Thompson: Many critics claim that the 1950s marked TV's "Golden Age" (conveniently forgetting all of the crummy shows like wrestling and roller derby that filled out the schedule between airings of Marty), but this excellent book examines the hallmarks of the "quality dramas" that hit the air in the 1980s in TV's "Second Golden Age," with special emphasis on Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Cagney & Lacey, Moonlighting, L.A. Law, thirtysomething, China Beach, Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, and Picket Fences. Now out of print, this book is well worth seeking out, especially for fans of the individual shows discussed.
Kissing Bill O'Reilly, Roasting Miss Piggy: 100 Things to Love and Hate About TV by Ken Tucker: Tucker, the film critic for New York magazine and former TV critic for Entertainment Weekly, presents short essays alternating between his TV loves and hates. Some of the entries seem cranky and contrary, while others seem too predictable. Overall, though, the light, breezy style will make this fun, brainless reading for TV fans.
Classic Sitcoms: A Celebration of the Best in Prime-Time Comedy by Vince Waldron: After polling forty-five TV critics, Waldron drew up a list of the then all-time best TV shows: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, M*A*S*H, The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, Taxi, and Cheers. Each show is given a written history and a complete episode guide, including episode numbers, original airdates, writers, directors, guest stars, and plot synopses. Selected episodes even receive special analysis by Waldron. This book is essential for fans of these classic shows. With all of these shows now on DVD, don't venture to the video store without this book!
Little House Boxed Set by Laura Ingalls Wilder: Admit it - you love the TV show. Now become acquainted with the books that started it all. Follow the Ingalls family across the American West, and marvel that they never adopt a single child! So sweet and wholesome you'll want to share them with the youngsters in your life.