Brooks on Books: several entertainment books

Some quick takes on entertainment-related books I've read recently, none of them particularly new or newsworthy, but, darn it, I read 'em:

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher: This sort-of memoir is disappointing, but maybe I shouldn't expect too much considering the author says early on much of her memory is shot from electroshock therapy to treat her bipolar. The book, she also admits, is basically adapted from her one-woman show, and much of these stories probably work better on a stage. As a reading experience, it's scattershot and way too brief. But it has some laughs, and I wish the best for Carrie Fisher.

TV Guide Fifty Years of Television: This is a gorgeous, massive coffee-table book that probably still shows up at remainder outlets around the country. It's arranged sort of like an old "TV Guide" magazine, with sections devoted to each day of the week, and it consists mostly of big pictures from the archives, accompanied by small insets of vintage mag covers of the photo subject. The text isn't as important, but it gets the job done. There are also a few layouts of nothing but reproductions of old mag covers. It's a great book for any old-school TV fan, especially at a discount.

The Showrunners by David Wild: I bought this for a buck at a used book sale, and, boy, was it worth it. Wait, that sounds like a backhanded compliment, doesn't it. "The Showrunners" is a bargain at that price, but then, what isn't? Wild's book about the creative minds who "run" (basically executive produce, but from the creative side--that is, actually working) network TV shows is almost 20 years old, but it's still a fun and useful read.

Wild is a prolific magazine writer, and this book, though it integrates all of its subjects by purporting to cover a season of television, often reads like a series of magazine profiles. But it doesn't matter. Wild draws some great quotes from his subjects, and through these profiles, he does paint a revealing picture of how shows are built from the ground up, then maintained throughout the grind of a production season.

Wild's look at the 1998-1999 season covers shows like "Friends," "Seventh Heaven," "Seven Days," "The Norm Show," Cupid," and "NewsRadio"--an intriguing mix of series that endure, series that are forgotten, comedies, dramas, plus a mix of the various personalities involved. Most compelling is Wild's portrait of NewsRadio's Paul Simms, who was scarred by showbiz battles even before enduring a season in which his established show was left to twist in the wind by NBC management even as his new pilot (also covered here) was also strung along by the network.

Even if you don't care much about the specific shows that get the ink here, you'll enjoy Wild's book if you are interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of network television. "The Showrunners" depicts both the creative process and the experience of dealing with the "suits," and it's loaded with amusing anecdotes and details.