Friday, August 12, 2011

Blog Book Review: Living Room Legends: Chats with TV's Famous Faces; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 15, 2011)

There are many authors out there who write books about classic television, and Eddie Lucas is not new to the game. In 2007, he wrote the book Close-Ups: Conversations with Our TV Favorites (see our review), where he had conversations with classic TV stars from series from the 50s all the way into the 80s. The conversations were very thorough and detailed, and the book was the text of the actual conversation, and not just a paraphrasing. Now he has a new book, with even more conversations, with Living Room Legends: Chats with TV's Famous Faces. Here is our review of his latest book.


Blog Book Review - Living Room Legends: Chats with TV's Famous Faces

Living Room Legends: Chats with TV's Famous Faces (Serendepity Media Group, $22.95) is Eddie Lucas' latest book of conversations with the famous faces of TV. If his name sounds familiar to you, that is likely because you remember Lucas' earlier similar book, Close-Ups: Conversations with Our TV Favorites. In this book, Lucas brings us eleven more raw interviews with TV stars including Jim Nabors, Donna Douglas, Rose Marie, Tom Lester, Janet Waldo, Phyllis Diller, and more.

Much like his previous book, this one is also divided into a chapter for each star featured in the book, with eleven chapters in this book. This book has a strong emphasis on stars from the 60s and early 70s. In this book, chapters are featured for the following:
  • Jim Nabors (The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.)
  • Donna Douglas (The Beverly Hillbillies)
  • Pat Carroll (The Danny Thomas Show)
  • Rose Marie (The Dick Van Dyke Show)
  • Shelley Morrison (The Flying Nun and Will & Grace)
  • Ronnie Schell (Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.)
  • Tom Lester (Green Acres)
  • Lucie Arnaz (Here's Lucy)
  • Janet Waldo (The Jetsons)
  • Pat Priest (The Munsters)
  • Phyllis Diller (The Pruitts of Southhampton)
Each chapter of the book begins with a brief introduction and biography (about two pages or so) about the star, then, like his previous book, it dives straight into conversations. We get the raw and unedited authentic conversations with the stars, and while there are no major bombshells dropped anywhere in the book, we do get a very nice lighthearted (and modern) view of each of these stars. Along the way, we get to see some photos of the stars in their heyday as well as modern photos of the stars.

In the chapter on Jim Nabors, we learn that it was decided very early in his run on The Andy Griffith Show that a spinoff was in the works. In fact, many people don't realize it, but his tenure on The Andy Griffith Show was very short, and only about a year and a half long. Donna Douglas talks about beating out over 500 other girls auditioning for the role of Elly Mae on The Beverly Hillbillies and the store of the Clampett family dog Duke--there were actually four separate Dukes! I couldn't place a face with a name for Pat Carroll prior to reading her chapter (the table of contents only lists The Danny Thomas Show), but then she became very recognizable to me when she talked about her role as Henry Rush's boss, Hope Stinson, on the final season of Too Close for Comfort (originally retitled The Ted Knight Show). She easily qualifies as one of the more unsung stars of television that you see everywhere, but just don't know her name, as her chapter demonstrates. Rose Marie, of course, is well known for her role on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and in her chapter, she talks about that series (and how she almost left the series), as well as other series that she appeared in, and even her younger days as a child actress.

Shelley Morrison was another name that didn't immediately ring a bell, but it became very obvious who she was when the introduction indicated that she played the English-mangling Sister Sixto on The Flying Nun. She is currently doing voice work for a Disney cartoon series targeted to preschoolers. Ronnie Schell, of course, was all over TV in the 60s, playing in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and working on That Girl (both filmed on the same lot). His experiences of working with Bea Arthur on an episode of The Golden Girls are an interesting read. Tom Lester talks about the aborted spinoff of Green Acres that would have starred him and Arnold the pig, and how he really didn't enjoy doing the Return to Green Acres movie, is it just wasn't the same. We learn from Lucie Arnaz that Here's Lucy worked on a very tight production schedule and that, even though Lucille Ball was a forceful boss, she actually hated being the boss and just wanted to be Lucy.

We all know Judy Jetson, but not all of us know Janet Waldo, the voice behind her. She talks a lot about her work with Lucille Ball and about being replaced on Jetsons: The Movie (and the hate mail that Joe Barbera's secretary had to hide from him in response). Pat Priest talks almost exclusively about The Munsters and her surprise at how young Al Lewis was at his death. The book ends with a chapter on Phyllis Diller, who never really had any major roles on any scripted TV series, but is still recognizable from so many series.

Fans of television, particularly fans of 60s television, are sure to enjoy this book. At just under 350 pages, it is a book that one can read through very quickly, or just skim through the chapters that they are interested in. Like his previous book, this is definitely worth having in your classic TV book collection.

(5/5 stars)

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It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of August 15-19, 2011, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

Monday, August 15, 2011
  • Betty White (Hot in Cleveland/The Golden Girls/The Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Watch Betty on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC and then on a repeat of the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Catch Kathy on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Nick Jonas (JONAS L.A.) - Nick appears on a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Henry Winkler (Happy Days) - Henry visits LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, so check your listings.
  • Portia de Rossi (Arrested Development) - Tune in to see Portia on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Tina Fey (30 Rock) - Tina stops by The Gayle King Show at 6pm on OWN.

  • Jada Pinkett Smith (A Different World) - Watch Jada on an encore broadcast of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.

  • Mila Kunis (That '70s Show) - Catch Mila on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011
  • Jamie Foxx (The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie is a guest on an all-new Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC.
  • Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick - Watch the ladies of Hot in Cleveland on a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Joel McHale (Community) - Joel stops by LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, so check your listings.
  • Sinbad (A Different World/The Sinbad Show) - Sinbad visits The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
  • Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) - Alec appears on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
  • Louis C.K. (Louie) - Catch Louis on a repeat of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Joel McHale (Community) - Joel continues to make the rounds on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12am on ABC.
  • Patricia Heaton (The Middle/Everybody Loves Raymond) - Patricia chats on The Gayle King Show at 6pm on OWN.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
  • Dick Van Dyke (The Dick Van Dyke Show) - Watch the legendary Mr. Van Dyke on a repeat of Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Louis C.K. (Louie) - Louis stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Jerry O'Connell (Carpoolers/Do Not Disturb) - Jerry guest hosts an encore broadcast of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Friday, August 19, 2011
  • Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) - Jane guest co-hosts LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, so check your listings.
Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!
Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:15 PM
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New on DVD/Blu-ray (April/May/June)

Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Fifth Season Father Knows Best - Season Five The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Second Season ALF - The Complete DVD Collection The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete Series

04/04 - Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Fifth Season
04/11 - Father Knows Best - Season Five
04/11 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Third Season
04/11 - Silicon Valley - The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray)
04/11 - Veep - The Complete Fifth Season
05/02 - Red, White and Blue Collar Sitcoms - Make TV Great Again
05/09 - ALF - The Complete DVD Collection
05/09 - Divorce - The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
05/09 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Second Season
05/16 - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete Series
06/13 - The Andy Griffith Show - Return to Mayberry
06/13 - That's My Mama - The Complete Series
06/20 - Workaholics - The Final (Seventh) Season
06/20 - Workaholics - The Complete Series
06/27 - The Jamie Foxx Show - The Complete Third Season
More TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, June 28

The Goldbergs - "Fonzie Scheme" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Murray is honored as one of Jenkintown’s top businessmen, his plaque is hung on a wall with all of the other honorees. And soon Beverly is dismayed to learn he has no discernable hobbies, and her attempts to help him find some backfire. Meanwhile, Barry creates a scheme stealing golf carts, but the situation goes awry and Erica comes to save the day.

Speechless - "D-A-T-E-- DATE?" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
JJ meets a new girl at school, an injured gymnast, who must learn to adapt to school life in a wheelchair. JJ shows her the ropes and soon forms a crush. Elsewhere, Ray saves face by claiming a picture of his own nipple on his phone to be a ”sext” from his ”girlfriend.” The plan makes him a hero among the boys at school, but backfires after Maya learns the whole story. Meanwhile, Jimmy teaches Dylan how to properly deal with stress.

Modern Family - "Blindsided" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Dunphys and Pritchett’s are going head-to-head when Luke decides his best chance at getting into college is running for senior class president against Manny. The outcome of this election is even more important to Jay, Gloria and Claire, who prove to be dubious campaign managers. Now that Haley has started her own promotion business, Phil insists on introducing her to marketing guru Merv Schechter (played by Martin Short), who hasn’t seen a stress ball he can’t slap a logo on yet. Meanwhile, Cam finds out his star football player is moving away and makes a rash decision that is going to make home life a little cramped for Mitch and Cam.

American Housewife - "Surprise" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Oliver tells his parents that he’s so embarrassed by their modest house that he’d rather not have a birthday party at all. Katie decides to teach him a lesson by ambushing him with a surprise party at home with all his wealthy friends.

The Carmichael Show - "Shoot-Up-Able" (NBC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Jerrod is forced to tell a police officer what he witnessed during a tragic event.

The Carmichael Show - "Porn Addiction" (NBC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The family discusses porn addiction after Cynthia's reverend talks about the subject at a service.

Nightcap - "Always a Beard, Never a Bride" (Pop, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson arrives with his guru and inducts the staff into what seems like a cult; TV show host Michael Strahan disappoints Davis when he avoids talking about football. Staci and Penny fight over TV personality Ross Mathews.

Younger - "Post Truth" (TV Land, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Liza deals with the aftermath of coming clean with Kelsey, and Charles tests their synchronicity. Kelsey and Josh become unlikely allies.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 26)

Wednesday, June 28

  • Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers ) - Watch Justin on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Hilary Duff (Younger/Lizzie McGuire) - Hilary visits Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also appears on a repeat of Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
  • Leighton Meester (Making History) - Leighton appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Eugene Mirman (Bob's Burgers) - Eugene is a guest on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
  • Carl Reiner (The Dick Van Dyke Show) - Carl appears on a repeat of Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Lauren Lapkus (Are You There, Chelsea?/Clipped) - Lauren is a guest on a repeat of Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Amy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She also opens up about raising boys on People Now at 8:30am.
  • Busy Philipps (Vice Principals/Cougar Town) - Busy guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
  • Carla Gugino (Spin City) - Carla appears on a repeat of Harry, so check your local listings.
  • Billy Gardell (Mike & Molly) - Billy is a guest on a repeat of Harry, so check your local listings.
  • Brandon T. Jackson (Deadbeat) - Brandon appears on a repeat of The Real, so check your local listings.
  • Debi Mazar (Younger/Entourage) and Molly Bernard (Younger) - Debi visits NBC's Today in the 9am hour. Debi and Molly are guests on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
  • Bronson Pinchot (Perfect Strangers) - Bronson talks about Battle of the Network Stars on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
  • Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) - Eric will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve is a guest on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
  • Molly Shannon (Kath & Kim/Cracking Up) - Molly talks about The Little Hours on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
  • Garcelle Beauvais (The Jamie Foxx Show) - Garcelle talks about Spider-man: Homecoming on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
  • Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) - Jane is a guest on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.