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)

To purchase this book, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com


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!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, May 5

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Pomp and Circumstance" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tina and Gemma plan a joint graduation party for Malcolm and Grover, on part one of the hour-long seventh season finale.

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Venice" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The Butlers and Johnsons help Malcolm start a new chapter in a new city that, while just across town, is worlds away from the neighborhood, on part two of the hour-long seventh season finale.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 5)

Monday, May 5

  • David Spade (Rules of Engagement/8 Simple Rules/Just Shoot Me!) - Watch David on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also chats about his new comedy special Dandelion on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/The Ellen Show/Welcome to New York) - Jim appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Chloe Fineman (Big Mouth/Search Party) - Chloe is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Connie Britton (SMILF/Lost at Home/The Fighting Fitzgeralds/Spin City) - Connie appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
  • Will Forte (The Four Seasons/HouseBroken/MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Will stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
  • Hugh Jackman (Human REsources) - Hugh chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda stops by to talk about marriage, motherhood, and her latest comedy tour, Please and Thank You, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Melissa Rauch (Night Court/The Big Bang Theory) - Melissa talks about Netflix's Night Court on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

05/05 - Antenna TV's The Partridge Family Mother's Day Marathon; Rewind TV's 227 40th Anniversary Marathon
05/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 5, 2025)
05/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Cancels The Equalizer; Wisteria Lane Offshoot of Desperate Housewives in the Works
05/02 - USA and SYFY Announce Summer Premieres; CBC in Canada Renews 5 Series, Including Wild Cards
05/01 - ABC Summer 2025 Schedule; Audible Scripted Comedy Podcasts for Summer
04/30 - The Carol Burnett Show Mother of All Marathons; Netflix Renews North of North
04/29 - Lifetime Adds New Ripped from the Headlines Movie; BET+ Orders Season 2 of Series
04/28 - Fox Summer 2025 Schedule; Final Guest Hosts for Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Season
04/27 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 28, 2025)
04/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Cancels Poppa's House; Final Season 50 Hosts for Saturday Night Live Set
04/25 - Classic TV's Biggest Auction; Remembering Will Hutchins and Wink Martindale
04/24 - Jerrod Carmichael's 4th HBO Comedy Special; HBO's Pee-wee as Himself Premieres May 23
04/23 - Apple TV+ Announces Comedy Series Prodigies; ABC Renews Unscripted Series Slate
04/22 - Hallmark Channel's May For Moms Month; Prime Video Gets Korean Comedy Action Series
04/21 - Peacock's Twisted Metal Returns July 31; Poker Face Lines Up Big Guests for Season 2
04/20 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 21, 2025)
04/19 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Clueless Reboot in the Works at Peacock; King of the Hill Cast Reunion and Revival Preview at ATX TV Festival Next Month
04/18 - 2025 TIME100 on ABC; Atsuko Okatsuka: Father Premieres June 13 on Hulu
04/17 - BET+ Orders Martin Spinoff Varnell Hill; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Returns in July
04/16 - And Just Like That... Season 3 on Max This May; MGM+ Comedy Series Adds Big Stars
04/15 - HBO's Harry Potter Series; Classic TV Comes to Life in NYC
04/14 - TV Stars Lineup for Summer of 69 Hulu Film; Jessica Kirson Comedy Special
04/13 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 14, 2025)
04/12 - SitcomsOnline Digest: FX Sets Premiere Date for Adults; Netflix Picks Up Monopoly Themed Reality Competition Series
04/11 - Bounce TV Renews Mind Your Business; AMC Networks 2025 Upfront Highlights
04/10 - David Spade's Prime Video Comedy Special; Brett Goldstein's HBO Comedy Special Filmed in New Jersey
04/09 - Paramount+ Orders Season 3 of Colin from Accounts; FX's Adults Premieres May 28
04/08 - Prime Video's New Comedy Overcompensating; Nine Perfect Strangers Returns on Hulu in May
04/07 - NBC Celebrates Joan Rivers with Special; Remembering Jay North of Dennis the Menace
04/06 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 7, 2025)
04/05 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Renews Three Animated Series and Brings Back a Fourth for Four More Seasons; ABC Renews Shifting Gears