What would it be like if you talked with your favourite Hollywood celebrity? How would you react? How would you talk to them? And above all, would you treat them as humans, or gods? This book will give you an amazing perspective on the experiences of the world renowned broadcaster, Peter Anthony Holder, on being in that situation and doing what most would give a pinky for.
This book may not seem like it at first, but, it’s a gem because of the techniques and moods to which the author uses to approach the celebrities will come in hand one day to you. How? Well, think about it: We all have a time where we have the chance to interview/talk to, be in the presence of someone very important, so, why not be prepared with nifty pro tips from someone who has done this for more than 20 years of his life and learn with his mistakes?
It would sound crazy if your heard that a book filled with interviews was entertaining, we know that, but this is the truth in this case. The diversity of topics discussed here, with these many people, and the angles given by both the author’s questions and the surprising answers from the actors and celebrities will drag you in and keep you turning the pages of this book while you laugh with them and discover many secrets, like lawn and fence battles between two celebrities and how hot and career defining is gold paint, hahahahahhahha. This book is a rare find indeed. Who would have thought that it’s this good?
Movie enthusiasts, specially those that love the 70’s, 80’s and 90,s movies will love this book! There is so much information and details on Hollywood’s stars dynamics, history, and things about the actors and actresses lives that will leave any movie enthusiast, or student fall in love with it. Memories from authors about their roles, agents, how they became famous, the awards they got and secrets that you will find nowhere else.
The revealing of secrets and careers swings in both ways, the good and the bad, those actors that had great experiences with Hollywood, and those that didn’t and why they didn’t, which motives, sitcoms, or series that brought them to quit or end their careers, and all in between is insightful.
Iconic shows and movies like Tonight show, Sunday Night Show, Star Trek, Dirty Dance, Batman, Law and Order, Just for laughs, Gillingan’s Island, Space Jam, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Seinfeld, Mama and many others are discussed throughout the interviews with the actors and producers and you get to see a whole new picture that will make these classic series from a different light, many times making them more special to you, the fan.
One thing that I love about the book, and Peter Anthony Holder’s approach, is that he tries to bring the two sides of a story and just listen. There is no intent behind the interviews but to know more about the celebrities, their careers, personalities and just have a great time.
One thing that I love about the book, and Peter Anthony Holder’s approach, is that he tries to bring the two sides of a story and just listen. There is no intent behind the interviews but to know more about the celebrities, their careers, personalities and just have a great time.
While you read, the author exp lains you his thoughts and lessons on how to conduct interviews and have conversations, how to change topics with the why’s and the when’s making this book not only entertaining, but also educative. It’s rather brilliant what was done here and, personally, I think that the reader absorbs a lot more with this approach.
Hollywood stars like Vicent Van Patten, Mel Brooks, Steven Allen, Theodore Bikel, George Takei (star trek), Alan Bean, Milton Berle, Lynn Johnston, Tom Arnold, Jerry Orbach , Michael Moriarty, Burt Ward, Yvonne Craig, Thurl Ravenscroft are just a few names that you will have the chance to know more about and laugh as you read their experiences.
If you are a Hollywood drama/beef lover, well, that’s something for you in this book as well, as the interviewer let’s people talk about their likes and dislikes on one or another, and then brings in the other person in a next interview and ask them.
The insights that you get on these interviews about acting, the rawness of the trade, and how it can ruin your soul if you are not careful, how it can even kill you and destroy your reputation will awake many people and cut off the pictures of lights and shine and dollar signs. After you read some of these interviews, you will never look at actors the same, and I think that is important, to be grounded on reality and not the screens’ projections.
People that love acting, or are into acting will also find this book extremely interesting, because they will get snippets of wisdom and insight from stars and how they see things while spilling some insides of Hollywood, to give you a perspective about what’s inside.
For those who like and want to know more about Hollywood stars and their adventures told by them (like how “kinky” Robin from Batman was), acting, dancing, the moon, WWII , Kellogg’s, and so many other things that you can’t even imagine, then this book will give for a fascinating reading. Grab your copy and dive in, you won’t regret it.
Pros:
- Excellent and ever-shifting narrative and perspectives
- Lots of humour in the book, factoids and secrets
- A deep insight in the light and dark sides of the acting career and its consequences
- A trip to the past when it comes to acting, Hollywood and celebrities
- Great insight on how to conduct an interview and get people to talk about themselves.
Cons:
- None
Scribble's Worth 
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