Literary Superstars

miles · Nov 4, 2007

Author Matthew Reilly is creating a TV show called "Literary Superstars" for ABC. I haven't read any of his books, but may order a couple. Anyway, the show looks like it will be interesting, especially since its creator will be an author with first-hand experience.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1933044.htm

Will Lavender · Nov 4, 2007

Interesting. I would definitely watch it. Wonder if other people will watch? I think there's a common sort of interest in book-writing, but the title Literary Superstars (awful title) may turn people off from the get-go.

At least it isn't a reality show. When I read the thread title, I envisioned a show where we got to see John Updike sit in a leather chair for an hour and scratch himself.

Cranky · Nov 4, 2007

Will Lavender said:
At least it isn't a reality show. When I read the thread title, I envisioned a show where we got to see John Updike sit in a leather chair for an hour and scratch himself.

My eyes! LOL

It might be worth checking out, though. Interesting premise.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 4, 2007

as told ABC News Online the Sex in the City-style show will detail the exploits of a publishing industry publicist.

The Sex in the City reference turns me immediately off. Is that all that television is about now? Sex?

Otherwise the premise sounds passable.

From the title, however, I was hoping for something like that horror television show where each episode is directed by a different horror director.

In this case I was thinking maybe each week would be a story based on the literary work of some author who could then sort of host that episode. That would have been cool.

scarletpeaches · Nov 4, 2007

Oh yes. The Australian Dan Brown. How...marvellous.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 4, 2007

ChunkyC · Nov 5, 2007

I'll probably check it out when it airs. I just hope they get a decent 'technical advisor', an author and/or publicist who actually has done the book tour/promotion thing.

Toothpaste · Nov 5, 2007

I think Sex and the City actually refers more to quirky, modern, big city people going to fancy parties and the latest clubs, and less actually about sex.

I dunno, I think it sounds interesting.

Will Lavender · Nov 5, 2007

I'm not ashamed to admit that I loved Sex & the City. One of my all-time favorites. If this is anything like that, then I'll definitely watch.

CheshireCat · Nov 5, 2007

I thought Sex in the City was okay. Watchable -- though I flinched every time Carrie turned into a helpless, simpering, flirty girl every time there was a man in her life.

As for the literary superstars thing, I dunno. What we do isn't very watchable, I wouldn't buy the whole Glamorous Social Life of Writers because, well, I know too many writers, and aside from Jessica Fletcher, who had crimes to solve (and seldom appeared to actually write all those bestsellers), most of us tend to be fairly occupied by ordinary, everyday life.

Whatcha wanta bet the show ends up being about writers who are totally screwed-up? Because that's the only "interesting" way to portray writers, apparently. (Look at Duchovny's Californication.)

Ask me, Stephen King's the only one who's been able to make the internal world of a writer watchable and interesting -- and, oh, yeah, scary as hell. (Delving just a little too deeply for my comfort level there, Steve.)

Since ABC belongs to The Mouse now, I can't see the show looking too much like Sex in the City, though ...

PeeDee · Nov 6, 2007

Very few writers, in TV or in books or movies, actually WRITE. Honestly, how boring would THAT be?

I dunno. I'll watch it. I'll probably stomp off shouting, but I'll give it a shot...

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 6, 2007

You know what would really be cool? If it was real Literary Superstars, and it would be like an hour of them talking about their lives. Kind of like that one man play about Samual Clemens. Heck, I think I'd watch that. Great actors doing a one-man play as Charles Dickens, or Alexander Dumas, or Shakespeare, or HG Wells, or what have you.

Now that would be entertaining.

Of course it would last three episodes because:
1) It would be Educational
B) It would have no sex.

PeeDee · Nov 6, 2007

*I* would watch that.

Or something like the Actor's Studio With James Lipton, except we'd either have detailed discussions with the authors, or in the case of deceased authors, we'd have detailed discussions with experts on them.

MidnightMuse · Nov 6, 2007

Oh oh oh, I want THAT ! James Lipton sitting down, talking with authors - more fun if he could somehow manage to interview all the interesting dead ones

But detailed discussions with authors about the dead ones . . . I'd watch it.

PeeDee · Nov 6, 2007

The best thing is Fast Forward TV, which is frankly all I need anyway.

Go to the archives. Lose a few hours. Fall in love with Gene Wolfe as much as I did.

MidnightMuse · Nov 6, 2007

Must. Resist. Time-chewing. Temptation!!

PeeDee · Nov 6, 2007

In case you couldn't find the archive, here you go. Download and watch time and again.

MidnightMuse · Nov 6, 2007

Curse you! A pox upon . . .wait . . teething

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 6, 2007

Well, I'm at work so I'm not clicking on no stinking link!

Anyone remember the old PBS show with Steve Allen called "A Meeting of the Minds?"

Each week he'd have a roundtable discussion with different figures from history and he was like the moderator. It was very interesting seeing people like Anne Bolin, Churchill, Napoleon or what have you interacting on whatever the topic for that show was.

I would envision a show like LIterary Superstars to have that sort of intellectual chutzpa instead of just "Sex in the City" meets a Literary Agency.

PeeDee · Nov 6, 2007

I adored that show. I wonder if it can be found on DVD anywhere. That was such an interesting show...

Literary Superstars

miles

agent at The Knight Agency

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

Cranky

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

scarletpeaches

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

ChunkyC

It's hard being green

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

CheshireCat

Mostly purring. Mostly.

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?