Review (PDF) Aaron Spelling: A Prime Time Life
As the producer of such TV shows as Dynasty, The Love Boat, Melrose Place and Charlie's Angels, Aaron Spelling has enjoyed a successful career. Here, he tells his life story--personal, revealing and filled with candid observations about Hollywood and the TV business, along with the inspiring rags to riches of a poor Jew from texas who overcame insurmountable odds to become the most successful TV producer ever. Simultaneous hardcover release from St. Martin's Press. 2 cassettes.
Paperback: 260 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (November 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312313446
ISBN-13: 978-0312313449
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,016,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #450 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > Direction & Production #5418 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Television Performers #15427 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Actors & Entertainers
Spelling gives a once-over-lightly review of his life and work. I have to admit I never watched his shows, at least not that I could recall - so I only had the book's description to rely on. After a while, it appears to be something of a stream of name-dropping. But then again - Spelling made most of the actors the household names that they and that their characters became, so I guess he's entitled.Spelling was basically a feel-good guy, at least that's the way he came across in the book. Nothing wrong with that, but because he really won't criticize or make any harsh observations about anyone he encountered (including types like Eisner and Orvitz) - that limits the depth of his observations and insights. Spelling obliquely observes that Hollywood is a tough town, but really doesn't tell us how tough it can be. Rather interestingly, he remarks that when one of his shows was cancelled - he would go home and spend a few days in bed with a bout of depression.The book is a worthwhile read if you want to get a sense of some of the history of television programming - Spelling produced something like 3,500 hours - by comparison, Dick Wolf's Law & Order, which seems to be everywhere - is only about 600 hours.I would have liked Spelling to be a bit more philosophical about what's involved in producing serial television, and his insights as to why his programs were such hits. But you won't find such insights in this book. About all he said in that regard is:> television is teamwork> hire the best writers you can and give them credit> look into the actor's eyes when you audition them - that will tell you who's goodSince Spelling recently passed away, no telling if there is an update or additional biography in the works. I would hope so, and one that would give us more insights into the man, his times and his work.
I was looking to buy this book since forever because I am a fan of his works and I love all the tv-shows he wrote and produced, but I never found the book at Barnes & Nobles .. so I decided to buy it via and as soon as I got it I started reading it. Very nice the way he writes also about his life as a poor kid in Dallas. I think he wrote this book in a very candid way. I loved this book a lot!
Although published 12 years ago (2002), this autobiography is a fun one. In the audio book, Spelling narrates his story with a beautiful balance of retrospection and humbleness. It's a great delivery, that really delivers an uplifting and entertaining story. The script is well-written and engaging. The audio book version is only offered in the abridged format; I was eager for it to be longer.
Hi,I found Mr. Spelling's book entertaining, insightful and innovative because he candidly talks about his humble beginnings growing up in a poor neighborhood in Dallas, being taunted and teased mercilessly, and then discusses how hard he worked to get where he is today!As Candy Spelling, Mr. Spelling's wife and mother of Tori and Randy Spelling, argues in his book, they worked hard and deserve to live in a palatial estate. I couldn't agree more with her commentary. When you work hard, and do the right thing with the right attitude as Mr. Spelling has done, then you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor, so kudos goes to Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Spelling and their children for working hard and maintaining a strong work ethic.Anyone who is a fan of Mr. Spelling's work, will thoroughly enjoy this informative, entertaining and down-to-earth memoir.It's almost as if Mr. Spelling is in the room with you talking to you about his life.Very enjoyable! I give his autobiography the highest rating, which is 5 stars!Buy it, read it, and enjoy it because it's truly an excellent book to add to your library!
Aaron Spelling claims he is a creative writer, but you wouldn't know it by reading this book. He quickly glides through his hit shows, bragging along the way about being the "first" to do many of the things in Hollywood (though often he is not correct about his claims). He uses superlatives throughout about his shows and claims 3 or 4 of them as his favorite or the one his is most proud of.Most distracting is that he includes in the book scripts from some of the shows--which feel like padding. He doesn't spill enough inside information on his life so he needs to make the book long enough to buy by including pages and pages of actual scripts from 90210, Dynasty, Charlie's Angels and others. Some film students may enjoy that, but for the average reader it is meaningless.He does tell a couple surprising stories of how he cheated others when he didn't have much money--but he never says he repaid those people once he got rich. He also doesn't go into his own wealth, other than to brag that he gives his wife lots of jewelry because he loves her so much.One thing that the reader does discover is that Spelling himself does not deserve the credit for many of his most famous shows--he merely helped get the show on the air or took someone else's idea and headed the company that produced it. The conclusion that the reader comes to is that this guy made a lot of money on shows that others created.There just isn't enough meaty material in this book. He is positive about everything he has done, everyone he has met and every show he has produced. Namely, the book is dull. And if he is such a great writer (which he brags about throughout the book), then why did he need a co-author for his own autobiography?????
Prime: Learn Everything You Need To Know About The Prime Membership - Get The Most Out Of Instant Video, Music, Prime Shipping And The Kindle ... Prime Books, Prime Membership) Aaron Spelling: A Prime Time Life Lending Library For Prime Members: Prime Members (lending library, prime members, free ebooks, tv series kindle owners) Prime:What is Prime and Kindle Owners' Lending Library - How to Get the Most Out of It? Kindle Owners Lending Library: Get Free Books, Movies and TV Shows with your Kindle and Prime Membership (Kindle Owners Lending Library & Prime) Prime: What Is In It For Me? Learn How to get the most out of Prime 2nd Grade Spelling Flashcards: 240 Flashcards for Building Better Spelling Skills Based on Sylvan's Proven Techniques for Success (Sylvan Language Arts Flashcards) 1st Grade Spelling Flashcards: 240 Flashcards for Building Better Spelling Skills Based on Sylvan's Proven Techniques for Success (Sylvan Language Arts Flashcards) Kindergarten Spelling Flashcards: 240 Flashcards for Building Better Spelling Skills Based on Sylvan's Proven Techniques for Success (Sylvan Language Arts Flashcards) Spelling Smart!: A Ready-to-Use Activities Program for Students with Spelling Difficulties Spelling Made Simple: Improve Your Spelling with This Practical, Self-Teaching Guide The Complete Works of D. H. Lawrence (22 Complete Works of D. H. Lawrence Including Women in Love, The Rainbow, Sons and Lovers, Fantasia of the Unconscious, Aaron's Rod, Twilight in Italy, & More) No entrabas en mis planes: La historia de Aaron y Livy (Spanish Edition) War of Two: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Duel that Stunned the Nation Life Coaching: Life Coaching Blueprint: Save A Life One Person At A Time (BONUS 30MINUTE Life Coaching Session- How To Motivate, Inspire, Change Your Life) Echo: The Ultimate Guide to Learn Echo In No Time ( Echo, Alexa Skills Kit, smart devices, digital services, digital media) ( Prime, internet device, guide) (Volume 6) Echo: 2016 - The Ultimate Guide to Learn Echo In No Time ( Echo, Alexa Skills Kit, smart devices, digital services, digital media) ( Prime, internet device, guide) Echo: Dot: The Ultimate User Guide to Learn Dot In No Time ( Echo 2016,user manual,web services,by ,Free books,Free Movie,Alexa ... Prime, smart devices, internet Book 5) The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, Seventh Edition The Complete Directory to Prime Time TV Stars
