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Books and Audios about your favorite TV shows
By Bennet Pomerantz
Someone Please Help the Captain : Star
Trek Memories Audiobook
In my eyes William Shatner will always be Captain James T. Kirk of the
Starship Enterprise. However, in his new book and audiobook, Star Trek Memories from Harper
Collins (audio version of Star
Trek Memories), he tries too hard to tell the behind-the-scenes Star Trek
saga. It doesnt work. Shatner tries to appear like he was there from the inception
but he wasnt, he knows it, and it is demonstrated in the text. Even in audio
form, where Shatner is a respectable narrator, his words come off hollow. If this book is
successful, Shatner may want to compose a book of the Trek anecdotes that he entertains
crowds with at conventions.
How Cal-Tech Saved Star Trek (from J.C. Consulting) is an audio
oddity. This hour-long cassette relates how the Cal-Tech students marched on NBC on
January 6, 1968 to save Star Trek. It features original recordings made on site and
interviews. The sound quality is primitive, reflecting the level of equipment available
for personal use in 1968. This audio chronicle is a rare find for Star Trek history fans
who have heard and read many accounts of this story, including Shatner's description of
the event in his new book. This historic tape is a treasure trove for fans of Trek history
to cherish.
Need a Guide to Another Universe?
Epi-log Magazine is an authentic prize a valuable resource
for episode information for television series of all kinds. The magazine covers all
genres: comedy, drama, fantasy, adventure, cartoons, and science fiction; from early shows
from the 50s to the British imports seen on PBS. A bravo to a magazine that fills a
creative void and to its Publisher/Editor William E. Anchors, Jr. For the $5.95 cover
price, Epi-log provides a valuable television reference for writers who want to
create in precreated universes (Indiana Jones, Star Trek, Forever Knight, etc.). Also, it
is for the videophiles who like to keep their episodes in order. The editors cover both
short run series and the long runners like Star Trek: The Next Generation and Quantum
Leap.
Playing with your Favorite TV Shows
When I like a movie or a TV show, I buy the book, the soundtrack, and
especially the Gameboy. Batman: The Animated Series is the newest TV product to
transfer to the Gameboy screens. It joins such other TV licences as Star Trek: The 25th
Aniversary, Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Addams Family, Ren & Stimpy, Popeye, and Felix the Cat. Batman is
worth buying, from the opening title screen, which recreates the television show opening,
to the non-stop action. (See Batman
videogames)
A Thirty-Year, Three-Hour Tour
One of syndication's most enduring shows is Gilligans Island. Now
three of the four surviving cast members have written books about their lives on
Gilligans Isle and its aftermath.
In Mary Anns Gilligans Island
Cookbook from Ruthledge Press, Dawn Wells combines her insights into the
shows cast and crew with wonderful recipes. Ruthledge Press also prints the Aunt Bee
Cookbook and Aunt Bee Postcard Cookbook.
Russell Johnson (The Professor) played heavies and B-rated science fiction
characters before taking his amazing trip to the island, which he recounts in his book Here on Gilligans Isle
from Harper books. This insider look into an actor and his coworkers is a study in the art
of television production. Mr. Johnson's book also talks about the price of fame and the
difficulties of trying to find other work after his stay on the island. An audio version of the book, read by Mr.
Johnson, is available from Dove audio.
Bob Denver played two memorable roles in television history: Maynard G
Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Gilligan. His new book Gilligan, Maynard and Me from
Carol Publishing was unavailable for review at press time.
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