Audiobook11 hours
Stealing the Show: How Women Are Revolutionizing Television
Written by Joy Press
Narrated by Christina Delaine
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this audiobook
Female writers, directors, and producers have radically transformed the television industry in recent years. Shonda Rhimes, Lena Dunham, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, Mindy Kaling: These extraordinary women have shaken up the entertainment landscape, making it look like an equal opportunity dream factory.
But things weren't always this rosy. It took decades of determination in the face of preconceived ideas and outright prejudice to reach this new era. In this endlessly informative and wildly entertaining book, veteran journalist Joy Press tells the story of the maverick women who broke through the barricades, starting with Roseanne Barr (Roseanne) and Diane English (Murphy Brown), whose iconic shows redefined America's idea of "family values" and incited controversy that reached as far as the White House.
Barr and English inspired the next generation of female TV writers and producers to carve out the creative space and executive power needed to present radically new representations of women on the small screen. Showrunners like Amy Sherman Palladino (Gilmore Girls), Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange Is the New Black), and Jill Soloway (Transparent) created characters and storylines that changed how women are seen and how they see themselves, in the process transforming the culture.
But things weren't always this rosy. It took decades of determination in the face of preconceived ideas and outright prejudice to reach this new era. In this endlessly informative and wildly entertaining book, veteran journalist Joy Press tells the story of the maverick women who broke through the barricades, starting with Roseanne Barr (Roseanne) and Diane English (Murphy Brown), whose iconic shows redefined America's idea of "family values" and incited controversy that reached as far as the White House.
Barr and English inspired the next generation of female TV writers and producers to carve out the creative space and executive power needed to present radically new representations of women on the small screen. Showrunners like Amy Sherman Palladino (Gilmore Girls), Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange Is the New Black), and Jill Soloway (Transparent) created characters and storylines that changed how women are seen and how they see themselves, in the process transforming the culture.
Author
Joy Press
Joy Press is the TV correspondent for Vanity Fair. She was previously the chief television critic at The Village Voice, an entertainment editor and writer for Salon and the Los Angeles Times, and a contributor to publications such as New York, The Guardian, and The New York Times. She lives in Los Angeles.
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Reviews for Stealing the Show
Rating: 3.9375 out of 5 stars
4/5
8 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Stealing the Show.
I thought I was going to love this book. I am pro-female, ever rooting for a woman to make her mark in the world. I am thankful to the women how have struggled to making groundbreaking t.v. and film come to my screen. However except for a few of the women mentioned in this book, I don't feel that some of these women deserve being talked about. I am not into lewdness, so I don't get Lena Dunham, nor Amy Schumer and Jenji Kohan. Although I get that their shows produce the ability to talk about tough topics, I just don't see it as needful, I'm not into shock and awe sex.
I love being reminded of the strength that Rosanne Barr had in putting her show out during a time where women were still seen as demur and helpless. Amy Sherman-Palladino is my Hollywood kindred spirit, so reading about her and her mark on Television was awesome. I mean, who doesn't love a Shonda Rhimes show? That girl is tough as nails! I am wishing that we got more stories about Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers and other women who helped these modern day women to have a slightly easier go at it.
I guess, I learned alot about the women in the book through Joy Press's interviews and exchanges and still had to bite my tongue on how some of these woman who just don't represent "strength" to me. Not every book is for everybody. This book was just not what I expected. I guess I am not as feministic, or open-minded as I thought.
I gave this book 3 stars for a well written format. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved learning how all these shows, ranging from Murphy Brown to Transparent, were created, and how the shows tackled issues important to women. Press considers how the female showrunners she covers have changed or are changing the television landscape. This culminates in a thoughtful portrayal of how Jill Soloway directs episodes of Transparent.