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Live from New York (Abridged): An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,859 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Live from New York does what no other book about the show has ever done: It lets the people who were there tell the story in their own words, blunt and loving and uncensored.
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"This is one of those books I keep on my bedside table for a quick easy read. You can pick it up from anywhere and read for a bit. I haven't watched SNL for years, but the behind the scenes is interesting."
— Jaz (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A guilty pleasure of the highest order….Live From New York shines.”
— Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author -
“Constantly entertaining….It’s revealing, it’s funny, it’s mesmerizing.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“A sharp-clawed, incisive account of how nearly three decades’ worth of comic talent has emerged from a single television show.”
— New York Times -
“Tremendous fun.”
— Newsday -
“Refreshing….Shales and Miller paint a detailed landscape portrait of what has become an American cultural icon, one that will guide any attentive reader to a fuller understanding of comedy, TV, and the culture itself.”
— Chicago Tribune
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Live from New York Listener Reviews
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" After reading Jay Mohr's book "Gasping for Airtime" all about his experiences working on SNL... I had to read this too. I have a whole new appreciation for SNL. "
— LuAnne, 2/18/2014 -
" So interesting. Everyone is in there and gets their fair share of stories and opinions. "
— Kevin, 2/9/2014 -
" Fascinating. I never realized the amount of work that goes into one week of creating a show. Now I understand why some SNL shows are awesome and why others blow. Highly recommended for any fan. "
— Ildiko, 2/7/2014 -
" A must-read for any SNL super-fan! "
— Jamie, 2/4/2014 -
" Excellent history of SNL from the people who lived it. "
— Daniel, 2/2/2014 -
" Audiobook. So far, ironically, for such potentially funny subject matter, it's totally dry & sound-bite-ish. It's all presented as a series of quotes, and listens overall like a bunch of puling" and/or self-eggrandizing. The casts and writers of SNL since its inception really seem to forget it IS ONLY A TV SHOW! They are so into the glory days, it's a little sad. Boring overall, but I kept flogging myself with it because, frankly, what else do I have to do while drag racing to work every day? HIGH POINT: Confirms Chevy Chase as a dick. Harry Shearer (who knew?!) was an uppity, demanding dick. LOW POINT: The Reagan years, obviously. Oy. "
— Pamela, 1/27/2014 -
" Great history and stories about the ups and downs of SNL. Some great characters have been a part of the show, from Chevy Chase to Andy Sandberg. "
— Nelle, 1/15/2014 -
" a compelling read that dives into the dirty, druggy, rock 'n' roll days of SNL. "
— Jen, 1/10/2014 -
" I feel so much more prepared for my career path. ...And perhaps slightly more terrified. But just barely. "
— Kalah, 1/8/2014 -
" Oddly written, but full of enough stories to make the book enjoyable. "
— Aaron, 10/18/2013 -
" Too repetitive in its coverage of Lorne Michael's role, especially the final chapter devoted solely to him, but entertaining nonetheless, and fun in its recall of cast members long forgotten - Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Michael Hall on SNL? "
— Devin, 10/14/2013 -
" An enjoyable enough read that could have been a great read if the authors had spent more time talking about the manifestation of comedic genius otherwise known as Saturday Night Live instead of presenting lengthy reports of interpersonal squabbles behind the show. "
— Tom, 9/24/2013 -
" A fine oral history of any sort, but quite possibly one of the best TV books ever written. "
— Jared, 8/22/2013 -
" Exactly what it purports to be: an all encompassing oral history spanning 600 pages and 25+ years of SNL. If that sounds of any interest to you, you'll love it. A wonderful document. "
— Peter, 8/22/2013 -
" A must read for anyone who consider him or herself an SNL fan! "
— Allison, 2/25/2013 -
" A Must for any SNL fan! "
— Carolynn, 10/25/2012 -
" A great insight into how awful and backward this show really was, and even more so today. "
— Roman, 10/9/2012 -
" would've prefered a more edited, narrative history, though there's some value in the straight quotes from people involved. some funny moments. nothing that seems too revalationary. "
— G, 4/23/2012 -
" whoa! this was great! I highly recommend it to any SNL fan. Well written, though it was in interview form. Clear and concise! This is an excellent read! "
— Ivannah, 6/29/2011 -
" A really fun book to read. Totally engrossing. "
— Chris, 5/23/2011 -
" I loved this book. At first I thought it could have used some editing, but no way. Just letting the people talk worked fabulously. Definitely a top 10 this year. If your are a fan of SNL, check it out! "
— Caley, 4/24/2011 -
" So intriguing! Need to watch the older seasons on Netflix! "
— Lisa, 4/9/2011 -
" Great great book. Read it 4 times "
— Todd, 3/12/2011 -
" not nearly as dishy as you want it to be. at this point nothing written was really a revelation about the backstage of SNL "
— Michelle, 2/24/2011 -
" Great book, all quotes of people involved with the show one way or another. "
— Dawn, 2/22/2011 -
" Interesting look "behind the scenes" of Saturday Night Live, but whew! It was a slow read! I think it could have been edited down! "
— Joanne, 2/19/2011 -
" hugely entertaining - I've read this at least 4 times "
— James, 2/17/2011 -
" Really fun and interesting read if you are into the casts and innerworkings of SNL. "
— Kelly, 1/15/2011
About the Authors
Tom Shales served as TV critic of The Washington Post for twenty-five years, winning the Pulitzer Prize for criticism in 1989. Shales also spent two decades reviewing movies for NPR’s Morning Edition and is the coauthor of two bestsellers: Live from New York and Those Guys Have All the Fun.
James Andrew Miller is an award-winning journalist and coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN; Live from New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of “Saturday Night Live” as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests, which spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list; and Running in Place: Inside the Senate. He has written for the Washington Post, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and others. He is a graduate of Occidental College, Oxford University, and Harvard Business School.
About the Narrators
NPR is a mission-driven, multimedia news organization and radio program producer of news, talk, music, and entertainment programs with a strong base of member stations and supporters nationwide. Since 1971, NPR and its journalists and programs have won hundreds of awards, including some of the most prestigious honors in journalism.
Bleak December Inc. is a multimedia company founded by Canadian actor and filmmaker Anthony D.P. Mann.