midnightcharcuterie's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
kitkat2500's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting and well-written book about behind-the-scenes of Hollywood writers and producers. I didn’t know who Nell Scovell was before reading this book. I’m glad to know more about her now. Some sections had a little too much detail for me, but I’m sure they were of interest to those with more interest in the industry.
heatherbermingham's review against another edition
4.0
Two of my favorite things - behind the scenes of TV/movies and women working in male-dominated fields. This was a quick, honest, funny read.
anitaofplaybooktag's review against another edition
3.0
Scovell provides the reader with some "inside baseball" on how challenging it is to break into comedic writing in Hollywood, especially if you are a woman. She has a long resume, so definitely has some interesting anecdotes, and she didn't shy away from naming names. But overall, I expected that as a comedy writer, the book would be wittier than it was. It also trots out the various complaints that feminists have been stating repeatedly for years, and so that component doesn't seem incredibly fresh. Interestingly, she collaborated on [b:Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead|16071764|Lean In Women, Work, and the Will to Lead|Sheryl Sandberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364250803l/16071764._SY75_.jpg|21865596] which I have not read, but was a huge bestseller. All in all, I enjoyed this peek into what it is to be a writer for the screen, but I guess I expected more from a person who makes their living writing comedy.
shighley's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook, and found it helped me cover many miles across the state (including lots of backed up traffic) in a more pleasant way. I had to keep reminding myself that it was not Scovell herself reading this.
It was a mix of name dropping, comedy, and a bit of preachiness, but overall I found the book to be a somewhat positive account. Yes, some of the discrimination and harassment really disturbed me, but Scovell praised more people than she criticized; she even commented on what a great family and upbringing she experienced. The insights into the writing process were very interesting. It made me wonder how many people actually touch a script before it comes to fruition, and how many scripts are written that never see the light of day. And, I had certainly never heard of a "showrunner" before.
I'm sure Sheryl Sandberg, David Letterman, "The Simpsons," and other shows were being name dropped to promote sales (and probably used to shop the book), but the stories behind writing fascinated me the most. At times the jumps in chronological order bothered me, but I understand that the book was presented in a more thematic way.
Edited to add: I later discovered that the print version includes a timeline at the end. This would have helped me follow along.
It was a mix of name dropping, comedy, and a bit of preachiness, but overall I found the book to be a somewhat positive account. Yes, some of the discrimination and harassment really disturbed me, but Scovell praised more people than she criticized; she even commented on what a great family and upbringing she experienced. The insights into the writing process were very interesting. It made me wonder how many people actually touch a script before it comes to fruition, and how many scripts are written that never see the light of day. And, I had certainly never heard of a "showrunner" before.
I'm sure Sheryl Sandberg, David Letterman, "The Simpsons," and other shows were being name dropped to promote sales (and probably used to shop the book), but the stories behind writing fascinated me the most. At times the jumps in chronological order bothered me, but I understand that the book was presented in a more thematic way.
Edited to add: I later discovered that the print version includes a timeline at the end. This would have helped me follow along.
csdaley's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an essential read. It is brilliant, funny, sad, and ultimately uplifting. Nell Scovell is a hell of a writer.