Even though I don't know the details of the deal, I am thrilled with the news that Bon Jovi got a recent book contract. I LIKE Bon Jovi. I'd happily read more about Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi has, IMO, contributed something creative and valuable to the world at large. And I believe this quite independently of my 2-decade-long crush on Jon the man and despite the fact that I've loved dozens of their songs from "Runaway" to "Who Says You Can't Go Home?"
I've purchased the group's CDs in the past and would have no problem purchasing their book if I came across it and felt it was well written, reasonably priced and offered some new insight into the history of a band that's been a force in popular music since I was in high school. And even though they've already made millions in recording contracts and royalties, I hope they got a huge book advance. Chances are they'd do something fairly worthwhile with it, but even if they didn't use it to rebuild homes devastated by Katrina or to help others in any way whatsoever, I'm okay with that. Because Jon and the gang, despite being humans in the public eye, have proven themselves to be pretty good guys. And because they, you know, aren't lying/cheating/stealing pieces of crap.
Last night's news that ousted Illinois governor and overall scumbag Rod Blagojevich got a six-figure publishing contract...well, now, THAT I have a problem with--a rather LARGE problem. I hate discussing politics, but I do believe I hate Rod EVEN MORE. And I truly can't imagine why anyone would (a) want to read what he has to say after hearing what he already said ON TAPE about trying to get a decent kickback on Obama's Senate seat or (b) believe anything at all that came out of his mouth.
Unreal.
And speaking of un-reality, "The Bachelor" season finale and "After the Final Rose" mockery was, at best, disturbing and, at worse, my newest reason not to watch TV again in 2009. (Although I do want to give next Monday's "Castle" pilot a chance.) Check out posts from Maureen McGowan and Reality Steve if you want to experience last night's horror along with the rest of us.
www.marilynbrant.com
10 comments:
Oh, deep breaths, Marilyn. I shouldn't be surprised--every 2-bit hack, cheat and 15-minutes-of-fame person gets a huge book deal. Sad, but true. And once I saw what was on TV last night, I plugged in my copy of Phantom. (Though I'm curous about Castle, too. And Kings--love that Ian McShane!)
I'm rocking right along in that boat with you sister! I was like WHAT? when the newscaster said that Robbin' Rod got six figures for his book deal. There is simply no justice in the world when hardworking, talented WRITERS struggle to even get an agent, let alone a book deal and this criminal gets a wad of cash to just tell us his version of the same lies he's been spewing since getting caught. No justice at all.
Pam~(inhale) I'm trying with the deep breaths (exhale), but I am still SO pissed off... Thank you for mentioning Ian McShane--I needed something to make me smile--and very good move on choosing to avoid TV viewing last night :).
Pamala~I actually flipped off the entire Ch.7 news team for reporting that story :-). Obviously, not their fault, but I couldn't watch the news after that. So many real writers could've been given fractions of that publisher's advance to bring something honest and positive into the world. I'm still ranting (so, clearly, I'm not yet "speechless"), but I don't know what else to say other than to implore everyone not to buy this trash.
Oh, Marilyn, LOL! I had the exact same reaction!! (To channel 7 news. I know, I know, not their fault.) I wanted to gag when the newscaster said he wanted to read the book just to see what it said...and that is why someone like that gets a six figure advance....sigh...
There is little justice in the world.
"I, Leshia, promise not to buy or support that book. If an excerpt is posted online, I shall click away. If he appears as a guest on a show I watch, I shall turn off the tube. If I need entertainment, I will pick up one of the many, many well-written books of my friends--authors new and old."
Who's next?
Nancy~Ha! Glad I wasn't alone in my reaction! The rest of the country may be disgusted by him, but I don't think anything matches the loathing those of us in Chicagoland feel...
Leshia~You are so wonderful!!! LOL! Count me in to forward your perfectly phrased manifesto to everyone I know! I'm sure we can put a stop to this travesty. :-)
I'll go next! I, Robin, promise not to buy or support that book. If an excerpt is posted online, I shall click away. If he appears as a guest on a show I watch, I shall turn off the tube. If I need entertainment, I will pick up one of the many, many well-written books of my friends--authors new and old." (That was brilliant, Leshia!)
I was thinking just yesterday about the three-book deal Lauren Conrad got. She's the girl from The Hills TV show. I've never watched the show, but after reading a quote from her regarding her book, I thought, "It's not fair!" Is she even a good writer? It's hard to write a good book, so I'm thinking she's got someone helping her. There are so many writers putting in years of working hard to try and get published and then she just snaps her fingers? Again, not fair!
Okay, my rant's done...I don't watch The Bachelor, but may I recommend you watch 24? It's awesome! I can't wait for Monday nights because of it. Oh, and Chuck. That's another great Monday night show.
p.s. I'm looking forward to Castle too.
They are, I'm assuming, billing Blagojevich's book as fiction. Because there's no way they can pretend he's telling the truth...
You go ahead and rant.
(And thanks for the shout out on my bachelor rant ;-)
Robin~Leshia got us all on the right track, didn't she? :) Thanks for adding your voice to the revolt! I hadn't caught the news about the Lauren Conrad deal, but I can see why that would be annoying, too. As for 24, I've heard SO much about how wonderful it is, I know I need to give it a try. Of course, I probably need to catch up on all the previous seasons first--good thing for those DVD sets!!
Caryn~LOL! You, my dear, have seen right to the heart of it. Thanks for the laugh :).
Maureen~You're welcome! I've been enjoying your posts!
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