Chart Throb

If you are an "American Idol" (or similar talent competition TV programs) fan, this book will take the puff out of your pastry. A comic tale of behind the scenes manipulation and intrigue. It dramatises how the Producers of "reality show" programming use editing to manipulate their audiences and influence results. After reading this book, I have noticed the use of several of the techniques described in Chart Throb in such shows as American Idol, Hell's Kitchen, etc. These manipulations are not secret or mind-blowing, but it is fun to play spot the "Frankenstein". (A scene cobbled together from many scenes but presented as a single conversation/confrontation.) Ben Elton seems to have it in for "Reality Programming" as his other book, "Dead Famous", is a murder mystery set in a "Big Brother"-like house and is arguably a better book.

Another hysterical look at reality TV from a talented, wry author. Highly recommended especially if you have ever wondered what it might be like behind the scenes on a show like American Idol. Elton is a master at this type of satire- it rings just true enough to make you squirm a bit before busting a gut laughing at his over the top characters. I picked this up at an airport in Europe and was convulsed on my long flight back.

It's good to see Ben Elton returning again to the literary genre he does best - Comic Satire. Not only is Chart Throb a humorous read, it's an expose into what is commonly referred to as "Reality TV". With biting wit, Elton demonstrates in Chart Throb (a fictitious Pop Idol / X Factor "talent" quest) just how contrived, manipulative and scripted these kinds of shows really are. Not to mention the huge revenues collected from the millions of chumps prepared to spend money each week phone voting for their favorite performer.

Unlike Dead Famous, this is not a mystery, but it is a comic novel set in the world of reality television, mocking the pretensions and idiocy of the competitors and maligning the cynicism of the producers. It's entertaining and, given Elton's background, feels a little bit like an expose of the television industry, which makes it even more fun.