What Were They Thinking: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History

Hofstede has done a fine job of recollecting those TV moments many would rather forget (save for a few minor factual errors, but these really don't detract from the book's excellent content, IMO), and the foreword by Tom Bergeron's definitely a nice touch (is it just a coincidence that the network interference which killed his series, Fox After Breakfast, is one of the events that made the top 100? LOL). Plus, Hofstede's humorous comments on each event are sure to leave readers laughing...here's a sample of his wit and wisdom: - On the viability of QVC's infamous "Poopin' Moose" candy dispesnser as a romantic gift: "I love you, honey, and to show how much I care, here's a moose that craps Milk Duds." - On Dan Rather's infamous "Courage" signoff: "Was he sending a message to the Cowardly Lion? Did he just discover The Boogaloos?" - On the two failed attempts to turn Neil Simon plays (Barefoot In the Park and The Odd Couple) into all-black sitcoms: "I look forward to seeing Bernie Mac in Brighton Beach Memoirs any day now." So if you're a diehard TV fan, or even if you're not, pick it up today...def worth a read!

I enjoyed this well-written book - with some reservations. Some of the entries seem more like philosophical disagreements with certain TV trends (e.g., the corporate-sponsorship craze and the numerous attempts to create TV series from famous and not-so-famous movie franchises) than specific moments in time that one can point to and intone, "Now THAT's dumb!" More troublesome to me were the large number of errors that I spotted in the entries where I had some background knowledge of my own about the series. Case in point: the entry on the Lost in Space episode "The Great Vegetable Rebellion." The retelling of the ep's plot isn't the problem. The first two paragraphs of the entry, however, contain multiple errors about the background and fundamental details of the series. For the record: The Robinson family lifted off in 1997, not 1977; they were traveling to Alpha Centauri, not Alpha "Centurai"; and the comic title Space Family Robinson was not produced by Disney (though Carl Barks did suggest an idea like it long before the actual comic book made its debut). I can only wonder how many other major-league boners -- ones which I lack the expertise to discern -- are sprinkled betwixt the humorous anecdotes and bemused descriptions in which Hofstede specializes. It's still a fun read, but caveat emptor and all that.

Reliving the embarrassment I felt for Farrah Fawcett as she stumbled through her appearance on David Letterman's show was just one of the many highlights this book delivered. It not only relives classic specific moments, but complete network disasters (like the whole 1983 new series line up on NBC where not one show was picked up for a second season) and episodic failures. It travels from the earliest broadcasts to the modern times in an entertaining fashion. I had trouble putting it down as I couldn't wait to read the next entry. It is as enjoyable to the casual viewer (do they exist anymore?) as it is to the "idiot box" junkie and while there are a few mistakes in the book (and a couple proofreaders errors), it is still a new favorite I highly recommend. It makes me want to find "Small Wonder", "Pink Lady and Jeff" and "Supertrain" and watch them again to relive the pity I felt for those involved the first time around. Does anyone know where I can find the show "Turn On"?