FORBIDDEN CHANNELS: The Truth They Hide from TV Guide

Uncovers the rumors, scandals, and secrets of television stars, and covers their feuds, early roles, and tabloid headlines

Stallings, whose Flesh and Fantasy ( LJ 12/15/78) poked into the film industry, this time sets her sights on the most pervasive medium in our culture, network television. Unfortunately, the content of her book is neither as intriguing nor eye-opening as the title promises. What she offers is an enormous amount of trivia which, in fact, could have been extracted from TV Guide or any other celebrity/entertainment magazine. Along with a multitude of photographs, she provides behind-the-scenes observations of cast feuds, censorship battles, industry scandals, as well as an examination of how prime-time shows have affected America's fads and fashion. Stallings's book will be of most interest to baby boomers who remember 1950s and 1960s programs and celebrities, which are covered in detail. Ultimately, the book is entertaining, but undemanding--much like spending a typical evening in front of the tube.
- David Nudo, New York
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.