Survivor and the Endless Gaze and more books about TV to put on your radar

Do you often have your nose in a book? I can relate! I'm always looking for the next story or universe that's going to capture my mind or attention, leading me down a wonderful rabbit hole whether it's a romance novel or a fantasy. But there are also times when I've got a craving for non-fiction. Storytelling can be found in the pages of books all about real life people and events as well. History is fascinating especially when it comes directly from someone who was there to experience it or an author who has the same kind of obsession as you do.

Here at Hidden Remote, our specialty is television, particularly broadcast. We love the primetime block and the network TV that's claimed our hearts. As such, we're ecstatic when we can dive into books all about shows, actors, and creators that had a huge impact on television or raised a generation with their art and work. If you're looking for some more books to add to your To Be Read (TBR) list then you should consider the offerings below. They're all about TV and they're either already out or they're coming later this year!

Entertainment and TV books to add to your reading list

Survivor and the Endless Gaze by Sallie Tisdale

The Lie About the Truck: Survivor, Reality TV, and the Endless Gaze has been republished with a brand new title and afterword by the author. Perfect for Survivor fans or those that want to peer behind the curtain to learn what makes this hit CBS series tick, Tisdale's book dives into why we seem so compelled to consume reality TV. And I do mean consume. We spend hours at a time looking in on other people's edited together lives as they compete in contests and judge them for who they are while the cameras are rolling. Tisdale dissects this proclivity and her participation in it with a precision that goes beyond what makes us keep watching and investing. She delves into little known fandom practices, the game within the game of Survivor and the fan base, and discusses where the show falls short when it comes to racism and sexual assault that's gone underreported.

Now available in paperback.

What's Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack

The West Wing stars Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack are giving fans of the beloved politcal drama a "backstage pass" into how the show was created. This book features anecdotes from on-set and off-camera that haven't been shared before as well as an in-depth look at what it took to create a show that would have this lasting of an impact on TV and the real life political world. There's no question that the Bartlet Administration's legacy prevails as more and more people watch the series that ended nearly 20 years ago. Fitzgerald and McCormack also provide commentary on fan favorite episodes and stories from when The West Wing was in production.

Super fans are sure to enjoy this book that features a forward by Aaron Sorkin and an introduction by Allison Janney.

Available now in hardcover and digital audiobook.

Disney High: The Untold Story of the Rise and Fall of Disney Channel's Tween Empire by Ashley Spencer

Disney Channel isn't what it used to be, that's just a fact but there was a time when it was "the most-watched cable channel in primetime" and many millennials look back on that era fondly. There's a nostalgia we keep digging into as we reminisce but it's also very true that at its peak, this network was a machine. Disney churned out the stars we know today, shepherding them through their youth in a way that begs to be studied. Disney High is one such delve into history that tracks the rise of this billion dollar empire geared toward kids and the controversy that often went hand in hand with it. Through interviews with former executives, celebrities, and creatives Ashley Spencer takes us behind the scenes to get "the inside story of the heyday of TV's House of Mouse."

Available on Sept. 24, 2024 in hardcover, e-book, and digital audio.

Star Trek: Open a Channel: A Woman's Trek by Nana Visitor

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine star Nana Visitor is set to take readers on a voyage through 60 years of the franchise's history via the female gaze. From women who worked behind the camera to those who were in front of it, the book is an exploration of how women have been portrayed in Star Trek series and how they influenced the programs as well. As many have noted, the franchise has had a dual role in reflecting societal values at the time and the future the creators hoped to see starting with the casting of Lt. Uhura, played by the Nichelle Nichols, which was groundbreaking back in 1966.

Available Oct. 1, 2024 in hardcover and e-book.

The Sopranos: The Complete Visual History by Ray Richmond

The Sopranos is celebrating 25 years as a cultural touchstone and an iconic piece of television history, so it's an excellent time to indulge in a visual history of the series. Along with gorgeous photographs, this book contains archival material and interviews with the show creator David Chase, cast members like Edie Falco, Steven Schirripa, and Lorraine Bracco, and crewmembers as well. This book tracks Tony Soprano's tale and also examines the show's influence on television and pop culture as a whole. Notably, there's a tribute to the late James Gandolfini, too.

Available Oct. 15, 2024 in hardcover.

Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!) by Bethany Joy Lenz

We know Bethany Joy Lenz as Haley James Scott from One Tree Hill but the actress behind the character was living a completely different life while filming the show. As her star began to rise, trouble was just beginning to brew in her life due to the cult she'd inadvertently found herself in. In her memoir, Lenz takes readers through that time in her life as she became more enmeshed with The Big House Family and her autonomy began to be stripped away bit by bit. Described as darkly humorous, this book weaves through Lenz' story without shying away from the trauma she experienced which impacted her faith and her understanding of God. As she notes, it was only when she became a mother that she was finally able to escape the abuse but the road to that decision was a long and arduous one.

Available Oct. 22, 2024 in hardcover.

50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic by Brian Levant and Fred Fox, Jr.

This coffee table art book is a must have for fans of Happy Days, the American sitcom that brought us an iconic theme song and "The Fonz." Readers can expect to get a behind the curtain look at the show from season to season thanks to two of its longest-serving writer-producers Brian Levant and Fred Fox, Jr.

In celebration of the program's 50th anniversary, this visual history includes a chronicle of what it was like for the actors on set and the historic television show, rarely seen photographs, and new interviews with cast members, crew, and the creators. Henry Winkler wrote the forward and you can anticipate anecdotes about the series that made Winkler, Ron Howard, and Robin Williams household names.

Available Nov. 5, 2024 in hardcover.

Norman Lear: His Life and Times by Tripp Whetsell

When Norman Lear passed at the age of 101, we lost a titan of television. The writer and producer unquestionably changed the face of TV in the late 20th century, particularly for the genre of comedy. In the '70s, sitcoms like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and more opened the door to talking about tough topics on the small screen. Race, class, politics, sexuality, and religion were not off limits and in doing so Americans began to have conversations about these issues in more open and honest ways.

Tripp Whetsell's exploration of Lear's seven decade career traverses the legend's work through research and interviews, delving into the transformative period in television that Lear spearheaded. It was the icon's shows that brought underrepresented communities into people's homes from week-to-week during primetime giving viewers the opportunity to see themselves and experience other walks of life at the same time. The book is both a tribute to Lear and a history of show business during the peak of his career.

Available in Nov. 12, 2024 in hardcover and e-book.

Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation by Jim O'Heir

Parks and Reacreation star Jim O'Heir is ready to welcome fans into a cozy, behind-the-scenes look at the comedy that made viewers feel good. Expect the same "quirky antics and unwavering positivity" as he leads readers through great moments that happened on set and when the cast were like family celebrating birthdays and enjoying bonfires in the backyard. Some of the show's stars like Rob Lowe, Retta, and Chris Pratt--along with showrunners Greg Daniels and Mike Schur--will also join him on this look at what made the comedy so good and kept a smile on fans' faces.

Available Nov. 19, 2024 in hardcover, ebook, digital audio, and CD.