Book description
The rollicking saga of reality television--an ambitious cultural history of America's most influential, most divisive artistic phenomenon, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning New Yorker writer "Written with a storyteller's verve, a journalist's skepticism, a critic's astuteness, and a fan's loving eye."--Michael Chabon, author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay Who invented reality television, the world's most dangerous pop-culture genre? And why can't we look away? In this revelatory, deeply reported account of the rise of "dirty documentary"--from its contentious roots in radio to the ascent of Donald Trump--Emily Nussbaum unearths the origin story of the genre that ate the world, as told through the lively voices of the people who built it. At once gimlet-eyed and empathetic, Cue the Sun! explores the morally charged, funny, and sometimes tragic consequences of the hunt for something real inside something fake. In sharp, absorbing prose, Nussbaum traces the jagged fuses of experimentation that exploded with Survivor at the turn of the millennium. She introduces the genre's trickster pioneers, from the icy Allen Funt to the shambolic Chuck Barris; Cops auteur John Langley; cynical Bachelor ringmaster Mike Fleiss; and Jon Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunim, the visionaries behind The Real World--along with dozens of stars from An American Family, The Real World, Big Brother, Survivor, and The Bachelor. We learn about the tools of the trade--like the Frankenbite, a deceptive editor's best friend--and ugly tales of exploitation. But Cue the Sun! also celebrates reality's peculiar power: a jolt of emotion that could never have come from a script. What happened to the first reality stars, the Louds--and why won't they speak to the couple who filmed them? Which serial killer won on The Dating Game? Nussbaum explores reality TV as a strike-breaker, the queer roots of Bravo, the dark truth behind The Apprentice, and more. A shrewd observer who adores television, Nussbaum is the ideal voice for the first substantive history of the genre that, for better or worse, made America what it is today.
About the Author
Emily Nussbaum is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she's worked since 2011, originally as the magazine's television critic. In 2016, she won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. Previously, she was the culture editor for New York, where she created the Approval Matrix. She is the author of I Like to Watch: Arguing My Way Through the TV Revolution, which was a finalist for the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Clive Thompson, and their two children.
Rando Tank
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Heaven Sent
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ByteBard
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Whipsaw
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Mafia Rapunzel
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Sherwood Gladiator
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WonderWords
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury β it's an essential part of my day. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π
Poptart AK47
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Mud Pie Man
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Digital Moonshine
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Polar Bee
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Scooby Did
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Sky Bully
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Viceswerve
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly.
Manly Reno
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RiddleRanger
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
MythMaker
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience