Mom Always Said, "Don't Play Ball in the House" (And Other Stuff We Learned from Tv) [Paperback]

David Borgenicht (Author, Editor), Joe Borgenicht (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996

From the Andy Griffith Show to Wonder Woman, from sitcoms to game shows to police and medical dramas, television has charmed the Baby Boomers and is now enticing the "twentysomething" MTV generation. Quotes, songs, questions and answers, theme songs and more make this book the playful companion for friends leaping back into their pool of youthful memories.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chilton Book Co (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801987717
• ISBN-13: 978-0801987717
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,613,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Borgenicht is the creator and co-author of the best-selling WORST CASE SCENARIO SURVIVAL HANDBOOK series. He is also the author of dozens of other books, including THE STAR TREK BOOK OF OPPOSITES and HOW TO CON YOUR KID. He is the president and publisher of Quirk Books (www.quirkbooks.com), Philadelphia-based publishers of entertaining, informative, and amusing fiction and non-fiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars They made money on this?, December 28, 2000

By 

"kick49" (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mom Always Said, "Don't Play Ball in the House" (And Other Stuff We Learned from Tv) (Paperback)

These guys call themselves "TV gurus"? Please. They seem to remember bits and pieces and make up stuff that they can't remember. "Where's the beef?" was from a WENDY's ad, not Burger King. And Christopher Lloyd played Reverend Jim Ignatowski, NOT Jim Kowalski. Do not waste your money on this, unless you have a good red pen for corrections.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but could have been much better, July 12, 2005

By 

Ouija (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mom Always Said, "Don't Play Ball in the House" (And Other Stuff We Learned from Tv) (Paperback)

The concept for this book is quite smart: a compilation of memorable snippets from classic TV, such as classic quotes, lyrics to TV theme songs, catch phrases and words of wisdom. This could have been a gem if executed properly.

As some of the other reviewers have said, there are some glaring mistakes, a few off-kilter quotes, and some good opportunities missed. But overall the book achieves its mission, which is to pay homage to the TV of our youth.

I especially like the words of wisdom, i.e. "You can't take a step forward with two feet on the ground." - Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch), and the page on how to turn into Wonder Woman.

Overall it is a nostalgic, fun read, but certainly not the end-all. It could have been SO much more.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the stuff I forgot I liked!, October 4, 2001

By 

Darren Dunham (Santa Clara, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mom Always Said, "Don't Play Ball in the House" (And Other Stuff We Learned from Tv) (Paperback)

I love this book. Parts are silly, and another reviewer found some typos, but this book just makes me smile every time I pick it up. This is not some definitive guide to lines, characters, or plots, but pages and pages of observations from past shows.

If you didn't watch way too much TV in the past, then these quips probabaly fall flat. But if just reading the title of the section on 'How to tell the difference between Heather "The Fall Guy" Thomas and Heather "T.J. Hooker - Melrose Place" Locklear' makes you laugh, then it's a riot.