L. A. Bizarro! The Insider's Guide to the Obscure, the Absurd and the Perverse in Los Angeles [Paperback]

Anthony Lovett (Author), Matt Maranian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1997

Imbued with the cross-pollinated sensibility of The Encyclopedia of Bad Taste and Roadside America, this is the best of the obscure, the absurd, and the perverse in Los Angeles. In other words, L.A. Bizarro is the Fodor's Guide to/from the land of Never, Never.

Most information available to people traveling to or living in L.A. is geared to mainstream tastes and the peanut-munching crowds. Finally, here's a guide for those who view the world though a psychedelic lens. Inside you'll find a guide to eateries, sex shops, curious tourist attractions, nude beaches, dive bars, off-the-beaten-path museums, murder sites, cemetaries, and more.

L.A. Bizarro includes directions, admission fees, phone numbers, hours of operation, and all the usual details found in traditional "Dad's-screaming-at-Mom-who-holds-the-tourist-guide" books. From the Witch House to a curiosity shop that sells body parts, there are hundreds of funky sites, road trips, restaurants, and places to stay--complete with photos, guides, and tips.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A demented guide to the dark side of drinking, dining and whining L.A.-style. A veritable treasure trove of bad, or no, taste." --Michael Musto, columnist for The Village Voice

"Why go to Mars when we've got it all here in L.A.?" --Larry Storch

"Both outrageous and informative--it's why I love L.A." --Steve Edwards host of Good Day L.A.

"I'll say anything you want me to say, about this book. It's fabulous." --Quentin Crisp

"Finally there's a book that tells L.A.'s secrets, secrets I never even knew about. This is a must-read if you live in L.A. or are just visiting. This is a m a a a z i n g." --Rodney Bingenheimer, deejay, KROQ, Los Angeles.

About the Author

Anthony R. Lovett is a full-time cynic and semi-retired bon vivant who sometimes poses as a writer. A musician, artist and actor, Lovett is a wounded veteral of L.A.'s improv scene. The author is ashamed to admit that he has also written rock videos, appeared in Kmart commercials, and co-starred in one of the worst low-budget movies ever made. Lovett's articles have appeared in Rolling Stone, Playboy, L.A. Weekly, and others. A Texas transplant, he lives with his wife and daughter just a stone's throw from the Mason family's old hangout, Spahn Ranch.

Matt Maranian headed straight for Los Angeles in 1984 to pursue an ill-fated acting career. A string of insignificant television appearances culiminated with a brief recurring sting on one of the worst sitcoms ever made, Mr. Belvedere, in which he co-starred with a goat. He immediately switched careers, and immersed himself in what has become an ongoing investigation of just what makes L.A. so damn weird. His writings have appeared in bOING bOING, The Los Angeles Reader, Harper's, and British Esquire. He lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife, Loretta Palazzo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 5th edition (May 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031215562X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312155629
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surreal? Yes! Terrifying? Yes! Entertaining? Yes!, October 16, 2003

By 

someone_who_reads (Simi Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L. A. Bizarro! The Insider's Guide to the Obscure, the Absurd and the Perverse in Los Angeles (Paperback)

I've lived in and around L.A. for almost all of my life, and I've never been to a lot of the places in this book, nor do I know many people who have been to more than a couple of these places. Having a lot of relatives in the Midwest, the South, and the Eastern Seaboard, I hear a lot about how we Californians are perceived in other parts of the country, and this little guide can only solidify our reputations of being...well...weird. It's easy to become jaded by the perversity that surrounds us all the time, so to have it stare at me from between the pages of this book is quite a jolt of reality, or unreality, or whatever you want to call it. Just think, the people with the kind of imagination that can dream up and create these landmarks have lived (or are still living) among us normal, decent folk....that kind of scares me!

Anyway, even if you never plan to visit the City of Angels, this is a fascinating read. The variations of the old "is that a pickle in your pocket" line gets repetitive, but the subject matter and the authors' deliciously twisted points of view counteract that. As far as I can tell, it's pretty well-researched (I especially enjoyed comparing my own experience with the Men's restroom at the Madonna Inn with that of the authors). Be warned, though: this is not suitable reading for the rugrats, and you wouldn't want to leave it lying around the house if your strict, judgemental Baptist grandmother decides to pay you a visit.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a hoot!, October 9, 2002

By 

Nelson Aspen "Author/Journalist" (Los Angeles & NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L. A. Bizarro! The Insider's Guide to the Obscure, the Absurd and the Perverse in Los Angeles (Paperback)

The only thing more fun than reading this book while planning your visit to Los Angeles, is reading this book if you're already living here! Unexpected and sublimely offbeat... So many reasons to love and hate the City of Angels. Definitely should be on your "must-read" list.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most unique travel guide you will ever find, December 13, 2001

By 

D. Movahedpour "doeadear" (CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: L. A. Bizarro! The Insider's Guide to the Obscure, the Absurd and the Perverse in Los Angeles (Paperback)

I love this book, partially because I have visited many of the oddly endearing sights mentioned in the book, but also because it celebrates L.A.'s less-plastic side. The authors take the gloss of the usual travel tome, and turn it into a dog-eared laugh-riot. I have made it my personal pilgrimage to visit many of the places they mention, and they certainly don't sugar-coat it. The authors can be downright rude, but mostly acerbic and honest, and that is refreshing. Be prepared for a lot of repetitive burlesque-type double entendre, but also a hearty dose of wanderlust from two men who clearly love the town, warts and all.

Be forewarned, you can't take the kiddies to half the places they review. And, they certainly don't "recommend" they just "share the wealth." These are places you might not know exist, or even care to visit except for their appraisals. And, yes, there are even some places you can take the kiddies. There are places tucked into corners, restaurants with lousy food and rude employees that still sound like a great film noir. I have this book at my side whenever I venture to L.A. and its environs, or when I just need a good laugh. And, you will have plenty of those. I highly recommend it.