Keep It Real [Paperback]

Bill Bryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

A debut novel from the comic genus who brought you the hit television shows Night Court and Coach.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

TV writer and producer Bryan spoofs, satirizes and burlesques his way through that kingdom of sin and sizzle, Hollywood, in this uneven, coarse but funny debut crime novel featuring Ted Collins, a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter turned reality TV producer. Ted works for one of reality TV's biggest hits, The Mogul (any resemblance to The Apprentice is not coincidental). His journalism career, and the rest of his life, derailed when his wife left him for an attorney and took him for virtually everything he had, including his darling seven-year-old daughter, Hallie. An unlikely confluence of events (a key promotion, a chance encounter and the disappearance of a lovely model) gives Collins a chance to get his investigative talents back into play and also to earn better terms for seeing Hallie. Bryan's humor is often adolescent, but when he lifts his aim to skewer targets like the manipulations that make reality TV a farce or the perils of race relations, he shows a real gift for satire. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"An outrageously funny Hollywood satire. " -- Richard Belzer, star of Law & Order

"Hilarious, profane, and dead-on funny." -- Robert Ward, author of Four Kinds of Rain and Red Baker

"If Carl Hiaasen and Joseph Heller collaborated on a book to satirize reality TV, you'd get `Keep It Real.' Classic." -- Ken Bruen, author of The Guards and American Skin

"If you like to laugh, and you hate reality TV, you will love this wonderfully, viciously hilarious book." -- Dave Barry, syndicated columnist and author

"The best skewering of Hollywood since The Player." -- Paul Levine, author of Solomon vs. Lord --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Bleak House; 1st edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932557318
• ISBN-13: 978-1932557312
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep It Real by Bill Bryan, May 28, 2007

By 

J. Kirshner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keep It Real (Paperback)

A quick and worthy read that keeps your interest and makes you laugh out loud. Bryan fleshes out the characters to a point where you can visualize them. Beneath the intrigue and semi-dark comedy lies a contemporary story that touches many bases - rap music, reality TV, divorce, single life and the kid caught in the middle. Byran's sharp and witty observations give voice to what many might think about these topics.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put it down..., May 28, 2007

By 

Tem Pay (Rancho Santa Fe, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keep It Real (Hardcover)

Now this is what I call a great read! While browsing in a book store last week I noticed that Dave Barry had this to say: "If you like to laugh, and you hate reality TV, you will love this wonderfully, viciously hilarious book." And after reading Keep It Real I can only say that you will literally laugh out loud as Bill Bryan skewers reality TV, rap culture and a guy who bears a striking resemblance to Donald Trump.

The only problem with this book is that it's difficult to put down, so make sure that you don't start reading Keep It Real if you have an early appointment.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical, Politically Incorrect Mystery, May 27, 2007

By 

Suburban Mom (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keep It Real (Paperback)

This is a fast paced, witty, hysterically funny mystery. I was laughing out loud from page one. It's shockingly politically incorrect. I loved the insider view of reality TV and rap music. The subject matter feels very current and I recognized some of the characters from real life. I recommend this book for smart people who like to laugh. I don't think the writer meant to write this for a suburban mommy but I hope he writes another one soon!