Customer Reviews

The Wendy Williams Experience

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

SUMMARY: Outrageous radio personality Wendy Williams recounts some of her more colorful interviews, as well as offering her opinions on hip-hop celebrities and their baby mamas, in this witty and raucously funny tell-all/semi-autobiography.

WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT: Think of Williams as the ghetto fabulous female equivalent of Howard Stern: she asks the questions you really want the answers to, and nothing is sacred. She's utterly fearless and tactless. The section on Baby Mamas is great, but her coinage of "Negroidian" almost made me wet myself, as did her commentary on the "dirty backpack clique." Good stuff.

WHY YOU WON'T: As refreshing as her guilelessness and lack of pretense is, it sometimes borders on obscene and can become tiring. It's one thing to be tactless in some ridiculous situations, but to take pride in and practice it in ALL situations is annoying. Also, she has some real juicy tidbits about some celebrities, revealing absolutely everything...but their name. Of course it's due to legal reasons, but it is so FRUSTRATING! Have fun guessing, though.

BOTTOM LINE: It's just a heck of a book! Quick read and very funny. This is not going to win awards, and why another reviewer felt the need to preface their commentary by stating that this is not "Alice Walker or Alex Hailey" is beyond me. Of course it isn't, and no one expects it to be.

If you're a fan of Wendy and her show, then you knew that this book was coming and you knew what it was going to be about. Chock full of "gossip," Ms. Williams does a great job of putting her radio show to print. Readers will be pleased to know that all of Wendy's favorite topics are covered; from Baby Momma Drama to "How You Doin'?....." Some of Wendy's most controversial interviews are covered in the book, but I found the most interesting to be the one with Misa Hylton-Brim--Puffy's first "baby momma."

I liked the book and it was certainly a quick read, but solid Wendy fans like myself may be somewhat disappointed; you will find most if not all of what is covered within the pages to be regurgitated information. BUT--if you missed the MHB interview, you'll find it here. If you missed World's perspective on homosexuality and the music industry, you'll also find that here. And if you are one of the few remaining people on earth who did NOT hear that ridiculously raw Whitney Houston interview, all is not lost---Wendy has included it here also.

Looking forward to the next book, Wendy (will there be one?)...; but PLEASE reserve some of your future juicy gossip just for the book. That way your regular fans will get some new "scandalosity" between its pages also.


DYB

Wendy Williams is a New York Times Best Selling Author of "Wendy's Got the Heat," a #1 Essence Bestseller and host of "The Wendy Williams Experience" Radio Show. She has returned without warning to seer through the popularity of 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell, The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan and Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Stefans with her latest, The Wendy William's Experience: Queen of Radio.

It is a "CELEBRITY GOSSIP- PACKED" book from a self-made multi-media celebrity icon in the radio industry whose on air personality may have evolved to form a brand of talk show radio all her own, quite historical, bold and necessary.

In her 2nd book, she's bringing candid issues to the forefront as a voice of "the people," along with relationship tips for the ladies who look up to Wendy as a big sister. Wendy talks about everybody. Wherever you are in Celebrity-ville, it seems like Wendy has found you.

Based on her prior book, it seems like many radio hosts would like to take her place, but the reigning and pioneering "Shock Gossip Diva" who holds down some of the most charismatic and memorable one-to-one celebrity interviews that everyone seems to be tuning in to listen to lately reflects on the necessity of her national radio show for developing celebrity careers and validates the fact, "It's better to be in the news, than not in the news at all" in her latest.

Despite some of the vehement backlash on the air from top celebrities during her radio interviews featured in the book, Wendy Williams doesn't seem to be the one throwing the verbal punches if you read every single interview transcript in her book. She's survived some serious whiplash from divas like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston as caught word-for-word in her tell-all book.

She asks those honest questions that may evoke hostility and anger in guests for some reason who can't seem to bare Wendy's Heat. Her interviews seem to give a voice to concerns and rumors circulating among the off air majority of listeners. In other words, she's giving people what they want, keeping a Black owned radio station at the top and even adds that "Girly girl" flair to her persona as a fashion savvy lady which spells success, longevity and a loyal fan base that won't quit.

I would personally recommend her raw and cutting edge tell-all gossip book, "The Wendy Williams Experience," the IT book of the year. If celebrities are fearful of what she may say about them on her radio program, they should be racing to the bookstore to read every name- dropping detail and popular morsel of gossip that graces one of the most controversial books of the year only because it unleashes news on the most controversial celebrities.

Between the interviews on some of the hottest stars to grace tabloids, Wendy's open reflections on who may lead an alternative lifestyle in celebrity-ville to whose baby's daddy ain't paying child support, and which natural mamas are perpetrating leading a peaceful life to who isn't shining because they don't have any gossip or controversy to them lure readers in.

Her shock style is contagious, and most folks who read her latest, just won't be able to put her page-turning gossip bible down. It would be impossible to hold down a book of this caliber without writing expertise. Her work reads like a diary or open book journal that is more than noteworthy and to be commended. She is also very careful in some situations and responsible. Whew! Overall, the Wendy William's Experience is a well written book, entertaining, truthful, and one of Wendy's best literary works. My only suggestion is that she develop another book that further expounds on relationship tips in the future. Maybe she could call it, The Wendy William's Relationship Handbook.

Someone gave this book to me as a birthday present, because she knows that I like to read (bless her heart). I always do my best to never look a gift horse in the mouth, but I consider even finishing this book quite an accomplishment for myself, because a) I detest gossip, and b) I am a firm believer that someone else's personal business is no business of mine (unless it's in some way illegal and/or bringing harm to others), even if that someone is famous.

We as a society have officially arrived at the point where it's perfectly okay to be a bold-faced hypocrite, so long as you admit to being such. Sad? I believe so. And while you're at it, mark me down as being in the category of people that believes that Williams (as she states in her foreword) reflects the worst of what we as human beings, have to offer. "Don't get me wrong, though. As much as I love the scandals, there is a part of me - the very human part of me - that is saddened by our lust for it..." Yeah, sure. I'll bet that "very human part of you" always manages to surface while you're in line at the bank, too. But never mind my personal feelings...

I give this book two stars, purely on the strength of chapters 8 (Baby's Mamas) and 10 (The Dirty Backpack Clique). In these two chapters, Williams says some things that many young people in this country (and probably the bulk of her listening audience) need to hear. Other than that, I hate the fact that a perfectly good tree had to DIE for this. But don't misunderstand...I think the book is (for the most part) trash because of the fundamental concept behind it, much more so than anything written in it.

If you feed on a steady diet of gossip and you aren't privy to her daily radio show, then you might think this book is the greatest thing since sliced bread. However, if you're anything like me, then you'll find this to be in no way stimulating and ultimately, an enigma. Over and over again, the message appears to be, "Yeah, I'm every bit as bad as the people I exploit for a living, but I'm cool, because I can ADMIT that I have some problems." Since when are our problems supposed to DEFINE us? I have to admit though, it is a bit interesting to get a glimpse of what some people (mainly Hollywood and those caught up in the glare of it) perceive as 'normal', and the depths that some will sink to in the name of "Entertainment".

I'm having a really, REALLY hard time with NOT saying that if you aren't interested in reading anything more intelligent than this, then you're probably better off not reading anything at all.

This book is better than Wendy's previous book. I think because the other one was about her :-) This was a pretty quick read for me but only because I don't listen to Wendy's show so all of these interviews were new to me.

I didn't like it when Wendy would mention an interview she had with someone and then say well I can't put it in the book (i.e. Judge Mathis, entire World interview, etc.). Why bring it up then? I also didn't like how she flip flops. She'll talk about someone being careless with money but then she's on the waiting list for a 6,000 dollar purse. She talks about Lil' Kim's surgery but she's been under the knife more than a steak at Sizzler. She talks about controlling men but has married her own version of Suge Knight.

My favorite interviews were with Wordell (sp?) who was the Puffy limo driver, Suge Knight (even though it was sketchy) and Whitney Houston because she was talking like she was smokin' right then.

How You Doin' was another good chapter. Wendy has had everyone speculating for years who the gay rapper is but she also keeps it real letting you know there's many more in the closet than we the public think there is.

Bottom line, only buy the book if you're a newbie to her interviews and a fan. If you've heard it all before then borrow it from a friend or the library just for a good laugh.

I wish that I didn't spend the money to purchase this book. It is basically a whole lot of what she does on the radio each day. If I had known that I would have just turned on the radio and saved the money.

First and foremost, if you listen to Wendy's radio show, do not waste your money on this book. Quite frankly, all of the material covered in the book has been covered on her show more or less. Additionally, many of the interviews are plagued with answers like "no comment" or Wendy will actually tell the reader that she will not publish certain parts of an interview.
This is the second book that I have read of Wendy's and this is the second time that I was disappointed. It won't happen again as I will no longer waste my time! Wendy should stick to what she does very well and that is her radio show. She is trully the Queen of Radio not the Queen of Writing.

This lady does not hold back - a characteristic that makes for very interesting reading. In The Wendy Williams Experience she plainly and unapologetically provides juicy details of celebrity interviews. She boldy states how she feels about the biggest names in showbiz - P. Diddy, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Lil' Kim, and spares no mercy. Yikes! The book raises eyebrows but you do wonder about the author's motives. Does she sincerely care for celebrities, does she want to be bigger than the celebrities, or does she just get her kicks exposing celebrities? At least she admits to getting plastic surgery - but I'm not sure the surgery does her any justice. At any rate, the book is an explosive pageturner, and offers eye-opening insights into the lives of well-known stars.

You could tell just by looking on the front cover that this book would be better than her last one. First of all you don't have to worry about being embarrassed carrying around a book with Wendy half nekkid on the front cover (i.e. her first book). Second of all, this book explores more of her radio personality and the different A-list celebs she's interviewed rather than being a biography about herself.

You'll read such good interviews as: Misa Hylton Brim (the mother of Puffy/P. Diddy's oldest son Justin), Wardell Fenderson (the driver during the Puffy/JLo gun toting scandal), and best of all Whitney Houston's infamous call-in interview where she threatened to fight Wendy (this interview will have you rollin on the floor).

She pretty much has the same style writing as she speaks on her show. She jumps from issue to issue, without any clear connection, but you won't mind it because the stuff she says is just so interesting. Learn more about the eccentricity of such stars as Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill and find out why she calls people like them "dirty backpackers" . Try to guess who the gay rapper and entertainer are in the chapter "How you doin' ?" (those of you who listen to her radio show should understand that phrase, but for those who don't it will all be explained--my personal guess on the rapper and entertainer are Busta Rhymes and Sisqo)

The only downside about the whole book, I would have to say is that she talks too much about Puffy and his crew. Now, I understand that she and him weren't getting along for awhile, but I thought they had both come to some sort of reconcilliation. I don't know what her beef is with Kim Porter (Puffy's youngest son's mother). While she does give the woman props for getting what she wants in life, she basically demonizes her as a gold-digging, back-stabbing, social climber. You decide for yourself.

Other than that the book was pretty fabulous and I'm sure you'll enjoy the read.

The Wendy William's Experience: Queen of Diva
Reviewed by Heather Covington
A YOUnity Reviewers Book club


Wendy Williams has returned without warning to seer through the popularity of 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell, The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan and Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Stefans with her latest, The Wendy William's Experience: Queen of Radio.

It is a "CELEBRITY GOSSIP- PACKED" book from a self-made multi-media celebrity icon in the radio industry whose on air personality may have evolved to form a brand of talk show radio all her own, quite historical, bold and necessary.

In her 2nd book, she's bringing candid issues to the forefront as a voice of "the people," along with relationship tips for the ladies who look up to Wendy as a big sister. Wendy talks about everybody. Wherever you are in Celebrity-ville, it seems like Wendy has found you.

Based on her prior book, it seems like many radio hosts would like to take her place, but the reigning and pioneering "Shock Gossip Diva" who holds down some of the most charismatic and memorable one-to-one celebrity interviews that everyone seems to be tuning in to listen to lately reflects on the necessity of her national radio show for developing celebrity careers and validates the fact, "It's better to be in the news, than not in the news at all" in her latest.

Despite some of the vehement backlash on the air from top celebrities during her radio interviews featured in the book, Wendy Williams doesn't seem to be the one throwing the verbal punches if you read every single interview transcript in her book. She's survived some serious whiplash from divas like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston as caught word-for-word in her tell-all book.

She asks those honest questions that may evoke hostility and anger in guests for some reason who can't seem to bare Wendy's Heat. Her interviews seem to give a voice to concerns and rumors circulating among the off air majority of listeners. In other words, she's giving people what they want, keeping a Black owned radio station at the top and even adds that "Girly girl" flair to her persona as a fashion savvy lady which spells success, longevity and a loyal fan base that won't quit.

I would personally recommend her raw and cutting edge tell-all gossip book, "The Wendy Williams Experience," the IT book of the year. If celebrities are fearful of what she may say about them on her radio program, they should be racing to the bookstore to read every name- dropping detail and popular morsel of gossip that graces one of the most controversial books of the year only because it unleashes news on the most controversial celebrities.

Between the interviews on some of the hottest stars to grace tabloids, Wendy's open reflections on who may lead an alternative lifestyle in celebrity-ville to whose baby's daddy ain't paying child support, and which natural mamas are perpetrating leading a peaceful life to who isn't shining because they don't have any gossip or controversy to them lure readers in.

Her shock style is contagious, and most folks who read her latest, just won't be able to put her page-turning gossip bible down. It would be impossible to hold down a book of this caliber without writing expertise. Her work reads like a diary or open book journal that is more than noteworthy and to be commended. She is also very careful in some situations and responsible. Whew! Overall, the Wendy William's Experience is a well written book, entertaining, truthful, and one of Wendy's best literary works. My only suggestion is that she develop another book that further expounds on relationship tips in the future. Maybe she could call it, The Wendy William's Relationship Handbook


RATING: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS