Customer Reviews

Where Did I Go Right? You're No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those of us hooked on "The E True Hollywood Story," "VH1's Behind The Music" and other outlets for real life Hollywood dish, Bernie Brillstein's book is a wonderful treat. This is a candid, honest look at a half-century long career in the trenches. Bernie Brillstein nurtured the careers of Lorne Michaels,Jim Henson, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and many more icons. Besides the wonderful stories (ok, dish) about his clients, Brillstein shares behind the scenes anecdotes from the deal making trenches. Great insights for any future Hollywood agents/managers. But even if you don't work in this town, you will love Bernie's story and possibly pick up some useful life lessons. An appealing, infinitely readable Hollywood read, and if you like this, check out books by Bob Evans and Ken Kragen!

Fortunately or unfortunately I found this book at the local library and thought I was saving myself a few bucks by not having to buy it. This book is a "must have" to read over and over again. Brillstein hits the heart and soul of the movie business - his love, loyalty and trust of talent and his "best friends" are truly genuine and in the cut throat business of the biz, is heartwarming although at the same time he exposes his survival instincts at their best. Wonderful to read a book about the biz written by someone, of Brillstein's status, who has a true love for the business and can candidly talk about what it feels like to turn over the show to the new kids in town. Yes, Amazon.com, I'm buying the book for myself and for my grandkids.

Even though I'm in the business, I have, for the past few years, avoided the "Hollywood" book with good reason: most are shallow and short-sighted examples of self-aggrandizing at its worst. Michael Eisner's autobiography is a good example. But Brillstein's book is very different. Not only does he tell a great story in an unforgettable voice that doesn't make you ashamed to be part of Hollywood -- but he's brutally honest in the telling. No sugar-coated confection, this. What comes across most is that Brillstein is a real person, a guy who loves what he does. As he says in the book: "I did it for the thrill of it all, not the thrill of having it all." We need more of those guys in town, but sadly, Brillstein is one of the last--and he knows it. And there's much more, most of it hilarious and wise, as Brillstein shares freely everything he's learned from 45 years of loving, hating, and loving show business. He writes about the importance of passion, instinct and honesty--issues which apply to any business or walk of life. Brillstein is clearly a character, the heart of every memorable story. Get this book!

"Where Did I Go Right?" looks like a big rectangular Oreo cookie, with its thin black covers and thick white insides. And it's set up like one, too. "I'm not king anymore." That's the first line. "These days it's good not to be king." That's the last line. Tempting, right? Kind of tasty, hm?. Ah, but wait 'til you get to the sweet stuff in between! What's really interesting about this book is not WHO is in it -- you already know Bernie Brillstein is going to talk about John Belushi and Jim Henson and Mike Ovitz and Gilda Radner and Dangerous Liaisons and [drop big Hollywood name here]. What's best about the book is WHEN it was written. Apparently Bernie decided to sit down with writer David Rensin and talk about his life at one of its lowest points. Then talked through his depression with Rensin long enough to go from the first sentence to the last, from the bottom to the top, and then right on up higher. It turns out to be a typical Bernie journey: do good, get knocked down, get up, do better. And learn something from it. Philosophy, humanity, perspective, humor, wit: Gee, who'd a thunk it from current-day Hollywood? Enjoy your cookie.

"Here's the truth about the art of the deal: it all comes down to who's your client and how desperately the other guy wants him. It's about a moment in time, and nothing more." In this telling and moving biography, Bernie Brillstein takes the reader inside some of the most interesting moments in show business. And from his background and experience, at William Morris, as a Manager, at Lorimar, and at Brillstein-Grey, Bernie really lets the reader in on the art of the deal. And this book is a great deal! In reviewing this book I refer to Bernie by his first name, since he writes like he's writing to a friend, and by the end of the book I felt like that friend. Bernie writes in an honest and sincere manner, which is unusual for books written by and about show biz. Bernie's client list included many of my favorites, including Lorne Michaels, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Jim Henson, Gilda Radner, Norm Crosby, Richard Dryfuss, and Chris Farley. Bernie writes with insight about Saturday Night Live, Hee-Haw, NewsRadio, the Muppets, and ALF, amoung others. And through it all, Bernie shows a level of ethics and character to which we should all aspire in our work lives. This is a book that I could not put down, and my only disappointment was that it is only 373 pages. This is a great read, and its value greatly exceeds the price of admission. I would read anything else Bernie Brillstein writes, even if written on the back of cereal box. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about how show business really works. Although Five Stars is the highest rating Amazon gives, this book really desearves Ten Stars!

I found myself unexpectedly touched by this autobiography. Having read it, I consider Bernie Brillstein a friend. With no self-praise, Brillstein shows himself to be a man of decency, of compassion, of empathy. He began in his profession as an agent at William Morris, dreaming of representing mid-Century comics such as Jackie Gleason and Jackie Gale. When he left William Morris, he became a personal manager, starting the careers of dozens of entertainers who have become household names. The stories Bernie has to tell! He survived--there's no other word--until the end of the century, representing Jim Henson, Lorne Michaels, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd and, as the saying goes, a cast of thousands along the way. He created HEE HAW and greenlighted THE SOPRANOS, headed a movie studio for a short time, got fired, picked himself up and started again. His very life has been the personification of the entertainment business; there are few who exceeded his success. And he is the one having the last laugh: He's still here! But along with the chronological report of his professional experience, what he was thinking, how he pulled it off, there is this man, this basically sweet and decent man, and that's what shines through his book. I enjoyed reading about Bernie's fascinating life.

Unbelievable. Thats the word to describe this book. As many of the other readers, I could not put the book down and only did so to take bathroom breaks. My problem is that I feel as if I AM him. Almost everything that Bernie says, is not only true of the entertainment "biz", but we (Bernie and I) are so simlilar in many ways. The problem I have had (because I am in the entertainment industry, and the owner of a new management and production company) is that Bernie is the first person who seems to actually have the guts to "mentor" people. His "open door" policy makes me cry---I have found no-one to do this for me and so far, I have made it as far as I have gotten ALL BY MYSELF. I have always wanted a mentor, but the other guy, be it my boss or a friend or a co-worker, is always out to get me. It's so frustrating! Bernie makes me believe that if I just keep at it I will find those mentors becasue they are obviously out there. Even if you are a person who is NOT in the entertainment industry, it is an incredibly inspiring book---you should read it! Thanks Bernie--you'll never realize how much you have helped me!

A passably interesting look into life of an "old school" agent/manager with some real insights into his client's lives and the behind-the-scenes machinations of Hollywood. WARNING: You'll have to wade through a considerable amount of self-aggrandizment that I found tremendously off-putting toward the end. It's a rare occasion when I don't finish a book but I found myself skipping through the last third and ultimately bailed out with just a few chapters to go.

The definitive contemporary Hollywood tell-all. Bernie Brillstein is a man who's record speaks for itself, who's reputation is beyond reproach. This detailed memoir takes us openly through the ups and downs of his amazing career, delivering some interesting and brutally honest perspective into some of the biggest moments in American entertainment over the past 40-odd years.

Mr Brillstein's candor and honesty are felt in every scene, accompanied by his heartfelt love for his business--a quite different tone than is common in other books of this genre. Too many recent tales feel no `pat on one's back' is too small to be omitted, not a single instance of `name dropping' to be forgotten, and every penny should be accounted, as in `let me AGAIN remind you how rich I have become". The strength of Brillstein's memoir is that it never feels self-serving, more like the tales you heard on Grandpa's knee as a child if you were so lucky.

When Bernie says he's happy that Mike Ovitz is on top again since its much more enjoyable to kick a guy when he's up, then he says it all.

A must read.

I'm not sure what drove me to buy the Brillstein book. I had heard of him of years, but wasn't sure that a managers tale was all that interesting. Oh, but is! This book is filled with humor, honesty, and and ego. Bernie seems like a terrific guy and he tells fantastic stories. Some are filled with love: Belushi, Radner, etc. Others venom (and these are the most fun, he pulls no punches): Ovitz, Shandling (more would have better on this), etc. You learn about the inside story of Hee Haw, The Muppets, SNL, and Lorimar. My favorite stuff was about Jim Henson, rarely have I seen so much great stuff written about one of my heroes.

While this may not be a roast, I raise my glass to Big Bernie and the wonderful life he has led. Thanks for sharing.