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1 Beaverton Literature- A to Z
1 Remote Warehouse Humor- General

Sellevision

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Sellevision Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Darkly funny and gleefully mean-spirited, Sellevision explores greed, obsession and third tier celebrity, in the world of a fictional home shopping network.

Welcome to the troubled world of Sellevision, America's premier retail broadcasting network. When Max Andrews, the much-loved and handsome (lonely and gay) host of "Slumber Sunday Sundown" accidentally exposes himself in front of twenty million kids and their parents during a "Toys for Tots" segment, Sellevision faces its first big scandal. As Max fails to find a job in television, another host, the popular and perky Peggy Jean Smythe is receiving sinister emails about her appearance from a stalker. Popping pills and drinking heavily, she fails to notice that her husband is spending a lot of time with the very young babysitter who lives next door. Then there's Leigh, whose affair with Sellevision boss Howard Toast is going nowhere, until she exposes him on air; and Bebe, Sellevision's star host, who finds Mr. Right through the Internet if she can just stop her shopping addiction from taking over.

Review:

"This gleeful satire of America's 24-hour, shop-till-you-drop culture lacks the depth and razor-sharp wit of Burrough's more established works (Running with Scissors, Magical Thinking, etc.), but the audio's colorful characters, brought skillfully to life by Miles, ensure that it's an entertaining ride. Initially, the choice of a female narrator surprises — since the story opens with Sellevision host Max Andrews getting booted from his position after accidentally exposing his penis during a 'Toys for Tots' shopping segment. But as the audio meanders through the lives of hosts Peggy Jean Smythe, Trish Mission, Leigh Bushmore and Bebe Friedman, it becomes clear that Miles is well suited to the task. She adopts an appropriately prissy tone for the devout Peggy Jean while at the same time playing up the sleaziness of Peggy's husband, who's on a mission to seduce the nubile teen next door. Miles also does a fine job capturing Bebe's New York twang, mile-a-minute chatter and spontaneous laughter. Although Burroughs's characters often seem as disposable as the RemoteControLotion and Moisture-Whik Panties sold on Sellevision, this audio, like a good soap opera, still manages to hook listeners. A Picador paperback (Reviews, July 31, 2000). (Dec.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"An absolute howl, about on-camera personalities who sell things on those home-shopper channels. This one has its characters fall apart very publicly: One is axed after he accidentally exposes himself on air. Another is the target of a surprising stalker. And so on." New York Daily News

Review:

"This kaleidoscope of gleefully salacious intrigue aims to titillate and amuse in a purposefully over-the-top way....Burroughs throws in some witty zingers but, overall, the energy of this satire of commercial madness almost peters out before the last FuturePop Popcorn Popper or Moisture-Whik Control Panties are sold." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"First-time novelist Burroughs writes fluidly and shows a flair for fun, campy material....As a bubbly soap opera, Sellevision is good company for the beach or the plane. Its literary value may be low, but the material sparkles, just like the Diamonelle earrings on the shopping channels." James Klise, Booklist

Synopsis:

Darkly funny and gleefully mean-spirited, Sellevision explores greed, obsession and third tier celebrity, in the world of a fictional home shopping network.

Welcome to the troubled world of Sellevision, America's premier retail broadcasting network. When Max Andrews, the much-loved and handsome (lonely and gay) host of "Slumber Sunday Sundown" accidentally exposes himself in front of twenty million kids and their parents during a "Toys for Tots" segment, Sellevision faces its first big scandal. As Max fails to find a job in television, another host, the popular and perky Peggy Jean Smythe is receiving sinister emails about her appearance from a stalker. Popping pills and drinking heavily, she fails to notice that her husband is spending a lot of time with the very young babysitter who lives next door. Then there's Leigh, whose affair with Sellevision boss Howard Toast is going nowhere, until she exposes him on air; and Bebe, Sellevision's star host, who finds Mr. Right through the Internet--if she can just stop her shopping addiction from taking over.

Synopsis:

Darkly funny and gleefully mean-spirited, "Sellevision" explores greed, obsession and third tier celebrity, in the world of a fictional home shopping network.
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About the Author

Augusten Burroughs is the author of Running with Scissors and Sellevision. He lives in New York City.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
colleencanehill, November 8, 2007 (view all comments by colleencanehill)
This is by far one of my favorite books!! Just a great ride from beginning to end. And the second time around is even better. You'll never watch QVC the same way again, I can tell you that!
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Dennis Kleinsmith, August 30, 2007 (view all comments by Dennis Kleinsmith)
People know the name Augusten Burroughs because of his memoir books, particularly "Running With Scissors" but this novel is sorely overlooked and underrated. Anyone who's caught even a few minutes of a home shopping television program is going to start laughing by the third page and only put it down to catch their breath. The reason isn't because of any fine crafting or unique takes but because it's all so familiar and realistic! Burrough's writes what we all wonder-it comes down to the adage; "it's funny 'cause it's true."
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780312422288
Author:
Burroughs, Augusten
Publisher:
Picador USA
Location:
New York
Subject:
General
Subject:
Gay men
Subject:
Satire
Subject:
Humorous fiction
Subject:
Television personalities
Subject:
Teleshopping.
Subject:
Scandals.
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Subject:
Humor : General
Subject:
Humorous
Copyright:
2003
Edition Number:
1st Picador ed.
Edition Description:
Trade Paperback
Series Volume:
00-19
Publication Date:
June 2003
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
240
Dimensions:
7.67 x 5.85 x 0.635 in
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Related Subjects

Arts and Entertainment » Humor » General
Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Satire
Gay and Lesbian » Fiction and Poetry » Gay Fiction

Sellevision Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.95 In Stock
Product details 240 pages Picador USA - English 9780312422288 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "This gleeful satire of America's 24-hour, shop-till-you-drop culture lacks the depth and razor-sharp wit of Burrough's more established works (Running with Scissors, Magical Thinking, etc.), but the audio's colorful characters, brought skillfully to life by Miles, ensure that it's an entertaining ride. Initially, the choice of a female narrator surprises — since the story opens with Sellevision host Max Andrews getting booted from his position after accidentally exposing his penis during a 'Toys for Tots' shopping segment. But as the audio meanders through the lives of hosts Peggy Jean Smythe, Trish Mission, Leigh Bushmore and Bebe Friedman, it becomes clear that Miles is well suited to the task. She adopts an appropriately prissy tone for the devout Peggy Jean while at the same time playing up the sleaziness of Peggy's husband, who's on a mission to seduce the nubile teen next door. Miles also does a fine job capturing Bebe's New York twang, mile-a-minute chatter and spontaneous laughter. Although Burroughs's characters often seem as disposable as the RemoteControLotion and Moisture-Whik Panties sold on Sellevision, this audio, like a good soap opera, still manages to hook listeners. A Picador paperback (Reviews, July 31, 2000). (Dec.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "An absolute howl, about on-camera personalities who sell things on those home-shopper channels. This one has its characters fall apart very publicly: One is axed after he accidentally exposes himself on air. Another is the target of a surprising stalker. And so on."
"Review" by , "This kaleidoscope of gleefully salacious intrigue aims to titillate and amuse in a purposefully over-the-top way....Burroughs throws in some witty zingers but, overall, the energy of this satire of commercial madness almost peters out before the last FuturePop Popcorn Popper or Moisture-Whik Control Panties are sold."
"Review" by , "First-time novelist Burroughs writes fluidly and shows a flair for fun, campy material....As a bubbly soap opera, Sellevision is good company for the beach or the plane. Its literary value may be low, but the material sparkles, just like the Diamonelle earrings on the shopping channels."
"Synopsis" by ,
Darkly funny and gleefully mean-spirited, Sellevision explores greed, obsession and third tier celebrity, in the world of a fictional home shopping network.

Welcome to the troubled world of Sellevision, America's premier retail broadcasting network. When Max Andrews, the much-loved and handsome (lonely and gay) host of "Slumber Sunday Sundown" accidentally exposes himself in front of twenty million kids and their parents during a "Toys for Tots" segment, Sellevision faces its first big scandal. As Max fails to find a job in television, another host, the popular and perky Peggy Jean Smythe is receiving sinister emails about her appearance from a stalker. Popping pills and drinking heavily, she fails to notice that her husband is spending a lot of time with the very young babysitter who lives next door. Then there's Leigh, whose affair with Sellevision boss Howard Toast is going nowhere, until she exposes him on air; and Bebe, Sellevision's star host, who finds Mr. Right through the Internet--if she can just stop her shopping addiction from taking over.
"Synopsis" by , Darkly funny and gleefully mean-spirited, "Sellevision" explores greed, obsession and third tier celebrity, in the world of a fictional home shopping network.
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