I am a huge fan and avid viewer of the Bravo Network. There are very few Shows on this network that I won't watch. I am addicted to any version of REAL HOUSEWIVES, FLIPPING OUT, BETHENNY EVER AFTER, and have fond memories of BEING BOBBY BROWN, WORK OUT, SHEAR GENIUS, and INSIDE THE ACTOR'S STUDIO before James Lipton did stupid things like interview Jennifer Lopez about her legendary film career....really? The man behind most of the hit shows on Bravo is Andy Cohen. Andy was raised in St Louis and has truly made a name for himself in the world of pop culture. His first book, MOST TALKATIVE: STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES OF POP CULTURE, is a combination Memoir and a look behind the scenes of the Bravo Shows, with an emphasis on the Housewives Franchise. Andy is an openly gay man and speaks candidly about his struggle coming out and the beautiful support that he felt from his family and most of his close friends. It's a very well written and honest book that has several memorable chapters. My favorite is his chapter about his triple strike out with Oprah. It's hysterical reading about how he had 3 encounters with Queen Oprah and each one was more disastrous than the next. But the crux of the book is spent with the Housewives. How the franchise was developed and how the different cities were introduced, why some worked and some failed, and just how "real" the shows are. The Reunions are dissected with terrific behind the scenes gossip. Andy doesn't always gracefully hide how he truly feels about some of the women (Hello, Jill Zarin!), but he also doesn't take an opportunity to openly trash anyone either. Andy speaks fondly of the Midwest and also doesn't boast about the celebrity friends he has (his Besties include Sarah Jessica Parker, Anderson Cooper, and Kelly Ripa). The book feels as though Andy is sitting across a table from you with a glass of wine telling you stories. It's a light quick read filled with laugh out loud moments and also some genuinely touching sequences as well. If you are a fan of Bravo and an admirer of Andy Cohen, you will enjoy MOST TALKATIVE: STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES OF POP CULTURE.
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