Truth is a Total Defense: My Fifty Years in Television

Truth is a Total Defense: My Fifty Years in Television

Insightful, candid, and utterly entertaining, Steven Bochcoâ€™s memoir TRUTH IS A TOTAL DEFENSE: My Fifty Years in Television is an in-studio view of the inception of the second Golden Age of television, delivered by the man who helped create it. Bochco reveals the mad genius, vision, mayhem, and brilliance behind his groundbreaking, widely popular hits (and near misses). Sparing no one, including himself, he shares insider anecdotes from his triumphsâ€”â€œHill Street Blues,â€ â€œL.A. Law,â€ â€œDoogie Howser, M.D.,â€ and â€œNYPD Blueâ€â€”and turbulent times in broadcast TV.

He started reading and synopsizing scripts, plays, and books for Sam Goldwyn, Jr. Moving through his 10-Emmy Award career (so far), to his hot, homicide detective show â€œMurder in the Firstâ€ now on TNT, the prolific and successful TV writer and producer describes generous, tough, and conniving mentors and moguls. He shares the how-tos and better-nots of working with highly talented writers, directors, actors, and remembrances of building remarkable television and a memorable life.

His remembrances include: Albert Einstein once wangling an invitation to one of his dadâ€™s Sunday musical soirees; being nominated for an Emmy for the first â€œColumboâ€ he wrote, directed by some young director on the lot named Steven Spielberg; Bruce Paltrow (father of Gwyneth and Jake) teaching him how to have fun at work; Brandon Tartikoff calling to say, â€œIâ€™m moving â€˜L.A. Lawâ€™ to a better time slot. Youâ€™re replacing â€˜Hill Streetâ€™â€; â€œNYPD Blueâ€ co-creator David Milch asking for an advance because heâ€™d lost $1 million betting on football games that day; Stephen J. Cannell turning down a cop show pilot at ABC, telling their head of development that â€œHill Street Bluesâ€ was the best cop show ever made, and he didnâ€™t want to compete with it; fighting ABC to hire Neil Patrick Harris for â€œDoogie Howser, M.D.â€; and keeping friends and family close during his 70-day in-hospital cancer treatment with witty, heartfelt emails signedâ€”as time went onâ€”Cancer Boy, Remission and Retention Boy, Transplant Boy (Soon to be Transplanted Boy), and (The newly reconstructed) Steven. Writers, as he says, write. He also describes the creative arc of building his shows, including several script excerpts, the finances and finagling of modern television production, and more.

Combining discerning and from-the-hip thoughts on the business of television writing and production, tales from the wild side, and personal lessons from his life-threatening and altering battle with a rare form of leukemia, Steven Bochco delivers a revealing, wryly humorous page turner.

Praise for TRUTH IS A TOTAL DEFENSE: My Fifty Years in Television

â€œAn inside look at television from the man who transformed it. The origins of todayâ€™s golden age of television dramas can be traced to one man: Steven Bochco. This juicy and fascinating account tells you how he did it. A must read.â€ â€”David E. Kelley, Emmy Award winner and prolific creator of TV hits â€œPicket Fences,â€ â€œChicago Hope,â€ â€œThe Practice,â€ â€œAlly McBeal,â€ â€œBoston Public,â€ and â€œBoston Legalâ€

â€œSteven Bochcoâ€™s Truth Is A Total Defense: My Fifty Years in Television is a great in-the-room chronicle of the modern television industry, told by a man whoâ€™s created some of the most influential and popular shows of the last forty years. I highly recommend it.â€ â€”Neil Patrick Harris, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor

â€œItâ€™s raucous, itâ€™s witty, and very savvy on the business of television. Itâ€™s master storyteller Steven Bochco telling the story of his life and his lifeâ€™s workâ€”creating groundbreaking TV shows. Fascinating and funny. Read it.â€ â€”Danny DeVito, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, director, and producer
Country USA
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2016-08-01
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2016-08-01
Format	Kindle eBook

Truth is a Total Defense: My Fifty Years in Television

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