Very Special Episodes explores various examples of the "very special episode" to chart the history of American television and its self-identified status as an arbiter of culture. Through the study of this unique television format, this anthology traces the history of television's engagement with many of the most important political, aesthetic, economic, and social movements that continue to challenge our society today.
James Salley is turning sixteen, and it’s not going well. His family’s too busy to care, the local bully creates new tortures daily, someone appears to be following him, and he’s just learned that he’s the Antichrist. All James ever wanted out of life was for Dorian Delaney — the operatically trained and suicidal girl of his dreams — to fall as in love with him as he is with her. But once he’s told of his bloody destiny, he finds himself fighting between who he thought he was and who he’s supposed to be. With the school librarian pushing him to begin the Apocalypse, an irritable homunculus watching his back, and a murderous cabal of Catholics following him everywhere, James must discover how to navigate a world in which everything he’s ever believed is wrong — and if it’s possible to be the hero of a story when you’ve already been cast as the villain.
Very Special Episodes examines how the quintessential “very special episode” format became a primary way in which the television industry responded to and shaped social change, cultural traumas, and industrial transformations. With essays covering shows ranging from the birth of Desi Arnaz, Jr. on I Love Lucy to contemporary examples such as a delayed episode of Black-ish and the streaming-era phenomenon of the “Very Special Seasons” of UnReal and 13 Reasons Why, this collection seriously and critically uses the “very special episode” to chart the history of American television and its self-identified status as an arbiter of culture.
Television history was made on April 30, 1997, when comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her sitcom alter-ego Ellen Morgan, “came out” to her close friends and 36 million viewers. This groundbreaking episode represented a significant milestone in Amerian television. For the first time, a TV series centered around a lesbian character who was portrayed by an openly gay actor. The millions of viewers who tuned in that historic night were witnesses to a new era in television. The Prime Time Closet offers an entertaining and in-depth glimpse into homosexuality on television from the 1950s through today. Divided into four sections, each devoted to a major television genre, this unique book explores how gay men and lesbians have been depicted in over three hundred television episodes and made-for-TV films. These include medical series, police/detective shows, situation comedies and TV dramas. The Prime Time Closet also reveals how television's treatement of homosexuality has reflected and reinforced society's ignorance about and fear of gay men and lesbians. At the same time, it celebrates programs like Ellen and Will & Grace that have broken new ground in their sensitive and enlightened approach to homosexuality and gay-related themes. This book is witty and insightful, accessible and illuminating, a look into what has become an integral part of American media culture.
"Karen Walrond shines her light so we can find our own." —Brené Brown Many of us have strong convictions. We want to advocate for causes we care about--but which ones? We want to work for change--but will the emotional toll lead to burn out? Leadership coach, lawyer, photographer, and activist Karen Walrond knows that when you care deeply about the world, light can seem hard to find. But when your activism grows out of your joy--and vice versa--you begin to see light everywhere. In The Lightmaker's Manifesto, Walrond helps us name the skills, values, and actions that bring us joy; identify the causes that spark our empathy and concern; and then put it all together to change the world. Creative and practical exercises, including journaling, daily intention-setting, and mindful self-compassion, are complemented by lively conversations with activists and thought leaders such as Valarie Kaur, Brené Brown, Tarana Burke, and Zuri Adele. With stories from around the world and wisdom from those leading movements for change, Walrond beckons readers toward lives of integrity, advocacy, conviction, and joy. By unearthing our passions and gifts, we learn how to joyfully advocate for justice, peace, and liberation. We learn how to become makers of light.
When you read a book from an author who writes comedy, it’s a pretty good assumption you’re looking to laugh, not cry. Sometimes in life, though, there are far more tears than there is laughter. That’s true in the life of a comedy writer, too. In A “Very Special” Tale of Faith, Hope, & Hand Sanitizer, author Brandon Boswell writes about the personal struggles in his life. From the hilarious to the heartbreaking, Boswell strives to encourage his readers to not only trust in God, but to laugh when they can, cry when they need to, and say “I love you” to all the special people in their lives today ... because there may not be a tomorrow.
From popular TV correspondent and writer Rocca comes a charmingly irreverent and rigorously researched book that celebrates the dead people who made life worth living.
“Insightful, humorous, practical, this book will not only help you understand the story you’re telling yourself but also reveal a new story that allows you to love better.”— Russell Moore, director of the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today In this powerful, transformational guide, the author of the bestselling book The Road Back to You breaks new ground with the Enneagram—the ancient personality typing system—by revealing how each of us inhabits a broken story that runs counter to the Larger Story of divine grace and who we were created to be. Drawing on his training as a psychotherapist and his own personal experience, Ian Cron explains how you can: rewrite the self-sabotaging stories you tell yourself about who you are, free yourself from the tyranny of unconscious childhood messages, and overcome the self-defeating patterns of behavior that prevent you from becoming your authentic self. With this powerful tool, Cron shows us how each type can shed their broken stories and harness their unique power within to become who we are truly meant to be, shedding the unhappiness we accumulate by trying to live out of the wrong story. Filled with examples from people whose lives have been transformed for the better, Cron maps out a guide for using Enneagram wisdom to reauthor your life and experience deep inner transformation, healing, and happiness. Rewrite the story of you and find the freedom in becoming your true self!
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this lovely, easy-to-use illustrated guide to decluttering, the beloved author of The Happiness Project shows us how to take control of our stuff—and, by extension, our lives. Gretchen Rubin knows firsthand that creating order can make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. But for most of us, a rigid, one-size-fits-all solution doesn't work. When we tailor our approach to suit our own particular challenges and habits, we can find inner calm. With a sense of fun, and a clear idea of what’s realistic for most people, Rubin suggests dozens of manageable tips and tricks for creating a more serene, orderly environment, including: • Never label anything “miscellaneous.” • Ask yourself, “Do I need more than one?” • Don’t aim for minimalism. • Remember: If you can’t retrieve it, you won’t use it. • Stay current with a child’s interests. • Beware the urge to “procrasticlear.” By getting rid of things we don’t use, don’t need, or don’t love, we free our minds (and our shelves) for what we truly value.
Hilarious life lessons from the voice of a generation.So, what do you write about when you do a book? Yourself? Nah, I've not done enough stuff yet (you've got to think word count; I'd really have to drag out that time I went caravanning with Aunty Pam and Uncle Bill in order to achieve anything other than 'pamphlet' status). So, what about my generation? Millennials. We've got loads of stories. We've been celebrated and scorned; it seems we're the envy, fascination and disgrace of the world.Throughout life, millennials have been taught we're perfect and should live a perfect life - from being mollycoddled by our parents to receiving awards for taking part at school, and the beautiful, filtered lives we all see and share on social media. We've been taught, whatever happens, life should be flawless; whatever you do, don't fuck up. And then we enter the real world and start work, and start having relationships, and failure starts to rear its ugly head. A head none of us were warned about or indeed are ready for.We were told failure was never an option. And I believed them. But, truth be known, I've fucked up at every point. As have you. And honestly, it's fine.In his brilliant first book, Iain explores why millennials are the way they are - and whether that makes us self-obsessed, work-shy, mollycoddled, egomaniacs; or just a misunderstood generation with a fear of failure.Funny, provocative and packed-full of entertaining stories, is what my publishers have told me to say about this book. But actually this is my ill-informed guide to what life is really like for millennials and how we can navigate it better.
