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Rating: 
Summary: A fine primer for magazine writers
Review: Bill Zehme, one of the premier magazine writers of this era, is at his best in this compilation of pieces from Esquire, Rolling Stone, Playboy and other publications.The book gets off to an ideal start with a 1996 Esquire piece on Frank Sinatra. Zehme's portrait of The Chairman of the Board as a wise old man who wants to impart his knowledge to future generations is never pretentious for a second, as Zehme keeps us mindful of the man's swagger, and the validity of many of his insights. A 1998 look at Hugh Hefner is nice, touching just enough on his vulnerability without trying to make us feel sorry for someone who has lived out the fantasies of most American men. A Rolling Stone article on Arnold Schwarzenegger from 1991 might be the strongest in the book, taking note of the actor's impact on other males within the context of the "Iron John" movement that had gained so much notoriety at the time, but doing it in a way that makes fun of the basic absurdity of his image. Another standout is a 1989 Rolling Stone profile of Eddie Murphy, which reads to some degree like an extension of Murphy's rants from his concert film "Raw." Most of the piece is done as a Q&A, as Zehme is aware that the candidness and charisma of his subject lend itself to that kind of treatment. The material on the Jay Leno-David Letterman feud is, for all intents and purposes, the denouement of the collection, and it's welcome here as the definitive portrait of both men, and the issues involved in Letterman's defection to CBS, outside of Bill Carter's "The Late Shift." For journalists, as Cameron Crowe points out in his foreword, the mere study of Zehme's leads is rewarding enough. To grab a reader's attention in that first graf without promising something you can't deliver, or failing to flag something the reader should be sure to look for, is most definitely an art, one that many journalists never master. Zehme is also a wizard of context and perspective. Where is the celebrity in his or her career? What are the trends going on in the larger culture that this person is taking advantage of or becoming marginalized by? Is the subject playing a lot of games during the interview itself, putting on a performance that has someting to do with his or her essential appeal? These questions are always asked, and answered for us in a way that is never obvious or pedantic. In summary, this is great magazine writing, easily worthy of study in graduate journalism programs -- and yet lots of fun for the casual reader.
Rating:
Summary: Zehme is a writer for all readers!
Review: In a profession that typically spends its time doing PR for the next "hit," Zehme has managed to create his own style filled with a simple candor and a wry humor that supercedes the typical celebrity drivel. Whether it be actors, musicians or talk show hosts, Zehme offers great insight into not only the characters themselves, but also into the ever-humbling plague of the writers who follow them. Unabashedly observant, always charming, this is a collection for anyone who reads, but especially those who think people, and celebrities in particular, are just plain funny.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Very Intimate
Review: Was slightly disappointed in this collection of old magazine articles that try to delve in to the personal life of several famous celebrities. Most of the articles were written over 10 years ago! Also, the last 25% of the book consists of rehashed articles on the Letterman/Leno feud. On the flip side, Zehme's writing is concise and the book zips along. covering 15-20 celebrities ranging from Howard Stern to Barry Manilow. Still, Zehme seems to be holding back the good stuff for himself, perhaps that's why he seems so accessible to the stars.
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