Rating: 
Summary: From the mediocre to the horrible - one man's journey
Review: Red Lobster, White Trash and the Blue Lagoon, by Joe Queenan, is yet another hilarious book by him. I've loved the other two books by him that I've read, but this one is different. First, it's a whole book rather than a collection of essays. Secondly, it's short, only 188 pages. This surprised me until I actually read it. But it is still just as funny as I know Queenan can be.In this book, he starts on a pop-culture odyssey and has a hard time coming back from it. Unlike Odysseus' odyssey, though, he doesn't have a family (or a wife) waiting for him back home while he journeys. Instead, he drags them along with him, kicking and screaming. He's always been sort of a snob, sneering at various popular items that he wouldn't be caught dead attending or visiting. Everything that he's always loathed from afar, he decides that he must now experience. He's getting bored with his intellectual life, and he wants to see how "the masses" live. So he dives in to the deep end, starting off with seeing "Cats" on Broadway. He's managed to avoid even thinking about it for 14 years, but now he decides he has to see it. It is an eye-opening experience, and one that's just the gateway to the pop culture Hades. Soon, he's listening to Michael Bolton and Kenny G, going to Red Lobster and Taco Bell, and generally becoming one of us. Internally, he's a bit sickened by the whole thing, but soon he becomes addicted to it. He can't live without getting up at 8:00 in the morning for "Starsky & Hutch." His is a journey between Scylla and Charibdis and around the island of the Sirens. He will find himself in dangerous waters, almost dying (well, his brain, anyway). And what a ride it is. Queenan definitely has a way with words. He's also very abrasive and condescending at times, so he's not for everybody. He insults a lot of popular things in this book. If you're like me, you'll find yourself laughing uproariously even when he's going after something you really like. There will be other times when you'll be nodding your head in complete agreement (most likely when he's talking about Michael Bolton). He can be an acquired taste, though, so you may want to leaf through the book before buying it, just to make sure. Don't worry where you leaf to. Wherever you go, he'll be going after something. However, if you find you don't mind this, his style of writing is incredible. It flows very easily and reads very quickly. I read this book in three sessions and it didn't take more than 45 minutes each time (and for me, that's fast). I found myself unable to put it down. Probably the funniest bit in the whole book is when he has a dream about a world-wide conspiracy of morons taking over the world. He thought originally that it was just random, that morons were all over the place but they weren't organized. But then he's drafted to infiltrate the moron brigade and find out what they're planning. His indoctrination (which he's already started by going on this journey) is intense, and his life hinges on his familiarity with the television show "Touched by and Angel." This sequence lasts for about three pages, and it is truly hilarious. Another bit that stands out are his description of seeing "Victor Victoria" on stage three times in a couple months, with three different stars: Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli and Raquel Welch. Very hideous, but very outrageous. Even his 13-year-old daughter, who he drags to Minnelli's show, knows that something is wrong here. He outdoes himself when he goes to Vegas, though. One of his main themes once he starts down this road is that a number of the things he sees and places he goes to have a certain "scheissenbedauern," or the feeling that something really stinks, but doesn't stink as much as you secretly hoped it would. He finds himself disappointed by the mediocrity of so much that he experiences, when he wanted it to be truly horrible. Vegas was a good example, and he has some really complimentary things to say about Wayne Newton (and Barry Manilow in an earlier section). Too many things are just bad, rather than being mind-blowingly awful. This does not apply to his visit to Branson, Missouri, and this visit almost cures him of his addiction. This is a hilarious book, and watching Joe sink deeper and deeper into the depths of pop culture, to the point where he can't get himself out of it, is very interesting. However, the book does have a couple of shortcomings. Both of these are actually alleviated by mitigating factors or are easily solvable. The first is that the book is so short. This sort of ruins the entertainment value of the book and makes you wonder about spending that kind of money for a 188 page book. However, after reading it, I completely understand. As good as the book is, I don't think it could have supported much more length. The second problem is that the wisecracks and insults of things that you might happen to enjoy (like "Phantom of the Opera" for me) can get a bit old after awhile if you're reading it all in one sitting. The solution for that, though, is to put it down for a little while and take a break. Easily solved. I really enjoyed this book, and this view of popular culture from an "outside" source. If you're in the mood to laugh and you find that Queenan is to your taste, this is another excellent example of his writing. Give it a try. Just take it in smaller doses then usual. David Roy
Rating:
Summary: Bravo to those who speak what others fear to say!
Review: It takes someone with balls to come out against musicals like 'Cats' and 'Phantom'. Three cheers for supercynic Joe Queenan who has those guts, and plenty to spare, as his poisoned pen appropriately lashes out at the worst of the mediocre, making for the best reflection on the last century I have heard of or could have even imagined. I was in tears numerous times laughing and relishing numerous Queenan insights, most of which offered me solace that my own pecular, singular, and admittedly UNpopular personal taste isn't at all unwarranted. This book is the truth spoken by one who voices the feelings of many who might(as myself) run the risk of excommunication for voicing opinions contrary to those of a highly defensive public. True, Queenan does peck off the so-called 'talents' of easy targets like musicians John Tesh and Kenny G, author Robert James Waller, and car-accident-of-a-TV-talk-show-host Geraldo Rivera. But there are hidden whoppers of philosophical revelation between the covers of this light reader as well which are sure to delight anyone who grew up thinking for themselves. If you, like me, have always had a problem being subjected to the folks in our society who walk around preening and gushing about having seen the latest Andrew Lloyd Weber extravaganza, buy this book NOW! After I read it I felt a hundred times better for having risked public humiliation in voicing my severe dislike of the film 'Titanic' (utter blasphemy to DeCaprio fans let alone anyone in Hollywood who has sold out his/her integrity to the machine that makes such monstrosities). Queenan ingeniously relates his own corruption-by-self-exposure to a Jekyll/Hyde tragedy. As he is absorbed into this world of trash and cultural squalor he can only want more. And his excursions as Hyde can be called nothing less than deliciously decadent. I'd happily toast Queenan with one of his very own "Suck Cocktails" for this hilarious effort. WARNING: Anyone offended by this book should calm down and try to realize the simple truth that just because something is popular doesn't EVER mean it is actually Any Good.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny but overstays its welcome
Review: When I first read Joe Queenan, I thought he was about the funniest writer on the planet. He is still very funny and very talented, but his shtick can get just a bit old, and fast. This book started as an article, and if you can, I would track that article down and save yourself the money and the time it takes to read this very slim yet somehow plodding hatchet job on anything popular for Middle America. This subject was stinging and hilarious as an article, running the perfect length and not overstaying its venomous welcome. But as the book drags on, Queenan is so relentless with his targets that the reader feels a backlash coming. Sometimes it seems like the mere mention of "Tony Orlando" or "Phil Collins" is supposed to be enough to make you laugh and understand how disgruntled Queenan is. And simply the word "suck" is used and used again to describe everything Queenan doesn't like. Okay, Joe, we get it. It's a bit tired to read page after page of insulting "middle American huckleberries", etc. I guess if people are not as fortunate, intelligent, or rich as Queenan, they're more or less despicable cretins to be mocked by the admitted "cultural effete". Another problem is that many of Queenan's references are either already outdated or beyond obvious. The entertainment industry does the job for him when cheap targets like Steve Guttenberg or Joe Piscopo are chewed up and spit out by the industry itself once it has no use for them. The vast majority of figures like this really do wind up just going away, and why? Because the audiences--the middle Americans Queenan loves ripping to make himself sound smarter--disgard their product. Queenan's biggest problem is with crap that poses as art, and he even admits that certain cheese is not so bad, as long as it's aware that it's cheese (as he discovers that Manilow is a good entertainer, if a cheeseball). However, I did find it a bit nauseating when our intrepid author, who has immersed himself in popular culture and become addicted, needs to take a trip to France to cleanse himself and rediscover real beauty and culture. Can you say vomit? It's very, very funny at times, and the index is hilarious. I wouldn't pay much for this book again; you may be able to track his rants down online.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest Humor Book I Have Read in Years
Review: Besides pointing out the ridiculousness of American pop culture,what Makes Red Lobster, White Trash, and the Blue Lagoon so funny is that Joe Queenan is a fine writer, witty and creative. How can you not laugh at someone who points out that Garth Brooks songs appear to have been written with "Microsoft's Drugstore Cowboy for Windows 95". I have loaned this book out to five other people, all of who thought it was excellent - one quote from a friend was "I laughed my ass off".
Rating:
Summary: Queenan goes where no sensible person would - Branson
Review: I read and re-read this book, it's fall-down laughingly funny. Queenan embarks on an odyssey that begins and ends with performances of "Cats", and what lies between is truly horrifing: Billy Joel's entire oevure. John Tesh and Barry Manilow concerts. David Cassidy in Vegas. and the kicker - Branson, Missouri, where old has-beens and never-wheres go to die. This is one of the best books about our stupendously stupid culture ever produced, and while some may bristle at Mr. Queenan's snobbish attitude, they need to try and find a sense of humor. Fast food, John Grisham, and Broadway "musicals" suffer mightily at the pen of Queenan, and the book is a delight from beginning to end.
Rating: 
Summary: Quality Quips By Queenan
Review: This is a very funny book. (A good thing, I suppose, since Mr. Queenan makes his living as a humorist!) The author is intelligent, observant, and witty. He skewers the bad and the merely mediocre in various categories: film, television, theater, music, restaurant chains, etc. One caveat- Mr. Queenan ranges far and wide in his quest for the Holy Grail of garbage. He is bound to hit on some things that you happen to like. If that's going to bother you, you may not like this book. If you can shrug it off and just get your jollies from the bits you agree with, then you should enjoy this book. As an example: Mr. Queenan administers a well-deserved thrashing to His Satanic Majesty, Phil Collins. On the other hand, he equates (unfairly, in my obviously subjective opinion) Billy Joel with Mr. Collins. He also doesn't have much good to say about Cat Stevens, Yanni, Kenny G., Toto, John Tesh, Travis Tritt, or Garth Brooks. In the realm of the family restaurant, he trashes Red Lobster and The Olive Garden, but likes Sizzlers and Bob's Big Boy. Well, you get the idea. If you enjoy most popular culture, this book probably isn't for you. If, on the other hand, you think most of the stuff out there is not going into any time capsules for the edification of aliens, you'll have a good time. Here's a "test sentence" to see if you like the style. The victim of this particular rant is Michael Bolton: "And having to sit there and listen while this Kmart Joe Cocker mutilates 'You Send Me' is like sitting through a performance of 'King Lear' with Don Knotts in the title role." Or, try this one: "Red Lobster, I quickly learned, was a chain geared toward people who think of themselves as a little bit too upscale for Roy Rogers." I think the above excerpts give you a pretty good taste of the flavor of the prose. One other red flag might be worth waving: although Mr. Queenan doesn't actually use what are so quaintly termed "dirty words," he does cruise around the outskirts of that particular linguistic neighborhood (using equivalent slang terms, for example). Again, as with "sacred cows," if not-so-poetic license of this sort bothers you, you may want to stay away. Otherwise, get a copy of this book, grab your towel and sunblock, and hit the beach and settle in for a fast, funny read. And, oh yes, don't forget your Phil Collins CD's...
Rating: 
Summary: Step off your high horse, your Majesty
Review: Just because the man's last name contains a royal title does not give him the right to berate American society. If he doesn't like America and all it stands for, he should jump into the Doloren time machine back to 19th century Europe. "Joe Queenan's America" does not belong to him alone. America is a free country, and we're all entitled to our pop cultures--good or bad. The right to choose between the Opera or Chris Farley movies is our choice! Do NOT buy this book. His Royal Highness doesn't deserve the royalties.
Rating:
Summary: Where is the ZERO stars option?
Review: I could handle the Cats and Billy Joel jabs. But you're way out of line when you berate Paulie Shore.
Rating:
Summary: He hates American culture, but never explains why
Review: I was very disappointed by this book. I read it assuming that Queenan had some kind of insight to provide into bad American culture. But the book primarily reads like a laundry list of bad food, bad movies, bad television and other things that Queenan does not like. Rarely does he explain WHY these things are bad, in his opinion. And the book is terribly disorganized, with no real rhyme or reason to it. He thinks that hyperbole is funny and can substitute for insight. But he's wrong. Around a quarter of the way through the book I reached the point where Queenan declared that the United States should apologize to the world for its culture "just as the Germans had to apologize for mustard gas, Auschwitz, and Hosrt Buccholz." This is obviously parody--exaggeration to make a point. It was at this moment that I expected Queenan to rally to a defense of American culture, to demonstrate that the people who make this kind of argument--that Red Lobster and movie sequels are as bad as the Holocaust--are not only effete snobs out of touch with human beings, but downright crazy. I expected him to turn the tables on the cultural critics. But he did no such thing. He just kept listing things that he did not like and occasionally mentioning one thing that he expected to hate but actually enjoyed (like Sizzler steak house or Cleveland). Thus, what should have been a turning point for the book is just another bit of absurd argumentation, intended for a cheap laugh but not to make a larger point. A big problem is that he lists these things and simply expects his reader to agree with him, as if it is self-evident and therefore needs no further explanation. If he says that Billy Joel and the sitcom Friends both are junk, we are supposed to nod our heads and say "Yes, we agree." But he never goes into details. He never tells us what exactly makes them so bad, or what defines "good" from "bad" culture. This is not simply a case of disagreeing with his choices--I agree that many of the things he picks on are awful. But Queenan never really makes an _argument_ that you can agree or disagree with. His argument is little more sophisticated than a burp. For example, Queenan spends several pages on Billy Joel, but never does anything more than list his albums and his songs and assures us that they are really awful. Okay, why? And why is your opinion more valid than the singer's millions of fans? Is there an aspect of Billy Joel's music that Queenan is missing? He doesn't care, he has simply formed an opinion and he's going to stick with it without explaining it. If his examples of bad American culture are so self-evident, then how come lots of people disagree with him? This habit becomes untenable when he attacks subjects that are widely regarded by his fellow movie and television critics as examples of good movies or television shows. The best critics can actually convince their readers that things they like are flawed, ore really not very good. Queenan never even tries. What Queenan also misses is the fact that almost nobody who produces what he considers to be lousy movies or television or music actually intended to produce lousy movies or television. This is the "Ed Wood" problem. Ed Wood made some truly lousy movies, but he enthusiastically thought that he was making great films. Queenan never bothers to explore how come this self-delusion occurs. Is there something in the human psyche (or the American psyche in particular) that blinds people to the quality of their own work? Other cultural critics have reveled in bad American culture. Joe Bob Briggs could be hilarious with his Drive-In Movie Reviews, as he argued about what made a bad movie truly enjoyable. P.J. O'Rourke could also skewer various aspects of American society, while still explaining why he thought it was superior to places that he hated, like France or Berlin. Queenan is entitled to feel that American culture stinks, but he should at least provide some justification for his opinion. Failing to do so seems awfully arrogant. Queenan never really goes anywhere with the subject and shows no interest in digging any deeper into the nature of mass culture. He flies to France and discovers that they show the same dumb sitcoms we see in the U.S. But he never explains why, if this stuff is so bad, it is still popular in France, a country that he implies should know what good culture is. (And I bet that if he changed the channel, he would discover that the French can producer their own awful sitcoms. Americans do not have a monopoly on bad taste.) Is there some deeper Truth to be explored here? Is there something about American culture, even BAD American culture (perhaps ESPECIALLY bad American culture), that allows it to transcend borders? Why is it that France, India, or Turkey do not have the same ability to export their culture around the world? Could it be that American culture, even when it is bad, has some universal appeal that Queenan has missed? Yes, Queenan wants to seem like a curmudgeon. But it really looks like he was being lazy when he wrote this book, as if shouting his opinion with harsh language could suffice for reasonable argument. He never really bothered to think about his subject and instead just turned the book into a list of all the things he did not like. Great....
Rating:
Summary: This is not very good
Review: Queenan is obviously a smart guy but doesn't get very far here. The best parts are when he's shooting fish in a barrel (Kenny G, John Tesh, Cats..but honestly who needs to be told this is bad). However, his take on pop music is completely clueless. The Billy Joel section is typical. An entire chapter goes by of listing songs that he thinks are bad... and not a shred of rhyme or reason. He seems to be entirely concentrating on the lyrics and ignoring the fact that in popular songs the music is what matters. The reason Billy Joel, Elton John and ABBA are popular is that they have written lots of catchy memorable melodies. If there's something wrong with that Queenan hasn't revealed it here.
|
