I can now add USA TODAY to my resume -- not to mention my first crack at writing a book review -- thanks to today's paper. My take on Bill Carter's new book about the TV biz, "Desperate Networks," runs today in USA Today. My verdict: Some interesting anecdotes, some juicy -- but the book lacks a narrative that made Carter's book on the late night wars, "The Last Shift," a success.
Networks shares tale after tale of inept decisions, corporate in-fighting and lucky breaks among the people who make television. But it lacks a cohesive story that might serve as the book's center.
Carter never quite gives a reason why the book is coming out now — after all, bad calls, back-stabbing and pure serendipity are nothing new in the TV world.
Still, it's a breezy read, and TV viewers will understand why shlocky reality series and brain-dead sitcoms make it to the air while fan favorites get canceled: As audiences continue to tune them out, the big broadcast networks really are getting desperate.
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