Well, I didn't really laugh out loud at this book at all. I liked the author and towards the end when she's talking directly about the sexism in the industry and what happens when she starts to call it out, that was interesting. But hollywood memoirs don't tend to capture me and since I was barely passingly familiar with some of the stuff she spent a lot of time describing, I wasn't super invested. I admire her guts but I didn't really enjoy the book particularly. It's not structured particularly linearly which could be fine but I couldn't always figure out where she was going and I didn't get most of the people she name dropped. I was just "eh" overall.

I was recommended this book and I'm glad I read it! It was an interesting look into the life of Nell Scovell and how she's dealt with looking for success in Hollywood. I liked that she didn't hold anything back in terms of what went on behind the scenes of certain shows she worked on and the struggles she dealt with. It was nice to hear about the creation of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and how she pushed to keep both aunts kindhearted people. Hearing everything she has to say about David Letterman makes me like him less. I appreciate that she's openly democrat and talks about how much she hates the current 'president'. Having her bring up jokes that weren't used in certain speeches, shows, or lists was a great touch that I enjoyed. Definitely a great insight to what is generally seen as a boy's club.

Although I've passively heard of Scovell's work, her interview on Larry Wilmore's podcast cemented my interest in this book. It was well worth the read! She's been involved in so many of my favorite shows, and it was delightfully entertaining and frustrating to hear about her positive and negative experiences throughout her extensive television (and beyond) writing career.

+ 1/2

I don't know how other people outside of Hollywood would understand this book because it gets a bit industry-heavy, but if you're a female working in the business this is certainly a worthy read. It's partially hilarious but partially sad how rough of a go Nell Scovell had to break into Hollywood - especially a brief fling into writing for Late Night television.

Best parts are definitely when she adds in some jokes she had that got rejected. Especially when she contributed to the WHCD when they still had presidential participation.

Also shout out to the shout out to a college professor I once had, who I had forgotten until then that he was an exec on a show she created!

Not just funny (which it is, laugh out loud funny in parts), but also open, honest, and a deeply needed look at what it feels like to be the only woman in the room.

Excellent examination and explanation of being a woman-writer in the entertainment industry. Some sections delve into the writing process (how ideas turn into scripts turn into actual shows, etc.) and some delve more into the issues a woman faces in the industry. Both angles were truly interesting and informative. (I probably drove my husband crazy because I kept stopping to read him passages.)

Gotta love when a writer name names when calling out bosses and co-workers for their good behavior (or bad behavior).

I love behind the scenes stories, especially those involving TV, especially those involving TV shows I either love or hate. So the book is a 5 on that basis alone. Also there were great and frustrating stories about David Letterman, Bob Newhart, and about how networks and agents and personnel turnover allow shows to succeed in spite of themselves. Also it's tough to be a female writer in Hollywood. I think we all knew that, but this really lays it out for you.