What do you think?
Rate this book
Hollywood Huckster: A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions
It’s Mad Men of the ‘70s and ‘80s, set in Hollywood! “HOLLYWOOD HUCKSTER” is the true story of the television and film industry from the mid ‘70s through the mid ‘80s. The pot-smoking, acid-dropping, counter-culture students of the turbulent ’60s were bringing their skewed comedy, irreverent attitudes and anti-establishment views to America via Hollywood. The lunatics started running the asylum. And one of them pushed the envelope more than anyone else of that era. He was Kevin Hartigan, the most infamous industry player you’ve never heard of.
- GenresTv
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2013
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
David Garber
6 books1 followerFor the past 25 years, David Garber has been serving as the show runner and or writer on some of televisions biggest hits… His work includes stints on such diverse shows as The Power Rangers, The Simpsons, Magnum P.I., The Love Boat, Alien Nation, Saved By the Bell, 227, The Fall Guy and the live action Disney film, Dennis The Menace.
As well as his extensive stints on these series, David spent two years under contract to Eddie Murphy, writing and producing his stand-up concerts as well as his television development slate at Paramount Pictures.
His writing and producing have also netted David two very prestigious awards:
The PRISM AWARD - Outstanding writing achievement in the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction for the High Hoops episode, HANG TIME, NBC.
TV CRITICS AWARD – TV SPECIAL OF THE YEAR. “What’s Alan Watching?” CBS. Eddie Murphy Productions.
When not spending numerous hours writing and producing, David’s passions are his family and his Boston Red Sox… “I’m not a fan – I’m a fanatic.”
As well as his extensive stints on these series, David spent two years under contract to Eddie Murphy, writing and producing his stand-up concerts as well as his television development slate at Paramount Pictures.
His writing and producing have also netted David two very prestigious awards:
The PRISM AWARD - Outstanding writing achievement in the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction for the High Hoops episode, HANG TIME, NBC.
TV CRITICS AWARD – TV SPECIAL OF THE YEAR. “What’s Alan Watching?” CBS. Eddie Murphy Productions.
When not spending numerous hours writing and producing, David’s passions are his family and his Boston Red Sox… “I’m not a fan – I’m a fanatic.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 12, 2022
Obnoxious book about horrible failed Hollywood writer Kevin Hartigan, but it’s mistakenly written as a tribute to the terrible guy instead of author Garner focusing on his own successful 1989s and 1990s TV career.
There is nothing redemptive about Hartigan or this book. It uses a fake structure of Garber cleaning out old memories of his dead friend, telling hard-to-believe stories of the many flops the two created together. They both are total losers and the poorly-written book is not worth wasting your time on.
However It did reinforce that Hollywood creatives are sick, immoral, unethical jerks who will lie about everything to get a job. No wonder most television is so bad if these two are considered successful in the industry!
Garber should be ashamed of this trash; instead he puts Hartigan up for comedy sainthood but there’s nothing funny about it. Why isn’t this instead about great family shows Garber went on to do like Saved By the Bell’s initial season with Haley Mills? Now that would have been worth reading.
There is nothing redemptive about Hartigan or this book. It uses a fake structure of Garber cleaning out old memories of his dead friend, telling hard-to-believe stories of the many flops the two created together. They both are total losers and the poorly-written book is not worth wasting your time on.
However It did reinforce that Hollywood creatives are sick, immoral, unethical jerks who will lie about everything to get a job. No wonder most television is so bad if these two are considered successful in the industry!
Garber should be ashamed of this trash; instead he puts Hartigan up for comedy sainthood but there’s nothing funny about it. Why isn’t this instead about great family shows Garber went on to do like Saved By the Bell’s initial season with Haley Mills? Now that would have been worth reading.
June 15, 2013
Hollywood Huckster
A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions
written by David Garber
A BOOK REVIEW
I had the privilege of reading David Garber's new book; Hollywood Huckster, A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions. Non fiction.
I took my time. Reading each chapter.
All thirty-three. Each chapter basically a synopsis of the writers platform, for a new television show being promoted with some big wig at one of the huge Hollywood studios.
Analyzing it, letting it sink in. Dreaming. Moving on to the next chapter. Dreaming again, analyzing it, letting it sink in. Dreaming some more.
HOLLYWOOD HUCKSTER
A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions
A writers dream. Or a writer's nightmare?
The late seventies. The place Hollywood. Drugs, Sex, Rock & Roll keywords of the day.
Two writers, pair up to make a comedy writing team. The author, David Garber and Kevin Hartigan.
One of my dreams as a young man. Run away to Hollywood and become a writer for television. Become a Rob Petrie, a head writer, a success, make tons and tons of money.
But like most dreams they fade away...
Then comes along a book to awaken those sleepy memories. Hollywood Huckster. Hob-knobbing with the likes of Bill Cosby, Aaron Spelling, Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, the list goes on and on...
Writing for television shows like; Mash, Magnum PI, The Bill Cosby Show, Sanford and Son's...
I couldn't possibly name them all. David's list of credits are impeccably endless.
My dreams have been shattered, as I read one interview after another. The devious deals being made, the back stabbing, the trickery.
I never realized how competitive a Hollywood writer has to be. The weak do not survive, in this celluloid jungle.
Where no one is safe, a replacement at the door? The pressure. I wouldn't have survived. It takes a special breed, one like Kevin Hartigan and David Garber. David the straight man, the typist, Kevin the jokester, who never typed a page in his life. Opposites! A team.
Easy light reading, you'll like Dave's congenial personality, he invites you into his writing life, almost like being there, a friend.
But most important, it's entertaining and funny! An uplifting story. A story of life's struggles and plateaus.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
I'd give it two thumbs up or five stars.
Destined for the best sellers table.
Michael Estey
A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions
written by David Garber
A BOOK REVIEW
I had the privilege of reading David Garber's new book; Hollywood Huckster, A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions. Non fiction.
I took my time. Reading each chapter.
All thirty-three. Each chapter basically a synopsis of the writers platform, for a new television show being promoted with some big wig at one of the huge Hollywood studios.
Analyzing it, letting it sink in. Dreaming. Moving on to the next chapter. Dreaming again, analyzing it, letting it sink in. Dreaming some more.
HOLLYWOOD HUCKSTER
A Memoir of Hysterical Proportions
A writers dream. Or a writer's nightmare?
The late seventies. The place Hollywood. Drugs, Sex, Rock & Roll keywords of the day.
Two writers, pair up to make a comedy writing team. The author, David Garber and Kevin Hartigan.
One of my dreams as a young man. Run away to Hollywood and become a writer for television. Become a Rob Petrie, a head writer, a success, make tons and tons of money.
But like most dreams they fade away...
Then comes along a book to awaken those sleepy memories. Hollywood Huckster. Hob-knobbing with the likes of Bill Cosby, Aaron Spelling, Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, the list goes on and on...
Writing for television shows like; Mash, Magnum PI, The Bill Cosby Show, Sanford and Son's...
I couldn't possibly name them all. David's list of credits are impeccably endless.
My dreams have been shattered, as I read one interview after another. The devious deals being made, the back stabbing, the trickery.
I never realized how competitive a Hollywood writer has to be. The weak do not survive, in this celluloid jungle.
Where no one is safe, a replacement at the door? The pressure. I wouldn't have survived. It takes a special breed, one like Kevin Hartigan and David Garber. David the straight man, the typist, Kevin the jokester, who never typed a page in his life. Opposites! A team.
Easy light reading, you'll like Dave's congenial personality, he invites you into his writing life, almost like being there, a friend.
But most important, it's entertaining and funny! An uplifting story. A story of life's struggles and plateaus.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
I'd give it two thumbs up or five stars.
Destined for the best sellers table.
Michael Estey
May 28, 2013
Everyone needs a good book and here it is! The book is ALL TRUE and no names have been protected (Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, Charlies Angels, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Alan Alda, Redd Fox, Aaron Spelling, Claudette Colbert (Oscar winner for Best Leading Actress), Senator Ted Kennedy, and there's shows like MASH, Love Boat, Charlie's Angels, Sanford and Son, Welcome Back Kotter). It will inspire the huckster in you.
August 12, 2014
See my blog for comments, either on Goodreads or at http://maggieking.com/blog
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews