Limo

by Dan Jenkins, Edwin "bud" Shrake

Decades before it saturated the airwaves, Dan Jenkins and Bud Shrake actually invented reality TV--and skewered it into a comic novel that was way ahead of its time. Frank Mallory is a big gun at one of the four major networks. Cruising around Manhattan in his "Silver Goblet," a Rolls Royce limo, he finds that life in the fast lane is beginning to unravel. Having to deal with the departure of his wife, his boss "The Big Guy," and crazed Hollywood stars--while at the same time having to maintain a high-stakes job--all tend to make Frank Mallory, well, act out. After Frank struggles to fill all his number-four network's prime-time slots--it tends to lag behind CBS, NBC, and ABC--the Big Guy forces him to create a show called "Just Up The Street," which is meant to entertain ordinary Americans with the "real" lives of other ordinary Americans. Ultimately the resulting script causes the Big Guy's downfall and forces everyone else to return to a reality that comes without scare quotes.Limo is a hilarious, entertaining caricature of the lifestyle of the rich and famous, and provides a fascinating insight into the world of network television. Through a haze of booze and drugs, we see Frank's desperation for a normal life and real relationships. Frank Mallory's only true relationships are found in the confines of his Silver Goblet, where he finds friendship with D. Wayne Cooper and love with Sally Hawks. Only after a series of crises does Frank ultimately find himself--and the happiness that has eluded him. Originally published in 1976, Limo is now back in print, complete with a foreword from acclaimed author Jeff Guinn.

Genres: Fiction, Novels

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Dan Jenkins was an American author and sportswriter, most notably for Sports Illustrated.

Jenkins was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended R.L. Paschal High School and Texas Christian University (TCU), where he played on the varsity golf team. Jenkins worked for many publications including the Fort Worth Press, Dallas Times Herald, Playboy, and Sports Illustrated. In 1985 he retired from Sports Illustrated and began writing books full-time and maintained a monthly column in Golf Digest magazine.

Larry King called Jenkins "the quintessential Sports Illustrated writer" and "the best sportswriter in America." Jenkins authored numerous works and over 500 articles for Sports Illustrated. In 1972, Jenkins wrote his first novel, Semi-Tough.

His daughter, Sally Jenkins, is a sports columnist for the Washington Post.

Reviews

[Jerry Virtue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visited a good friend out in Telluride, Colorado a few months ago. Forgot a book but remembered ski goggles. After five days of sleeping on the hardwood floor for free, overpaying for lift tickets and drinking at every happy hour in town - it was time to go. My pal drove me and my brother to Montrose, where had plenty of time to kill. Boy did we kill it. New Jersey through and through, I spent the first hour wrapping my head around the idea of being able to purchase a rifle in a Walmart. Didn’t buy one, but thought about taking it for a test ride. Not sure if they allow that. A few doors down, a Goodwill had just opened up. How lucky were we? Stocked is an understatement. It’s almost as if they knew we were coming. My pal bought a painting of a pirate ship to liven up his apartment that’s only interior decorations had been empty bottles of Miller High Life and dirty clothes. I bought a $4 Colorado Rockies t-shirt

And… Limo. I knew I needed a book for the five hour flight to Newark and promised myself I’d find one at Goodwill. I picked Limo off the shelf because of the bright red text on spine and drawing on the front. A few months later (I’m a slow reader and a bad writer) I finally finished. Somewhat of a breath of fresh air if you can see past some of the “colorful” 1976 comments. I really did enjoy reading it though. I think I’ve dreamt of being as cool as Frank Mallory (a new pen name of mine). It was very funny and has somewhat inspired me to want to succeed in life. RIP to Dan Jenkins and Bud Shrake.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1978. Comic novel.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riotous read. Ahead of its time with the emphasis the reality tv look into the lives of "ordinary folks".

Quote of Note: "It's hotter than a prick stuck in a mare's ass."