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Sex and Death in Television Town
A band of hermaphrodite gunslingers fight for their lives in a desert infested with crispy black demons. Along with a motley collection of survivors (including a sex-crazed female samurai modified to resemble a bipedal stegosaurus) they take refuge in the only safe haven Telos . . . a strange town near the end of the world, where the citizens have televisions instead of heads.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2005
11 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Carlton Mellick III
119 books2,168 followersCarlton Mellick III (July 2, 1977, Phoenix, Arizona) is an American author currently residing in Portland, Oregon. He calls his style of writing "avant-punk," and is currently one of the leading authors in the recent 'Bizarro' movement in underground literature[citation needed] with Steve Aylett, Chris Genoa and D. Harlan Wilson.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 14, 2016
The remaining citizens of Jackson flee their dying town with the survivors of a gang of gunslinging hermaphodites, a female samurai with stegosaurus spikes and fins, and a gunslinger named Jesus Christ to escape a plague. This ragtag group boards a living train resembling a caterpillar and makes for the town of Telos. But what will they find there besides more death?
Back in the day, shortly after the first fish was brave enough to leave the sea behind for dry land, I read Christopher Moore's Lamb and Amazon immediately started giving me recommendations for Carlton Mellick III's books. Here we are, several eons later, and I finally gave him a shot.
When a story starts with a woman masturbating using a living millipede dildo, you know you're in for a wild ride and Sex and Death in Television Town is wild, that's for sure. There's a ton of gore and even more strangeness.
Cry (aka Sex of the title) is by far the most interesting character in the book. Every time she has an orgasm, she gets a glimpse into the future. Since she seems to have orgasms quite a bit, she pretty much dictates where the group goes. The others were a mixed bag. I didn't care for Random, the most ordinary member of the group. Beyond being hermaphrodites, I didn't find the three hermaphrodites in the group very interesting, although Oxy's fate in Telos was good. Jesus Christ was the best gunslinger in the group but didn't do much else.
I'd say the strangest parts of the book happened once the gang got to Telos. The shifting landscape and the color factory were weird but the weirdest part was that the citizens of Telos had televisions for heads and communicated by changing channels.
Any complaints? Aside from it being too short, I think the millipede dildo in the opening sentence desensitized me a bit. A furry gun and a living train don't seem so strange after that.
If you're looking for a weird western, they don't get much weirder than this.
Back in the day, shortly after the first fish was brave enough to leave the sea behind for dry land, I read Christopher Moore's Lamb and Amazon immediately started giving me recommendations for Carlton Mellick III's books. Here we are, several eons later, and I finally gave him a shot.
When a story starts with a woman masturbating using a living millipede dildo, you know you're in for a wild ride and Sex and Death in Television Town is wild, that's for sure. There's a ton of gore and even more strangeness.
Cry (aka Sex of the title) is by far the most interesting character in the book. Every time she has an orgasm, she gets a glimpse into the future. Since she seems to have orgasms quite a bit, she pretty much dictates where the group goes. The others were a mixed bag. I didn't care for Random, the most ordinary member of the group. Beyond being hermaphrodites, I didn't find the three hermaphrodites in the group very interesting, although Oxy's fate in Telos was good. Jesus Christ was the best gunslinger in the group but didn't do much else.
I'd say the strangest parts of the book happened once the gang got to Telos. The shifting landscape and the color factory were weird but the weirdest part was that the citizens of Telos had televisions for heads and communicated by changing channels.
Any complaints? Aside from it being too short, I think the millipede dildo in the opening sentence desensitized me a bit. A furry gun and a living train don't seem so strange after that.
If you're looking for a weird western, they don't get much weirder than this.
May 9, 2016
"They are both awkward people and not at all skilled at throwing items into holes." Somehow, this sums up the nonchalant chaos of Carlton Mellick's world in this, the first book of his I'd picked up after much delaying and deferring in lieu of more Burroughs, John Shirley, and what-have-you, only to find — surprise surprise! — this folding-over-and-redrawn-maps world bears more reeking similarities to those visionaries who see boundaries beyond boundaries than a casual reader'd expect from titles like Razor Wire Pubic Hair and The Morbidly Obese Ninja. Exquisitely-thought out, well-wrought, and conveying an improbable erudition that rivals Douglas Coupland's (you'd never guess how many TV shows are stuck in your head, until Mellick remembers them for you, in living color and live action and on top of people with otherwise-human bodies, here). Cheers!
September 4, 2007
Strange, gross and so far out that you are constantly reminded that the author is clearly trying to shock you. However it was so creative and imaginative, even if mainly focused on sex which can become tiresom, it does inspire you to become creative and do something with you mind.
This is not for everyone, not for most I will imagine. I enjoyed it due to it's total unexpected storyline and plot that managed to go somewhere. It's shock value and sexually graffic but not in the way you would expect. I have read trashy romance novels that go into more detail for longer, just not in this style. It's short, you'd read it in a day and that's part of it's appeal because you don't have time to put it down and realise "Am I really reading this!!" and go and pick up something a bit more intellectual. It's like the saying, it's like a moped, you want to have a go but never want your friends to know.
This is not for everyone, not for most I will imagine. I enjoyed it due to it's total unexpected storyline and plot that managed to go somewhere. It's shock value and sexually graffic but not in the way you would expect. I have read trashy romance novels that go into more detail for longer, just not in this style. It's short, you'd read it in a day and that's part of it's appeal because you don't have time to put it down and realise "Am I really reading this!!" and go and pick up something a bit more intellectual. It's like the saying, it's like a moped, you want to have a go but never want your friends to know.
May 16, 2019
Mellick's "Sex and Death in Television Town" is not just an allegory on sex and violence on TV it's also an extended parable on our preoccupation with and prioritization of television as a programming medium in our lives. Now don't get me wrong it's also a fun romp of a story. Sex and Death are characters in the novel with Sex being Cry a green Samurai woman with Stegosaurus spikes protruding from her back and who can see the future anytime she has a "Happy Ending" so to speak. Death is a gunslinger called Jesus because he can work miracles with bullets "A shadow of a man who can melt into the background like silence. Black trench coat blowing in the steel-flavored breeze." Jesus can become like Shiva or even Robert Oppenheimer when it comes to being a destroyer of worlds. As the novel opens Cry is in a stagecoach with two hermaphrodites Battle Johnny and Sharp, Nixx a face painted half breed, and two newlyweds Random and Typi. On top of the stagecoach is Jesus and the driver Oxy who is an old west hermaphrodite ala Slim Pickens no don't use your imagination. They are being chased through the desert by a horde of small flesh ripping goblins which Jesus is shooting as fast as he can but the numbers are against them. The group minus one hermaphrodite and one bride board a living train resembling a caterpillar and make for the town of Telos. Mellick has some nice description of the next morning: "The sky is turquoise blue with billowy clouds over the desert. Prickle-green bushes and cacti and chirping yellow birds. Random leans out of the hole in the train to inhale the painting. There aren't any creatures anymore, no dead bodies, no signs of destruction. The young man absorbs the sun shine and pretends he's not on such a horror of a train." When they arrive in town they discover the citizens of Telos have televisions for heads and communicate by changing channels the current show reflects their mood or something they want to convey. It's in the descriptions of the Telosians and their TV heads that not only does Mellick wax allegorical and satirical he also gives us a clinic on television shows most of us have forgotten ever existed. In the end the people of Telos rebel against Sex and Death and Oxy has a vision of Cry and Jesus pushing on west sure "There are more places that will be able to experience their beauty."
April 2, 2018
I've had this one my reading list for literal years and FINALLY got around to it yesterday and it was everything that I hoped for.
The whole thing was like a wild west fever dream. But then, pretty much everything CMIII writes is some flavor of fever dream which I AM INTO.
The characters of Sex and Death are also called Cry and Jesus and the swapping of names seems like a mistake at first but as you read it becomes a sort of poetry. There are a lot of characters introduced but you shouldn't get attached to any of them, not that there's anything to get attached to. Like his other works, there's this distance of strangeness between the reader and the work where we can only observe. But that's good to.
All in all a great read full of violence, sex, and death. Oh yeah, a lot of TV too.
The whole thing was like a wild west fever dream. But then, pretty much everything CMIII writes is some flavor of fever dream which I AM INTO.
The characters of Sex and Death are also called Cry and Jesus and the swapping of names seems like a mistake at first but as you read it becomes a sort of poetry. There are a lot of characters introduced but you shouldn't get attached to any of them, not that there's anything to get attached to. Like his other works, there's this distance of strangeness between the reader and the work where we can only observe. But that's good to.
All in all a great read full of violence, sex, and death. Oh yeah, a lot of TV too.
January 26, 2020
A surreal western... In a way a retelling of most showdowns at noon and at the same time a criticism of how people are obsessed with TV.
June 24, 2020
*2.5 stars
January 14, 2025
I'm not sure I'd ever recommend this dude's books to anyone, but they are fast romps through gory, sex-filled playlands. Enjoyable enough reads at least.
January 23, 2025
A good CM3 book, but not his best. This will sound strange for a bizarro book but this one is a little convoluted compared to some of his other work. This very enjoyable but just not my fav.
January 24, 2014
With an economy of words that still conveys rich imagery, I found myself enjoying this novel for all of the things it does better than some of CM3’s other works. While I haven’t read the entire catalog yet, there are a few I didn’t fall in love with, but I am compelled to review this particular piece.
I enjoy the experimental prose style Mellick employs in a number of his works, but I’ve always had a difficult time reading the action scenes in many of his books. I usually find myself skimming those chapters, but not this time. The action was well-written, compelling, and tense. At first glance, there is a lot working against the author; a larger cast of characters in a shorter work must surely be short-changed when it comes to characterization and with minimalist prose, you would think one character would have to drive the entire piece forward. Instead, we have an ensemble that comes alive. I typically don’t care when a character in a Mellick novel dies, but this time, I was interested in each character.
The novel’s construction is its greatest success. The symbolism/satire component is obvious and enjoyable but you’re not hit over the head with it, which has always been Mellick’s strong suit. Several lingering images have remained with me after reading; the book was fun, surreal, and rich. I’m still analyzing the piece to figure out how Mellick did so much with so few words.
One of my biggest hang-ups about bizarro novels is the use of sexual imagery that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the book, almost as if it’s a prerequisite. Obviously, the title of this book offers a glimpse of what you can expect, but I found myself discovering another component to Mellick’s work that snuck its way into this book almost unexpectedly, given the nature of the content; there is a sense of “heart”; this isn’t an apathetic action fest. The sexual nature of the book is creative and informs character action, and it become meaningful to several of the characters. The emotional characteristic that defines books like Quicksand House and Village of the Mermaids is instilled in a book with sparse prose, a diverse cast, and wondrous imagery.
There is plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and the actions scenes are the best I’ve read from this author so far. SEMI-SPOILER *(I was reminded of the Dead Space video game series—the manner in which characters acquire loot from fallen corpses—but I believe this book predates the game. I still found it funny). *This is one of the few books I’ve read that I found myself wanting a sequel; sequels are usually silly unless they’re part of a series, but I think Mellick should consider revisiting this world. MORE CRY.
Easily one of my favorite CM3 books.
I enjoy the experimental prose style Mellick employs in a number of his works, but I’ve always had a difficult time reading the action scenes in many of his books. I usually find myself skimming those chapters, but not this time. The action was well-written, compelling, and tense. At first glance, there is a lot working against the author; a larger cast of characters in a shorter work must surely be short-changed when it comes to characterization and with minimalist prose, you would think one character would have to drive the entire piece forward. Instead, we have an ensemble that comes alive. I typically don’t care when a character in a Mellick novel dies, but this time, I was interested in each character.
The novel’s construction is its greatest success. The symbolism/satire component is obvious and enjoyable but you’re not hit over the head with it, which has always been Mellick’s strong suit. Several lingering images have remained with me after reading; the book was fun, surreal, and rich. I’m still analyzing the piece to figure out how Mellick did so much with so few words.
One of my biggest hang-ups about bizarro novels is the use of sexual imagery that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the book, almost as if it’s a prerequisite. Obviously, the title of this book offers a glimpse of what you can expect, but I found myself discovering another component to Mellick’s work that snuck its way into this book almost unexpectedly, given the nature of the content; there is a sense of “heart”; this isn’t an apathetic action fest. The sexual nature of the book is creative and informs character action, and it become meaningful to several of the characters. The emotional characteristic that defines books like Quicksand House and Village of the Mermaids is instilled in a book with sparse prose, a diverse cast, and wondrous imagery.
There is plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and the actions scenes are the best I’ve read from this author so far. SEMI-SPOILER *(I was reminded of the Dead Space video game series—the manner in which characters acquire loot from fallen corpses—but I believe this book predates the game. I still found it funny). *This is one of the few books I’ve read that I found myself wanting a sequel; sequels are usually silly unless they’re part of a series, but I think Mellick should consider revisiting this world. MORE CRY.
Easily one of my favorite CM3 books.
July 31, 2011
A staggering and stimulating exploration into the mores of modern human existence, Carlton Mellick III’s “Sex and Death in Television Town” takes the reader through a madcap journey replete with violence, sex, and violent sex. This work of fiction, from one of the moguls in the Bizarro genre, thrills the reader while creating a compelling argument for the governing forces that hold sway over humanity and drive it down a destructive path: reckless indulgence and blind apathy.
A diverse group of savvy characters plans to escape a plague of flesh-stripping insects by travelling to a one-horse town called Telos, where everyone has a television for a head. Personal contrivances get the better of each character, and the townspeople are forced to deal with it. These “Telosians” represent humanity manipulated at the hands of television programming, and how we reflect the TV world, rather than vice versa. Humans have allowed themselves to be stripped of their individuality, and have relied on television to define them. Ironically, “Telos” is a greek word made popular by Aristotle meaning “end” or “purpose.” More clearly – a designed purpose for a determined end.
Mellick personifies “Sex” and “Death” in this book; the two main characters who wield dominance and tremendous influence throughout the story. A parody of a spaghetti western gone wrong, this work reveals the apex of human indulgence; the overwhelming drive that we cannot resist and dominates society. Survival and procreation are humanity’s principal endeavours – and not surprisingly a top priority in Mellick’s bizarro world. Orgies and murder become the order of the day in this reasonable Earth-facsimile – giving the reader a little tingling in the loins, a slight quiver of bloodlust.
I enjoyed this book because, along with satiating my shamelessly depraved palette, it consistently gave me the feeling that the world was coming to an end; however, it wasn’t tragic, but natural. Mellick’s wasteland is our reality. Mark Twain once said “The human race consists of the damned and the ought-to-be damned.” (Notebook, 1898) This statement holds water in Television Town; there is no innocence, we are all vile, and we all play the game.
This became my favourite CM3 book; I found the perfect combination of honesty and brutality – a chemistry so refined, I could not resist its intoxicating flavour.
A diverse group of savvy characters plans to escape a plague of flesh-stripping insects by travelling to a one-horse town called Telos, where everyone has a television for a head. Personal contrivances get the better of each character, and the townspeople are forced to deal with it. These “Telosians” represent humanity manipulated at the hands of television programming, and how we reflect the TV world, rather than vice versa. Humans have allowed themselves to be stripped of their individuality, and have relied on television to define them. Ironically, “Telos” is a greek word made popular by Aristotle meaning “end” or “purpose.” More clearly – a designed purpose for a determined end.
Mellick personifies “Sex” and “Death” in this book; the two main characters who wield dominance and tremendous influence throughout the story. A parody of a spaghetti western gone wrong, this work reveals the apex of human indulgence; the overwhelming drive that we cannot resist and dominates society. Survival and procreation are humanity’s principal endeavours – and not surprisingly a top priority in Mellick’s bizarro world. Orgies and murder become the order of the day in this reasonable Earth-facsimile – giving the reader a little tingling in the loins, a slight quiver of bloodlust.
I enjoyed this book because, along with satiating my shamelessly depraved palette, it consistently gave me the feeling that the world was coming to an end; however, it wasn’t tragic, but natural. Mellick’s wasteland is our reality. Mark Twain once said “The human race consists of the damned and the ought-to-be damned.” (Notebook, 1898) This statement holds water in Television Town; there is no innocence, we are all vile, and we all play the game.
This became my favourite CM3 book; I found the perfect combination of honesty and brutality – a chemistry so refined, I could not resist its intoxicating flavour.
August 3, 2011
When I was first getting into the Bizarro Genre, I read a lot of reviews of Carlton Mellick's work. Many of the books I checked out had reviews that said, "not as weird as his other stuff, this book is a serious, sweet adventure between..." and so on. I read these books and loved them Mellick does not write poor fiction.
However, I was always curious about his earlier, "weirder" works. I have to say, "Sex and Death in Television Town" is this weird, messed-up, balls-to-the-wall strange-fest fiction.
Fleshy trains, cowboys, telepaths, demons, living fruit babies, people with televisions for heads...it's all here.
This is Mellick in full swing, weirding you out with every page,going for the gross out, throwing a strange sort of violent sex into the mix for good measure, and killing almost everyone.
If you are always on the lookout for really "out there" fiction, or you enjoy the feeling of having your brain placed in a blender (Brian Keene, Master Of Horror, said that about Mellick. High-Praise indeed.), then I suggest you grab this book and lock yourself in a closet until it is finished doing what it does to you.
However, I was always curious about his earlier, "weirder" works. I have to say, "Sex and Death in Television Town" is this weird, messed-up, balls-to-the-wall strange-fest fiction.
Fleshy trains, cowboys, telepaths, demons, living fruit babies, people with televisions for heads...it's all here.
This is Mellick in full swing, weirding you out with every page,going for the gross out, throwing a strange sort of violent sex into the mix for good measure, and killing almost everyone.
If you are always on the lookout for really "out there" fiction, or you enjoy the feeling of having your brain placed in a blender (Brian Keene, Master Of Horror, said that about Mellick. High-Praise indeed.), then I suggest you grab this book and lock yourself in a closet until it is finished doing what it does to you.
October 20, 2013
It's a short read and it sort of feels anticlimactic despite the fact that it's extremely climactic storywise. The only problem is what most CMIII stories suffer from. There's a very bizarre resolution.
Which always just goes to show that with CMIII books, the journey is more important than the destination.
Up until the end it's an amazingly decadent book. Nasty sex, gorey violence, and disturbing scene after disturbing scene. Yet all of it feels so surreal and unexpected. The entire first half of it feels like the Wheelers chase in Return to Oz. Or maybe that's just me. If you like CMIII, this is a great book to add to your collection.
If you've never read his stuff, go start with Kill Ball or Hammer Wives or Warrior Wolf Women of the Wasteland. This is his more avante garde, depressing, satirical work. Still good stuff.
Which always just goes to show that with CMIII books, the journey is more important than the destination.
Up until the end it's an amazingly decadent book. Nasty sex, gorey violence, and disturbing scene after disturbing scene. Yet all of it feels so surreal and unexpected. The entire first half of it feels like the Wheelers chase in Return to Oz. Or maybe that's just me. If you like CMIII, this is a great book to add to your collection.
If you've never read his stuff, go start with Kill Ball or Hammer Wives or Warrior Wolf Women of the Wasteland. This is his more avante garde, depressing, satirical work. Still good stuff.
August 27, 2016
:::Eyes roll back::: Sex & Death. Good shit. Definitely in my Carlton Mellick III top 5. Went to town with my pink highlighter on some choice passages. Would recommend if you're already into this genre otherwise you might want to pick up The Morbidly Obese Ninja or Armadillo Fists first and ease yourself into it.
May 5, 2024
Well, another Mellick book, am I going to be reading a normal story? Absolutely not! haha
He is so good at writing such unique and weird stories, it makes my brain have to do double takes on certain passages. This book is no different!
It's really hard to talk about without spoilers, but if you love the Bizarro genre, check this one out!
4/5
He is so good at writing such unique and weird stories, it makes my brain have to do double takes on certain passages. This book is no different!
It's really hard to talk about without spoilers, but if you love the Bizarro genre, check this one out!
4/5
October 3, 2007
Not much to say except not the best CM3 book ever. I kind of get the impression that he runs into the problem most prolific authors do of being really hit and miss. At least his misses are still enjoyable and his hits are amazing.
November 20, 2008
The phrase "The best western since Unforgiven" gets thrown around a lot. Well let me tell you some things that Unforgiven didn't have. Gratuitous sex, TV heads, centipede trains, hermaphrodites, color factories, samurai swords, OCD, or forest suits. This might very well be my favorite CM3 book.
February 5, 2017
Weirdest god damned book I've ever read, fun as hell.
May 16, 2008
An insane and bizarre (thus the Bizarro label) take on the Western genre.
By turns hysterical and repellant.
By turns hysterical and repellant.
July 22, 2008
I rather liked this book. It's a fascinating take on Hollywood and its love affair with sex and violence.
January 22, 2012
It was freaky and strange and gross and........ extremely creative.Most of the characters were corrupt and I hated them and yet I was entertained by them.........
December 18, 2014
Insane.
July 4, 2019
I've read the majority of his books but this one fell short for me. Great characters as usual, but the plot wasn't enough. Looking back there wasn't really much of one...
November 30, 2025
I appreciate the ambition, but the result is a bit inscrutable
C-
C-
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews