History & Criticism

James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales raucously and revealingly take the SNL story up to the present, adding a constellation of iconic new stars, surprises, and controversies....

The long-awaited first work of nonfiction from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: a deliriously entertaining, wickedly intelligent cinema book as unique and creative as anything by Quentin Tarantino....

Wildflower is a portrait of Drew Barrymore's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years....

A wryly funny and surprisingly moving account of an extraordinary life lived almost entirely in the public eye....

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film....

In this eloquent and persuasive book, Neil Postman examines the deep and broad effects of television culture on the manner in which we conduct our public affairs....

Val Kilmer has played many iconic roles over his nearly four-decade film career. A table-dancing Cold War agent in Top Secret! A troublemaking science prodigy in Real Genius. A brash fighter pilot in Top Gun....

Packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and entire cast, The Big Bang Theory:The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation.

From Daily Telegraph film critic Tim Robey comes a riotous and revealing story of Hollywood’s most spectacular flops and how they ended careers, bankrupted studios and changed film history.

Saturday Night is the intimate, original history of Saturday Night Live, from its beginnings as an outlaw program produced by an unruly band of renegades from the comedy underground to a TV institution that made stars of John Belushi....

Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress, and putting major screenwriting careers back on track....

The first unauthorized look at the inner workings—and ultimate breakdown—of the Disney Channel machine

This laugh-out-loud memoir takes listeners backstage and inside the writers’ room of one of America’s best-loved shows....

In ten brilliantly written chapters, Stephen King delivers one colorful observation after another about the great stories, books, and films that comprise the horror genre—from Frankenstein and Dracula to The Exorcist, The Twilight Zone, and Earth vs. The Flying Saucers.

The definitive biography of the creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange, presenting the most in-depth portrait yet of the groundbreaking film-maker....

Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night....

Hilarious and heartfelt observations on aging from one of America's favorite comedians, now that he's 65, and a look back at a remarkable career....

Alison Arngrim's comic memoir of growing up as one of television's most memorable characters - the devious Nellie Oleson on the hit television show Little House on the Prairie....

A deeply personal and revealing Hollywood-survival story.....

This is the untold upstairs-downstairs story of a succession struggle at Walt Disney Productions following the death of its founder, and the generational transformation which led to the birth of the modern multibillion-dollar animation industry.

I Want My MTV tells the story of the first decade of MTV, the golden era when MTV's programming was all videos, all the time, and kids watched religiously to see their favorite bands....

Fred Rogers was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness....

The author of the New York Times bestseller Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep returns with a lively history of the Academy Awards, focusing on the brutal battles, the starry rivalries, and the colorful behind-the-scenes drama....

Supernatural, a three-time People's Choice Award winner for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show and Tumblr's 2015 Most Reblogged "Live Action TV", has made a name for itself by supporting and encouraging its fans to "always keep fighting", a memorable line from early in the show's run....

Batman is one of the most compelling characters to come from the Golden Age of Comics, and interest in his story has only increased since his first appearance in 1939. Why does this superhero without superpowers fascinate us? What does that fascination say about us?

Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that seeks to explore and transform the experience of the African diaspora. Stretching across multiple art forms and genres, the movement taps into the limitless potential of creativity and the imagination to envision Black liberation through stories, music, architecture, fashion, music, and so much more.

Roger Ebert, the famed film writer and critic, wrote biweekly essays for a feature called "The Great Movies," in which he offered a fresh and fervent appreciation of a great film. The Great Movies Collection features two hundred of these essays, each one of them a gem of critical appreciation and an amalgam of love, analysis, and history that will send listeners back to that film with a fresh set of eyes and renewed enthusiasm–or perhaps to an avid first-time viewing.

Georges Méliès: The Complete Guide to His Films, Legacy, and Cinematic Magic is an in-depth exploration of one of cinema’s most visionary pioneers. Known as the “Magician of the Screen,” Méliès revolutionized early film with dazzling visual effects, fantastical stories, and unmatched creative innovation. This richly researched guide offers a comprehensive look at his groundbreaking work, including detailed analysis of his most iconic films such as A Trip to the Moon, The Haunted Castle, and The Impossible Voyage. With chapters on Méliès’s life, technical achievements, ...

Stanley Kubrick: The Complete Guide to the Films, Themes, and Legacy of a Visionary Director is your ultimate deep dive into one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. From the haunting corridors of The Shining to the infinite mysteries of 2001: A Space Odyssey, this comprehensive guide explores every film Kubrick directed—examining his groundbreaking techniques, recurring themes, and cinematic impact. Spanning early noir thrillers like The Killing to the enigmatic final masterpiece Eyes Wide Shut, each chapter offers insightful analysis and behind-the-scenes context that ...

Akira Kurosawa: The Complete Guide to the Films, Legacy, and Cinematic Genius of Japan’s Master Director is the ultimate resource for film lovers, students, and anyone interested in the legendary Japanese director whose work shaped modern cinema. From Seven Samurai to Ran, Kurosawa's storytelling, visual mastery, and philosophical depth have left a lasting mark on global filmmaking. This comprehensive guide explores Kurosawa’s life, major films, recurring themes, collaborations with actor Toshiro Mifune, and his influential adaptations of Shakespeare. Each chapter dives deep into his ...