Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV
by Emily Nussbaum
Buy on AmazonEmily Nussbaum has accomplished the near impossible: She crafted a book with such deep insight and wide-ranging appeal that it works for fans, haters and scholars of reality television alike. Cue the Sun! is a rigorous and riveting deep dive into the roots, scandals and cultural power of reality television in the United States. And though written by one of our most erudite and acclaimed cultural critics, the book sidelines expert voices in favor of the media-makers – it’s grounded in hundreds of interviews with show casts and crew members.
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"Emily Nussbaum has accomplished the near impossible: She crafted a book with such deep insight and wide-ranging appeal that it works for fans, haters and scholars of reality television alike. Cue the Sun! is a rigorous and riveting deep dive into the roots, scandals and cultural power of reality television in the United States. And though written by one of our most erudite and acclaimed cultural critics, the book sidelines expert voices in favor of the media-makers – it’s grounded in hundreds of interviews with show casts and crew members."
NPR Books We Love — 2024 · apps.npr.org
"Gabra Zackman’s narration fully embodies a balance of deep insight and affability—a perfect fit here. Nussbaum’s approach to the topic of reality television transcends the usual narrative history as it captures key social commentary of programs unique to their time and place. Zackman’s voice is gently entertaining and always engaging, guiding listeners through this fascinating history of modern pop culture. (15.25 hrs; nb. not yet available in the UK)"
The Best Nonfiction Audiobooks of 2024 · fivebooks.com