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Companion Books for TV on DVD series

post #1 of 55
10/6/06 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
Does anyone else enjoy reading the companion books that some shows have while watching on DVD? And if so, what are some of your favorite companion books?



The best one I have in my collection is the Firefly Companion. It is the slickest companion book I have seen yet.

And the Babylon 5 script books, while not companions per say, are an excellent read as well.

I am just starting to read the BSG companion and it is chalk full of info so far and I am enjoying it.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Stargate SG1 companion was awful. It was nothing more than a slightly expanded episode guide. I won't be pruchasing more of these which is unfortunate because these could and should have been so much better. I can only hope that with SG1 winding down, that someone will publish a kick ass 10 season companion, although I am not holding my breath.


Andy
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post #2 of 55
10/6/06 at 10:30am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

I was just thinking of this topic the other day...great idea!

The BEST TV companion book I have is "Bewitched Forever" by Herbie J. Pilato. It is a later edition of the original book "The BW Book" which contained the first BW episode guide I had ever seen. He also interviewed Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Dick Sargent, David White and others before their untimely deaths and it has a lot of behind the scenes anecdotes and such.



Another good book is "The Dick Van Dyke Show" by Vince Waldron.

I do have others like the original "The Munsters: America's First Family of Fright", "Dreaming of Jeannie" and "The Addams Family" all by Steve Cox, but the two I listed before are the best.
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post #3 of 55
10/6/06 at 10:42am
Thread Starter 

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Excellent David, thats exactly what I am looking for in this thread.

To go along with David's post, here is a link to the Firefly companion I mentioned earlier. I can't wait for Vol 2 to come out!

http://www.amazon.com/Firefly-Offici...e=UTF8&s=books


Everyone please list your favorites. I have a Lost Companion being shipped and have heard good things about it


Andy
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post #4 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:06am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

I thought the Buffy (The Watchers Guide) and Angel (Case Files) ones were pretty good.
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post #5 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:12am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide is pretty funny and a decent guide to the early years of the show (it doesn't cover seasons seven and up, but the official website does have entries for those shows). If you're a fan, it is definitely worth buying.

Also, Twilight Zone fans can hardly ask for anything better to go with their deluxe DVD sets than The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Scott Zicree.
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post #6 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:29am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

I have the "Star Trek" companion books. I find them useful & helpful. Is there a really good one for "The X-Files"?
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post #7 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:37am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

I forgot two other TV books I have.

The first is "The Complete Book of M*A*S*H" by Suzy Kalter, which is a pretty decent book though it seemed like the episodes weren't in order. I haven't read it for a long time though.

The other one is "Will & Grace: Fabulously Uncensored" by Jim Colucci. I hope there is an updated version coming out (pun not intended) soon because it only covers Season 1 - 6. It has TONS of pictures, great stories from the cast and quotes from the show all through it.

And then one more that just popped in my head is "American Idol Season 4" book...only cause there is a picture of me in it cause I tried out I'm shown sleeping because I had driven all night to Las Vegas.
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post #8 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:41am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

I found the LOST companion book to be good.. oh and the CHARMED: "The Book of three" as well
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post #9 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:42am
Thread Starter 

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott_F_S
I thought the Buffy (The Watchers Guide) and Angel (Case Files) ones were pretty good.


Hi Scot, I see the Watchers Guide but can't seem to find Case Files. Can you provide a link for that?

Andy
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post #10 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:43am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Leave It To Beaver: 'The World According To Beaver'.

Survivor Season 1: 'Survivor: The Ultimate Game' by Mark Burnett and Martin Dugard.
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post #11 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Demis G
I found the LOST companion book to be good.. oh and the CHARMED: "The Book of three" as well

Is the Lost book just of Season One? And if so is there one for season 2 that you know of?

Andy
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post #12 of 55
10/6/06 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amy Mormino
Also, Twilight Zone fans can hardly ask for anything better to go with their deluxe DVD sets than The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Scott Zicree.

In case people don't already know, Twilight Zone is now being released in a 25 disc complete set. This set supposedly does not contain the excellent book mentioned by Amy above but it looks like it can be purchased seperately here

http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Zone-...e=UTF8&s=books

Andy
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post #13 of 55
10/6/06 at 12:06pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

The Have Gun Will Travel Companion is an excellent book for that series and The Beverly Hillbillies: A Fortieth Anniversary Wing Ding by Stephen Cox is a great follow along book for that show.
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post #14 of 55
10/6/06 at 1:44pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Wow. I just wanted to say that I didn't realize that there were so many books about the different tv shows out there. I may have to hunt around for the Bewitched one and the I Dream of Jeannie one.
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post #15 of 55
10/6/06 at 1:50pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Survivor Season 1: 'Survivor: The Ultimate Game' by Mark Burnett and Martin Dugard.

There's one for season 2 as well, although it was published before the season started airing and thus there aren't any behind-the-scenes details.

The Simpsons companion books are excellent.
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post #16 of 55
10/6/06 at 1:53pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Bu
Hi Scot, I see the Watchers Guide but can't seem to find Case Files. Can you provide a link for that?

Andy

I just realized it's Casefiles, one word. Here it is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074...496826?ie=UTF8
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post #17 of 55
10/6/06 at 2:07pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Already basically mentioned, but the Deep Space Nine Companion is very good.
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post #18 of 55
10/6/06 at 2:16pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Bu
Is the Lost book just of Season One? And if so is there one for season 2 that you know of?

Andy

as far as i know only S1 is covered. no news for a S2 book yet that I know of
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post #19 of 55
11/4/06 at 12:05pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Does anyone own "Monk: The Official Episode Guide" by Terry J. Erdmann and Paula M. Block? Any recommendations for a fellow "Monk" fan?
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post #20 of 55
11/4/06 at 1:37pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

One of my favorite companion books is "THE FUGITIVE: RECAPTURED." Oh, wait a minute. Paramount hasn't gotten off their butts and released that show yet.

In all seriousness, I'd recommend a few books:

"The World According to Beaver"
"Seaview: The Making of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (oop, but excellent)
"The Official TV Westerns Round Up Book" (a great book that gives brief overviews of dozens and dozens of tv westerns)
"The Official Abbott and Costello Scrapbook"
"Fantasy Blueprints of Classic TV Homes TV Sets" (this is a great book to own)

Gary "I need to pick up books on TAGS, TDVDS, ILL and many more" O.
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post #21 of 55
11/4/06 at 3:02pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

There's a great book on the DICK VAN DYKE SHOW by Vince Waldron that is a must have. It's very well researched. David VP gave his seal of approval on this over at Amazon so you know it has to be good

Perry Mason fans will want to look for Brian Kelleher's book. It's OOP so it may take some searching, but is well worth it if you can find it at a used book store. It's a fairly slim book done without the cooperation of PM staff though so don't expect something at the level of the Waldron book. I'm told that a new, more authoritative book about the PM series is being written by Jim Davidson and will hopefully be published soon.

Is there a definitive Andy Griffith book out there? I've seen some fluff pieces that rely primarily on pictures and episode synopses, but nothing that takes the reader behind the scenes. Have I just missed it?

Steve
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post #22 of 55
11/4/06 at 4:20pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Two of my favorites:

The 24: 1st Season companion - presented like a Congress Sub-Committee Finding report that details everything that happened on Day one.

Oz - based on the HBO series and written like the diary of one of the characters of the series.
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post #23 of 55
11/4/06 at 5:49pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

For 3's Company fans, the book "Come and Knock on our Door" by Chris Mann is invaluable. http://www.amazon.com/Come-Knock-Our.../dp/0312168039 It also includes info on The Ropers and 3's A Crowd. The episode guides are a little bit skimpy, but the value comes from all the thorough interviews with the entire cast (except for Priscilla Barnes). Chris got ahold of them all before they started passing away, and some of them are exceptionally candorous in their opinions of the show and their experiences there.

For "I Love Lucy," I've always relied on "The I Love Lucy Book" by Bart Andrews. http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Book...e=UTF8&s=books Now, it is 20 years old, and some of his comments have proved over time to be infactual. He references a lot of old Lucy films that were missing at the time, such as the original pilot, and I suppose his research wasn't strong enough to get the story right about that and other films that have come to light since. There are other statements he makes throughout the book that have since been challenged by Lucy participants. He really needs to go through that book, correct its errors and reissue it. But his episode guides are very thorough and accurate and that's why I still refer to it.
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post #24 of 55
11/4/06 at 7:50pm

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Any companion books for "Peyton Place" out there? I know it's not out on DVD yet, but here's hoping...
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post #25 of 55
11/6/06 at 4:10am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

If there's a Dollar Tree store in your area, they have stacks of "Desperate Housewives: Behind Closed Doors," a very slick-looking companion guide, on sale for...you guessed it...a buck. I'd snatch one up in a second if I watched the show. I also spotted several copies of the official companion guide to season one of "Lost" at The Christmas Tree Store a few months back (think it was $5.99). Sorry if this actually belongs in the "Coupons and Bargains" forum, but it seemed appropriate to post here.
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post #26 of 55
11/6/06 at 6:21am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

I'm something of a companion book/tv genre fanatic and currently own these titles. "The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Zicree is an obvious omission in my library--I intend to get this soon. The ones I have:

"The Outer Limits Companion" by David Schow
"The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion" by Grams & Wikstrom
"The Kung Fu Book of Caine" by Herbie Pilato
"The Fugitive Recaptured" by Ed Robertson
"Rod Serlings Night Gallery: An After Hours Tour" by Skelton & Benson
"The Have Gun Will Travel Companion" by Martin Grams
"Saints and Avengers: British Adventure Series of the '60s" by J. Chapman
"The Untouchables" by Tise Vahimagi
"Riding the Video Range: The Rise & Fall of the Western on TV" by G. Yoggy
"The Rifleman" (TV Milestones Series) by Christopher Sharrett
"The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book" by Jon Heitland
"The Saint" by Burl Barer
"The Official TV Western Round-Up Book" by Summers & Crowley

And forthcoming in this week's mail, a newly published book I've been anticipating for decades! Namely--

"Irwin Allen Television Productions, 1964-1970: A Critical History of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants" by Jon Abbott (11/18/2006)

List price for the above is around $65 but I was able to find an outlet selling it for half price.
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post #27 of 55
11/6/06 at 7:29am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

The Virginian -Companion to the TV series (NEW)
Gunsmoke - Barrabas - expensive but amazing
Wild Wild West- Kesler
Mission Impossible
Alias Smith & Jones (NEW)
Combat- Davidson
Maverick - Robertson
The Fugitive- Robertson
Bonanza (3 books)- Leiby also Dortort & Shapiro
Man from UNCLE
The Night Stalker Companion

Can't recall all the authors but will post if anyone's interested.
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post #28 of 55
11/6/06 at 9:27am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by michael_ks
"The Twilight Zone Companion by Marc Zicree is an obvious omission in my library--I intend to get this soon.
You probably have heard this but Zicree is overy critical of some of the episodes. It's still a great book but he's a tough critic.
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post #29 of 55
11/6/06 at 9:37am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
You probably have heard this but Zicree is overy critical of some of the episodes. It's still a great book but he's a tough critic.

True, as I have read the book before. I don't mind this really--better than to have someone gushing over every episode. David Schow is tough on many episodes of "The Outer Limits" too but his reasoning is very sound and it's warranted IMO. I don't know how Jon Abbott treats the Irwin Allen series in his new book, but there is much there from all four shows one can find fault over.

I wasn't aware of companion guides for "Alias Smith & Jones" and "The Virginian"--need to check those out.
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post #30 of 55
11/6/06 at 10:48am

Re: Companion Books for TV on DVD series

Quote:
Originally Posted by silverking
Combat- Davidson

Silverking,

Would you be referring to the Jo Davidsmeyer book?
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