Book Launch: “Reality TV for Snobs” with Ali Barthwell & Josh Gondelman
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September 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost: $5
Celebrate the launch of Emmy-winning TV writer Ali Barthwell’s new book: “Reality TV for Snobs: Everthing You Need to Know About the Shows You’re Too Intellectual to Watch”.
Published by Quirk Books, “Reality TV for Snobs” is a smart, witty guide to influential reality shows—for people who love being in the know but don’t know where to start.
Drawing on more than a decade of writing about reality television, Ali Barthwell goes beyond episode recaps to examine why these shows have become such enduring cultural phenomena. Covering everything from The Real World to The Traitors, each chapter includes:
-Episode breakdowns and season highlights
-Insightful analysis of each show’s cultural impact
-Iconic moments, catchphrases, and unforgettable memes
-Conversation starters to help you hold your own
The book explores topics including:
-The cultural impact of The Bachelor
-What The Real Housewives can teach us about friendship—and felonies
-Strategies every Survivor champion knows
-Self-help lessons from RuPaul’s Drag Race
-And much more
As Barthwell writes: “If you don’t know the difference between a rose ceremony and The Round Table, this book is for you!”
Whether you’re already obsessed with reality TV or simply curious about why everyone keeps talking about it, “Reality TV for Snobs” offers an entertaining and insightful guide to one of pop culture’s most influential genres.
About the Author
Ali Barthwell is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and cultural critic who has been covering reality television since 2015. She is a writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and her work has appeared in The A.V. Club and Chicago Magazine.
About the Conversation Partner
Josh Gondelman is a comedian and Emmy award winning writer who has worked on shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Desus & Mero, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Sometimes people ask him what his comedy is like, and he tells them: Friendly. Gondelman is also the author of the essay collection Nice Try: Stories of Best Intentions and Mixed Results. If his voice sounds familiar, it’s probably because he’s a regular on NPR’s news quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me. His new standup special Positive Reinforcement is now available on YouTube.