Spontaneous, hilarious, irrepressible and, of course, trailblazing - Kenny Everett was revolutionary in television and radio comedy. Chris Evans, Chris Moyles, Rob Brydon and Steve Wright have all cited Kenny as a huge influence on their work - even the great Spike Milligan called him a genius. It was Kenny who developed the radio show format with which we are so familiar today: a mix of music, jingles, funny voices and sound effects. When he seamlessly made the move to television in the seventies, he created unforgettable characters such as Sid Snot, Cupid Stunt and Marcel Wave. Rarely seen without a smile on his face in public, in reality, Kenny was a deeply insecure man who suffered severe bouts of depression. He also struggled with his sexuality, only coming out to the public in 1985. Diagnosed with HIV in 1987, Kenny died in 1995. This in-depth and affectionate biography has been fully authorised by Kenny's family and contains original interviews with Kenny's sister, Kate and with his former wife, Lee, as well as entertainment figures such as Barry Cryer, Cliff Richard, Chris Tarrant and Paul Gambaccini. Packed with fabulous stories about the highs and lows of Kenny's life, his great friendships with The Beatles and Freddie Mercury, this is a book that any fan of comedy and entertainment must read.

Since the beginning of network television, many shows have been preceded by an announcement or theme song that served various purposes. In the 1950s and ’60s, it was common for announcers to declare that a program had been “brought to you by” a sponsor who paid for the privilege of introducing a show. Other programs, such as The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and The Odd Couple,provided a brief encapsulation of the show’s subject matter, a practice that has continued for recent shows like Alias, Battlestar Galactica, Person of Interest, and the various editions of Law & Order. In Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949, Vincent Terrace has assembled openings for more than nine hundred television shows from the past seven decades. The only documented history of narrated television program introductions, this volume is arranged by type of programming, such as comedy, drama, Western, game show, soap opera, and children’s show. In addition to quoting the opening material, entries provide information about each show’s network history and years of broadcast. Many entries include descriptions of the show, the names of announcers, and a list of main cast members, as well as a sponsor pitch exactly as spoken. Openings for programs with multiple introductions like The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and Charlie’s Angels are also included. For programs that featured new guest stars every episode—such as game shows and variety programs—Terrace has selected a representative introduction. In addition to the theme song credits found in the main text, there are also appendixes of theme songs and their composers and/or singers, as well as a listing of commercial releases (on DVD, VHS, CD, and LP) of shows and their soundtracks. A comprehensive resource for researchers and pop culture aficionados alike, Television Introductions provides a fascinating look at this neglected part of TV history.

“I’ve had many amazing adventures in my life. Some stories, though, I have only ever shared with my friends.… Until now!” Dame Joan Collins has always believed that one should retain some mystery in life and hide a knowing smile behind one’s shoulder pads. In her new book, she returns in dazzling form to share her most memorable moments from her eclectic and vibrant life—in and out of the limelight. Behind the Shoulder Pads will take you on a spectacular journey from her early years as a young star in Hollywood to stamping her stilettos in Dynasty; from the glittering heights of Saint-Tropez to the busy Oscars seasons in LA over the years. Joan writes movingly about her adventures with and grief for her sister, Jackie, delves deeper into the ups and downs of love and relationships, and discusses her happiness with husband Percy. Filled with a cast of household names and Hollywood icons, Behind the Shoulder Pads is a spectacularly entertaining tour de force bound to delight and shock in equal measures. Hilarious, intimate, and completely spellbinding, Joan invites you into her life like never before, sharing the stories she only tells her closest friends.

Join Rosemary Herbb on her first adventure as she struggles to fight Mister Bear and release all the ghosts of the Zodiac. With the help of her friends, Rosemary Herbb unleashes the power that she holds to protect the world.

A young Englishwoman attempts to make a new life for her children in California, only to be haunted by their difficult past in this “exquisite new novel” (New York Post). Lucy has always had a volatile marriage of frequent splits and reconciliations. So when she takes her two young children, May and Eden, and walks out on her husband, no one expects it will be for good. Until she flees England for America. Arriving in California, Lucy, May, and Eden begin to believe that this sunbathed new country might offer them a better life. But when they settle into the Parvati Ashram, what first seemed idyllic threatens to sever their already tenuous family ties. Like most outsiders, May views the ashram as a cult, but her mother sees it as a place of healing and salvation. As Lucy is taken deeper into the confidence of their leader, May’s initial defenses are broken down by her friendship with the manipulative proselyte, Sati. Thoughts of England slowly fade, but when blind faith challenges human decency, the family’s loyalties face the ultimate test. Galaxy Craze, author of the acclaimed novel By the Shore, creates “a meditation on a disintegrating family” (Los Angeles Times) and a “perfect yarn for anyone riveted by the religious cult action now dominating the headlines” (Marie Claire). “A page-turner . . . Craze writes the sort of direct, dry-eyed prose that elevates even the most mundane events into carefully observed drama.” —Time Out New York “A skillfully rendered, bittersweet family portrait.” —New York Post “[Craze] gives May a delicate, distinctive voice. . . . [Here] the trials of adolescence don’t stand a chance against the absurdity of grown-ups.” —Kirkus Reviews

Another fantastic book of stories about M, the invisible computer-generated emu. In this collection, we meet M's emu girl-friend from Australia, rescue Kylie, the baby kangaroo, have a custard-pie fight in Hollywood, wing-walk on a biplane and witness a gladiatorial battle in ancient Rome. As expected, in every story in which he appears M never misses a chance to produce his own brand of comical antics.

A triumphant story of a father and his little boy—and a love that knows no limits. Rob Coates is a survivor. He’d thought he’d won the lottery of life—a beautiful home, an incredible wife Anna, and their precious son Jack, who makes every day an extraordinary adventure. But when tragedy befalls his family, Rob becomes his own worst enemy, pushing away all he holds dear. With his world now suddenly just outside of his grasp, Rob turns to photography, capturing the beautiful skyscrapers and clifftops he used to visit—memories of the time when his family was happy. And just when it feels as though there’s nowhere left to turn, Rob embarks on the most unforgettable of journeys to reclaim the joy and love he thought he’d lost. Deeply emotional, beautifully written, and filled with tremendous heart, We Own the Sky is a soaring debut about the strength of the human spirit and the boundlessness of love. It is a stunningly honest reminder of life’s greatest gifts, showing how even a broken heart can learn to beat again.