 |
| Blog Tour Schedule |
"A Hard Act to Follow," is a non-fiction literary account of Henry Bushkin's tenure as Johnny Carson's lawyer, business partner, and friend. The book gives genuine insight into the 'Carson behind Johnny' with candid personal vignettes about the two, during the rollicking years when Johnny was the undisputed king of television. This is an engaging, eye-opening, anecdote-packed story about a young lawyer and his client, one of the biggest celebrities in the country. This funny, unfiltered account gives readers a look at the Johnny Carson that none but a select few really knew.
“A Hard Act to Follow” by Henry Bushkin provides a stirring account into Johnny Carson’s world—as told by Carson’s closest confidant.
The New Yorker article by Kenneth Tynan from 1978, included the following question and answer:
Tynan: When you’re at home, whom do you entertain?
Carson: My lawyer, Henry Bushkin, who’s probably my best friend.
Praise for the Book
"I loved the book." ~Wayne Newton
"Henry was Johnny's closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book." ~Bob Trapenberg
"The book is full of tough love, humor, cultural history, sadness, humor, love, loss, well I guess I am saying it is full of life." ~Rupert Garcia
" Henry's portrayal of Johnny was spot on. I highly recommend this book which is the closest the reader will ever get to know the real Carson." ~ Ed Weinberger, former Tonight Show writer and Producer for Carson Productions
"A beautifully easy read that pulls you in to an effortless journey through Johnny Carson’s effortful life. The glamour the fellow celebrities behind the curtain, the loyalties, and the betrayals. It certainly provides new insight on decisions and the lives that are behind the scenes." ~Kathy Davis, Kathy Takes on Books
""I have read this book and it is FAB! If you love reading about celebrities, this is awesome. It is also a great memoir as well. I am a huge memoir fan so this one was a real treat and one of the best I have read in this genre in a long time" ~Mary, Bookhounds Blog
"Bushkin's easy, unpretentious style allows the reader to be a fly on the wall as this inside story plays out in the rarified air on which Johnny thrived. "A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW" is a must read whether you grew up on Johnny or never heard of him. And then there are the supporting characters -- from the Rat Pack to Johnny's Ice Queen mother ranging around the pages disturbing the peace. I read it straight through in 90 minutes and was left wanting more." ~Sandy Ignon, Screenwriter (RANSOM).
"The tales are epic in nature and stretch from the first page to the last. “A Hard Act to Follow” is an honest appraisal of Carson and shows his dark side. In this, Bushkin strikes the right blend of salacious detail with an appropriate dose of discretion. Sure, you’ll learn more detail about Carson’s marriages-- in a tasteful way. Bushkin will leave you wanting more. Great books will do that." ~Barry Mordis, Senior VP at Merryl-Lynch
"No one would describe Johnny as easy going-there was an edge to him that Bushkin always managed to soften. He continues to do that in this book. There was that challenging side of Johnny which is also captured in the book. Henry was Johnny's closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book. All in all a great book to read." ~Bob Trapenberg, Johnny's former Tennis Pro.
Henry Bushkin is an experienced lawyer who practices in both California and New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles where his children also reside.
Twitter * Website
Excerpt:
Author's Top 10 favorite "oldies" TV shows (made before the 1970s)
1. The Honeymooners
2. I Love Lucy
3. Dragnet
4. The Tonight Show (Obviously)
5. Dick Van Dyke
6. The Jack Benny Show
7. Bonanza
8. The Ed Sullivan Show
9. The Beverly Hillbillies
10. Get Smart
Let me comment here--I love these! I actually grew up watching the reruns of 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10! I honestly don't know which was my favorite, but I love old TV! Thanks to the author for this list.
One other thing--yes, I am supposed to have a review here, but I need a little bit more time. I got behind, and I have about four reviews to catch up on.
People talk to me about Johnny
because, sooner or later, it comes out that I worked for him for nearly two
decades. I was his attorney, although that hardly expresses all that I did;
more properly, I was his lawyer, counselor, partner, employee, business
advisor, earpiece, mouthpiece, enforcer, running buddy, tennis pal, drinking
and dining companion, and foil. A good portion of my job meant cleaning up his
messes—business messes, personal messes, family messes. There are still a fair
number of people around town who had a business relationship with Carson that
ended unhappily, and they still love Johnny but hate that prick who was his
attorney. Which of course was just the way Johnny wanted it. By any measure,
this was the most complex and stimulating and challenging relationship of
my life, the most re- warding and the most disappointing, the one that now, a
quarter century after it ended, continues to provoke, irritate, delight, amuse,
and sadden. He and I were together longer than he was with three of his wives,
and he and I were closer than he was with any of his friends, family, or
professional colleagues. For all that, nothing shocked me more than the day,
six years into our relationship, when I read a magazine article in which he
said that I was his best friend. Friend? No, I don’t think we were friends. The
collar around my neck was usually quite comfortable and loose, but not always.
There was never a question about who was in charge.
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/15/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
0 comments:
Post a Comment