Here are a three things I’ve enjoyed recently and recommend to you:
Five years ago, I recommended “Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother,” a hysterical memoir from the director/cinematographer of “Get Shorty,” two “Addams Family” movies, and the first three “Men In Black” installments. Now Sonnenfeld is back with “Best Possible Time, Worst Possible Place,” in which he tries to explain why “Wild Wild West” bombed despite his best efforts, why Rip Torn and Tommy Lee Jones couldn’t stand each other in “Men In Black,” and why Michael Jackson was even weirder than you might think. He also tells stories about Gene Hackman, John Travolta, Anjelica Huston, and Tim Allen (he couldn’t stand the latter). The book is a funny, breezy read from a real Hollywood insider who would rather be in his house in the Hamptons.
When “Hacks” dropped on Max a few years ago, I watched a couple of episodes and then gave up because I didn’t find it very amusing. But I’ve gone back and binge-watched the first two seasons and found it much better than I remembered. The sub-plots about the supporting characters don’t add much, but Jean Smart is so good as the lead character she makes the show worthwhile all on her own, and with Hannah Einbinder as her co-lead I’m going to roll right into season three (and it’s been renewed for a fourth).
I never knew about Phil Hartman trying to get his own primetime sketch comedy show (“The Phil Show”) off the ground after leaving “Saturday Night Live.” Mike Thomas has the story.