• Top of the Morning

  • Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV
  • By: Brian Stelter
  • Narrated by: Brian Stelter
  • Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (177 ratings)

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Top of the Morning  By  cover art

Top of the Morning

By: Brian Stelter
Narrated by: Brian Stelter
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Publisher's summary

Just as The Late Shift did for late night television, Top of the Morning reveals the dish and dirt behind the polite smiles and perky demeanors of morning television. Listeners will be fascinated by the never-before-told, behind-the-scenes stories about the cutthroat battle for first place before dawn. The book is based on all-new reporting at the highest levels.

©2013 Brian Stelter (P)2013 Hachette Audio

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

You ignored the obvious white male privilege in Morning TV?

The writer acknowledged the sexism in morning TV but either refused to recognize, accept or just too privileged to see the white male privilege Matt received & that yes, he WAS in part responsible for Curry’s early departure. His privilege along w/the passive aggressive behavior toward her caused the execs to scramble for her replacement in ways that have not happened for women and/or male hosts of color. And why didn’t you delve into why Morales was skipped over? I’m so glad the TV Series comes out after ME TOO bc they didn’t shy away from the white male privilege that gets a producer dismissed bc the Laueresque host wants her gone. choosing to ignore the racism behind how the network handled Matt was a missed opportunity. Also, I cringed when he had to mention Robin’s athletic build. Look up why you should avoid that in future. Clearly well researched & enlightening but ignoring or not recognizing the white privilege caused the detail behind operation Bambi to still be woefully incomplete.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Easy read/easy listening

Fun, informative book of all
That goes on in the morning shows. Fun to hear the inside scoop. Documents a lot of what you’ve heard through gossip sites. But also gives you the inside stories and the truth of what really happens.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Inside look at morning TV ..

Brian takes us into the hush hush meetings of network execs responsible for the major network morning shows. Specifically, we hear the backstory of how, and why, NBC gave Ann Curry the ax. Interesting stuff and a fun read for TV morning show fans.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not What I Hoped

I should have known better! I don’t watch morning TV so from my perspective this book could never really be THAT good.

After having read “Top of the Rock” I wanted something equally as juicy surrounding Morning TV. I suppose this book does supply that element, but it’s missing a very important ingredient: my interest. I know all about the scandals through pop-culture media, but because I don’t watch any of the shows I don’t feel like I know the people involved - so ultimately the book was not that interesting.

Lesson learned, I am not going to read “The War for Late Night” . I am tempted, but I think I’ll be disappointed for the same reasons (haven’t watched Late Night TV since the early 90s!)

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Me

Ironically I found this book to be a great companion boom with catch and kill by ronin farrow . Reading both books gives you a full scope of what was going on and all the moving pieces

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Boring

Not at all what I expected, given that this book allegedly inspired the TV show, “The Morning Show.”

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Morning Show Fan Must Read

Definitely written for a targeted audience but if you are a morning show news watcher you will enjoy this. I liked how the author who is also the narrator described all morning shows and his transitions into each news program and person was easy and enjoyable to keep up with. Hope he does a sequel about how the me too movement has brought to light the sexual harassment and sexual assaults done by some of the news anchors a few who in this story about rating wars.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Yawn

Don’t buy this book. I didn’t realize the author was a network correspondent . He needed an editor and a reading coach . I had to fast forward to get to the end . His voice and cadence is similar to the sound of nails on a chalk board . Brian Stelter is not a story teller. He’s a bore !

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Top of the Morning: is fun and informative!

Entertaining, thorough; "Top of the Morning" is presented in such a way; a friend telling this fast-paced adventure... The adventure is complete with insider insights. These many insights are placed throughout the book like a sweet nougat topping! Also, the book explores the emotion from every possible perspective which lies just underneath what seems to be an easy daily process; which is the world of morning television! I would very much recommend "Top of the Morning" to anyone who watches TV with their first cup of morning coffee!!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting ping pong competition between networks

I got this book after watching “The Morning Show” on Apple TV. I guess the author wrote it prior to the explosive Matt Lauer story. I kept waiting for it. Honestly, it painted an extremely unattractive picture of NBC while demonstrating how ABC succeeded with that evil process displayed by NBC. Sad, really. I knew I always loved Good Morning
America!!!

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