Starmaker

Life as a Hollywood Publicist with Farrah, The Rat Pack, & 600 More Stars Who Fired Me

By: Jay Bernstein

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Revealingly candid, this Hollywood memoir is the story of Jay Bernstein, an entertainment industry fixture who helped launch and sustain the careers of many celebrities including Farrah Fawcett and Suzanne Somers. From his childhood in Oklahoma City and his first job in a Hollywood mail room to the ownership of his own public relations firm and his work as a television producer, Bernstein’s life is chronicled in his own words.

In addition to his rise to greatness, Bernstein also describes the relationships he had with stars and relates the stories behind some of the crazy stunts he pulled to garner attention, such as paying women to throw hotel keys at Tom Jones, having Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart’s legs insured for one million dollars, and getting married underwater for an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Written with style and a sense of humor, this autobiography shares the intimate details of Jay Bernstein’s fascinating life.

©2011 Larry Cortez Hamm (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Very Entertaining

Would you listen to Starmaker again? Why?

A few years down the road, perhaps. I generally don't repeat listen to audiobooks. But if I did, this would be one of them.

What other book might you compare Starmaker to and why?

You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again...very similar, behind the scenes, warts and all story of Hollywood machinations and manipulations.

Which character – as performed by Arthur Morey – was your favorite?

The only answer I can give for this is Jay Bernstein, the author, as it's told in first-person.

Any additional comments?

The narrator is fantastic, save his frequent incorrect pronunciations of well-known pop culture names: Raquel Welch is pronounced Ra-Quell, Jaclyn Smith becomes Jocelyn Smith, Jose Eber becomes Jose Ebber. Aside from that, fantastic job.

Great book / Careless narrator

What didn’t you like about Arthur Morey’s performance?

First of all ... He mispronounces the author and main character's name throughout the book. Jay pronounces his name Bern-STEEN. NOT Bern-STINE. I have read and seen many accounts on Hollywood and in all of them, Bern-STEEN is the proper way to pronounce Jay's name. That in an of itself should require that Mr. Morey forgoes his paycheck for the narration. In addition, he made annoying errors, like referring to Jaclyn Smith as "Jas-lin" and he even called Farrah "Sarah" once. I re-wound and heard it again. How could this carelessness have gotten by everyone?!! This kind of carelessness took away from the book for me. All he has to do is read Jay's words (and maybe do a bit of research to make sure he pronounces the star's name correctly). How tough can it be???!!

Wonderfully chatty and self effacing

What made the experience of listening to Starmaker the most enjoyable?

Loved the honest and gossipy presentation of Jays perspective... The highs and lows and his numerous hiring and firings...

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jay Bernstein is doesn't seem to hold much back or pull any punches. He calls it as he sees it, showing himself to be a hero at times and a schmuck at other times. He was a funny guy and an interesting character. Half way through the book, I googled him to see some pictures of him with some of the celebrities he worked with that I wasn't familiar with, since we don't get a photo section with an audible book and was shocked to find out that he had died a number of years ago and the book was released after his death. The book was so chatty and well read, that I felt like I lost a new friend that had been sharing their life stories, victories and embarrassing failures with me.

Have you listened to any of Arthur Morey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I really enjoyed it.

Fun stories

Although sometimes self-serving and self-aggrandizing, Bernstein's tales of show-business shenanigans are good fun at the very least, and sometimes even revelatory and insightful. If you are intrigued by the television shows and stars of the 60's, 70s, and 80s, this book is a pretty good time.

I must, however, agree with some of the other audiobook reviewers: The narrator's mispronunciations of certain words and names became a little distracting. One would hope the producers/editors of the audiobook could catch these things in advance.

Great inside look at show business

I enjoyed it very much...content and narrator...so much so that I have listened to it twice

love me some Hollywood

great stories by a fantastic Hollywood Legend. who knew and supported so many stars. whoot

Starmaker - 12 Hours of Gossip

Entertaining, a good insight into the business of show. A lot of great stories but one sided, so who knows if they are real. A fun listen that will allow you to escape as you listen.

Great

Very honest. Loved the book. Gives you a peek inside the dark and fake world of "celebrity".

Really Good...

Would you consider the audio edition of Starmaker to be better than the print version?

haven't read it

What other book might you compare Starmaker to and why?

......

Which character – as performed by Arthur Morey – was your favorite?

.....Jay

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

great story......having spent time out there, I know all too well how it is in Hollywood......This a great book

Hmm not sure

If I had a pound for every time he said that Farrah Fawcett was the most wonderful person on the planet I would retire. She was at most an actress in a TV soap. she certainly was not one of the greatest actresses that ever lived. he drones on and on about her. I started to skip bits because of this. He is full of himself. Maybe in his day he was quite important but I doubt he was as wonderful as he makes himself out.

Tales from the shark pit

Okay, we all know what a bed of snakes Hollywood has always been, but this excellent title from a man who was at the sharp end of the industry for over 30 years and then some, will delight and enthrall anyone with even a passing interest in film and film stars.

Few escape with any dignity as Jay Bernstein (a self-confessed shark) lays bare the low blows, high egos and dirty double-dealing that is the lifeblood of Tinsel Town. Especially savaged are Sinatra (Frank and daughter Nancy), Lee Majors and Suzanne Somers, and you wonder how anyone can survive in such an atmosphere of mistrust and back-biting.

Arthur Morey does an excellent job of narration and keeps the pace going throughout.

Highly recommended