It is a testimony to how great this book is that even though I don't care about reality TV, I stilled LOVED it. Nussbaum paints an interesting story of how reality TV fits in with our current culture. And on top of that, there are tons of hilarious stories from the wild frantic shoots that these shows are famous for. Find out the crazy ways the field producers manipulate the action. And when there isn't action, find out how the inventive editors make drama out of nothing.

I especially loved how Nussbaum went back and discussed some of the earliest examples of reality programing-- Candid Camera as well as Chuck Barris' Gong Show, Dating Game, Newlywed Game run. Nussbaum also makes an interesting point that the way Rupert Murdoch's Fox reality shows played fast and loose with the truth parallels what we've seen with Fox News. And then, of course, the role The Apprentice played in giving Americans a mistaken view of Trump.

Really a fantastic book full of humor and that also hold a mirror up to society.

Netgalley provided me with an e-galley of this book in return for an honest review.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE reality shows, from Survivor to the tacky-tacky Below Deck. The idea of reading Pulitzer Prize–winning New Yorker writer Emily Nussbaum's trestice was something I could not pass up!

Nussbaum is able to pull off an amazing feat - she provides the long history of Reality Tv, including the lore we have heard, the facts that we have not and all of the experimentation that lead to what millions watch today.

Nussbaum covers the heroes of the genre including Allen Funt and Chuck Barris, John Langley as well as more well known Mike Fleiss,Jon Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunim. She also discusses the early stories including An American Family, The Real World, Big Brother, Survivor, and The Bachelor - all which are the elders of what we watch today! She is always bracingly honest but treats the genre with the seriousness it deserves - we all know plenty of people who love to watch. This is a honest and enjoyable history of my favorite genre and what is has wrought on our society (see The Apprentice). Highly Recommended!
#randomhouse #cuethesun #emilynussbaum

Such a thorough and fascinating look at reality tv. I loved the combination of historical context, deeply researched reporting and cultural criticism throughout.

Emily Nussbaum takes a deep dive into the world of reality tv.From Queen for a day to Candid Camera people were drawn in and couldn’t turn away.The Louds was an addictive shocking intimate look at an American family falling apart on weekly tv.The author writes so well introducing us to people and behind the scene occurrences.so much the public knew nothing about.This was an interesting eye opening read that I really enjoyed.#netgalley #randomhouse

I had zero interest in reality TV, but love Emily. Nussbaum’s writing. The moral of the story: when in doubt, embrace great writing.

This is a thoroughly affectionate but clear-eyed history of reality TV, whose roots go back to the 1940s. Nussbaum doesn’t fawn over the genre, nor does the look down her nose at it. She explains the appeal, the spike of revealing, true moments (as opposed to “reality”) that grip viewers. Along the way you get profiles of every major producer, director, contestant and bachelorette, bringing to life the thrill of making art (or at least entertainment) on the fly with no money and less respect. Nussbaum makes a connection between reality TV and outsider art and punk rock that is novel and, once considered, undeniable.

For such a thorough history, there are whole swaths of time that are covered in paragraphs, but all the key players and shows are covered in revealing detail.

What I love most about Nussbaum is her utter respect for TV, and her understanding that it has its own rules, its own rhythms. She talks about TV for what it is, not what some aesthete thinks it should be.

I don’t know that I’ll dive into the deep end of the reality TV pool, but having read this wonderful guide, if I jump in, I’ll be fully prepared to look at it with an open mind.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum is an unsettling and endlessly interesting dive into reality television. Nussbaum brings the history alive and deftly shows that the era of reality TV started long before those awful Kardashians stormed the screens. Drawing on interviews from those that lived it. she brings the era alive and is clear on both the good and bad of it. The book culminates with a damning look at "The Apprentice" and what it yielded. It's worth the read for that alone. This is an intriguing read. Thank you to #RandomHouse and #netgalley for the opportunity to preview this book.

This is an engrossing read by Nussbaum (I Like To Watch) about the addictive power of reality television. Nussbaum details reality TV's beginnings with Queen for a Day and Candid Camera. We also revisited the Louds of An American Family and the first season of The Real World. I wish Nussbaum could've gone into more detail about shows like The Swan and Undercover Boss. But it's a fun read about the genre no one wants to admit they watch but usually do.

Quick note: The N-word is mentioned here, along with several mentions of homophobia.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the read!