Phil Harvey (1) (1938–2021)

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.

This is a story about how "reality" shows cater to our basest instincts and can be used almost as an opiate for the pubic. The story idea is a good one. However, for the most part I found the dialog (which is a significant part of the book) to be disjointed and trite. Its possible this is an accurate representation of what "reality" shows are like. I have never watched more than 10 minutes of one. There is a good level of tension as the book progresses, but the dialog is a distraction. In addition, the end seems rather abrupt and a lot of the story lines are never resolved.… (meer)

In the near future, reality TV has taken on a whole new level of reality. Cameras are trained on contestants 24/7, which viewers can tap into at any time for an enhanced experience. Nothing is scripted - any hint of producer interference would cause the ratings to drop. 7 rather broken individuals are chosen to live on an island in the great lakes for several months, extending through the bitter winter season. Given minimal provisions, they are told to survive, and promised $400,000 if they do, and bonuses if they can hike the ratings.

I wasn't a major fan of this book - it's a little outside my usual reading. The story was compelling, in that I had a hard time putting it down. Trying to figure out what would happen to the reality TV stars was interesting. There are some surprising twists, but I felt the ending was a bit anticlimactic. I give it 4 stars because it is well written, and though not my preference, I believe others will enjoy this book.… (meer)

First off I must confess that one of my guilty pleasures is the TV reality show "Survivor". I have been watching it since the very first season. That being said, you can imagine how excited I was when I read the book description for Show Time by Phil Harvey which taunted an appeal for fans of survival reality shows.

I loved the idea of seven people being dropped off on an island with minimal supplies. Each must survive seven brutal months, relying on each other and their own survival skills, in order to receive $400,000. They may not ask for or receive any outside help or they forfeit the money.

I really wanted to love this book more than I did. I would have liked it much better if the author gave the reader just a little bit more in the way of character development. I didn't feel any emotional attachment to any of the characters. What I did like was the authors take on the lengths reality shows may be willing to take in order to score high ratings....possibly even murder.… (meer)