TVSquad

Project Runway's Tim Gunn (also host of the upcoming Tim Gunn's Guide to Style) has a new book coming out next month titled A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style. If you want to get a sneak peek, go to Bravo's site right now and read the entire first chapter for free.

The new book is actually based on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, which began casting today. The new series will follow Gunn as he teaches people to be more fashion conscious and find a look that suits their personality.

The first sentence of Gunn's book reads that "the most important key to the content of your wardrobe" is knowing who you are. Since I'm pretty sure who I am is "someone who doesn't care what Tim Gunn has to say," I guess the first step for me is not reading his book and just wearing whatever the hell I want. I would like to thank him for the first sentence, though, it was very helpful.

Author John Fante grew up in Denver in the early 20th century, the son of immigrant parents. His books were largely ignored at the time, and it wasn't until writer Charles Bukowski helped republish Fante's works that he became recognized as a master writer. While his books, including Ask the Dust, Wait Until Spring and Bandini were all hailed by critics, the public never caught on and most of his books went out of print soon after being published.

Like most writers, Fante had to make ends meet by writing things he didn't especially enjoy, and that meant penning screenplays for many films that never got made.

On December 12 at 10pm, the PBS documentary series Independent Lens will air "A Sad Flower in the Sand," a look at the late author featuring interview with his wife, Joyce Smart, his biographer Stephen Cooper and filmmaker Robert Towne.

The men of Boing Boing recently chatted with comedian John Hodgman, he of The Daily Show, The Areas of My Expertise and 700 Hobo Names. The men talk about current events, politics, and weird stories from the news. The podcast is less like an interview and more like a random discussion, which is actually, I think, more interesting. Hodgman maintains his usual dry wit, and interjects whenever he can get a word in edgewise as the Boing Boingers go on about whatever is they go on about. You might learn a few things about Hodgman, but mostly it's just some guys kicking back and chatting.

Speaking of the 700 Hoboes, Hodgman alludes to a project started by Boing Boing to have artists illustrate each of the names in Hodgman's lengthy but engaging spoken word project. You can see the works here.

Let me get this straight. A woman in North Carolina writes a book about Clay Aiken. It's about his life. It's based on information from her neighbors, who were once friends with Clay's mom. Clay says the book is full of lies. The author decides to sue Clay because he's keeping her from making money off of him.

Anyone else's head spinning?

He's not the most talented artist in the world, but Dilbert creator Scott Adams had some things to say about television recently, and I have to agree with at least one of his assessments. The cartoonist/author says television has "just enough censorship to make the creators act creatively." I would tend to agree with that statement. While stifling creative freedom in any form should be frowned upon, it's actually really cool to see what a show can conjure up when its creators are forced to work within certain parameters. Apparently, Adams also likes a lot of shows I never watch, such as 24, My Name is Earl, and The OC. He says 24 is "is more entertaining than just about any movie I've seen in the past five years." He also sings the praises of the DVR, which I also agree with. In fact, I've become so enamored with my Tivo that even when a show I like is airing and I actually have time to sit and watch it I'll still wait until after it records and then watch the recorded version instead. It's as if the Tivo has become some kind of idol i don't want to anger by watching actually live TV. Does that make me weird? Yes, it makes me very weird, actually. Although, I have stopped short of actually baptizing the Tivo.

James Frey was going to have a TV show? Well, he was writing one anyway, but Fox has decided not to go with Frey's show, which would have been about a surfing detective. Frey sold the script to the network before Oprah and the rest of the world learned of the fabrications in his so-called memoir A Million Little Pieces. Fox claims its decision to pass on Frey's tale of a private dick named Donald "Insane" Tremaine had nothing to do with the maelstrom surrounding Frey and his book. My guess is that the show just wouldn't have been very good.

Double or Nothing, a new FOX reality series, is looking for a person to sell everything they own for the chance to put it all on red or black on a roulette wheel. I'm not sure how you make an entire series out of one person making one bet, but I guess we'll have to tune in and find out. If you think this seems like a stupid risk to take, you're not alone. Author Steve Bourie, a gambling expert, says showing amateur gamblers making uninformed bets is very irresponsible. The show is inspired by Ashley Revell, an Englishman who literally bet everything on red and won. Bourie, however, still maintains that gambling should be a form of entertainment, and not a quick method of monetary gain. I would tend to agree, unless the person standing next to you is wearing a green sweater and you softly hum the theme to The Facts of Life while the wheel is spinning. Those are both signs of good luck and in that case you should by all means bet everything.