Why are all TV Crime Thrillers Centered on Dead Prostitutes?
Book Review: Is it Just Me or is Everything Shit?: Insanely Annoying Modern Things
I was skeptical as to how authors Steve Lowe and Alan McArthur would translate here in the states with an American version combining their two UK bestsellers: Is it Just Me or is Everything Shit, vols 1 & 2. The answer is they teamed up with Brendan Hay [The Daily Show, The Simpson’s] who added some new material then used his skills to adapt the whole thing for American readers.
The book is laid out like a mini-encyclopedia of modern culture with every topic hilariously skewered by these very funny writers. They take on everything from designer baby clothes to plastic surgery for pets.
My personal favorite is the observation of how frequently TV crime thrillers involve a dead prostitute: “Whenever the SVU writers run out of ‘ripped from the headlines’ rape cases, you can bet Belzer and Ice T are gonna discover another dead hooker.” They further observe, “…and, it’s not enough for them to be ‘dead.’ Most of them also have to be ‘mutilated.’” The observation goes on, but I don’t want to spoil the book for you.
I laughed a lot with this book—even the stuff I didn’t fully understand; for instance this entry about KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken):
“Why do you never see hippies with scarves covering their mouths catapulting each other through the window of KFC? It’s always McDonald’s. But Colonel Sanders was a right bastard—just look at what he did to Elvis.”
I get the Elvis part, but what’s with the hippies “catapulting each other through the window” stuff? I’m afraid I don’t get that one; is it something UK-ish? Anyway, it’s still funny imagery.
As a blogger, this book may prove to be invaluable on days when I can’t think of anything to write about. For example, I just now opened the book at random and found the topic, “IKEA.”
I could write a blog post about IKEA. See how that works?
Anyhow, if you love to hate modern culture—or if you just need some ideas for blog posts—this is definitely the book for you.
Is It Just Me or Is Everything Shit?: Insanely Annoying Modern Things
Authors: Steve Lowe and Alan McArthur with Brendan Hay
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
November 2008
259 pages
Comments
Comment from AngieSS
Time: November 4, 2008, 7:07 am
Sounds like a “must have” for me. I’m always running out of stuff to say. I’m putting it on my list.
Oh, and sorry I can’t help with the hippies KFC thing either — no ideas here!
Comment from chat blanc
Time: November 4, 2008, 7:54 am
Oh I like the sounds of this one! I need a new funny read. Thanks for the recommend. 
Comment from RedRaider
Time: November 4, 2008, 11:14 am
Sounds like a great book and my type of read. I believe that the reference to the hippies may be from a YouTube stunt that some punks were pulling at KFC’s. Not sure though.
William McCamment reply on November 5th, 2008 6:49 am:
Hmmm, I’ll have to investigate. Thanks for the tip.
Comment from Sam Lowery
Time: November 5, 2008, 11:59 am
The Hippies comment refers to - I believe - the protestors at the WTO conferences. They’re always far-left radicals wearing scarves over their faces as they trash McDonalds, Starbucks, etc. I think the book is just asking why these protestors never attack a KFC, especially due to the Col.
William McCamment reply on November 5th, 2008 4:56 pm:
Thanks, Sam! It makes sense now.
William McCamment reply on November 4th, 2008 11:01 am:
It’s a fun book! I think you should write about hippies! LOL
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