I love books from and about sitcom writers. Stan Zimmerman´s "The Girls - From Golden to Gilmore" is a breezy read, touching on the shows we worked on as a writer and producer (often with his partner Jim Berg). Fans of "The Golden Girls", "Gilmore Girls" and "Roseanne" will get a glimpse behind the scenes. He does not throw a lot of dirt around, though, most of the people he met he shows in a positive light.
You get glimpses of people like Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, Roseanne Arnold, Amy Sherman-Palladino among lots of other women - Stan as a gay man seems to have bonded with a lot of them. Again, not a tell-all bio but a breeze through several decades of sitcomes, movies and LA theatre.
For me, the book could have easily been a little bit longer but what´s there is a fun read.

NetGalley provided me with an arc for this.

Autobiography from Stan Zimmerman, writer, producer, &/or director on many well-known TV shows such as The Golden Girls, The Gilmore Girls, & Roseanne, plus films such as The Brady Bunch reboot. Zimmerman takes us from his early beginnings as a young Jewish boy who wanted to be famous, through his writing partnership with Jim Berg, to the present day & the touching last chapter where he deals with the loss of his mother.

This seemed to be a very quick read, & I think that was down to the tone of the book. It felt as if the author was there having a friendly conversation with the reader. I must say that the TV business is brutal: the fact that so much preparation work is put into writing & producing a new show & it can all just be cancelled at a moment's notice. Tough business! It did feel quite surface level though until that last chapter. I really enjoyed reading it though & would recommend it to anyone who likes autobiographies from 'behind the scenes'. 3.5 stars (rounded up)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Indigo River Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Who is the intended audience for this book? Maybe other writers? I found it boring and wondered why someone who was barely successful was even offered to write this book. In fact, the titles is very misleading. He only wrote three Golden Girls shows and 2 Gilmore Gurls. This is not impressive. Got real tired of all the name dropping as well.
However, the parts dealing with his mother were very good.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #TheGirls for advanced digital copy.

I really loved getting these behind the scene scoops. The book was funny, interesting and occasionally, even put some tears in my eyes. It was such an interesting read to see how Zimmerman went from a wannabe actor to something different but also something bigger. I'd definitely suggest this book to those who like pop culture.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The author of this book, a writer on many different TV shows, definitely gives a lot of dirt about the shows he worked on. I enjoyed reading about it.

Stan Zimmerman is such a funny writer (my all-time favorite episode of The Golden Girls is the first one he and his writing partner, Jim Berg, wrote: "Blanche and the Younger Man," AKA "Rose's Mother"), but this memoir didn't contain much humor. It also lacked introspection and reflection. It contains several journal entries, which lend to a feeling of "this happened, then this happened, then this happened," so we just end up reading a sequence of events rather than a story about Zimmerman's life. Some of the behind-the-scenes stuff about how networks operate and the details of writers' rooms is really interesting, but I guess I expected more out of such a strong comedy writer. This is simplistic, barebones stuff.

Also? I wanted a chapter on Silver Foxes! Why did that show never happen?!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews

Nothing prepared me for how much I would like this book. My first ever binge was Gilmore Girls, it was the first ever box set I owned and I played those DVDs until they wouldn’t play anymore. Not to mention Golden Girls and Rosanne!

I am a big fan of getting a look behind the scenes and learning how things work so this book was right up my alley. This book made me laugh, scoff, get a bit angry and cry- all of the ingredients for an amazing read. I can’t be too surprised because Stan Zimmerman IS a writer but god can he write.

I appreciated the insider look into Hollywood, though I was unaware of Zimmerman when I started this book, I didn’t realise that I’d been entertained by his writings for years! A fast paced read that kept me interested the whole time. Go and read this book!

Oh god, I've had it! DNF at 43%. This has to be the most boring or at least in the top 5 most boring memoirs out there. I love the Golden Girls and thought this book would be so fun to read, but boy was I wrong. I could not stand the numerous name droppings on EVERY PAGE. And Steve Zimmerman and Jim (Berg?) actually only I believe, wrote 2 episodes of The Golden Girls during the 1st season and were not invited back, which he blames on the 2 producers, not liking that he and Jim were so young. I started skimming at 30%and at just under 50%, I could not take it any longer and DNF'd it! So disappointed!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stan Zimmerman is a very good writer and I found a lot of the stories he told fascinating. He’s very raw and open, even sharing diary entries throughout the book. Personal subjective preference gets a little bored with so much of the listing of the names and projects they are associated with throughout the book. I found it exhausting to read at times, but I also understand why they are in there and I think it doesn’t really distract from the book, it’s just not my favorite.

I am a big Gilmore Girls fan, so it was fun when I came across Dan and Amy’s name far earlier than GG was a concept. Overall it’s an entertaining read with some insight in the difficulties of making it as a successful writer.

For those who are fans of the golden girls, this would be a great autobiography. It would’ve been great for a bit more of a behind the scenes deep dive at somethings. Shocking some of the things you read and would’ve loved more of that.

The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore is a memoir about the life and career of Stan Zimmerman – a gifted writer, producer, director, and playwright. Amusingly and entertainingly, Zimmerman narrates his work on famous shows such as The Golden Girls, Roseanne, and Gilmore Girls while also allowing readers a look into his personal life.

A significant strength of this memoir is Zimmerman’s ease in describing his upbringing in a small-town suburb of Detroit. His portraits of the powerful and clever women who shaped his existence, including his mother, grandmother, and sister, are touching and motivating. It can be seen that their prompting and guidance greatly influenced Zimmerman’s creative attitude.

Zimmerman’s story of going from an awkward Jewish boy who aspired to be a great actor to a celebrated writer and director is as accurate and uplifting as can be. Determination and passion for his craft are evident on every page, and readers will cheer for his triumph.

The unpredictable nature of the memoir is its candidness and wit. He spills the beans on relationships with some of the most renowned women in entertainment, such as Roseanne Barr, Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Lauren Graham, and Alexis Bledel. These stories are fascinating insider accounts of show business and a peek into who these creative women were.

Together with diary notes, Zimmerman’s narration becomes more personal and touching. By doing so, readers get an insight into his mind, feelings, and the hurdles he had throughout his life. It is such moments that make The Girls an endearing and identifiable read.

Although becoming a wildly successful actor may not have been Zimmerman’s cup of tea, his ability to succeed as a writer, producer, director, and playwright shows that he was a very talented and determined person. The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore is a book that inspires and entertains.

Overall, The Girls: Golden to Gilmore is a four-star memoir that provides a unique insight into the world of entertainment and dedication. He is captivating in his storytelling, his jokes are contagious, and his journey is both familiar and tremendous. If you are an avid lover of The Golden Girls, Roseanne, or Gilmore Girls or appreciate good writing, this book is a must-read.

I want to thank Indigo River Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Really fascinating look into behind the scenes in hollywood this entire book felt like having sit down conversation with author.

Stan Zimmerman promises a rags-to-riches story riddled with famous actresses along the way. What he delivered was a lackluster 238 of complaining and name-dropping. As someone who adores memoirs and looking behind the scenes of Hollywood, I was thrilled to be reading and reviewing this book but found myself bored and annoyed at his negative and entitled manner of reminiscence.

This memoir lacked the depth and self-reflection that marks a stellar read. In lieu, the pages tell a story of mediocre success dispersed in between dry patches of work. I truly tried to look beyond the faults to see the raw bones of Zimmerman's life story, but the lack of adequate editing and overuse of connecting big names to works made this book a chore to read.

This book is a journey through time detailing the life of a young gay jewish man with huge aspirations, trying to make it big in one of the toughest places on earth - Hollywood. The title of this book drew me in, this person wrote for two of my favourite shows? That must be one interesting life they have led, right? I didn't realise that what I would then read would be a gripping story of the ups and downs that come with trying so hard to get your dream career, told in the most fascinating and personable way.

I really loved the timeline of this book and how it feels as though we are talking to a friend, it is masterfully broken up by pages of a journal, making us feel even closer to Zimmerman as we are being let in on something very personal. I found this so interesting as it is a world I knew nothing about, the vivid descriptions led me to explore new shows and people I hadn't heard of (I must watch the Brady Bunch immediately!).
We often see one side of Hollywood, but through this book we get to see the slightly less glamorous and maybe darker side. I liked to hear about all the behind the scenes gossip and exploits, especially with such a star studded cast! It just made a fascinating story even juicer. Another aspect that felt important to read about was how sexuality was perceived back then. How he was treated and the impact this might have had on the writing pairs careers. As queer person myself I found I really connected with the author and his struggles with having to hide his sexuality and true identity from people, this perspective on of the book just made me feel even closer to the author.

What I'm taking from this is that you should never give up, be brave and pursue your dreams no matter what and how important friendships can be throughout life. I look forward to seeing what Stan Zimmerman does next in his career.

Stan Zimmerman's career in Hollywood led him to cross paths with show business royalty. His behind-the-scenes insights into working on The Golden Girls, Roseanne and Gilmore Girls are worth the read alone. Couple those with the deep-cut stories from other shows, stars and plays, and the candor with which he shares both professional and personal anecdotes, and this book will keep readers glued to the page.

The Girls | Stan Zimmerman | ⭐⭐⭐⭐

** Thanks to @netgalley for an e-copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review **

When I saw The Girls is actually a reference to the "Golden Girls" and "Gilmore Girls", this was an easy pick for me.

This is a memoir of a young boy from a small town who dreamed big and made it big.
This is also an exposé on the inner workings on the tinsel town, on behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.
There's a lot of name dropping, lively anecdotes on the who's who of the industry, stories about names we are so very familiar with. But there's also darker and more discussions on prevalent homophobia, idea of creative freedom, the constant struggle and the rat race for success in the industry.

It's heartening to know that though Zimmerman's dreams of being an actor didn't come true, the Universe did have grander plans for him and he got to write and immortalise some of the most phenomenal characters of television history.

Also the concluding chapters on Zimmerman's relationship with his mother, her constant influence on his life, his account of her struggle with dementia, and his most honest observations on her eventual death make the read emotional, relatable, heartfelt and more than just another celebrity memoir centred around industry gossip.

The narrative is conversational and it's a quick read. It's clearly discernible that this is the handwork of an experienced and brilliant storyteller, and not a mish mash of random anecdotes haphazardly sewn together by an underpaid ghost-writer.

What I didn't like though is the incessant name dropping, and that the narrative bordered on cautious when it came to stories about famous names.
But I guess playing safe comes with still being an active part of the industry and I can't blame Zimmerman for that.

If you are looking for a read that's fun, entertaining, smart and inspiring all at once, look no further.
And if you have ever been a fan of Roseanne or the Golden and the Gilmore Girls, you definitely can't miss out on knowing the person who conjured up your favourite on-screen people.

I so enjoyed this book! It was amazing to hear stories about the women from some of my favorite shows. Thank you Stan for passing those stories along and for all the laughs/your hard work over the years. ❤️

I was drawn to this by my love of the Golden Girls. I loved reading the chapter about Bea, Rue, Betty and Estelle.
This book detailed what it is like to be a writer (and later director) in TV and theatre. The pressures, the politics as to why pitches don’t get picked up and the personalities both on and off the camera.

I loved how Zimmerman writes about the strong women in his life and the mutually beneficial professional relationships. The love he has for his number one fan, his Mum is wonderful.

Great book.

Thank you to Indigo River Publishing and NetGalleyfor the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you like name-dropping, this book is for you! If you like “insider “ stories about writing for TV, this book is for you! I will admit that the title grabbed me since I am a diehard Gilmore Girls fan! I also loved those saucy ladies from Miami - The Golden Girls! But, this is also the life story of Stan Zimmerman and how he got into show business. Not only are the girls Golden and Gilmore, but also Roseanne and Hot from Cleveland, but also the story between Stan and his biggest fan: his mother.. it was a very good read!

Though I didn’t know of Stan Zimmerman by name, I wasn’t surprised to find there was a common denominator among the shows I’ve loved over the decades. I was drawn in by The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls, but delighted to find how much his writing has contributed to a long line of terrific shows.

As for tone, reading The Girls felt like we were chatting over lunch- conversational and fun! I enjoyed that Stan Zimmerman included the sad realities associated with the need to hide his sexuality during his early career in the 80’s- even while working at a progressive show like The Golden Girls. I appreciated the deeper understanding of him as a human, as well as his successful career. His amazing relationship with his mother filled up my heart. I particularly liked that while he wrote honestly about his feelings for certain stars while he worked with them (Betty White, Roseanne, etc), he also spent time on the evolution of those opinions with hindsight. I think a straight dishy retelling would sell well, yet risk the author’s likability. The tone here was perfect.

Overall, a fun read for me. I appreciate NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing granting access to a digital ARC.