In and Out in Hollywood

by Ben Patrick Johnson

Book Overview

This book is a wild ride on the Hollywood highway of fame. A young man named Freddie is plucked from obscurity and groomed to be the host of a new entertainment TV show. But the show's producers and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1928662021
• ISBN13: 9781928662020
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Palari Publishing
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

In and Out in Hollywood by Ben Patrick Johnson

All right, I admit that I bought this novel more for the author than for the story... but have you read Ben Patrick Johnson's personal story? How similar is to the blurb of the book? So you can imagine how curious I was to read how the main character of this novel behaves since in a way it would be like spying on Johnson's life. But all in all, I believe that Johnson's output in life is better than Freddie's, the hero of this novel. It's an unusual novel for me to read, since more than a love story is a life story, the adventures of gay Freddie in the glittering and fake world of Hollywood. Freddie is an openly gay radio DJ who lives in West Hollywood with his hunk jamaican boyfriend. Perfect, isn't it? Well, not exactly... Freddie's work is not so exciting and his relationship with Xavier is slowly wearing down. And so when he is talent scouted on the street and in two days offered with the chance to be the host in a new television show, he jumps at the possibility. Freddie, now renamed Daniel, is groomed and taught to be the perfect anchorman, all people around him praising him for being fresh, new and green! Posh hotels, limousines, all around him is glittering and friendly. But Freddie makes a big mistake: he doesn't hide his boyfriend, he brings him to official events... no, no, no dear Freddie, you can be gay at Hollywood, but you should be asexual, it's not good for families to have the proof that you actually have sex with men! Probably if his relationship with Xavier was happier, Freddie would fight for it, and instead he decides to play along what the network requires, and he slowly is pushed behind the scene, from the front line to the Z position, despite his good works and his clearly predisposition to be on video. Freddie is a strange character, I don't know if I like him so much; in a way he is not a fighter, and he is also a cheater... well, this last I don't know, it depends on his relationship with Xavier, I don't know what are their agreement, and well, he plays around since Xavier is behaving bad, but still... Lucky for Freddie, he meets a good guy, Charlie, who maybe, gives him the right reason to fight back, even if, maybe, he takes his decision at the very last. Probably I'm a bit too harsh with Freddie, I have in mind this "hero" image, and instead Freddie is probably only a man facing something bigger than him; sometime I almost feel tenderness for him, I almost want to comfort and saying that all will be right. Truth is that he didn't meet so many nice figure, and some of them are disguising so well that you almost mistake them for the bad guy... and what you think a good guy is fake like sometime Hollywood is. Anyway, the book is a good mix of real life with some nice add of romance; I wouldn't mind for the sex scene to be a bit hotter, but still, they are nice, even if all behind closed doors.

Johnson Gets it Right!

Finally, a book that tells the truth about the "industry" for gays. Yes, there may be a "gay mafia," but Ben Patrick Johnson has brilliantly shown that there is still a long way to go for us in the often homophobic world of entertainment. As an actor, I found Mr. Johnson's account inspiring. I am thankful Mr. Johnson was brave enough to share the story - even if it is supposed to be fiction! Bravo!

Success is the Greatest Revenge

Ben Patrick Johnson carefully mixes innocence and Hollywood insight as a recipe for this tasty story of behind the scenes of an on-camera personality. His knack for imagery and accuracy places the reader in the somewhat treacherous fast track of Hollywood. Although the book is fiction, one can exchange the names of the characters with those in the industry and figure out that this is a "true Hollywood story!" Although many gay men and women will relate to the character's angst over trying to balance his professional life with his sexual orientation, they will certainly be taken by surprise that being gay, even in liberal Hollywood, can have an adverse effect on one's career. This book will certainly be landing in Christmas stockings for my friends and family!

A glittering gay kiss and tell

Johnson gives a detailed, fun and often sobering account of life on the otherside of the glitz and glamour. The industry coterie of the beautiful and the damned are all here: fame-seekers, cynical starlets, coniving producers, and closeted hunks. It's a sexy star-infested romp made all the more interesting since Johnson produced the roman a clef after supposedly being outed and ousted from his stint on a national news show! Just trying to figure which character is really who in Hollywood is half the fun! All from a gay stud's point of view. Bring on the sequel!

Fascinating, entertaining

I found this book very interesting. There is a lot of behind the scenes information. It depicts the trials and tribulations of a young guy in the entertainment industry and sheds light on how tough it is if you do not conform to the norm. I hope this guys writes the rest of the story someday!