Truth Is a Total Defense

Book excerpt: Insightful, candid, and utterly entertaining, Steven Bochco's memoir TRUTH IS A TOTAL DEFENSE: My Fifty Years in Television is an in-studio view of the inception of the second Golden Age of television, delivered by the man who helped create it. Bochco reveals the mad genius, vision, mayhem, and brilliance behind his groundbreaking, widely popular hits (and near misses). Sparing no one, including himself, he shares insider anecdotes from his triumphs-"Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," "Doogie Howser, M.D.," and "NYPD Blue"-and turbulent times in broadcast TV. He started reading and synopsizing scripts, plays, and books for Sam Goldwyn, Jr. Moving through his 10-Emmy Award career (so far), to his hot, homicide detective show "Murder in the First" now on TNT, the prolific and successful TV writer and producer describes generous, tough, and conniving mentors and moguls. He shares the how-tos and better-nots of working with highly talented writers, directors, actors, and remembrances of building remarkable television and a memorable life. His remembrances include: Albert Einstein once wangling an invitation to one of his dad's Sunday musical soirees; being nominated for an Emmy for the first "Columbo" he wrote, directed by some young director on the lot named Steven Spielberg; Bruce Paltrow (father of Gwyneth and Jake) teaching him how to have fun at work; Brandon Tartikoff calling to say, "I'm moving 'L.A. Law' to a better time slot. You're replacing 'Hill Street'"; "NYPD Blue" co-creator David Milch asking for an advance because he'd lost $1 million betting on football games that day; Stephen J. Cannell turning down a cop show pilot at ABC, telling their head of development that "Hill Street Blues" was the best cop show ever made, and he didn't want to compete with it; fighting ABC to hire Neil Patrick Harris for "Doogie Howser, M.D."; and keeping friends and family close during his 70-day in-hospital cancer treatment with witty, heartfelt emails signed-as time went on-Cancer Boy, Remission and Retention Boy, Transplant Boy (Soon to be Transplanted Boy), and (The newly reconstructed) Steven. Writers, as he says, write. He also describes the creative arc of building his shows, including several script excerpts, the finances and finagling of modern television production, and more. Combining discerning and from-the-hip thoughts on the business of television writing and production, tales from the wild side, and personal lessons from his life-threatening and altering battle with a rare form of leukemia, Steven Bochco delivers a revealing, wryly humorous page turner. Praise for TRUTH IS A TOTAL DEFENSE: My Fifty Years in Television "An inside look at television from the man who transformed it. The origins of today's golden age of television dramas can be traced to one man: Steven Bochco. This juicy and fascinating account tells you how he did it. A must read." -David E. Kelley, Emmy Award winner and prolific creator of TV hits "Picket Fences," "Chicago Hope," "The Practice," "Ally McBeal," "Boston Public," and "Boston Legal" "Steven Bochco's Truth Is A Total Defense: My Fifty Years in Television is a great in-the-room chronicle of the modern television industry, told by a man who's created some of the most influential and popular shows of the last forty years. I highly recommend it." -Neil Patrick Harris, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor "It's raucous, it's witty, and very savvy on the business of television. It's master storyteller Steven Bochco telling the story of his life and his life's work-creating groundbreaking TV shows. Fascinating and funny. Read it." -Danny DeVito, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, director, and producer