Whoopi Goldberg

The veteran comedian and co-host of "The View" uses her trademark humor to examine the growing disrespect and rudeness in society and discusses how a loss of civility diminishes the quality of life.

"It's Whoopi here and I've written this book that, frankly, is the last book anyone would expect. You would never think of me as someone with the courage to say, 'You have everything you need to be fantastic in your own house, apartment, or trailer to set a great table.' Let's face it, you look at a lot of books on Entertaining and think 'I could never do this in my house, I don't have this stuff and it's not going to look like what I'm seeing.' That's...

Both hilarious and helpful, this practical and unapologetic health and lifestyle guide tells it like it is for women who left middle age in the dust and want to be present, positive, and as extraordinary as ever in their golden years. As they age, men get the gravitas of becoming "distinguished" while women become invisible. Hecht and Goldberg provide a lively conversation about growing older with no apologies. They believe that the world needs more...

Jackie "Moms" Mabley was an African-American stand-up comic and showbiz pioneer who emerged from the Chitlin' Circuit of African-American Vaudeville to become a mainstream star on the stage and TV. Mabley pushed the boundaries of comedy by tackling topics such as gender, sex, and racism, making her one of the first taboo-pushing comedians on the comedy circuit. Once billed as "The Funniest Woman in the World," she performed up until her death in 1975....

Examination of a little known aspect of American history, when newly freed slaves throughout the South formed 'benevolent societies' to respond to abject hunger, illness and the fear of a pauper's grave. "The Fair Hope Benevolent Society" in Uniontown, Alabama, provides an unprecedented look at the complex and morally ambiguous juxtaposition of the Society with the worldly pleasures of what has become known as the annual "Foot Wash" celebration.

A comedian tries to change his tune and become a serious actor. His fiance eventually convinces him to air their wedding on television as a reality-TV show. An encounter with a journalist forces him to confront the comedy career, and the past, that he's left behind.

"I was just thinking what an interesting concept it is to eliminate the writer from the artistic process. If we could just get rid of these actors and directors, maybe we've got something here."--Griffin Mill. Griffin is a slick, successful film studio vice president whose primary duty is to listen to story pitches from a constant stream of writers. Like all Hollywood producers, he's always looking over his shoulder, and he thinks up-and-comer Larry...