Barry Diller and the Twilight of the Hollywood Tell-All

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As a gamer, I recently dove into Barry Diller’s fresh memoir, Who Knew. It’s like flipping through two pages bookended by the vibrant, straightforward tales penned by the industry giants of Hollywood. Not that it’s a mirror image of his life or those in his circle, but more so a reflection of an era where such colorful, candid memoirs were born.

This bookshelf is filled with captivating reads. “The Kid Stay in the Picture” by Paramount Pictures’ former head Bob Evans serves as our guiding light, accompanied by works from two pioneering female producers: Julia Phillips’ “You’ll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again” and Lynda Obst’s “Hello, He Lied”. Memorable stories have also come from those on the periphery of the industry, such as Golden Age fixer Scotty Bowers in his book “Full Service”. Insights have been shared not only by those on the margins but also by industry heavyweights like Bernie Brillstein, Jerry Weintraub, indie legend Christine Vachon, and super-agent Michael Ovitz.

Currently, two aspects are making memoirs less enjoyable. Firstly, the entertainment industry, which was once known for its daring and diversity, has become more traditional, risk-averse, and predictable. While Reed Hastings’ strategies and management methods may have led to success, his book “No Rules Rules” is not as appealing to rebels and romantics as it is to lawyers (LLMs) or business professionals (MBAs).

From my perspective as a devoted reader, what was once the Hollywood memoir’s grand finale – a platform for raw honesty and confessions – has often transformed into self-promoting extensions, particularly focusing on creative entrepreneurship. This is how we’ve seen the emergence of books like Bob Iger’s “The Ride of a Lifetime” and Mark Burnett’s “Jump in! Even If You Don’t Know How to Swim“. These books, rooted in their rags-to-riches tales, aim to impart life lessons. They serve as stepping stones for TED Talk invitations, conversations at the 92nd Street Y, or simply boost the chances of landing on popular podcasts.

It’s worth noting that this transformation might also be due to the frequent questioning of memoirs’ factuality. For instance, while Evans was a gifted storyteller, his reliability as a narrator has often been called into question.

There’s still a lot more to learn about the latest chapters in Hollywood history. However, it seems unlikely that strict professionals like Bryan Lourd, Kathleen Kennedy, Kevin Feige, Donna Langley, Bob Bakish, and Sherry Redstone would reveal juicy details that might hold readers’ attention. But who knows? They might surprise us.

Or:

The recent events in Hollywood history still have many fascinating stories to tell. Yet it seems improbable that disciplined individuals such as Bryan Lourd, Kathleen Kennedy, Kevin Feige, Donna Langley, Bob Bakish, and Sherry Redstone would ever spill the beans with enough juicy details to keep readers engaged. However, they might just surprise us.

Writing an exceptional Hollywood memoir doesn’t necessitate being a brilliant writer, as there are professional helpers (ghostwriters) available. Instead, you need a generous dose of self-confidence, eloquence, a clear perspective, a willingness to be open, an enjoyment for scandals and gossip, and a tendency towards impulsive behavior. A burning desire to settle old scores also proves beneficial. If your motives, whether they’re charming or compellingly expressed, are driven by an agenda, that could be the secret ingredient to your success in this genre of literature.

The essential attribute that stands out above all others is boldness, often referred to as chutzpah. In days gone by, this quality was arguably the common thread among the trailblazers, free spirits, and rule-breakers who shaped and contested Hollywood. Regrettably, it seems that this daring spirit is becoming increasingly scarce today.

In essence, it’s straightforward to compile a concise roster of individuals who might be well-suited for writing a memoir, given the flexibility of the genre that welcomes misremembering, embellishing, and storytelling. Candidates could include Ron Meyer, Barbara Broccoli, Jason Blum, Ava DuVernay, John Landgraf, and Miky Lee. It’s important to note that a likeable character is not a prerequisite for an intriguing one. Ari Emanuel, Ryan Murphy, Joel Silver are also potential candidates. This opportunity could be Scott Rudin’s time to shine.

In any case, let’s move forward with this. Delay could mean that there won’t be anyone left interested enough to read it or listen to its audio version.

Gary Baum, a seasoned scribe at The Hollywood Reporter, is set to release his first book titled “In Pursuit of Beauty” on the 1st of July. This novel follows the story of a memoirist and their collaborator, who happens to be a ghostwriter.

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2025-05-28 15:24