The Art of Men (I Prefer Mine Al Dente)

January 21, 2013
Written in a highly accessible, unpretentious, and often funny manner, noted film and TV actress Alley reminisces about the many men in her life, describing the ways in which she was influenced both professionally and personally by them. Where her father seemed a caring, moral authority with "the purest, most simplistic truths ever uttered," her own trajectory lead her through a failed first marriage at age 20, a later entanglement with a borderline abusive lover who was into sadomasochism, the temptation of eloping with John Travolta while both were already married, and a never quite fulfilled flirtation with her Dancing with the Stars partner, the much younger student, Sergey. Most compelling, however, are the lessons learned from men who were never her lovers, for example the importance of being ego-less in ensemble performance from Cheers co-star Ted Danson, and the ability to bring personal beliefs to the service of a comedic role from Woody Allen. In offering a glimpse into the workings of her mind, Alley successfully balances deeply personal revelations with entertaining and often absurd asides.

June 15, 2012

From Cheers stardom to weight ups and downs advertised on Oprah to her recent turn on Dancing with the Stars, larger-than-life Alley has been in our sights. Here she considers her life especially in terms of the men she's loved and hated, slept with or not, shaped and been shaped by, e.g., Woody Harrelson, L. Ron Hubbard, and Dancing partner Maks. Certainly fun reading for fans.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.