logo
Emmy Shows And Book Recommendations

Emmy Shows And Book Recommendations

Buzz Feed20 hours ago
Looking for reading inspo? Look no further than your favorite show! The 77th Emmy Awards are on September 14, and there are 16 shows nominated for Outstanding Drama or Outstanding Comedy!
If you're into any of these shows, I bet I can find a book you'll enjoy:
If you're into Andor...read Rogue One.
Andor is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on Disney+.Rogue One is written by Alexander Freed.Why they vibe: Set just before Rogue One, this Star Wars novel digs into the political machinations and moral compromises of the rebellion, perfect for fans who loved Andor's grounded spy tone.
If you dig The Diplomat...read American Spy.
The Diplomat is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on Netflix.American Spy is written by Lauren Wilkinson.Why they Vibe: American Spy is a smart, character-driven espionage novel about a Black female spy in the Cold War, full of political tension and personal stakes, which feels like The Diplomat's blend of politics and human drama.
If you enjoy The Last of Us...read Station Eleven.
The Last of Us is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on HBO Max.Station Eleven is written by Emily St. John Mandel.Why they vibe: Though The Last of Us comes from a video game, we've matched it with Station Eleven, a postpandemic literary novel that captures the same mix of haunting survival, found family, and moments of beauty in ruin.
If you vibe with Paradise...read Pines.
Paradise is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on Hulu.Pines is written by Blake Crouch.Why they vibe: This one is really hard to explain without spoiler alerts on both, so you may just have to trust me that these go hand-in-hand. Think idyllic town, governmental mystery, apocalyptic themes, and twisty-turny events.
If you're taken by The Pitt...read The Last Patient of the Night.
The Pitt is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on HBO Max.The Last Patient of the Night is written by Gary Gerlacher.Why they vibe: Both stories feature emergency rooms and the gripping, intense stories that happen inside. While the book turns more into a mystery than the show, both explore the ethics of medicine, the dark side of human nature, and a little bit of the humor that keeps us all going.
If you mess with Severance...read (the other) Severance.
Severance (the show) is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on Apple TV+.Severance (the book) is written by Ling Ma.Why they vibe: First, I must mention these are not the same story — one is not based on the other. However, the novel (which came first) is a satirical, eerie look at late-capitalism ennui, office life, and the surreal collapse of society, which could also be a description of the Adam Scott hit.
If Slow Horses is your jam...read Slow Horses.
Slow Horses (the show) is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on Apple TV+.Slow Horses (the book) is written by Mick Herron.Why they vibe: These are actually the same story. The only TV show based 100% on a novel in the list, Slow Horses, is the first novel in the Slough House series, and introduces the washed-up MI5 agents at the heart of the show.
If you escaped with The White Lotus...read The Guest List.
The White Lotus is nominated for Outstanding Drama — catch it on HBO Max.The Guest List is written by Lucy Foley.Why they vibe: I've talked about The Guest List before, and probably will again, honestly. It's a destination wedding, with glamorous guests and deadly secrets. This modern mystery-thriller novel offers the same mix of beautiful settings and ugly human drama as Mike White's The White Lotus.
If you think The Bear is a comedy...read Fireproof.
The Bear is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on Hulu.Fireproof is written by Curtis Duffy.Why they vibe: The new hit book Fireproof is the true story memoir of a chef who rose from trauma to culinary acclaim, sharing The Bear's intensity and kitchen chaos.
If you laugh at Abbott Elementary...read The Faculty Lounge.
Abbott Elementary is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on ABC network, HBO Max, or Hulu.The Faculty Lounge is written by Jennifer Mathieu.Why they vibe: The heart of each of these stories is the unforgettable teachers. Both mix timely school issues with lots of laughs, while remaining focused on the fact that these teachers have names outside the school's walls, and even a little romance within them.
If you appreciate Hacks...read Bossypants.
Hacks is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on HBO Max.Bossypants is written by Tina Fey.Why they vibe: Hacks gives an intimate and often awkward look at the behind-the-scenes goings on in showbiz. Who knows that action better than Tina Fey? Her book Bossypants is full of quick-wit humor that will have you snickering as much as hearing Jean Smart say "Wow, it's like watching Picasso sing."
If you're in love with Nobody Wants This...read Modern Love.
Nobody Wants This is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on Netflix.Modern Love is edited by Daniel Jones and written by numerous writers.Why they vibe: Nobody Wants This is a quintessential love story, a semi-autobiographical "love letter" from Erin Foster and her husband. It's literally true love. As is Modern Love, an anthology of true love stories from the NYT columns. Both are playful, heartfelt, and real.
If you're keen on Only Murders in the Building...read The Thursday Murder Club.
Only Murders in the Building is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on Hulu.The Thursday Murder Club is written by Richard Osman.Why they vibe: Septuagenarians solving crime has become a bit of a popular theme in novels (much to my liking), but The Thursday Murder Club started that trend. Both are charming, witty murder mysteries with quirky amateur sleuths in their 70s. You'll enjoy solving the crimes with both gangs.
If you're entertained by Shrinking...read A Man Called Ove.
Shrinking is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on Apple TV+.A Man Called Ove is written by Fredrik Backman.Why they vibe: Beyond nearly matching the poster and the book cover, these are both heartwarming, funny stories about grief, healing, and unlikely friendships. These are a sweet read and watch, a reminder to call your grandparents.
If you delight in The Studio...read Hello, Molly!.
The Studio is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on Apple TV+.Hello, Molly! is written by Molly Shannon.Why they vibe: Similar to the Hacks x Bossypants, both stories here will take you behind the scenes for true hilarity, but this time in the worlds of sketch comedy. Plus, Seth Rogan of The Studio and Molly Shannon of Hello, Molly! were both in the movie The Night Before, if you want to round out your list with that.
If you're fond of What We Do in the Shadows...read Good Omens.
What We Do in the Shadows is nominated for Outstanding Comedy — catch it on FX or Hulu.Good Omens is written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.Why they vibe: Good Omens is a supernatural comedy about eccentric immortals trying (and failing) to manage apocalyptic situations, perfectly matching the absurd humor of WWDITS.
BONUS: shows based on books from other categories:
Have you read or watched any of the stories written above? Agree or disagree with the pairings? Sound off in the comments!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ben Folds on the depth of the new ‘Snoopy Presents' animated musical and why he left Trump's Kennedy Center
Ben Folds on the depth of the new ‘Snoopy Presents' animated musical and why he left Trump's Kennedy Center

Los Angeles Times

time41 minutes ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Ben Folds on the depth of the new ‘Snoopy Presents' animated musical and why he left Trump's Kennedy Center

Snoopy is the superstar of the 'Peanuts' world, but Ben Folds is loyal to Charlie Brown. 'I'm going to have to go with Chuck because he's so emotionally compressed,' the singer-songwriter said when asked for a favorite. Folds didn't grow up poring over the Charles M. Schulz comics or memorizing the TV specials — 'I can't think of anything I really was a fan of outside of music' — but he loved Vince Guaraldi's music for the animated specials. He started studying Charlie Brown and the gang when he was hired to write the title song for 'It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown,' sung by Charlie's sister Sally in the 2022 Apple TV special. And he recently dove back into the world of these iconic characters when he returned to write the final three songs for 'Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical.' 'I think it's good that I came to fully appreciate the world of 'Peanuts' as an adult,' says Folds, although he adds that he was still starstruck about writing for Charlie Brown. 'It's a lot of responsibility,' he says. 'I was asking the Schulz family, 'Can I say this?' and they'd say, 'Yes, it's yours.'' Folds' best-known songs, such as 'Brick,' 'Song for the Dumped,' 'Army,' 'Rockin' the Suburbs' and 'Zak and Sara,' may seem too sardonic or dark for the sweet world of Snoopy and company. But he sees it differently. 'There's a lot of deep stuff there. 'Peanuts,' like 'Mister Rogers,' presents an empathetic and nuanced, not dumbed-down view of the world, and that is rare for kids programming,' he says. 'I was able to say stuff in my songs that kids will understand but that will go over the heads of many adults.' He also knows how to approach the storytelling aspect of musical writing pragmatically. Within the show's parameters, Folds is grateful to the creators for giving him his artistic freedom. 'They give me carte blanche and don't push back' Folds says, adding that when he puts in poetic imagery — 'I'm not calling myself f—ing Keats or anything,' he adds as an aside — director Erik Wiese would weave those ideas into the animation. 'That's really cool to see.' 'My ambition is to have them tell me that my lyrics meant they could delete pages of script,' he adds. 'That's what these songs are for.' Wiese says Folds was the ideal person to 'take the mantle' from Guaraldi: 'He brings a modern thing and his lyrics are so poetic; on his albums he always touches your heart.' Writer and executive producer Craig Schulz, who is Charles' son, was impressed by both Folds' songwriting and the responsibility the musician felt to the 'Peanuts' brand. 'He has a unique ability to really get into what each of the gang is thinking and drive the audience in the direction we want to,' says Schulz, adding that there was one day where the writers got on the phone with Folds to explain the emotions they needed a scene to convey 'and suddenly he says, 'I got it, I'm super-excited' and then he hangs up and runs to the piano and cranks it out.' The first song Folds wrote for 'A Summer Musical' was when Charlie Brown realizes that the camp he holds dear 'is going to get mown over in the name of progress. I wanted him to have the wisdom of his 60-year-old self to go back to 'when we were light as the clouds' to let him understand the future,' he says. So it's a poignant song even as he's writing about Charlie Brown looking through 'old pictures of people he met five days ago. That's the way kids are — they're taking in a whole world and learning a lot in five days.' (He did not write the show's first two songs, though you'll hear plenty of Folds-esque piano and melody in them because, Wiese says, 'We wanted it to sound cohesive.') In the final song, Folds' lyrics celebrate the saving of the camp (yeah, spoiler alert, but it's 'Peanuts,' so you know the ending will be happy), but he laces in the idea that these children are inheriting a lot of bad things from older generations, including climate change. But it's not cynical, instead adding an understanding that their parents did the best they could (with a 'Hello Mother, Hello Father' reference thrown in for the old-timers) and that this new generation will do the best they can and make their own mistakes. Folds says it's important for people in the arts and on the left to bring a realistic view but not to become doomsayers. 'I see how bad it could get, but there are two stories you can always tell that might be true — one way to talk about climate change will leave people saying, 'We're screwed anyway so I'll just drink out of plastic bottles and toss them in the garbage,' but the other way is to motivate people, to tell a story that shows an aspiration towards the future.' That does not mean, of course, that Folds is blind to the perils of the moment. He stepped down as the National Symphony Orchestra's artistic advisor at the Kennedy Center to protest Donald Trump's power play there. 'I couldn't be a pawn in that,' he says. 'Was I supposed to call my homies like Sara Bareilles and say, 'Hey, do you want to come play here?'' But he's focusing on the positive, noting that he's now working with other symphony orchestras with that free time. Folds has recently also tried countering the turmoil of our current era: Last year he released his first Christmas album, 'Sleigher,' and his 2023 album 'What Matters Most' opens with 'But Wait, There's More,' which offers political commentary but then talks about believing in the good of humankind, and closes with the uplifting 'Moments.' And obviously, Folds knows that a show that stars a beagle and a small yellow bird that defies classification is not the right place to get bogged down in the issues of the day. Even when the lyrics dip into melancholy waters, they find a positive place to land. 'In this era I don't want the art that passes through my world to not have some semblance of hope,' he says.

Former Disney child star woke up to 'zero dollars' in bank account after nearly 20 years in showbiz
Former Disney child star woke up to 'zero dollars' in bank account after nearly 20 years in showbiz

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Former Disney child star woke up to 'zero dollars' in bank account after nearly 20 years in showbiz

Former Disney child star woke up to 'zero dollars' in bank account after nearly 20 years in showbiz Alyson Stoner had worked in showbiz for nearly 20 years when the former child star checked a bank account, expecting over a million dollars – and there was nothing. The entertainer had been performing since turning 3 years old. The 32-year-old danced alongside Missy Elliott, and appeared in "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "Camp Rock," among other films. Yet after being "groomed to be sold," the bank account had zero dollars. Stoner is now exploring the pitfalls of fame in a new memoir, "Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything." "Even though I was absolutely frugal, and I continue to be, there are a lot of loopholes that leave room for a child's money to be mishandled, even by people who have good intentions but don't understand the unique business structures of entertainment expenses," Stoner told Fox News Digital. Lindsay Lohan Says Fame Drove Her Out Of Hollywood, Blames Paparazzi For Ptsd "It was shocking to wake up to zero dollars in an account," Stoner admitted. "I was mostly in denial at first. I was afraid for my future. I wondered after all this time, if I can be duped once, will I be taken advantage of again? Do I have the competence, the life skills to find my way outside the industry?" The entertainer, who uses they/them pronouns, was in their early 20s when they made the shocking discovery. Read On The Fox News App Stoner and their older sister teamed up to investigate years of records, the book details. The duo discovered that Stoner's business team had mismanaged finances, splurging on lavish gifts. Their mother, a "career bookkeeper," had been paying herself a monthly salary since Stoner was a child, plus taking "one-off payments" of "several thousand" over the years. There were also decades of hefty expenses to maintain a successful career in Hollywood. There were never any conversations about budgeting and saving. Stoner wrote that 15 years of labor turned into "a crumbling house of cards." "A lot of folks are unaware that it can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 for different expenses," said Stoner. "Many artists are losing money while spending a lot of time and energy and resources auditioning, only to be rejected a majority of the time… The creative industry is largely unpaid labor. When you're a child, the assumption is that you can afford to do this for fun, because you aren't necessarily the breadwinner." A devastated Stoner met with an entertainment lawyer. Ultimately, they decided against legal action, writing that they "can't burn a bridge with my mother." Stoner said they felt loyalty and compassion for the matriarch, who had also struggled with alcohol. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter "I began performing at the age of 3," Stoner reflected. "I attended a performance convention in New York at age 6. Unbeknownst to me, this was a recruitment funnel for Hollywood. And my Midwestern family had zero affiliation with the industry." "I had zero aspirations to pursue the industry," said Stoner. "And yet, there was a funnel with lots of different players, from agents, to managers, to casting directors, who were used to seeing children go through this process almost like a conveyor belt, becoming packaged products for audiences." "At 6 years old, I couldn't understand the short- and long-term implications of… having corporations own my name, image and likeness," Stoner continued. "It was also impossible for my family, who were given no upfront manual for what to expect, to recognize the consequences of disrupting every area of my childhood development, removing me from school to navigate 80-hour work weeks." And Stoner paid a big price for growing up in the public eye. After navigating stalkers, kidnapping plots, grueling schedules and excess demands, all the pressure eventually led to an eating disorder. "I would see forums online and comment sections and interactions with fans nitpicking specific aspects of my appearance, as if it correlated to my talent, my ability to work and my inherent value," said Stoner. "I also wanted to fulfill the industry's wishes, fulfill the expectations of someone like me, which is namely to stay thin, be fit and be so versatile." The book revealed that Stoner prepared to audition for "Hunger Games" while battling an eating disorder. Stoner claimed that at age 17, they convinced a "world-renowned medical weight-loss camp" to help, with the goal of building muscle for the film, not shedding pounds. But desperate for the role of Katniss, they went into "starvation mode" until they "completed the biggest binge of my life." The part ultimately went to Jennifer Lawrence. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Stoner was encouraged to press onward in their career. They described that for many performers, turning 18 is an "expiration date." But their body was "screaming for help," they said. "I was experiencing flaking nails, I had sallow skin, my weight was dropping, and I was navigating intense anxiety," said Stoner. "Some OCD tendencies were forming… I needed help." "The bittersweet truth is that oftentimes, when you're vying for deeply competitive spots, there's a sense that there's never going to be a good time to take care of yourself. You're willing to sacrifice absolutely anything to secure your spot… I needed to try to get myself back on track if I wanted any kind of future in the industry. Or any future at all." At age 17, Stoner sought treatment. "I recognized that I was in such a degree of distress that if I didn't get help, I was looking at potentially fatal consequences," Stoner admitted. Stoner also noted that as they grew older, they felt uneasy being expected to play more seductive characters at a film studio. "One of the areas that was most uncomfortable was being in a casting room where you're playing opposite adults, and you're being coached to come across as provocative, and you're rewarded with maybe a callback if you showcased the right amount of skin," said Stoner. "If [you've] gone through the process of being able to work as a legal 18, you might be on set without any guardians. Crew members may not even know your age. And it leaves a lot of room for pushing the envelope, potential grooming and being taken advantage of." "I have countless stories of young people who were hired to play one character, and upon showing up on set, they were slowly and systematically coerced into doing more than what was originally on the page," said Stoner. Today, Stoner is the founder of Movement Genius, an online platform that aims to make mental health support more accessible. Stoner is also a voice actor for Disney. "I strongly encourage people to pursue local community theater first," Stoner offered up when asked about advice for parents. "For a young person to be able to develop healthfully, they need developmentally appropriate experiences. At the moment, entertainment productions are not equipped to provide those experiences." Stoner noted that being an advocate for the next generation of child performers is one of their most important roles today. WATCH: FORMER DISNEY STARS EXPLAIN HOW CHILD STARDOM PREPARED THEM FOR 'SPECIAL FORCES' "My memoir gives people an opportunity to learn about the intimate details of what happened on all those sets growing up, while also answering very timely questions about what it means to navigate the world," said Stoner. "I tell people, 'Come for the childhood chaos. Stay for the cultural critique.'" Original article source: Former Disney child star woke up to 'zero dollars' in bank account after nearly 20 years in showbiz Solve the daily Crossword

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Reunite for ‘Highest 2 Lowest'—Here's How to Watch
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Reunite for ‘Highest 2 Lowest'—Here's How to Watch

Elle

time2 hours ago

  • Elle

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Reunite for ‘Highest 2 Lowest'—Here's How to Watch

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reunite for the fifth time in Highest 2 Lowest, a modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa's revered 1963 thriller High and Low. Set in present-day New York, Lee casts Washington as David King, a music mogul pulled into a high-stakes ransom plot. Today's theatrical release arrives after the film premiered at Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a six-minute standing ovation (and a rare Rihanna red carpet appearance). This marks Washington and Lee's first film together since 2006's Inside Man, a collaboration Washington says was built on deep mutual trust. 'There was only one person to do this. And I'm sitting next to him,' the actor recently told Vanity Fair. Lee approached the project as 'a jazz reinterpretation of a great film,' adding, 'I knew if I was to do this, it had to be a reimagining. And it was right up my alley—a big, fat, juicy one coming down the middle of the plate. And I feel like I knocked it out.' Washington sees the project as long overdue in his career. 'In [most of] the time I've been an actor, I wouldn't even have been allowed to play a part like this. No white directors were hiring us, and no studios were hiring us,' he told Vanity Fair. 'That's why I called Spike. I trust Spike, and he trusts me.' Lee hopes audiences catch the film on the biggest screen possible. 'No matter how big that TV on the wall in your home is, see it in theaters first,' he says. Washington added, 'In the theaters, in the theaters, in the theaters. I'll keep saying August 15.' Not yet, but soon. After debuting in theaters today, the film will land on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5, 2025, just 19 days later. Until then, you'll need to catch it during its theatrical run. Take it from Lee—it's worth seeing on the big screen. GET TICKETS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store