DRAMATIST ▪ AUTHOR ▪ SCREENWRITER
ABOUT:
Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel’s Greasy Spoon takes you behind the scenes of one of television’s most beloved sitcoms. It all started with Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award–winning film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Learn how the movie and series were developed, peruse the fact-filled episode log, and test your Alice trivia knowledge with a fan quiz featuring over 120 questions.
WHERE TO PURCHASE:
Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel’s Greasy Spoon is available at major bookstores including:
BearManor Media (publisher)
To purchase a copy signed by the author, click here
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The Alice: Life Behind the Counter . . . Facebook page features additional information on the book, new photos, and more!
What people are saying . . .
What people are saying . . .
Fans of the film, the sitcom and the spinoff of Alice will be equally rewarded by reading Barry Putt’s thoroughly researched book. Wonderfully detailed, and chock full of interesting tidbits about the creators, writers and actors, this book delivers a time machine ride, behind, inside and around this beloved show. While I recalled many of the episodes from the sitcom, I had no idea that the show was based on a multi-award winning, dramatic film that was not only directed by Martin Scorsese, but starred some of Hollywood’s best known actors. This book will have you reminiscing about the many memorable moments at Mel’s Diner. Reading the synopsis of each episode serves as a reminder that shows that leave a lingering smile on your face do so because they address timeless issues near and dear to the heart no matter how much time passes by. Pop a TV dinner into the microwave, put your feet up on a snack table and enjoy reading this entertaining book that will surprise even the most diehard fan!
— simone mets
Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel’s Greasy Spoon is an insightful and delightful peek into the feature film and television series which was inspired by it. This compelling and in depth history of the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and series Alice delves into the personal lives of the actors, producers, directors and explains how their ideas and relationships intertwined to bring the characters to life in the 1970s and 80s. By page six I wanted to watch the film which I never knew was the story behind the television show, and by the end of the book I could not wait to re-watch the episodes of the beloved series I grew up watching. Mr. Putt does not only give a detailed description of the history of the characters and the actors, but infuses it with a feminist perspective which highlights the progressive nature of both the film and series. The lead character, Alice Hyatt, is a single working mother who has to put aside her dream of being a singer to work at a diner and provide for her son, Tommy. In the television series, the writers do not hold back, as the episodes tackle hard hitting topics for the time including homosexuality, depression and suicide. The interviews compiled by Mr. Putt recounts the input of the actors’ on their characters, which shows how they grew from simple somewhat one dimensional characters into complex and lovable human beings. Not only does Mr. Putt include the back story of the lives of the characters, the description of each episode of the series (especially fun is noting the episodes where the boom mic can be spotted or a random crew member accidentally lurks in the background), guest appearances and the world of the spin off Flo, based on the sassy, iconic character from the series. This book is a wonderful introduction to the life of Alice and a warm and thoughtful memoir for audiences.”
— shelli pentimall
If you’re hankering for a serving of classic ’70s TV, Alice is the ultimate dish. Writer Barry Putt, Jr.’s meticulously-researched fan book describes how director Martin Scorsese’s funny and touching 1974 film about a tenacious single mom who puts her dreams on hold for a job at a Southwest diner was turned into the beloved CBS series Alice, and its spinoff, Flo. Alice is filled with revealing, behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the actors, writers and producers who molded and shaped the hit shows, as well as detailed bios of the major players, quizzes and rarely seen photos. ”
— salaama barboza
Book Events/Appearances
- Spring 2024 (ROKU TV) -- Author discussion of "Alice" Tv series on ACW-TV hosted by Jay Michaels. More soon!
- 3/21/2022 (on demand, streaming) -- Author discussion of "Alice" TV series book on "The Authors Show" a program based in Arizona.
- 6/15/2021 12 PM EST -- Author discussion of "Alice" TV series book on "A Chat and a Spin Radio" a UK based station
- 6/4/2021 4 PM EST -- Author discussion of "Alice" TV series book on the "Truckers Network Radio Show" which airs live in Houston, TX
- 3/23/2021 8 PM EST -- Author discussion of "Alice" TV series book on "Minddog TV"
- 12/8/2020, 6:30 EST -- Author discussion of "Alice" TV series book on "A Book and a Chat" live on TuneIn and New Visions Radio.
- 11/6/2020, 4 PM EST -- Author discussion of "Alice" TV series book on "Joe's Variety Hour" which airs on 101.9 FM WDXD in Tallahassee, FL
- 6/15/2020, 8 PM EST -- Live-stream book presentation at Facebook: Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel's Greasy Spoon
- 12/16/2019, 7 PM -- Book presentation and signing at the Franklin Township Public Library, Somerset, NJ
- 11/15/2019 to 12/15/2019 -- “Holiday Market” at the LBI Arts and Science Foundation, 120 Long Beach Blvd, Loveladies, NJ 08008